You are a digital creative and the lucky owner of an Apple computer looking for best digital art software for Mac? You are in the right place, my friend! I’m a digital artist myself and I create all my artwork on a MacBook—so I know what I’m talking about. (ᴖᴥᴖ) In this post, I’ve put together the 7 best programs to create art on a Mac—and you can be sure there’s something for every type of digital art!
You want to start creating digital art and now you are looking for the best digital art software for your Mac? You are in the right place, my friend! I’m a digital artist and photographer myself, and I’m making all my artwork on an Apple laptop.
In fact, I’ve been using a MacBook for more than a decade, since I switched from Windows to MacOS in 2015. And you surely know the saying: once you go Mac, you never come back. For me, this definitely holds true. ʕᴖᴥᴖʔ
At least, these are probably some of the best perquisites for writing this digital art software review.
Digital art software is getting better and better each year. That’s the good news. However, there are also more programs than ever, which makes it harder to find the right software for your creative needs.
The best digital art software is not anymore the one with the most features, but the one that best matches your artistic requirements. It all depends on the type of digital art you create.
→ 13 Different Types Of Digital Art Every Digital Artist Should Know
The right software can help you make art faster, more naturally, and more effectively. Why? Because each program has a slightly different focus, handling brush strokes and color differently. For example, some software focuses on digital painting, while other is specifically made for graphic design and illustration.
I have tested lots of programs during my digital art career and I regularly use digital art software—some even on a daily basis.
In this post, I’ve selected 7 of the best digital art software for Mac that cater to different creative requirements—but all belong to the top-notch programs in the industry and won’t let you down!
Many of the apps I’ve put on the list work seamlessly with the best drawing tablets in the market. So, in case you already have a digital art hardware setup, you don’t need to worry about changing it.
→ Ultimate Guide To The Best Wacom Drawing Tablet For Beginners
Sophisticated software naturally has its learning curve. It comes loaded with an entire array of tools and features that can quickly become overwhelming for new digital artists if you don’t take a guided approach.
That’s why, along with each digital art program on the list, I’m also suggesting an online course to help you get to grips with the program fast. So, if you are new to the program, feel free to check out the course for the best learning progress possible.
But now, without further ado, let’s get into it!
My Top 3 Picks
of the Best Digital Art Software for Mac
Best Allrounder
Adobe Photoshop
The go-to app for all types of digital creatives. Photoshop is a great choice for professional artists, budding designers, and novice hobbyists alike. Get Adobe Photoshop on desktop and iPad with a free 7-day trial.
Best for Painting
Corel Painter
Best for 3D Modeling
ZBrush
ZBrush is the industry standard for digital sculpting. It is used to create high-resolution 3D models for movies, video games, and special effects. ZBrush is used in professional film and video game studios all over the world.
If you’d like to learn more about these programs just keep reading.
Is a Mac good for digital art?
As I already mentioned above, I’m a digital artist myself and a huge Apple fan. So, if you ask me, I’ll tell you that a Mac is just great for digital art.
However, objectively speaking, a Windows PC is as good for making art nowadays as a Mac. Nevertheless, back in the early days of computer technology, Apple’s products were the go-to tools for desktop publishing, being much better than their Microsoft counterparts in terms of color accuracy and typography.
The gap between macOS and Windows systems is way less significant these days. Today, all major editing apps are available for both Mac and PC. Still, there are many digital artists that clearly favor the bitten apple.
This is due to a range of factors, including reliability, security, excellent niche apps only available for Mac (such as Sketch)—and looks! After all, artists are obsessed with optics and Macs look a lot more stylish than PCs—at least in my opinion and in that of many other designers. (>ᴗ<)
In the end, the choice is down to you and you cannot go wrong with either!
What is the best Mac for digital artists?
The best Mac for digital artists depends on what you want to use it for and how much money you want to spend. But basically speaking, any recent Mac is okay for running an art program—if you don’t want to run the latest CPU-intensive 3D modeling software.
I’ve long been using a 7-year old MacBook Air and it was just working fine with Photoshop. If you are about to buy a new MacBook, here’s what you should pay special attention to:
- The screen is one of the most important things of your digital art equipment. To see every detail of your creation, you shouldn’t settle for anything less than 1080p. But that’s the standard of most MacBooks these days anyway.
- The memory (RAM) makes sure that the digital art software runs smoothly. The more RAM you have, the faster your software can run, even when you are executing complex operations. 16 GB of RAM is the minimum that you should aim for in a MacBook. If you’re planning to do 3D modeling, you want to go for 32 GB.
- Connections like USB 3.0, Thunderbolt and Bluetooth should be there in a sufficient number (as for the physical ports), because they allow you to connect a mouse and drawing tablet, which of some can also work via Bluetooth, such as the Wacom Intuos Pro series or Wacom Mobile Studio Pro 13.
