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Pixelc
Bocholt, Germany
What it is
Pixelc is a free, open-source tile and sprite editor for touch devices and desktops. It runs on Android, desktop systems, and the web; its mobile-friendly web app is compiled with Emscripten. For animation work, it supports frames, a timeline, GIF export, layers, and onion skinning for frames and layers. Drawing tools include multiple modes, shading, selections, and custom brushes, kernels, and stamps, along with a tile mode and tilemap tools. Users can choose from popular Lospec palettes or make custom palettes. The project says artwork stays on the device rather than being sent to a server, and browser work can be saved locally offline. Undo and redo are stated to keep working after an app reload. Export formats include PNG, GIF, and TAR. The app and its assets use the GPLv3 license, and documentation, a tutorial, and tooltips are available. A separate Android Premium edition is offered to support the project, with grayscale tools and a background. The README notes a Samsung Internet Browser issue that may affect tiling and cause other app corruption.
For and against
For
- Free and open source under GPLv3.
- Supports frames, GIF export, layers, and onion skinning.
- Includes tile mode and custom palettes.
- Artwork is saved locally, including offline in the browser.
- Undo and redo work after an app reload.
Against
- Samsung Internet may render tiles incorrectly.
- The browser issue can cause other app corruption.
- Android Premium is a separate purchase with no listed price.
The verdict
Pixelc combines sprite, animation, and tile tools across touch devices, desktops, and a mobile-friendly web app. Samsung Internet users should note the reported tiling problem.
Who it suits
Pixelc suits people making pixel art, tiles, or animated sprites on touch devices or desktops. It may also appeal to users who want local, offline-capable browser editing.
Plans and prices
Free
all advertised editor features · PNG/GIF/TAR export · Android and web access
Read 14 Oct 2026 · github.com
Pixelc
Free and open source · Android Premium is offered as a separate purchase; its price is not stated on the opened page
Read 2 Oct 2026 · github.com
Pixelc Premium
same app features · dark background · grayscale buttons
Read 14 Oct 2026 · play.google.com
On the record
- Android requirements
- AppBrain lists Android 6.0 or newer as the required Android version.appbrain.com · read 14 Oct 2026
- Animation
- Frames support animated previews, per-frame timing, three blend modes and GIF export.github.com · read 14 Oct 2026
- Autotiling
- The find-and-replace tool can match patterns and generate autotiled maps using replacement frames.github.com · read 14 Oct 2026
- Brushes and kernels
- Users can create custom brush kernels and use them as grayscale or color stamps.github.com · read 14 Oct 2026
- Build instructions
- The repository provides Emscripten commands for compiling the web build and exports main and two file-system callback functions.github.com · read 14 Oct 2026
- Company identity
- Google Play identifies the developer as Christina Horstmann of Horsimann at Dölls Diek 5, 46399 Bocholt, Germany.play.google.com · read 14 Oct 2026
- Data safety
- Google Play's developer declaration says no data is collected and no data is shared with third parties.play.google.com · read 14 Oct 2026
- Documentation
- Documentation consists of a GitHub tutorial covering drawing, palettes, selections, animation, layers, archives, tiles and autotiling, plus in-app tooltips.github.com · read 14 Oct 2026
- Drawing modes
- The tutorial documents freehand, dot, line, rectangle, circle, grid and inverted-grid drawing modes.github.com · read 14 Oct 2026
- Drawing tools
- Features listed include multiple drawing modes, shading, selections, and custom brushes, kernels, and stamps.github.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Export formats
- The documented save functions produce PNG images, animated GIF files and TAR project archives.github.com · read 14 Oct 2026
- Framework and dependencies
- Pixelc is based on the author's separate “some” framework; listed components include SDL2, Emscripten, microtar and an MIT-licensed file-dialog library.github.com · read 14 Oct 2026
- Google Play distribution
- Google Play lists Pixelc as free, rated for everyone, with more than 50,000 downloads and a November 28, 2025 update.play.google.com · read 14 Oct 2026
- Known browser issue
- The README reports a Samsung Internet Browser issue where tiling can render tiles incorrectly and can lead to other app corruption.github.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Layers
- Projects support multiple layers that can be blended or merged during saving.github.com · read 14 Oct 2026
- License
- The application and its assets are licensed under GPLv3, while the supporting framework is MIT licensed.github.com · read 14 Oct 2026
- Limit: confusing tile and fill behavior
- A Reddit reviewer found tile editing confusing and said the fill algorithm did not behave like a conventional fill tool.reddit.com · read 14 Oct 2026
- Limit: crowded interface
- A Reddit reviewer said the large skeuomorphic toolbar consumes workspace and described the interface as cluttered.reddit.com · read 14 Oct 2026
