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Limner

limnerart.com

Free plan WindowsmacOSiOS
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Spec score 8.4 #9 of 46 in Digital Painting Software

What it is

Limner is an app for painting, illustration, vector work, animation, and comics, with desktop versions for Windows and macOS and support for iPadOS. Drawing tools include pressure and tilt input, stroke stabilization, custom brushes, and Photoshop ABR brush importing. Layers, masks, and live adjustments support image editing. Animation mode provides frame-by-frame work with onion skin and exports to GIF, MP4, or numbered PNG sequences. The app can record drawing sessions and export timelapse videos up to 4K; the manual also lists PSD import and SVG export. The download page specifies Windows 10 or 11 64-bit, macOS 13 Ventura or later, and iPadOS 16 or later. Windows minimum requirements include a dual-core CPU, 4 GB RAM, and a GPU with a working Direct3D 12 or Vulkan driver. The desktop free tier needs no account or key, while vector, animation, and book projects on desktop are Limner Plus features. All features are unlocked during the iPad beta. Limner says artwork, documents, and settings stay on the device, and that the app has no analytics, telemetry, or crash reporting. The license permits personal and commercial creative work.

Spec sheet

What it does
Limner is a creative application combining raster illustration, vector design, animation, and comic or manga workspaces.Read 19 Oct 2026 · limnerart.com
Product
Limner is a painting, illustration, vector, animation, and comics app for creative work.Read 8 Oct 2026 · limnerart.com
Intended users
The license permits personal or commercial creative work, and the maker describes the app for illustrators, animators, and comic or manga projects.Read 8 Oct 2026 · limnerart.com
Security
The site, license server, and update system use HTTPS; keys and activation leases are cryptographically signed and installers are code signed.Read 19 Oct 2026 · limnerart.com
Privacy
The maker states that artwork stays on the device and the app has no analytics, telemetry, or crash reporting.Read 19 Oct 2026 · limnerart.com
Support
Support is provided by email for bugs, feature requests, keys, billing, and questions, and the studio says every message is read by the developer.Read 19 Oct 2026 · limnerart.com
Headquarters
Virginia Beach, Virginia, United StatesRead 28 Sep 2026 · limnerart.com
Company
Limner LLC is a Virginia limited liability company with an address in Virginia Beach, Virginia, United States.Read 8 Oct 2026 · limnerart.com
Activation limitation
Desktop Plus keys are tied to one device and require periodic online revalidation, with an offline grace period of about three weeks.Read 19 Oct 2026 · limnerart.com
Animation
Animation mode supports cel timelines, onion skinning, keyframed cameras, motion curves, parenting, audio, and GIF, APNG, MP4, PSD, and PNG-sequence output.Read 19 Oct 2026 · limnerart.com
Animation export
Animation mode supports frame-by-frame work with onion skin and export to GIF, MP4, or numbered PNG sequence.Read 8 Oct 2026 · limnerart.com
API and SDKs
The official product, manual, download, and support pages document file-format interoperability but do not describe a public API or SDK.Read 19 Oct 2026 · limnerart.com
Artwork privacy
The app contains no analytics, telemetry, or crash reporting, and artwork, documents, and settings stay on the device.Read 8 Oct 2026 · limnerart.com
Beta limitation
The terms warn that beta software may contain errors, change, be interrupted, or be discontinued without notice.Read 19 Oct 2026 · limnerart.com
Brushes
Brush Studio lets users create brushes and exchange Photoshop ABR files and Limner LBRUSH presets.Read 19 Oct 2026 · limnerart.com
Canvas limit
The desktop document loader accepts canvas dimensions from 1 to 16,384 pixels per side.Read 19 Oct 2026 · limnerart.com
Comics
Book projects hold multiple Illustration or Vector pages in one limnerbook file and include page management and comic panels.Read 19 Oct 2026 · limnerart.com
Company headquarters
The legal entity lists 3419 Virginia Beach Blvd #5120, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23452-4419, United States.Read 19 Oct 2026 · opengovus.com
Company registration
Limner LLC was incorporated in Virginia on July 1, 2026 and is listed as active with Parker Vincent as registered agent.Read 19 Oct 2026 · opengovus.com
Desktop requirements
The stated Windows minimum is a dual-core CPU, 4 GB RAM, and a GPU with a working Direct3D 12 or Vulkan driver.Read 8 Oct 2026 · limnerart.com
Developer documentation