The way I see it, you cannot go wrong with a recent Apple MacBook Pro. It’s a powerful laptop that will do a great job, regardless of whether you are working in 2D graphic design, digital painting, 3D sculpting, or motion design.
Is there an art program on Mac?
Macintosh computers used to come with Paintbrush, a basic paint program for MacOS. However, it’s not part of the default software suite anymore and it’s way too simple to make genuine digital art.
What you might think of when you hear Mac is probably Procreate. It was not developed by Apple itself, but it’s a digital art app for mobile Apple devices, such as the iPad and iPhone.
→ 11 Best Apps For Editing Photos On iPhone & Android
Procreate is powerful software, ideal for digital painting, and many artists use it to make amazing digital creations, transforming their iPad Air or iPad Pro into a full-featured drawing tablet along with the Apple Pencil.
However, Procreate doesn’t run on laptops, that’s why you’ll need another program to create digital art on a MacBook—and that’s exactly what we’re going to look into right now! (◕ᴗ◕)
What is the best program to create digital art on a Mac?
As I promised, I’ve lined up for you the best digital art software for Mac users. I’ve tried to include something for every creative need: from the best all-rounder to the best programs for digital painting, drawing, manga and comic art, animation, and even 3D sculpting.
So, here we go, these are the seven best programs to create digital art on a Mac!
7 Best Digital Art Software for Mac
1. Adobe Photoshop
PROS
- Best all-round editing program
- Large array of tools
- Cloud-based
CONS
- Subscription required
- Can be overwhelming for newbies
Adobe Photoshop is the unchallenged best all-round editing program for digital artists from all fields. It is used by hobbyists and professionals alike, and there’s good reason for its popularity. Photoshop excels at everything, from photo editing to drawing, digital painting, and much more.
→ 14 Things Adobe Photoshop Is Used For (That Might Surprise You)
The industry leader offers endless creative possibilities and comes equipped with advanced AI tools that simplify complex tasks like changing backgrounds, removing subjects, and applying filters. Plus, it’s regularly updated to include new features. The latest addition is Adobe Firefly, an AI tool for generating images.
Photoshop is available through various subscription plans: as a Single App plan, bundled with Lightroom and 1TB of cloud storage in the Photography plan, or as part of the Adobe Creative Cloud All Apps package. To find out whether Photoshop is the right software for you, you can start a free 7-day trial here.
→ Do You Need Lightroom If You Have Photoshop? [Find Out Which Is Better]
If you’re new to Photoshop, its interface can feel overwhelming at first due to the vast array of tools. But since it’s the most popular software among creatives, there are plenty of tutorials available online to help you get your head around everything. I have a range of free Photoshop tutorials for you on my website, too.
Additionally, here’s a great Photoshop course for beginners that I can recommend:
Overall best Photoshop training course for beginners led by an Adobe-certified instructor.
This Photoshop course is ideal for total beginners and artists with a bit of previous editing knowledge. Adobe-certified trainer Daniel Scott teaches you all the basic Photoshop skills – one by one.
2. Corel Painter
PROS
- Highly customizable brushes
- No subscription required
- Compatible with Photoshop brush plugins
CONS
- Costly upfront payment
- May experience lag on older hardware
Corel Painter, as its name suggests, is some of the best digital art software for painting. It offers a wide variety of brushes, paints, and styles, aiming to replicate the experience of working on a real canvas.
In fact, the program is known for its true-to-life brushes and interface that mimics a traditional painting experience. The vast selection of brushes can be customized to your needs, just like you can adjust color palettes and import new ones. One standout feature is the ability to position the color wheel anywhere on the screen, providing you quick access to color options without relying on swatches.
Another bonus: Painter is compatible with third-party software like Photoshop, as well as standard drawing tablets that will allow you to access the brushes’ pressure- and tilt-sensitivity features.
While earlier versions were known for being demanding on hardware, Corel Painter 2023 has been further optimized for M1 Apple Macs, making its brushes up to 4.7 times faster.
Unlike other software programs that have switched to a subscription-only model, Corel Painter offers both a subscription plan and a perpetual license that currently costs US$350. A free trial is available, and special pricing is offered for students and educational institutions. You can see all options here.
Just like Photoshop, the software is packed with features, and beginners may find the extensive brush options and settings confusing. However, Painter is definitely worth learning as it’s a trusted tool in the industry, widely used by character designers, concept artists, and visual development professionals. Here’s a fantastic course to help you get started:
A great course for all digital art beginners to get confident in using Corel Painter quickly.
This Corel Painter Course on Udemy teaches you the basics of the digital painting app. The course is led by long-time illustrator and fine artist Jason Maranto from VTC Software Training who will make you familiar with the core features of Corel.
