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animation software

Drawpile: Free Collaborative Drawing, Painting, and Animation Software

Drawpile is free open-source software for live collaborative drawing, offline sketching, and simple animation, available on desktop, Android, and the web.

By ThatPainter Team 3 min read
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Drawpile is free, open-source drawing software for people who want to paint or sketch together on one shared canvas in real time. It also works as a standalone offline drawing program, includes basic animation tools, and is available as desktop and Android apps, with a browser option for iPad and iPhone.

What Drawpile does

Drawpile combines a drawing workspace with live collaboration: multiple people can draw, sketch, paint, or animate on the same canvas simultaneously. The project also describes it as a lightweight drawing program for offline use. You do not need to be collaborating to use it.

For a shared session, the official community servers let users host sessions without setting up their own server. The downloads page also lists dedicated server tools for people who want to administer their own server. Drawpile’s homepage and downloads page provide the current product and hosting information.

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Where you can use it

The official downloads page lists Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android versions, plus a web client. It identifies the web client as the available route for iPad and iPhone; check the current page for platform and release availability.

#1 Best Overall
Wacom Intuos Small, Wired Graphic Drawing Tablet with Pen + Software
  • Wacom Intuos Small Graphics Drawing Tablet: Enjoy industry leading tablet performance in superior control and precision with Wacom's EMR, battery free technology that feels like pen on paper
  • Works With All Software: Wacom Intuos tablet can be used in any software program to explore new facets of digital creativity; draw, paint, edit photos/videos, create designs, and mark up documents
  • What the Professionals Use: Wacom's industry leading pen technology and pen to paper feeling makes it the preferred drawing tablet of professional graphic designers
  • Software and Training Included: Only Wacom gives you software with every purchase. Register your Intuos tablet and gain access to some of the best creative software and Wacom's online training
  • Wacom is the Global Leader in Drawing Tablet and Displays: For over 40 years in pen display and tablet market, you can trust that Wacom to help you bring your vision, ideas and creativity to life

For Linux, the page offers Flathub and AppImage. Android users can install through F-Droid or use the APK; the project recommends F-Droid for updates. The standard Windows download lists Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10, and 11 as supported. Distribution options and requirements can change, so use the official download listings rather than relying on an old installer link.

Drawing tools and tablet support

Drawpile’s About page reports over 200 built-in brushes and says it supports pressure-sensitive drawing tablets on all platforms. A pressure-sensitive tablet and stylus are optional: the project does not make them a prerequisite for using the software. The page does not establish compatibility for any particular tablet model, so check the device and operating system details if model-specific support matters.

Rank #2
Sale
XPPen Deco 01 V3 10x6 Drawing Tablet, 16K Battery-Free Stylus, 8 Keys
  • Word-first 16K Pressure Levels: The upgraded stylus features 16,384 levels of pressure sensitivity and supports up to 60 degrees of tilt, delivering smoother lines and shading for a natural drawing experience. With no battery or charging needed, it operates like a real pen, making it easy for beginners to create effortlessly. This functionality helps novice artists develop their skills and explore their creativity without the intimidation of complex tools
  • Designed for Beginners: This drawing pad desinged with 8 customizable shortcuts for both right and left-hand users, express keys create a highly ergonomic and convenient work platform
  • Perfectly Adapted for Android: The XPPen Deco 01 V3 art tablet supports connections with Android devices running version 10.0 and above. It is recommended to download the XPPen Tools Android application, which adapts to your smartphone's screen aspect ratio, ensuring accurate mapping. It also supports mapping on Android screens with different aspect ratios in portrait mode
  • Large Drawing Space, Bigger Bold Inspiration: This expansive drawing pad has10 x 6.25-inch helps you break through the limit between shortcut keys and drawing area
  • Easy Connectivity for Beginners: The Deco 01 V3 offers USB-C to USB-C connectivity, plus adapters for USB C. This ensures easy connection to various devices, allowing beginner artists to set up quickly and focus on their creativity without compatibility concerns. Whether using a laptop, tablet, or desktop, the Deco 01 V3 provides a seamless experience, making it an ideal choice for those just starting their digital art journey

Animation tools and exports

Drawpile’s animation workflow includes a timeline, onion skins for comparing nearby frames, and a flipbook preview. The help documentation describes two export routes:

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  • PNG frames: Export frames individually for further processing in another program.
  • Animated WebP: Export an animation as an animated WebP file.

Export availability varies by platform. The project documents these tools and workflows; that alone does not establish that Drawpile replaces a dedicated animation or video-editing application for every production need. See the animation help for current instructions and platform qualifications.