The manual links developer-level material for Limner file-format layout and version history rather than a general programming API.Read 19 Oct 2026 · limnerart.com
Documentation
The official manual is a searchable 45-chapter guide covering tools, workspaces, file formats, animation, Books, troubleshooting, and shortcuts.Read 19 Oct 2026 · limnerart.com
Drawing tools
It supports pressure and tilt, custom brushes, and importing Photoshop brushes.Read 8 Oct 2026 · limnerart.com
Earlier defect history
The 0.8.7 release notes describe fixes for locked-layer painting, keyframed-layer corruption, brush-pack rejection, memory failures, and unsafe revocation handling.Read 19 Oct 2026 · github.com
File formats
The documented formats include Limner, limnerbook, PSD, OpenRaster, SVG, PNG, JPEG, and CMYK TIFF.Read 19 Oct 2026 · limnerart.com
Illustration
The illustration workspace provides raster painting, a full brush engine, layers, blend modes, masks, selections, filters, and adjustments.Read 19 Oct 2026 · limnerart.com
Image trace
The Vectorize Layer command traces raster layers into editable color or monochrome vector shapes and is a Plus feature.Read 19 Oct 2026 · limnerart.com
Independent review availability
The accessible independent directory pages searched did not show established user-review counts or recurring third-party praise and complaints for Limner.Read 19 Oct 2026 · g2.com
Integrations and formats
The manual lists Photoshop ABR brush exchange, PSD import, and SVG export.Read 8 Oct 2026 · limnerart.com
iPad canvas limit
The iPad build limits new canvases to 8,192 pixels per side.Read 19 Oct 2026 · limnerart.com
iPad requirements
The iPad build requires iPadOS 16 or later and strongly recommends an Apple Pencil for painting.Read 19 Oct 2026 · limnerart.com
Layers
It includes layers, masks, and live adjustments.Read 8 Oct 2026 · limnerart.com
License model
Limner is distributed under a proprietary end-user license; users receive a limited personal license and cannot redistribute, reverse engineer, or sublicense the software.Read 19 Oct 2026 · limnerart.com
Mac requirements
The Mac build requires macOS 13 Ventura or later and runs natively on Apple silicon and Intel processors.Read 19 Oct 2026 · limnerart.com
Open-source components
The terms say the application contains third-party open-source components listed in THIRD_PARTY_NOTICES.txt, while Limner itself remains proprietary.Read 19 Oct 2026 · limnerart.com
Payments
Limner Plus purchases are processed by Stripe, and Limner says card details do not reach or get stored by the company.Read 8 Oct 2026 · limnerart.com
Pen input
The app supports pen pressure and tilt, Windows Ink tablets, pressure calibration, stabilization, taper, and inking correction.Read 19 Oct 2026 · limnerart.com
PSD compatibility
PSD import and export preserve supported layers, folders, masks, names, blend modes, opacity, visibility, and some live Photoshop structures.Read 19 Oct 2026 · limnerart.com
PSD limit
The manual says PSD import excludes PSB, high-bit-depth, CMYK or Lab files, smart objects, editable Photoshop text and effects, and live adjustment semantics in the documented version.Read 19 Oct 2026 · limnerart.com
Recommended hardware
For large canvases, many layers, and animation, Limner recommends a quad-core CPU, 16 GB RAM, and 2 GB VRAM or a modern integrated GPU.Read 19 Oct 2026 · limnerart.com
Release compatibility warning
The 0.9.0 GitHub release warns that saves use a damage-resistant format requiring version 0.9.0 or later to open, while older documents remain readable until saved.Read 19 Oct 2026 · github.com
Release news
Version 0.9.0 was released on September 24, 2026 and added macOS and iPad builds, a dedicated Vector workspace, PDF export, HEIC and AVIF import, and animation audio.Read 19 Oct 2026 · github.com
Self-hosting
The product pages describe desktop and iPad applications and do not provide a self-hosted deployment option.Read 19 Oct 2026 · limnerart.com
Supported devices
The download page supports Windows 10 or 11 64-bit, macOS 13 Ventura or later, and iPadOS 16 or later.Read 8 Oct 2026 · limnerart.com
Timelapse
Limner records drawing sessions inside the document and exports timelapse video with crops and presets up to 4K.Read 19 Oct 2026 · limnerart.com
Vector
Vector mode provides editable paths, shapes, text, gradients, symbols, masks, artboards, snapping, Pathfinder operations, and SVG import and export.Read 19 Oct 2026 · limnerart.com
Windows requirements
Windows support requires Windows 10 or 11 64-bit, a dual-core CPU, 4 GB RAM, and a GPU with Direct3D 12 or Vulkan support.Read 19 Oct 2026 · limnerart.com