3. Rebelle
PROS
- Highly realistic painting experience
- Extensive customization options
- Wide variety of brushes and tools
CONS
- Not as advanced as Corel Painter
- Pro edition requires robust hardware
Rebelle is an affordable alternative if Corel Painter is beyond your budget. With over 240 brush presets, it perfectly replicates the behavior of real-world paint, making it one of the best choices for creating lifelike watercolor and oil paintings, complete with thick impasto effects.
Other features include realistic color blending, wet diffusion, and drying techniques, along with a wide range of watercolors, acrylics, inks, and pastels.
In addition to the wet paintbrushes, there are also dry media tools like pencils, markers, and erasers, giving users flexibility in their artwork. A unique feature is the ability to tilt the canvas while working, which adds to the realistic drawing experience. Rebelle is also compatible with Photoshop, allowing access to 23 additional blending modes.
→ How To Use Blending Modes In Photoshop (+ Blend Modes Cheat Sheet)
Rebelle comes with a standard and a pro version. The pro version definitely belongs to the best digital art software for Mac, but you want to make sure your Mac has at least 16GB of RAM and a strong processor for optimal performance.
Both versions are affordable, the standard version selling at US$89.99 and the pro version at US$149.99. You can download a free trial of either version to see which is the best fit for you.
I don’t know any particular Rebelle course, but the digital painting course below will teach you 7 different techniques that you can use with any digital painting software:
The best course to deep-dive into the fundamentals of digital painting that are applicable across different digital art programs.
This course is for anyone who wants to acquire advanced digital painting skills that will work with any digital art software. You’ll learn 7 different painting styles, step by step, that you can use with programs like Photoshop, Corel Painter, and Rebelle.
4. Affinity Photo
PROS
- Best alternative to Photoshop
- Affordable one-time purchase
- Fully compatible with PSD files
CONS
- Lacks some of Photoshop's advanced features
Affinity Photo is one of the best alternatives to Adobe Photoshop. You can get it for a one-time payment; once you’ve paid the upfront cost, there are no ongoing fees. In terms of power and performance, it’s comparable to Photoshop, though it lacks some of Adobe’s more advanced features, such as content-aware fill.
(For an alternative to Adobe Illustrator, you might want to check out Affinity Designer.)
If you’re familiar with Photoshop but prefer to avoid the subscription model, Affinity Photo is an excellent option. It’s fully compatible with PSD files, making it easy to transfer projects between the two programs. Plus, it has the capability to handle high-resolution files, even those over 100 megapixels, so you won’t have to worry about working with large images.
For those who prefer working on an iPad, Affinity Photo is also available as an iPad version, the counterpart to Photoshop Express.
→ Adobe’s Free App: 10 Reasons Why Photoshop Express Is Worth It
I’ve published an entire review of Affinity Photo where I’m comparing the program with Photoshop. So if you’re trying to decide between Affinity and Adobe, check out my review to learn more—and get the free Affinity Photo trial before you commit!
→ Is Affinity Photo As Good As Photoshop? [An Artist’s Honest Review…]
The best Affinity Photo course to learn the editing techniques that are used in professional studios around the world.
In this course, Simon Foster, designer with 35+ years of experience teaches you how to enhance photos with Affinity Photo, from start to finish. While you edit photos in practice, you’ll get lots of valuable tips about tools, techniques and workflow along the way.
5. Clip Studio Paint
PROS
- Optimized for manga and comic art
- Pen pressure detection (with drawing tablet)
- Two differently priced versions available
CONS
- Doesn't replicate traditional media
- Harder to learn than programs like Procreate
Clip Studio Paint is one of the top software options for manga and comic art. Developed in Japan, the software was originally called Manga Studio and rebranded in 2013. It started gaining wider recognition following its name change and eventually became the go-to app for manga and comic artists it is today.
CSP offers a natural, traditional drawing experience, with pen pressure detection that produces realistic pen strokes when using a graphics tablet. Optimized for comic book creation, the software includes various tools to help streamline the process. It ensures a crisp digital finish and doesn’t aim to replicate traditional media.
That’s also one of the major differences between Clip Studio Paint and other editing programs like Photoshop. Clip Studio Paint’s brush tool minimizes any minor wobbles while drawing on a tablet, resulting in smooth, clean linework. However, it does allow for some blending of textures through brushes.
Clip Studio Paint is available in two versions: PRO and EX. If you need all the advanced features and are willing to pay for them, EX is the better choice. It allows you to save manga and comic pages as a single book in one file, which simplifies bulk saving and printing. However, if you’re just exploring the software, PRO is a great place to begin. Both versions offer a free 30-day trial.
