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    Adobe Fresco

    Adobe drawing and digital painting app, often used on tablets.

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    ToolTrim verdict4.1/ 5Great

    Fresco makes sense when stylus drawing/painting is central and you're in the Adobe ecosystem; otherwise, an alternative like Procreate may suffice.

    Adobe Fresco, preview 1
    About

    In practice. What you can do with Adobe Fresco.

    Adobe's digital drawing app (vector and raster) with live brushes, for illustration on tablet and desktop.

    Practical uses

    • Paint an illustrationA stylus using realistic media.
    • Combine vector and raster brushes in one drawing.
    • Import Photoshop brushes to draw on iPad.

    Features & use cases

    Concept art
    Digital painting
    Illustration
    Creation

    Pros and cons

    What Adobe Fresco does especially well and the limits to anticipate.

    Pros

    • Live Brushes and realistic rendering (watercolor, oil).
    • Vector and raster brushes combined.
    • Photoshop compatibility (brushes, files).
    • Available on iPad, iPhone and Windows.

    Cons

    • Available via the Creative Cloud subscription.
    • Most relevant with a stylus/tablet.
    • Less versatile than a full image editor.

    Adobe Fresco: when it makes sense.

    Fresco makes sense when stylus drawing/painting is central and you're in the Adobe ecosystem; otherwise, an alternative like Procreate may suffice.

    Keep if

    You draw or paint with a stylus, notably on iPad.. You want vector and raster brushes combined, with realistic media.

    Challenge if

    You don't draw by hand.. You prefer Procreate or an alternative.

    Pricing. What does Adobe Fresco cost?

    This tool is included in Adobe Creative Cloud. See pricing and plans on the suite's page.
    Free$0

    Free plan available.

    Paid plan

    Paid plans available. See the official pricing source for details.

    Adobe Creative Cloud All Apps — the full suite

    Adobe Fresco is part of Adobe Creative Cloud All Apps. The other tools included in the suite:

    Alternatives. What could replace Adobe Fresco?

    Current

    Direct substitutes

    Clip Studio Paint logoClip Studio PaintKrita logoKrita

    Adobe Fresco Summary

    Category
    productivity tool.
    Price from
    Free.
    Best for
    professionals.
    Avoid if
    You don't draw by hand.; You prefer Procreate or an alternative..
    Alternatives
    Clip Studio Paint, Krita, Procreate.
    ToolTrim verdict
    Fresco makes sense when stylus drawing/painting is central and you're in the Adobe ecosystem; otherwise, an alternative like Procreate may suffice.

    Our verdict. What to know about Adobe Fresco.

    Why this verdict

    Great

    Adobe Fresco is fairly easy to replace with an alternative, a free tier to test before paying, clearly documented use cases.

    Frequently asked questions.

    What to know before choosing Adobe Fresco.

    What is Adobe Fresco used for?

    Adobe drawing and digital painting app, often used on tablets.

    How much does Adobe Fresco cost?

    Adobe Fresco costs $0 (free).

    Is Adobe Fresco suitable for beginners?

    Adobe Fresco suits most professionals. See the "Who is it for" section for details.

    Is Adobe Fresco worth the price?

    Fresco makes sense when stylus drawing/painting is central and you're in the Adobe ecosystem; otherwise, an alternative like Procreate may suffice.

    What are the best alternatives to Adobe Fresco?

    The main alternatives to Adobe Fresco are: Clip Studio Paint, Krita, Procreate. Free alternatives: Clip Studio Paint, Krita, Procreate.

    What’s next?