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Picotap
Sanda, Hyogo, Japan
What it is
Picotap is a touch-oriented pixel art app for creating still images and animations on Android, iOS, Mac, and the web. A swipe area below the canvas moves the cursor, helping keep a finger from covering the artwork. Canvas sizes range from 8×8 to 512×512, with more than 50 presets and custom sizes. Drawing tools include shapes, selection tools, reference-image tracing, brushes, palettes from 1 to 256 colors, and eight fill patterns. Animation supports up to 64 frames and eight layers, with onion skinning; animations can be exported as GIF or APNG. Still images save as PNG, and backups use the .pico format. Artwork and settings are stored locally and are not uploaded to Picotap servers. The free plan includes every feature, with advertisements in the artwork list and when closing the editor. The privacy policy says the app uses Firebase Analytics for anonymous usage data and Google AdMob for ads. It requests photo library access for saving and importing images, and internet access for ads and analytics. iOS 16 or later and macOS 12 or later are listed requirements.
For and against
For
- Supports canvases from 8×8 to 512×512.
- Animations support up to 64 frames and eight layers.
- Artwork and settings are stored locally.
- Free plan includes every feature.
Against
- Free plan displays ads in the artwork list and editor closing flow.
- iOS 16 or later is required.
- macOS 12 or later is required.
- Ads and analytics use internet access.
The verdict
Picotap offers pixel-art tools for still images and animation, with local storage and a free plan that includes all features. Note the listed mobile and Mac requirements, along with ads and the permissions associated with ads and analytics.
Who it suits
Picotap suits people drawing pixel art on touch devices, as well as Mac users who prefer a mouse or keyboard shortcuts. Its animation tools and local storage may appeal to artists who want to make animated work and keep files on their device.
Plans and prices
Free
Every feature included · ads in artwork list and when closing editor
Read 11 Oct 2026 · picotap.app
Remove Ads
Removes ads on iPhone, iPad, and Android · Mac version has no ads
Read 11 Oct 2026 · picotap.app
On the record
- Analytics and ads
- The privacy policy says Picotap uses Firebase Analytics for anonymous usage data and Google AdMob for advertisements.picotap.app · read 11 Oct 2026
- Animation
- Animations can have up to 64 frames, onion skinning, and up to 8 layers, and can be exported as GIF or APNG.picotap.app · read 11 Oct 2026
- Artwork formats
- Still images can be saved as PNG, animations as GIF or APNG, and backups use the .pico format.picotap.app · read 11 Oct 2026
- Canvas
- Canvas sizes range from 8×8 to 512×512, with more than 50 presets and custom sizes.picotap.app · read 11 Oct 2026
- Company information
- The opened pages identify the publisher as Picotap but do not state a maker name, headquarters, or founding date.picotap.app · read 11 Oct 2026
- Data control
- Users can export artwork with backup, delete artwork or all data, and transfer data using backup and restore.picotap.app · read 11 Oct 2026
- Drawing tools
- The app includes shapes, selection tools, reference-image tracing, palettes of 1 to 256 colors, brushes, and 8 fill patterns.picotap.app · read 11 Oct 2026
- Mac controls
- On Mac, users can draw with a mouse or move one pixel at a time with a two-finger swipe; the app has a menu bar and keyboard shortcuts.picotap.app · read 11 Oct 2026
- Permissions
- The privacy policy says the app requests photo library access for saving and importing images, and internet access for ads and analytics.picotap.app · read 11 Oct 2026
- Product
- Picotap is a touch-oriented pixel art app that uses a swipe area below the canvas to move the cursor so a finger does not cover the artwork.picotap.app · read 11 Oct 2026
- Storage
- Artwork and settings are stored locally on the device and artwork is not uploaded to Picotap servers.picotap.app · read 11 Oct 2026
- Support
- The privacy policy directs questions to the email address listed on that page.picotap.app · read 11 Oct 2026
- Supported versions
- The FAQ lists iPhone and iPad with iOS 16 or later, Android, and Mac with macOS 12 or later.picotap.app · read 11 Oct 2026