Getting started with Clip Studio Paint can be a bit more challenging compared to simpler programs like Procreate, but it’s definitely worth the learning curve. Here’s good course to get started:
The ideal pick for all digital artists wanting to get to grips with animation in Clip Studio Paint.
This Clip Studio Paint course is for all artists starting out – no previous experience required! All you need is a copy of Clip Studio Paint and, if possible, a drawing tablet. A simple entry-level tablet, like the One by Wacom or a Wacom Intuos, is totally enough.
6. ArtRage Vitae
PROS
- Custom brushes
- Realistic painting effects
- Recordable actions
CONS
- A bit slow and unstable at times
- Lite version may be limiting for some users
ArtRage Vitae has been a top choice for digital drawing and painting for many years. It’s available for Windows and mobile devices, and, of course, some of the best digital art software for Mac users as well.
ArtRage is primarily focused on natural media, like Corel Painter, but comes at a much more affordable price. Its appeal lies in its realistic paint textures and colors. It offers a comprehensive set of tools, including pencils, pens, and oil painting brushes, as well as digital editing features such as layers, adjustments, filters, and custom brushes.
Similar to Rebelle, ArtRage emulates real-world painting by making brushes interact with the texture of the canvas. A standout feature of ArtRage is its “real color blending,” which simulates realistic color mixing, making it ideal for digital painting in styles such as oil or watercolor.
The software also includes collaborative workflow tools, which is optimal for teamwork on projects. The interface is straightforward and user-friendly, allowing you to start working within minutes, even as a beginner. For advanced users, the interface may seem basic compared to other digital art software, but it’s incredibly intuitive and easy to use.
ArtRage is available in both a full and a Lite version. The full version costs US$79 and includes all future updates with your license. If that seems a bit pricey, you can opt for ArtRage Lite at US$29.90. The Lite version offers fewer features though, so it’s important to ensure it meets your needs. Download the free trial before you decide.
If you’re new to digital painting software, ArtRage is an excellent choice. You can start at your own pace, experimenting with different brushes and gradually progressing to more complex projects like full scenes and character designs. The below course is ideal to dive into the software:
An in-depth introduction to ArtRage for beginners to advanced, led by a fellow artist with extensive experience.
This Udemy course provides an all-round deep-dive into using ArtRage. You’ll learn how to create a canvas, use different brushes and paint styles, and handle more advanced settings of the software that can help you progress in your artistic career.
7. ZBrush
PROS
- Most advanced sculpting software in the market
- Compatible with third-party plugins
- Student discounts available
CONS
- Huge upfront payment for a perpetual license
- Steep learning curve
ZBrush is arguably the most advanced 3D sculpting software in the market. Being the first software to allow digital sculpting with a graphics tablet, ZBrush has become the industry standard in computer-aided design (CAD). It comes complete with all features you need for texturing, coloring, animation, and rendering.
Using ZBrush is like working with a digital version of clay: you can manipulate the virtual clay by pulling, pushing, and shaping it much like real-world materials. This flexibility allows you to create highly detailed and organic models, often more efficiently than with other programs like Autodesk Maya or 3ds Max. While the software already features a large array of tools, its capabilities can be further enhanced with third-party plugins.
ZBrush is the leading 3D sculpting software, used in professional film and video game studios. To just name a few examples, it has been used for movies like “Star Trek,” “The Lord of the Rings,” and “Pirates of the Caribbean,” as well as games like “God of War” and “Assassin’s Creed.”
MacBook users will be glad to hear that ZBrush is not overly demanding on the hardware. The program relies on the CPU rather than the GPU for processing polygons and pixols and recent versions come with native support for M1 and M2 chips in newer MacBook Pros, which obviously makes ZBrush some of the best digital art software for Mac.
While ZBrush is a paid software, it’s relatively affordable compared to other programs with that range of features. A single-user license costs US$895, but there’s also a subscription plan for either US$39.95 per month or US$179.95 every six months. In any case, the company offers a generous 45-day free trial to see whether you like working with the program and want to commit.
Much like Photoshop, ZBrush is a super-complex program, with thousands of tools and features. In their ZClassroom, the company provides extensive free resources to help users learn the software, including a helpful beginner’s guide. However, considering the complexity of the program, I strongly suggest taking a guided approach for the fastest learning progress. The Udemy course below will do a great job:
A ZBrush course for beginners to mid-level users looking to enhance their skills in 3D modeling.
In this Udemy course, award-winning digital sculptor and studio head Milivoj Popovic teaches you step-by-step how to create amazing 3D sculpts. You can complete a quizz after each section and download learning materials and ZBrush tools to jump-start your 3D modeling skills.
My name is Angie and I’m a self-taught digital artist. On this blog, I am sharing my knowledge and discussing the best software and hardware for different artistic needs. My desire is to offer options for all creative stages and budgets so that everyone can follow their dream and create art!
