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Drawpile

drawpile.net

Free plan Open source WebWindowsmacOSLinuxiOSAndroid
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Spec score 8.9 #5 of 46 in Digital Painting Software

What it is

Drawpile is a drawing, painting, sketching and animation app for people working together on one canvas, with offline use also available. It runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and the web; on iPhone and iPad, the browser version works, but there is no native iOS app. Its toolkit includes more than 200 built-in brushes, several brush engines, a brush editor and stroke stabilization. Layers and layer groups support blend modes, alpha preserve, clipping groups, masking and alpha lock. Animation tools include a timeline and onion skins. Canvases can be saved as OpenRaster or PSD, and images can be pasted from files or other programs. Users can join official community servers without arranging their own infrastructure, or operate a server themselves. External authentication can let users access potentially untrusted third-party servers without sharing their password with those servers. Drawpile says it does not transfer information to other networked systems unless a user or operator specifically requests it. The free plan costs nothing.

Spec sheet

What it does
Drawpile lets multiple people draw, paint, sketch or animate together on one shared canvas in real time.Read 15 Oct 2026 · drawpile.net
Purpose
Drawpile lets people draw, paint, sketch and animate together on the same canvas, and it can also be used offline.Read 1 Oct 2026 · drawpile.net
Platforms
Official downloads cover Windows, macOS, Linux and Android, while the browser client works across platforms including iPad and iPhone.Read 15 Oct 2026 · drawpile.net
Support
Support is available through Discord, IRC web chat, Matrix, GitHub issues and the documentation.Read 1 Oct 2026 · drawpile.net
Android distribution limitation
Drawpile is not currently distributed through Google Play; the project directs users to F-Droid or APK downloads.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.drawpile.net
Animation
Animation tools include a timeline and onion skins, and users can animate collaboratively on a shared canvas.Read 15 Oct 2026 · drawpile.net
Authentication integration
External authentication lets users log in to potentially untrusted third-party servers without sending their password to those servers, and lets site owners integrate existing accounts.Read 1 Oct 2026 · docs.drawpile.net
Autorecovery
Desktop and mobile applications automatically save recovery data and can restore work after an unexpected exit; browser autorecovery is disabled by default.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.drawpile.net
Brush library
The program includes more than 200 built-in brushes, several brush engines, a custom brush editor and stroke stabilization.Read 15 Oct 2026 · drawpile.net
Brushes
Drawpile includes over 200 built-in brushes, multiple brush engines, a brush editor and a stroke stabilizer.Read 1 Oct 2026 · drawpile.net
Build documentation
Source-building instructions cover Linux, macOS, Windows, Android, WebAssembly and other operating systems, with package dependencies and CMake presets documented.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.drawpile.net
Code integrity
Windows binaries are signed through SignPath.io, dependencies are pinned to known-good versions, and SHA384 checks are performed for each build's retrieved dependency source.Read 1 Oct 2026 · drawpile.net
Collaboration servers
Official community servers let users host sessions for free without setting up server infrastructure themselves.Read 1 Oct 2026 · drawpile.net
Community hosting
Official community servers provide public sessions, and users can host password-protected sessions for invited collaborators.Read 15 Oct 2026 · drawpile.net
Company legal entity
The legal notice identifies Drawpile gemeinnützige UG (haftungsbeschränkt), registered in Wiesbaden, Germany, with Carsten Hartenfels as managing director.Read 15 Oct 2026 · drawpile.net
Company location
The maker's listed address is Adolfstraße 1, 65185 Wiesbaden, Germany.Read 15 Oct 2026 · drawpile.net
Developer architecture
The architecture documentation covers the client, paint engine, dedicated server, command-line tools, list server, web admin interfaces, abuse-report relay and Docker package.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.drawpile.net
Developer tools
The project distributes dprectool, drawpile-cmd and drawpile-timelapse command-line utilities alongside the dedicated server.Read 15 Oct 2026 · drawpile.net
Documentation scope
The help center includes drawing tools, animation, hosting, Docker, WebSockets, authentication, troubleshooting, packaging, architecture, source builds and protocol material.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.drawpile.net
External authentication
The ext-auth mechanism lets third-party servers authenticate Drawpile accounts with signed tokens without receiving the user's password.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.drawpile.net
File interoperability
OpenRaster and Drawpile formats are supported, and the documentation discusses PSD support and exporting to other editors such as Krita.Read 15 Oct 2026 · gappsy.com
Hosting limitation
The built-in server is not recommended because browsers cannot connect to sessions hosted that way and exposing a home computer creates security and privacy implications.Read 1 Oct 2026 · docs.drawpile.net