Plans and prices

Free tier Free Windows and macOS; no account or key required; vector, animation, and book projects are Limner Plus features on desktop Read 8 Oct 2026 · limnerart.com
iPad beta Free All features unlocked during beta; pricing for the full release to be announced before the beta ends Read 8 Oct 2026 · limnerart.com
iPad beta Free Free during beta; full-release pricing to be announced All features unlocked · no key or purchase required Read 19 Oct 2026 · limnerart.com
Limner Free Free Free during beta Raster illustration · brushes · layers · masks · filters · timelapse · standard file formats Read 19 Oct 2026 · limnerart.com
Limner Plus Free Free during beta; future pricing not announced Vector workspace · image trace · animation studio · comic and manga Books · advanced production features Read 19 Oct 2026 · limnerart.com
Limner Plus Priced on request Not on sale during the beta; post-beta pricing not announced Unlocks additional desktop features; free 14-day trial on Windows and macOS Read 8 Oct 2026 · limnerart.com

Every Limner plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Pressure, tilt, and stroke stabilization
  • Imports Photoshop ABR brushes
  • Exports animation to GIF, MP4, or PNG sequence
  • Timelapse export up to 4K
  • Artwork and settings stay on the device

Limits

  • Desktop vector, animation, and book projects require Plus
  • Post-beta Limner Plus pricing is unannounced
  • Windows requires a Direct3D 12 or Vulkan driver

Who it suits

Limner suits illustrators, animators, and comic or manga creators who want drawing, animation, and export tools in one app. Its license permits both personal and commercial creative work.

Limner in depth

Read the full write-up

Limner is a locally stored painting, illustration, vector, comics, and frame-by-frame animation app for Windows, macOS, and iPad. It is best suited to illustrators, animators, and comic artists who want one tool that handles both drawing and motion work. Its strongest case is the combination of capable media tools, Photoshop-compatible exchange, and unusually explicit privacy protections.

Overview

Limner covers personal and commercial creative work, so the same license can support commissioned illustrations, animation projects, and private experiments. Pressure and tilt input, custom brushes, stabilization, layers, masks, and live adjustments give it a broad drawing and editing foundation. Basic color management is the main constraint for color-critical production.

Artwork, documents, and settings stay on the device, and the app contains no analytics, telemetry, or crash reporting. Limner says its website, license server, and update system use HTTPS; activation keys and leases are cryptographically signed, and installers are code signed. Stripe handles Plus payments, while Limner says card details never reach or remain with the company. Email support covers bugs, feature requests, keys, billing, and general questions, with every message read by the developer.

Key features

Drawing and file workflow

Photoshop ABR brush exchange and PSD import reduce friction for artists moving existing assets into Limner. SVG export makes vector-oriented delivery practical. Layer support, masks, and live adjustments help preserve editable structure rather than forcing destructive edits. Stroke stabilization benefits controlled line work, while pressure and tilt support suits a compatible stylus. The basic color-management implementation is adequate for general illustration but is a reason to look elsewhere for tightly managed print or color-matching pipelines.

