Tool profile
PixiEditor: cost, fit and limits
PixiEditor is a free, open source graphics editor for pixel art and vector shapes that adds a node graph, a node-based brush engine and frame-by-frame animation, available as a desktop app and stated to use no AI.
What to know first
PixiEditor's download page offers a free Windows x64 build, and the home page lists desktop native, cross-platform and offline use, plus Steam and Flathub store listings for those who prefer installing that way. Optional PixiPack tiers named Silver, Gold and Diamond add brushes, workspaces and extensions, but their prices showed as loading. Monthly support tiers of $5, $10, $25 and $50 are also listed.
PixiEditor at a glance
| Maker | PixiEditor (company name not stated on the pages read), Not stated on the vendor pages |
|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes |
| Entry price | Free download |
| API access | No |
| Category | Best AI Pixel Art Software in 2026, rank 5 of 11 |
| Website | pixieditor.net |
Who PixiEditor is best for
Artists mixing pixels and vectors
Vector tools with snapping share a document with raster layers, which suits icons and logos that include both crisp shapes and pixel detail.
Technical artists who like nodes
A node graph builds non-destructive procedural graphics and animations, closer to a visual programming workflow than a classic brush-only editor.
Supporters of open source
A free download and optional monthly support tiers let users contribute money to the project without being forced into a subscription to keep using the editor.
PixiEditor plans and pricing
| Plan | Price | What it includes |
|---|---|---|
| Free download | Free | Windows x64 build, version 2.1.2.5 on the download page, open source according to the home page. |
| Silver PixiPack | Not published on the pages read | 10 unique brushes, paper, brownpaper and wood workspaces, and a limited 2026 Supporter Badge, as listed on the download page. |
| Gold PixiPack | Not published on the pages read | Everything in Silver plus a reusable Animation Workspace and free access to the Advanced Pixel Art Extension, per the download page. |
| Diamond PixiPack | Not published on the pages read | Everything in Gold plus free access to all extensions from the Extension Browser, the highest of the three PixiPack tiers listed. |
| Monthly support | $5, $10, $25 or $50 per month | Monthly support tiers on the download page, with a one-time donation option also listed. Checkout prices may vary by country. |
Checked November 2026.
What PixiEditor does
- Node graph
- Procedural graphics and animations are built from connected nodes without destroying the source layers, so changing an early step in the graph updates every later result automatically.
- Pixel art toolset
- The dedicated pixel art toolset includes advanced palette management and a pixel-perfect pen mode that keeps single-pixel lines clean without a separate cleanup pass afterward.
- Node-based brush engine
- Brushes are built from nodes, can use custom shaders and can sample from other layers, which allows textures and effects that standard round brushes cannot produce.
- Vector and raster together
- Vector shapes with snapping sit next to raster layers in one document, which gives a route for logos, icons and illustrations that mix crisp shapes with pixel detail.
- Frame-by-frame animation
- Frame-by-frame animation tools are listed on the home page, and a reusable Animation Workspace is added as an extra in the Gold PixiPack tier, as the download page describes.
How PixiEditor handles your data
PixiEditor runs as a desktop application that the home page says works offline, so documents stay on your machine. The home page lists No AI among its features, which is a useful statement for users avoiding generative tools. The pages we read did not describe telemetry, retention, hosting region or certifications, and no company name was found. Checkout is handled through the support tiers on the download page, and prices there may vary by country according to that page. Review the privacy policy before enabling any online features.
Where PixiEditor falls short in practice
- Support tier prices were unreadable. Silver, Gold and Diamond PixiPack prices showed Loading on the download page, so buyers cannot compare them with the free build or with the monthly tiers until checkout.
- Windows build named. The download page named a Windows x64 build. Steam and Flathub links suggest other platforms, but the pages did not confirm macOS support, so check before relying on it.
- Broader than pixel art. Because vector tools and a node graph sit beside the pixel toolset, the interface covers more than a sprite-only workflow needs, which can slow newcomers.
Works with
Alternatives to PixiEditor
PixiEditor: common questions
Is PixiEditor free?
The download page offers a free build, version 2.1.2.5 for Windows x64 as of November 2026, and the home page describes it as open source. Optional PixiPack tiers and monthly support from $5 to $50 exist, but PixiPack prices showed as loading, so their cost is unconfirmed.
Does PixiEditor include AI features?
No. The home page lists No AI among its features. It is positioned around pixel art tools, vector tools, a node graph and animation. Teams wanting generated sprites would need a separate service and then import the images for editing.
What do the PixiPack tiers add?
Silver adds 10 unique brushes, several workspaces and a Supporter Badge. Gold adds a reusable Animation Workspace and the Advanced Pixel Art Extension. Diamond adds free access to all extensions in the Extension Browser. Prices were not readable, and the free build remains available.
Can PixiEditor work offline?
The home page lists desktop native and cross-platform use and says it works offline. That means drawing does not depend on a connection. Support checkout and any extension downloads would still need one, and the pages did not describe how licenses are validated.
Can I draw vector shapes in PixiEditor?
Yes. Vector tools with snapping are listed for logos, icons and illustrations, and they can be mixed with raster layers in one document. The pages did not say which vector export formats are supported, so test an export against your needs.