Rank #3
Sale
HUION Inspiroy H640P 6x4 inch Drawing Tablet 8192 Pen Pressure
  • Customize Your Workflow: The 6 customizable press keys on Huion H640P drawing tablet for pc let you assign your most-used commands—like undo, zoom, brush switch, or save—so you can keep your hands on the tablet and your mind on the art. Whether you're a digital painter switching brushes, or a comic artist zooming in and out, these keys keep your workflow smooth and uninterrupted. Plus, the Huion driver lets you save different shortcut profiles for different apps, so you never have to reconfigure when switching software.
  • Professional Pen Performance: Huion H640P drawing pad for computer comes with the battery-free PW100 stylus that's always ready when inspiration strikes. With 8192 levels of pressure sensitivity, every light sketch, or bold stroke responds naturally to your hand—just like a real pen. The 5080 LPI resolution and 233 PPS report rate deliver lag-free, precise strokes, so you can draw confidently without second-guessing your cursor. The pen side buttons help you switch between pen and eraser instantly.
  • Compact and Portable: Huion H640P computer graphics tablet features a compact, ultra-portable design at just 0.3 inches thin and 0.61 lbs light, so it slides easily into your backpack—perfect for sketching in coffee shops, taking notes in class, or editing on the go between home and studio. The 6x4 inch active area offers enough room for natural pen movements while fitting comfortably on crowded desks, or lecture hall seats.
  • Stable Compatibility: Huion H640P graphic drawing tablet works seamlessly with Mac, Windows, Linux PCs, and Android smartphones/tablets (OS version 6.0 or later). Left-handed friendly, and you just need to flip the tablet and adjust the settings in the driver. Please note: H640P does NOT support iPhone/iPad.
  • Move Beyond the Mouse: Huion Inspiroy H640P is a pen tablet that replaces your mouse for more natural, precise control. Freehand draw, take notes, or even play OSU—everything you do with a mouse, you can do better with a pen. The precise tip makes it ideal for detailed photo editing, graphic design, or signing PDF. Meanwhile, the ergonomic pen grip helps you avoid the strain that comes from hours of using a mouse.

Stable release, beta, and installation

As listed on the official downloads page on October 4, 2026, Drawpile 2.3.0 was the stable download and 2.3.1-beta.2 was the beta. The project announced that beta on September 23, 2026, and says it is compatible with 2.3.0. A beta is not required to use Drawpile; choose the stable release unless you specifically want to try a beta, and check the official downloads page for the current status.

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How to decide if it fits your workflow

  • Choose it for shared-canvas sessions if the central need is for several people to draw together live, rather than each person working separately and combining files later.
  • Consider the web client if you are using an iPad or iPhone, for which the official download page identifies the browser version as the available option.
  • Check animation requirements against the documented timeline, onion skins, preview, and export formats before moving a project into your workflow.
  • Check hardware and operating-system fit if you depend on a particular pressure-sensitive tablet; the project states general support but does not confirm individual models in its product information.
  • Consider hosting needs before inviting collaborators: community servers avoid self-hosting setup, while dedicated server tools are listed for users who want to run their own.

Drawpile is free and open source. The project invites donations to support development and server operation; donations are optional.

Best Value
Sale
XPPen Artist 13.3 Pro V2 Drawing Tablet with Screen, 16K, Full-Laminated
  • PLEASE NOTE:XPPen Artist13.3 Pro drawing tablet Need to connect with computer,you need to use it with your computer or laptop, the 3 in 1 cable is included
  • Drawing Tablet with Screen: Tilt Function- XPPen Artist 13.3 Pro supports up to 60 degrees of tilt function, so now you don't need to adjust the brush direction in the software again and again. Simply tilt to add shading to your creation and enjoy smoother and more natural transitions between lines and strokes
  • Graphics Tablets: High Color Gamut- The 13.3 inch fully-laminated FHD Display pairs a superb color accuracy of 88% NTSC (Adobe RGB≧91%,sRGB≧123%) with a 178-degree viewing angle and delivers rich colors, vivid images, and dazzling details in a wider view. Your creative world is now as powerful as it is colorful
  • Drawing Pad: One is enough- The sleek Red Dial on the display is expertly designed with creators in mind, its strategic placement allows for natural drawing postures. With just one wheel, you can effortlessly zoom in and out, adjust brush sizes, and flip the canvas—all tailored to suit the habits of everyday artists. The 8 customizable shortcut keys allow you to personalize your setup, streamlining your workflow and enhancing creative efficiency
  • Universal Compatibility & Software Support:supports Windows 7 (or later), Mac OS X 10.10 (or later), Chrome OS 88 (or later), and Linux systems. Fully compatible with major creative software including Photoshop, Illustrator, SAI, and Blender 3D. Register your device to access additional programs like ArtRage 5 and openCanvas for expanded creative possibilities.
Rank #4
4 Pack LCD Writing Tablet for Kids, 8.5 Inch Colorful Doodle Board Drawing Tablet, Educational Learning Toys Birthday Gifts for Boys Girls Age 3 4 5 6 7 8
  • 4 Pack for More Fun: Apply the newest flexible liquid crystal technology, brighter and clearer than most LCD writing tablet. Take pressure-sensitive technology, you can draw lines of different thicknesses through different pressure levels. Package includes 4 pack lcd writing tablet (Blue, Light blue, Green and Pink), free children's imagination and creativity.
  • 8.5 Inch Colorful Lcd writing Tablet: TQU kids LCD doodle board is a creative education and learning toy, perfect support for drawing, writing, spelling, math, remark, and notes which can let your kids freely release their natural instincts. With erase button on the front and lock switch. You can draw and erase easily by pressing the button on the front of the board. The pen fits snug on top of tablet and it will not come loose.
  • Easy to use and Durable: The LCD writing tablet for kids is easy to use, just use the stylus to write, draw, scribble, doodle anything you want. Press the erase button to clear the screen in one second. Or press the lock key to save the screen contents. Our magic reusable drawing tablet is built in a button battery.
  • Safe & Portable Toddler Travel Toys: Great for quiet, take-along entertainment. It’s an easy way to color on the go without lugging a bunch of stuff in the car or to a restaurant or church.
  • Perfect Gift Idea: The multi-functional LCD writing tablet is a great gift choice for kids. It can be an educational toy for preschoolers. A perfect parent-pick gift for 3 4 5 6 7 8 year old girls and boys on back to school, homeschool, birthday, Easter, Children's Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas and any occasion.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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