Aseprite
Aseprite is a dedicated pixel art tool that allows you to create 2D animations, edit sprites, and manage layers for video game development and digital illustration projects.
Storyboard That
Storyboard That is an intuitive online storyboard creator that helps you create visual narratives, graphic organizers, and educational resources through a massive library of customizable characters and scenes.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Aseprite | Storyboard That |
|---|---|---|
| Website | aseprite.org | storyboardthat.com |
| Pricing Model | One_time | Freemium |
| Starting Price | Free | Free |
| FREE Trial | ✓ 0 days free trial | ✓ 14 days free trial |
| Free Plan | ✘ No free plan | ✓ Has free plan |
| Product Demo | ✘ No product demo | ✓ Request demo here |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2001 | 2012 |
| Headquarters | Igualada, Spain | Chicago, USA |
Overview
Aseprite
Aseprite is a specialized tool designed specifically for pixel artists and game developers who need precision in their 2D workflows. You can create everything from static sprites to complex frame-based animations using a dedicated interface that mimics the aesthetic of the art you are creating. It simplifies the process of managing layers, frames, and color palettes so you can focus on the creative details of your characters and environments.
You can use the software to export your work into various formats like GIF or sprite sheets, making it easy to integrate your assets into game engines. Whether you are a solo indie developer or a professional illustrator, it provides the specific tools needed for pixel-perfect editing without the bloat of general-purpose image editors. The software is available for a one-time purchase, giving you permanent access to all future updates.
Storyboard That
Storyboard That is a versatile visual communication tool that helps you transform ideas into engaging storyboards, comics, and graphic organizers. Whether you are a teacher creating lesson plans, a student working on a project, or a business professional mapping out a user journey, the platform provides a drag-and-drop interface that requires no artistic skill. You can choose from thousands of customizable characters, scenes, and props to build your narrative visually.
The platform simplifies the storytelling process by providing pre-made templates and a flexible canvas. You can easily export your creations to PowerPoint, social media, or high-resolution PDFs for presentations and classroom handouts. It serves as a bridge between text-heavy information and visual understanding, making complex concepts easier to grasp for any audience.
Overview
Aseprite Features
- Onion Skinning See previous and next frames as transparent overlays so you can create smooth, consistent character animations with ease.
- Tilemap Editor Design game levels by creating tiles that repeat seamlessly, allowing you to build expansive environments in record time.
- Pixel Perfect Mode Enable special brush strokes that automatically clean up extra pixels, ensuring your lines stay crisp and professional.
- Color Indexing Manage your color palettes strictly to maintain a retro aesthetic and ensure your sprites remain optimized for game engines.
- Layer Management Organize your artwork into folders and layers to keep complex scenes manageable while you experiment with different variations.
- Sprite Sheet Export Pack all your animation frames into a single optimized image file ready for immediate use in Unity or Godot.
Storyboard That Features
- Extensive Art Library. Access thousands of customizable characters, scenes, and items to build any setting or scenario you can imagine.
- Drag-and-Drop Creator. Build your storyboards quickly by dragging elements onto the canvas—no drawing skills or technical expertise required.
- Custom Character Posing. Change facial expressions, limb positions, and clothing colors to make your characters match your specific narrative needs.
- Graphic Organizer Templates. Use pre-built layouts for Venn diagrams, T-charts, and flowcharts to organize your thoughts and data visually.
- Flexible Export Options. Download your finished work as high-resolution images, multi-page PDFs, or ready-to-use PowerPoint presentations for your team.
- Real-Time Collaboration. Work together with your students or colleagues on the same project to brainstorm and refine visual stories.
Pricing Comparison
Aseprite Pricing
- Access all drawing tools
- Create animations and layers
- Test the user interface
- No time limit on usage
- Saving and exporting disabled
- Everything in Trial, plus:
- Enable saving and exporting
- Lifetime free updates
- Steam and DRM-free versions
- Commercial usage rights
- Access to beta versions
Storyboard That Pricing
- 2 storyboards per week
- 3 or 6 cell layouts
- Standard art library access
- Watermarked exports
- Personal use only
- Everything in Free, plus:
- Unlimited storyboard creation
- Over 100 different layouts
- Upload your own images
- No watermarks on exports
- Privacy controls for your work
Pros & Cons
Aseprite
Pros
- One-time purchase with no hidden subscription fees
- Highly optimized for pixel-perfect precision drawing
- Excellent animation tools like onion skinning
- Active community providing custom scripts and extensions
- Lightweight performance even on older hardware
Cons
- Trial version does not allow saving work
- Interface can feel cramped on small screens
- Steep learning curve for non-pixel art tasks
- Limited support for high-resolution photo editing
Storyboard That
Pros
- Massive library of diverse characters and scenes
- Extremely easy for non-artists to use
- Excellent variety of educational and business templates
- Flexible posing options for characters add realism
Cons
- Free version has strict weekly creation limits
- Interface can feel slightly dated to some
- Watermarks on free exports are quite prominent