Clip Studio Paint review

Clip Studio Paint is the strongest choice for comics and the most flexible on platforms. CELSYS publishes versions for Windows, macOS, iPad, iPhone, Galaxy, Android and Chromebook, and its purchase page lists plans from $0.99 per month, with the first three months free on a new plan. Desktop users can instead buy a perpetual Ver. 5.0 license of PRO or EX and add an Update Pass later for new features. PRO is aimed at character art, concept art and illustration. EX includes every PRO feature plus multi-page projects, webtoon tools and full-length animation tools. Posable 3D figures, 3D head models and a hand scanner help with anatomy and perspective. Every plan and license includes 10GB of cloud storage. The catch is choice overload: edition, device count and billing period all change the price, so check which features you need before you pay.

Who it is for

comic, manga and webtoon artists

Price

Plans from $0.99 per month; perpetual PRO and EX licenses for Windows and macOS; first 3 months free on a new plan.

From $0.99/month Select Plan
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 14, 2026.

Key features

• Runs on Windows, macOS, iPad, iPhone, Galaxy, Android and Chromebook
• EX edition adds multi-page comics, webtoon tools and full-length animation
• 3D head models and posable 3D drawing figures as references
• Perpetual Ver. 5.0 license for Windows and macOS, with an optional Update Pass
• 10GB of cloud storage with plans and licenses

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Plans start at $0.99 per month and the first 3 months of a new plan are free
• Strength: Perpetual license option for Windows and macOS
• Strength: Comic and webtoon tools that general painting apps lack
• Weakness: Multi-page comics, webtoon tools and full animation require the EX edition
• Weakness: Perpetual licenses do not include new features without the Update Pass
• Weakness: Edition, device and billing combinations make pricing harder to compare

Key facts

• Starting price: $0.99 per month
• Platforms: Windows, macOS, iPad, iPhone, Galaxy, Android, Chromebook
• Editions: PRO and EX
• Free trial: 30 days on iPad; first 3 months free on a new plan

Where it ranks

Clip Studio Paint is No. 2 in our Best Digital Art Software verdict.