Animation and recording

Animation mode is built around frame-by-frame work with onion skin, allowing successive drawings to be aligned and compared. Finished sequences can be exported as GIF, MP4, or numbered PNG files, covering quick sharing and further editing. Limner can also record drawing sessions and export timelapses up to 4K, useful for process videos and demonstrations.

Pricing

Free tier

The Free tier costs nothing on Windows and macOS, requires no account or key, and supports drawing work. Desktop vector, animation, and book projects are Plus features, so it is a sensible no-commitment option for raster-focused illustration but not a complete desktop license for mixed-media creators.

iPad beta

The iPad beta costs nothing and unlocks all features during the beta. Full-release pricing will be announced before the beta ends, making it attractive for trying the complete tablet workflow but unsuitable for budgeting a long-term iPad deployment yet.

Limner Plus

Plus is currently not on sale during the beta, and post-beta pricing has not been announced. It unlocks additional desktop features and includes a free 14-day trial on Windows and macOS. The trial is the practical route for testing whether the project-type restrictions of Free justify a future purchase; there is no published renewal price to compare against a recurring software budget.

Platforms

Supported platforms are Windows, macOS, and iPadOS. The download requirements are Windows 10 or 11 64-bit, macOS 13 Ventura or later, and iPadOS 16 or later. On Windows, the stated minimum is a dual-core CPU, 4 GB of RAM, and a GPU with a working Direct3D 12 or Vulkan driver. The Free tier is specifically offered on Windows and macOS, while the iPad beta provides all features during its test period.

Who it's for

Choose Limner if you illustrate, animate, or make comics and want drawing, editable layers, vector export, and frame animation in one application. It is particularly compelling for Photoshop users who rely on ABR brushes or PSD files, and for creators who require local-only artwork storage. Commercial use is permitted. It is less suitable when advanced color management is central, when a firm post-beta price is required, or when desktop projects depend on vector, animation, or book features without moving beyond the Free tier.

Pros and cons

Pro: Pressure, tilt, custom brushes, stabilization, layers, masks, and live adjustments support both expressive marks and structured editing.

Pro: ABR exchange, PSD import, and SVG export ease migration and delivery across established workflows.

Pro: Onion-skin frame animation, multiple export formats, and 4K timelapse recording cover motion and process content.

Pro: No telemetry or crash reporting, with artwork and settings retained locally.

Con: Basic color management limits its appeal for color-critical production.

Con: The desktop Free tier excludes vector, animation, and book projects.

Con: Plus is unavailable during beta and has no announced post-beta price, complicating long-term cost planning.

Alternatives

ibisPaint is the better pick for broad device coverage, including Android, and offers a free version with unlimited usage, 64MB cloud storage, and advertisements. Choose Drawpile instead when free, open-source software and community servers across desktop, mobile, web, or self-hosting matter more than Limner's integrated animation workflow.

Clip Studio Paint suits concept artists, illustrators, and designers who prefer a paid product with a published 0.99 USD monthly PRO annual/monthly plan and a trial. Artweaver is an alternative for Windows and macOS users considering a freemium painting application. Infinite Painter is worth choosing on Android or iOS when a mobile-first app and a free tier capped at three layers fit the project. Sketchbook is a mobile and desktop option with a free application and a separate Premium Bundle. FireAlpaca is the straightforward choice for free software offering customizable brushes, layered artwork, animation tools, and CMYK display. HEAVYPAINT is an alternative when its 9.99 USD one-time full-version unlock or 2.99 USD monthly Gallery Sync better matches the intended purchase.

For a wider comparison, see Digital Painting Software.

Verdict

Limner is a strong choice for illustrators, animators, and comic artists who value local files, Photoshop-compatible assets, and a single workspace for drawing and frame animation. Its privacy stance and capable export options are persuasive reasons to choose it. Look elsewhere if you need advanced color management, unrestricted desktop project types at no cost, or a confirmed Plus price before committing.

Verdict

Limner combines illustration and animation tools with desktop and iPad support, plus a free desktop tier. Check the platform requirements and the feature limits of each tier; the full-release Plus price has not been announced.

Where Specifiction places it

Alternatives to LimnerAll alternatives →