Pixaki
Pixaki is a professional pixel art creation app for iPad that provides a powerful touch-based interface for drawing, animating, and exporting high-quality pixel graphics for games and digital art.
Pixilart
Pixilart is a social networking platform and online drawing tool designed for enthusiasts to create, share, and discover pixel art through a browser-based editor and community marketplace.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Pixaki | Pixilart |
|---|---|---|
| Website | pixaki.com | pixilart.com |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Starting Price | Free | Free |
| FREE Trial | ✘ No free trial | ✘ No free trial |
| Free Plan | ✓ Has free plan | ✓ Has free plan |
| Product Demo | ✘ No product demo | ✘ No product demo |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2011 | 2013 |
| Headquarters | London, UK | Chicago, USA |
Overview
Pixaki
Pixaki is a dedicated pixel art studio designed specifically for your iPad, combining the precision of desktop tools with the flexibility of a mobile interface. You can create everything from simple sprites to complex isometric environments using a multi-touch workflow that feels natural and responsive. Whether you are a professional game developer or a hobbyist artist, the app provides the technical depth needed for serious production work without the clutter of traditional desktop software.
You can manage complex projects using a full-featured layer system and create smooth animations with a dedicated frame-by-frame timeline. The software solves the problem of awkward mobile drawing by offering advanced color management, custom palettes, and seamless export options to industry-standard formats. It is the go-to choice for artists who want to move their pixel art workflow away from the desk while maintaining professional-grade control over every pixel.
Pixilart
Pixilart is a specialized drawing platform that lets you create pixel-perfect art and animations directly in your browser. You can start with a blank canvas or upload existing images to transform them into retro-style graphics. The editor provides essential tools like pixel brushes, dithering, and layer management, making it accessible for beginners while remaining functional for experienced sprite artists.
Beyond the drawing tools, you can join a global community to share your work, enter themed drawing contests, and follow your favorite artists. It serves as both a creative suite and a social hub, allowing you to build a portfolio and interact with other creators. Whether you are designing game assets or just doodling for fun, the platform provides a collaborative environment to grow your digital art skills.
Overview
Pixaki Features
- Advanced Layer System Organize your artwork with unlimited layers, allowing you to edit backgrounds and characters independently without destructive changes.
- Animation Timeline Create fluid character movements and environmental effects using a dedicated frame-by-frame timeline with onion skinning support.
- Reference Layers Import photos or sketches as transparent reference layers to trace over and convert real-world inspiration into pixel art.
- Custom Color Palettes Build and save your own color palettes or import standard ones to ensure consistent visual styles across your projects.
- Isometric Grid Support Switch to an isometric grid to easily draw 3D-style environments and structures with perfect perspective every time.
- Professional Export Export your finished work as GIFs, sprite sheets, or layered Photoshop files to integrate directly into your game engine.
Pixilart Features
- Online Pixel Editor. Create detailed pixel art and sprites using a full suite of drawing tools directly in your web browser.
- Animation Suite. Build frame-by-frame animations and export them as GIFs to bring your retro characters and scenes to life.
- Layer Management. Organize your artwork with multiple layers to separate backgrounds, characters, and effects for easier editing and depth.
- Community Gallery. Share your creations with a massive social network of artists and get instant feedback on your work.
- Drawing Contests. Participate in regular themed challenges to test your skills against other artists and win community recognition.
- Custom Palettes. Save and load specific color palettes to maintain consistency across your game assets and art projects.
Pricing Comparison
Pixaki Pricing
- Up to 3 layers
- Basic drawing tools
- Static image export
- Standard grid options
- Touch-optimized interface
- Everything in Intro, plus:
- Unlimited layers
- Full animation timeline
- Photoshop (PSD) export
- Sprite sheet generation
- Reference layer support
Pixilart Pricing
- Full drawing toolkit
- GIF animation tools
- Public portfolio
- Community participation
- Unlimited cloud saves
- Everything in Free, plus:
- Ad-free experience
- Exclusive profile badge
- Priority support
- Support the community
Pros & Cons
Pixaki
Pros
- Best-in-class touch interface designed specifically for iPad
- Seamless export to Photoshop and game engines
- Powerful animation tools that rival desktop software
- One-time purchase price with no recurring subscriptions
- Excellent Apple Pencil support for precision drawing
Cons
- Limited to iPad with no desktop version
- Steep learning curve for the animation timeline
- Intro version is quite restrictive for professionals
Pixilart
Pros
- Completely free to use for all core creative features
- Very low barrier to entry for beginner artists
- Active and supportive community for sharing work
- Works smoothly in most modern web browsers
Cons
- Free version contains frequent advertisements
- Mobile app interface can feel cramped on small screens
- Lacks advanced photo editing features found in Photoshop