iOS availability
The browser version works on iPad and iPhone, while a native iOS application is unavailable because Apple does not allow Drawpile in its store.Read 1 Oct 2026 · drawpile.net
Latest release news
The project announced Drawpile 2.3.1-beta.2 on September 23, 2026 and described it as compatible with 2.3.0.Read 15 Oct 2026 · drawpile.net
Layers
Layer groups, blend modes, alpha preservation, clipping groups, masks and alpha lock are supported.Read 15 Oct 2026 · drawpile.net
Licence
Drawpile is distributed as free and open-source software under GPLv3 or later.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.drawpile.net
Limit: browser timelapse
Timelapse creation is unavailable in the web browser and is limited to desktop and mobile clients.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.drawpile.net
Limit: built-in hosting
The official help warns that the built-in server can expose a host's home IP, may require difficult network configuration, cannot serve browser users and goes offline if the host computer or application stops.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.drawpile.net
Limit: lag reports
RollApp reviewers reported delayed strokes and lag severe enough to make drawing unusable for some sessions.Read 15 Oct 2026 · d1vavpbr5pebgu.cloudfront.net
macOS installation limitation
macOS downloads may be blocked by Gatekeeper because the application is not Apple-verified, requiring users to approve it manually.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.drawpile.net
Moderation
Public sessions have operator, trusted, registered-user and guest permission tiers, plus kick, ban, canvas lock and reset controls.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.drawpile.net
Offline use
The application can also be used offline as a lightweight standalone drawing program.Read 15 Oct 2026 · drawpile.net
Open-source activity
The GitHub organization lists the main Drawpile repository under GPL-3.0, with about 1.3k stars and 155 forks when viewed.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Praise: collaboration
AlternativeTo comments repeatedly distinguish Drawpile for real-time collaborative drawing compared with solo painting tools.Read 15 Oct 2026 · alternativeto.net
Praise: custom brushes
An AlternativeTo commenter praised Drawpile for its custom-brush capability.Read 15 Oct 2026 · alternativeto.net
Project format
Version 2.3.1-beta.2 adds the .dppr project format, which stores canvas snapshots and drawing commands.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.drawpile.net
Project origin
The documentation site carries a 2014–2026 contributor copyright notice, and an independent directory lists the project as founded in 2014.Read 15 Oct 2026 · gappsy.com
Project playback
Project files can be played back and navigated to earlier canvas states, including recovery of previously merged or deleted layers.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.drawpile.net
Public protocol
A dedicated network-protocol document and source repositories are available for developers and integrators.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.drawpile.net
Rating on rollApp
3.85714285714 out of 5 from 7 reviews.Read 15 Oct 2026 · d1vavpbr5pebgu.cloudfront.net
Rating on SourceForge
5.0 out of 5 from 1 review.Read 15 Oct 2026 · 178.160.211.19.sslip.io
Security behavior
The program does not transfer information to other networked systems unless specifically requested by the user or the person installing or operating it.Read 1 Oct 2026 · drawpile.net
Security transport
Server configuration supports TLS keys, HTTPS authentication endpoints and public-key validation of authentication-token signatures.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.drawpile.net
Self-hosting
Anyone can run a Drawpile server; downloadable server binaries and an all-in-one Docker setup are provided.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.drawpile.net
Tablet support
Pressure-sensitive drawing tablets are supported on every platform listed by the project.Read 15 Oct 2026 · drawpile.net
Timelapse
Desktop and mobile builds can turn recorded drawing commands into timelapse video, with optional canvas cropping.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.drawpile.net
Windows requirements
The download page lists support for Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10 and 11, with separate ARM and 32-bit packages.Read 15 Oct 2026 · drawpile.net

Plans and prices

Drawpile Free Free and open source under GPLv3 · official community servers available free Read 1 Oct 2026 · drawpile.net
Free Free Collaborative drawing, painting, sketching, animation and offline use · desktop, mobile and browser access Read 15 Oct 2026 · drawpile.net

Every Drawpile plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Over 200 built-in brushes and multiple brush engines
  • Layer groups support blend modes, clipping and masking
  • Animation includes a timeline and onion skins
  • Can save canvas files as OpenRaster or PSD
  • Official community servers are available free

Limits

  • No native iOS application
  • Built-in server is not recommended for hosting sessions
  • Self-hosting requires users to operate their own server

Who it suits

Drawpile suits people who want to make art or animation together on a shared canvas, whether online or offline. It also fits users who want to host their own sessions or work with layered files and imported images.

