# Programs (for Pixel Art)

**URL:** <https://forum.kirupa.com/t/programs-for-pixel-art/134638>\
**Category:** contests\
**Created:** [January 20, 2005, 3:20am UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/programs-for-pixel-art/134638 "2005-01-20T03:20:11Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Mik3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ed655f/32.png) [@Mik3](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/Mik3)\
**Post date:** [January 20, 2005, 3:20am UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/programs-for-pixel-art/134638/1 "2005-01-20T03:20:11Z")

</div>

Here is a list of programs that are recommended for pixel art. If you would like to recommend a program or add another helpful feature for a program then just reply to this thread and I’ll add it.

**Microsoft Windows:**  
[Adobe Photoshop](http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop/main.html)

- Layers
- Transparency
- Multiview (see different zoom levels)

[Jasc Paintshop Pro](http://www.jasc.com/products/paintshoppro/?)

[Paint.NET](http://www.eecs.wsu.edu/paint.net/)

- Free
- Layers

[Microsoft Paint](http://www.microsoft.com/)

- Free
- Simple

[Macromedia Fireworks](http://www.macromedia.com/software/fireworks/)

- Layers
- Transparency
- Fast
- Symbols
- Multiview
- Vector/Pixel Integration

[GIMP](http://www.gimp.org/)

- Free
- Open Source
- Multiview
- Layers
- Transparency

**Macintosh Operating System 10 (OS X)**  
[OpenSword Pixen](http://www.opensword.org/Pixen/)

- Made for pixel art
- Very quick
- Many pixel-art specific features
- Open Source (Want another feature? Add it in yourself. As easy as that.)

[Macromedia Fireworks](http://www.macromedia.com/software/fireworks/)

- Layers
- Transparency
- Fast
- Symbols
- Multiview
- Vector/Pixel Integration

[Adobe Photoshop](http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop/main.html)

- Layers
- Transparency
- Multiview (see different zoom levels)

[GIMP](http://www.gimp.org/)

- Free
- Open Source
- Multiview
- Layers
- Transparency

**Linux**  
[GIMP](http://www.gimp.org/)

- Free
- Open Source
- Multiview
- Layers
- Transparency