Best Webtoon Makers Compared: Top Tools for Creating Vertical Scroll Comics
Compare the best webtoon creation tools including Clip Studio Paint, Medibang, Procreate, and more. Find the right software for your needs.
Creating webtoons requires tools optimized for vertical scroll formats, efficient workflows, and consistent output. The right software depends on your skill level, budget, and whether you work alone or with others. This guide compares the leading options for webtoon creation in 2025.
Quick Comparison
| Tool | Price | Platform | Best For | Learning Curve |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clip Studio Paint | $50-220 or subscription | Win/Mac/iPad/Android | Pro creators, long-form series | Medium-High |
| Procreate | $13 (one-time) | iPad only | Mobile artists, natural drawing | Low-Medium |
| Medibang Paint | Free | All platforms | Beginners, budget-conscious | Low |
| Ibis Paint | Free (ads) / $8 pro | Mobile | Mobile-first creators | Low |
| Krita | Free | Win/Mac/Linux | Desktop users wanting free pro tools | Medium |
| Photoshop | $23/month | Win/Mac/iPad | Multi-purpose creative work | High |
| Multic | Free tier available | Web-based | Collaborative teams, AI-assisted | Low |
Clip Studio Paint
The industry standard for webtoon professionals.
Strengths
Webtoon-specific features: Built-in canvas presets for Webtoon dimensions, vertical scroll preview, and dedicated export options.
Comic tools: Panel rulers, speech bubble tools, screentone library, and perspective rulers make comic creation efficient.
Asset library: Thousands of free brushes, materials, poses, and backgrounds through their asset store.
Professional workflow: Layer management, vector layers, and non-destructive editing support complex projects.
Cross-platform sync: Work on desktop, then continue on iPad seamlessly.
Weaknesses
Learning curve: Extensive features mean significant time investment to learn.
Interface complexity: Can feel overwhelming for beginners.
Subscription model: One-time purchase option exists but subscription is pushed.
Pricing
- One-time purchase: $50 (Pro) / $220 (EX)
- Subscription: $5/month (Pro) / $9/month (EX)
- EX adds multi-page management, better for series
Verdict
The best choice for serious webtoon creators planning long-running series. Worth the investment if webtoons are more than a hobby.
Procreate
The beloved iPad drawing app.
Strengths
Natural drawing feel: Apple Pencil + Procreate feels remarkably like traditional media.
Intuitive interface: Clean, simple—you can start creating immediately.
Excellent brushes: Both default and community brushes are exceptional.
One-time purchase: $13 and it’s yours forever. No subscriptions.
Portable: Create anywhere with your iPad.
Weaknesses
iPad only: No desktop, Android, or web version.
No comic-specific tools: No built-in panel tools, speech bubbles, or comic presets.
Limited text features: Typography tools are basic compared to dedicated comic software.
Large file handling: Very long webtoon scrolls can become unwieldy.
Pricing
$12.99 one-time purchase
Verdict
Perfect if you already have an iPad and prefer intuitive mobile creation. Great for art, but you’ll need workarounds for comic-specific needs.
Medibang Paint
Free comic creation software with surprising depth.
Strengths
Completely free: Full-featured with no payment required.
Comic-focused: Panel tools, speech bubbles, tones—built for comics.
Cloud storage: Save work to cloud, access from any device.
Cross-platform: Windows, Mac, iPad, Android, browser version.
Extensive free resources: Fonts, brushes, materials included.
Weaknesses
Less polished: Interface and tools aren’t as refined as paid options.
Cloud dependency: Some features require account/online connection.
Performance: Can be slower than native apps on larger files.
Fewer advanced features: Missing some pro workflow tools.
Pricing
Free
Verdict
Best free option for aspiring webtoon creators. Perfect starting point before investing in paid software.
Ibis Paint
Mobile-first drawing app popular with young creators.
Strengths
Accessibility: Free version is genuinely usable (ad-supported).
Mobile optimization: Designed for phone and tablet interfaces.
Huge user base: Active community, lots of tutorials.
Layer support: Reasonable layer management for mobile app.
Video recording: Built-in timelapse recording for sharing process.
Weaknesses
Mobile limitations: Complex projects are challenging on phone screens.
Free version ads: Frequent ads interrupt workflow (removable with premium).
Feature depth: Less robust than desktop applications.
No desktop version: Mobile only.
Pricing
- Free with ads
- Premium: $8 one-time removes ads and adds features
Verdict
Great entry point for mobile creators, especially those starting with phones. Consider graduating to desktop tools for serious projects.
