Krita is the usual name for serious digital painting, but it is built around a desktop workflow, while ibis Paint X is made for phones and tablets. The app comes from ibis inc., launched on February 26, 2014, and now has over 100 million installs on Google Play. Version 14.1.5 was updated on November 4, 2026 and needs Android 7.0 or later.
Who the app suits: beginners and phone sketchers
The developer pitches ibis Paint X at people who find drawing intimidating, and the free version is meant to be usable without paying. The content rating is Everyone, so it fits younger users too.
It also suits people who want one app for a finished illustration and a short animation. If you only need a quick sketch pad, the large tool set may be more than you need.
Brushes, filters and rulers in practice
The app includes over 130,000 brushes, 30,000+ materials and 3,000+ fonts. Image editing offers 86 filters, 46 screentones and 27 layer blending modes. Vector tools, a reference window, radial and symmetry rulers and animated filters are included as well.
The app can make frame-by-frame animation and videos with background music. It can also record your drawing process as a time-lapse video. A list of supported digital styluses is published on the developer's site, which matters if you draw with a pen rather than a finger.
Ads, subscriptions and optional permissions
ibis Paint X costs nothing up front, but it carries ads and in-app purchases. The store text also describes a free trial that renews automatically, and a charge applies unless you cancel at least 24 hours before the trial ends.
The developer describes the access permissions as optional. Declining one limits only the features that need it, such as importing or saving artwork.
ibis Paint X pros and cons
Pros
- Free to install, with a Google Play rating of 4.5 from about 3 million ratings
- Over 130,000 brushes and 27 layer blending modes
- Frame-by-frame animation and time-lapse recording of your drawing process
- All app permissions are optional
- Runs on Android 7.0 and later
Cons
- Contains ads
- In-app purchases and an auto-renewing trial need attention
- The tool count may overwhelm someone who wants a simple sketch pad
- Support questions are not answered through store reviews
Is ibis Paint X safe?
ibis Paint X is published by ibis inc., which has maintained the app since its 2014 release. The permissions it requests are described as optional, so you can decline any prompt that does not match how you plan to draw. We had no independent security review, so check each permission prompt yourself.
How to install ibis Paint X
- Press the Google Play button on this page.
- Check the listing in the Play Store and press Install.
- Open ibis Paint X when the install finishes. Updates arrive through Google Play.
