Applications
Recommendations
If you are interested in the apps I use and personally recommend: recommended apps
If you are looking for something simple and cheap/free: Apps for beginners
Full list of apps
I've collected a list of apps here: List of apps
They are organized by category (painting, note-taking, etc.)
Free apps are highlighted
For each app, the platform is identified (MacOS, Windows, Android, iOS, etc.)
Applications that come with a drawing tablet
Most drawing tablets come with a limited-time trial license to some applications. Usually these trials last anywhere from 3 to 6 months. After this time, you'll have to pay for the app. Some are subscription and some are one-time-purchases.
All apps work with drawing tablet pens
How an app works with a drawing tablet pen, depends on whether the app is "pen-aware".
pen-aware apps - these apps know about pens, pressure, tilt, etc. and can take advantage of those features
other apps - these apps don't know about pens. So when you use a pen with them, the application treats them just like a mouse. In fact the app has no idea you are using a pen. The pen will work for basic tasks. For example the pen can move the operating system pointer, you can press down with the pen to draw or click, the buttons may work. However, the app won't do anything special with pen capabilities like tilt, or pressure sensitivity.
Roundups & reviews
Brad Colbow - 10 Best Android Drawing Apps - 2024/11/13
Wesley Gardener - Ranks 15 Digital Art Programs - 2024/05/10
Teoh on Tech - Best drawing apps for Windows tablets June 3, 2003
Teoh on Tech - Best Drawing Apps for Android Tablets Sept 18, 2021
Brad Colbow - Ranking Every Drawing App (2022) Jan 12, 2022
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