Pixelorama

Pixelorama is a free, open-source pixel-art creation tool developed by Orama Interactive and contributors. It supports drawing and shading, palettes, indexed color, and pixel-art rotation and scaling. Its layer tools include clipping masks, group blending, non-destructive effects, and 3D layers. For animation, it offers frame-by-frame drawing, onion skinning, frame tags, and audio synchronization, and can export projects as PNG, animated PNG, spritesheets, GIFs, or video. It can import animations from Aseprite, Photoshop, and Krita. Tilemap layers support rectangular, isometric, and hexagonal tiles, and elements can hold custom user data. The MIT license permits personal and commercial use, modification, and redistribution. Free versions are listed for Windows, Linux, macOS, and web browsers, as well as Android. The Android release is experimental, and its interface is not properly adapted for mobile phones; the site says it is mostly intended for tablets. A desktop command-line interface can automate project exports.

Pixelorama offers pixel drawing, animation, and tilemap tools under a license that permits commercial use and modification. Desktop and web versions are listed, while Android is experimental and mostly intended for tablets.

Pixelorama suits pixel artists, animators, and game-graphics creators who want drawing, animation, or tilemap tools. Its Android version is mostly intended for tablets rather than phones.

Overview

Pixelorama is a pixel-art editor that brings animation and game-asset tools into the same workspace. It suits artists and game makers who want a capable desktop editor without a software fee or restrictions on commercial use. Its strongest fit is desktop work; the experimental Android edition is a poor choice for phone-first workflows.

Key features

Drawing and color

Drawing and shading tools, palettes, and indexed-color controls cover both freeform pixel work and more deliberate palette management. Pixel-art rotation and scaling algorithms help preserve the look of pixel edges during transformations, a useful distinction from treating artwork like an ordinary raster image.

Animation

The timeline supports frame-by-frame drawing, onion skinning, frame tags, and audio synchronization. Pixelorama can import animations from Aseprite, Photoshop, and Krita, which gives artists a route to continue work created in those tools. Export to animated PNG, GIF, video, or spritesheets suits both standalone animations and game-ready assets.

Layers and tilemaps

Clipping masks, group blending, non-destructive effects, and 3D layers give the layer system more range than a basic pixel editor. For game graphics, tilemap layers support rectangular, isometric, and hexagonal grids, and elements can hold custom user data. That combination makes Pixelorama relevant to asset production as well as illustration, though users needing a narrowly focused animation tool may not need the broader set.

Automation

A command-line interface on desktop platforms can automate project exports. That is useful for repeatable asset pipelines; it does not extend to the web or Android versions.

Pricing

Pixelorama is freemium in the sense that a Steam edition is also offered, but the core software is free and open source. The Free plan costs free; free builds are available, and paying on itch.io is optional. It includes Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, and web availability. Because the project uses the MIT license, users may use, modify, and redistribute it for personal or commercial purposes.

The Steam version has custom pricing. Its listed platform coverage is Windows and Linux, with Steam Cloud synchronization, achievements, and automatic updates. Choose it if those Steam-specific conveniences matter; the free builds are the clearer fit for users who want the editor without a purchase or Steam features. There is no stated subscription, seat count, quota, or trial term to weigh.

Platforms

Pixelorama has free versions for Windows, Linux, macOS, and web browsers, as well as an experimental Android version. Android's interface is not properly adapted for phones and is mainly intended for tablets, so mobile users should treat it as a limited option rather than a polished phone editor. The FAQ says the software should run on most devices supporting OpenGL 3.3 or OpenGL ES 3.0.

Official builds are generated from source using GitHub Actions. Unsigned builds may trigger security warnings such as Windows SmartScreen. Help is available through the project's Discord community and GitHub repository.

Who it's for

Pixelorama is a strong fit for pixel artists who also animate, make game graphics, or need tilemap support, especially when open-source licensing and commercial use matter. Its import options help when animation work begins in Aseprite, Photoshop, or Krita, while desktop CLI exports suit users automating asset delivery. It is less compelling for phone-first artists, and users who only need a simple drawing tool may find its animation and layer depth unnecessary.

Pros and cons

• Pros: The MIT license permits commercial use, modification, and redistribution, avoiding licensing friction for both personal and paid projects.
• Pros: Animation, advanced layers, multiple tilemap shapes, and sprite-sheet export put several game-art tasks in one tool.
• Pros: Free desktop and web builds, plus a desktop command-line interface, support both individual creation and automated export workflows.
• Cons: Android remains experimental and tablet-oriented, making it a weak fit for phone users.
• Cons: The Steam edition adds platform conveniences but its price is custom, so its cost cannot be compared with the free builds from the stated terms.

Alternatives

LibreSprite is a free, open-source option under GNU GPL Version 2 for users who prefer that license; it covers Android, Linux, macOS, and Windows. Pix2D is another free, open-source choice across Android, Linux, macOS, web, and Windows, though its feature set is not described here.

Pixel Studio may suit users who want Google Drive sync or a dark theme through PRO; its free version contains ads and in-app purchases, and PRO costs $12.99, paid once. Pixelc is another free, open-source option across Android, Linux, macOS, web, and Windows, with Android Premium sold separately at a price not stated.

Pixilart fits users seeking a free plan capped at 15 stamps or a PRO subscription at $4.99 a month, free for 3 days before monthly billing. PixelPen is a free MIT-licensed pixel-art editor offered as a Godot addon or standalone app. Manabit offers a Manabit Pro plan at $5.99 a month with AI credits and automatic history backups, requiring a Manabit license. dotpict is another freemium option for iOS and Android users.

For broader comparisons, see Pixel Art Software, Game Animation Software, and Animation Software.

Verdict

Choose Pixelorama if you want a free, commercially usable pixel-art tool that can also handle animation, layers, tilemaps, and desktop export automation. Its breadth and MIT license are the main reasons to choose it; look elsewhere if your priority is a polished phone workflow or a paid Steam option with a clearly stated price.