Krita
Open-source professional digital art software.
Strengths
Completely free: Open-source, no cost ever.
Professional features: Brush engine rivals paid software.
Comic support: Panel tools, text tools, and workflow features.
Customizable: Open-source means you can modify anything.
No account required: No cloud dependency, no subscriptions.
Weaknesses
Resource intensive: Requires decent hardware for smooth performance.
Steeper learning curve: Interface takes getting used to.
Occasional bugs: Open-source development means less polish.
Limited mobile: Chromebook version exists but not full-featured.
Pricing
Free forever
Verdict
Best desktop option for creators who want professional features without cost. Worth learning if you’re budget-conscious but serious.
Photoshop
The legendary image editing software.
Strengths
Industry standard: Skills transfer to many creative fields.
Powerful capabilities: Can do almost anything image-related.
Integration: Works seamlessly with other Adobe products.
Resources: Endless tutorials, brushes, actions, and templates.
Weaknesses
Not comic-optimized: General purpose tool, not built for comics.
Subscription required: No one-time purchase option anymore.
Expensive: $23/month adds up quickly.
Overkill: Much of what you’re paying for isn’t relevant to webtoons.
Pricing
$22.99/month (or $54.99/month for full Creative Cloud)
Verdict
If you already have Photoshop, you can make webtoons with it. But it’s not the best value specifically for comic creation.
Multic
Browser-based collaborative visual storytelling platform.
Strengths
No installation: Create directly in browser.
Real-time collaboration: Teams work on same project simultaneously.
AI assistance: Built-in AI generation for characters, backgrounds, scenes.
Story-first design: Node-based editor designed for narrative structure.
Consistency tools: Style library maintains visual coherence.
Weaknesses
Different approach: Not traditional art software—more story/layout focused.
Internet required: Cloud-based means connectivity dependency.
Less drawing control: Trade traditional drawing for AI-assisted generation.
Newer platform: Less established than traditional tools.
Pricing
Free tier available, paid plans for more generation
Verdict
Ideal for creators who want to focus on story over art technique, or teams collaborating remotely. Different philosophy than traditional drawing software.
Specialized Webtoon Tools
Some tools focus specifically on webtoon format:
Webtoon Canvas (built-in editor)
- Basic editing on Webtoon platform
- Good for text/minor edits
- Not suitable for primary creation
Canva
- Template-based design
- Works for simple photo-comics
- Not for drawn webtoons
FireAlpaca
- Free, lightweight
- Good basics
- Less feature-rich than Medibang
Choosing the Right Tool
For Complete Beginners
Start with: Medibang Paint (free) or Ibis Paint (free mobile) Why: No investment, easy learning curve, comic-specific features
For iPad Users
Choose: Procreate (art-focused) or Clip Studio Paint iPad (comic-focused) Why: Both leverage Apple Pencil excellence; choice depends on needs
For Professional Long-Form Work
Choose: Clip Studio Paint EX Why: Multi-page management, professional features, industry standard
For Teams and Collaboration
Choose: Multic Why: Real-time collaboration, shared projects, AI assistance
For Budget-Conscious Desktop Users
Choose: Krita Why: Professional features, forever free, no subscriptions
For Multi-Purpose Creatives
Choose: Photoshop (if you have it) or Clip Studio Paint Why: Skills transfer, versatile capabilities
Workflow Considerations
Long-Form Series
For ongoing webtoons with hundreds of episodes:
- Page management becomes crucial (Clip Studio EX excels)
- Template consistency saves time
- Asset libraries accelerate production
Hobbyist Projects
For occasional creation:
- Free tools are sufficient
- Mobile apps enable casual creation
- No need for advanced features
Collaborative Projects
For team-based creation:
- File sharing matters
- Format compatibility between tools
- Or use collaborative platforms like Multic
AI-Assisted Workflows
For leveraging AI generation:
- Multic integrates AI directly
- Other tools pair with external AI (ComfyUI, Midjourney)
- Consider how AI fits your creative philosophy
The Tool Doesn’t Make the Webtoon
A reminder: successful webtoons exist created in every tool mentioned here. Free tools have produced viral hits. Expensive software has produced failures.
Tools matter, but not as much as:
- Consistent publishing schedule
- Compelling story
- Readable art (not necessarily “good” art)
- Understanding your audience
Choose tools that remove friction from your process—then focus on creating.
Ready to create webtoons with AI-assisted tools and real-time collaboration? Multic offers a different approach to visual storytelling—build your narrative with node-based design and built-in generation.
Related: How to Make a Webtoon and Publishing on Webtoon