Drawpile in depth

Read the full write-up

Overview

Drawpile is a collaborative drawing and painting app for artists who want to work on a shared canvas, with offline use available too. It is a strong fit for groups that want capable art tools without paying for software or arranging their own session hosting.

Its free, open-source model and official community servers make getting started straightforward. The main caveat is for people planning to host sessions themselves: the built-in server is not recommended, and iPhone and iPad users have only the browser version.

For more options in this category, browse our Digital Painting Software list.

Key features

Brushes and layers

More than 200 built-in brushes, multiple brush engines, a brush editor and stroke stabilization give artists substantial control over their marks. Pressure sensitivity adds support for pressure-aware input. Layers and groups include blend modes, alpha preserve, clipping groups, masking and alpha lock, making Drawpile a more capable workspace than a shared blank canvas. That depth suits artists building detailed compositions; it may be more than casual sketch sessions require.

Animation and file exchange

A timeline and onion skins support animation work. Saving canvas files as OpenRaster or PSD, plus pasting images from files or other programs, helps Drawpile fit alongside other art tools. Advanced color management is also supported.

Sessions, servers and security

Official community servers let groups start sessions without setting up infrastructure, which is the simplest route for most users. Artists who need control over their hosting can operate their own Drawpile server. External authentication can protect passwords when logging into potentially untrusted third-party servers and can let site owners connect existing accounts.

The built-in server is a poor choice for hosting: browsers cannot connect to sessions it hosts, and exposing a home computer can create security and privacy risks. Drawpile says it does not send information to other networked systems unless a user or the person installing or operating it specifically requests this. Windows binaries are signed through SignPath.io; dependencies are pinned to known-good versions, with SHA384 checks on retrieved dependency sources for each build.

Pricing

Drawpile — free. The free and open-source GPLv3 software includes access to official community servers at no charge. There is no paid tier to unlock for solo work or collaborative sessions, so it suits artists and groups who want the full stated offering without a software budget.

Support is available through Discord, IRC web chat, Matrix, GitHub issues and the documentation.

Platforms

Drawpile supports web, Windows, macOS, Linux and Android, as well as self-hosted deployments. The browser version works on iPhone and iPad, but there is no native iOS app because Apple does not allow Drawpile in its store. That makes it usable on Apple mobile devices, but not as a native app experience.

Who it's for

Choose Drawpile if you want free shared-canvas sessions backed by community servers, or if you need painting tools, layered compositions and animation in one application. Its offline capability also makes it useful for solo work. Look elsewhere if native iOS software is essential or if your collaboration setup depends on browser access to a session hosted by Drawpile's built-in server.

Pros and cons

Pros: Official community servers make collaboration possible without self-hosting.

Pros: Extensive brushes, layer controls and animation tools support more than quick sketching.

Pros: Free, open-source software is available for desktop, web and Android, with offline use too.

Cons: The built-in server cannot serve browser-connected sessions and can expose a home computer to security and privacy risks.

Cons: iPhone and iPad use is limited to the browser version rather than a native app.

Alternatives

ibisPaint is worth considering for artists who want a freemium option on Android, iOS, macOS or Windows, including a free version with unlimited usage time, 64MB of cloud storage and advertisements.

Clip Studio Paint is a paid alternative with a free trial and support for Android, iOS, macOS, web and Windows.

Artweaver offers a free plan and a free trial on macOS and Windows.

Infinite Painter is a freemium option for Android and iOS; its free plan is limited to three layers at device resolution and selected tools and features.

Sketchbook has a free mobile app with brushes, layers, guides, rulers and stroke tools, alongside macOS and Windows versions.

FireAlpaca is another free option, with customizable brushes, layered artwork and animation tools on Linux, macOS and Windows.

HEAVYPAINT is a freemium option spanning Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, web and Windows.

Krita is a free, open-source alternative without subscriptions or trials, available on Android, Linux, macOS and Windows.

Verdict

Drawpile is an excellent choice for artists who want free collaborative drawing without having to run a server, especially when layered artwork or animation matters as much as sketching. Choose another tool if native iOS support is a must, or if your hosting needs call for a browser-accessible self-hosted session without the built-in server's limitations.

Verdict

Drawpile combines collaborative drawing with layered artwork, animation tools and offline use. The free community servers avoid self-hosting, while the built-in server has a stated browser-connectivity and security limitation.

Where Specifiction places it

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