Dev tools · alternatives · 2026

24 alternatives to Charcoal

A modern, free, and easy-to-use drawing app for iOS

Below are 24 products that do a similar job, ranked by how close each is in meaning and then by launch-day votes. Charcoal launched in 2020; newer entries below may have overtaken it.

1
Simply Draw▲789
AI feedback meets art - anyone can learn to draw
2024 · apps.apple.com · its alternatives →
2
Drawww▲661
Real time AI drawing optimized for the iPad
2023 · drawww.app · its alternatives →
3
Canvas for iOS▲307
Write with your team, in realtime, using markdown
2016 · its alternatives →
4IA
Inkwash, a watercolor sketching app and explanation▲250
I've made a drawing app based on my physical sketching practice, using fluid sim and some shader tricks to mimic watercolor-style ink washes. Best used on iPad or with a drawing tablet. The linked article shows how the core engine works, with plenty of little interactive demos. It was fun to make, sharing in hopes others find it fun too :)
Jun 2026 · johnowhitaker.github.io · its alternatives →
5
Paint▲326
A simple Microsoft Paint inspired web app
2025 · its alternatives →
6
CREATE 5.0▲105
The most versatile graphic design + creativity tool
2020 · apps.apple.com · its alternatives →
7
Pattern▲324
Simple, focused, drawing application for the iPad.
2016 · its alternatives →
8
Paper 3.0▲779
The new sticky note
2015 · its alternatives →
9
I took over Painteresque, a 14 year old Objective-C app and rebuilt it▲117
Around 3 weeks ago, I came across a reddit post from someone who was looking to see if anyone was interested in taking over a 12-14 year old objective c app which hadn't been on the app store for many years. I responded and decided to do it. The app is called Painteresque. It lets you turn photos to charcoal drawings, paintings etc while doing all the processing locally on device: https://apps.apple.com/ca/app/painteresque-photo-to-sketch/i... The app is entirely free to use, has no ads, third party analytics, trackers, subscriptions or other junk. It does offer…
2025 · apps.apple.com · its alternatives →
10
Flow by Moleskine Studio▲266
Capture, create and share ideas in a digital Moleskine
2019 · apps.apple.com · its alternatives →
11
Black▲329
A wallpaper series using shapes and lights.
2016 · jmd.im · its alternatives →
12
CREATE▲291
The Most Useful Creative Tool for Graphic Design and Drawing
2016 · create.mobi · its alternatives →
13
SketchAR▲343
Start drawing easily using augmented reality
2016 · sketchar.io · its alternatives →
14
Artyline▲359
Sketch-to-screen AR converter
2019 · artyline.co · its alternatives →
15
Sketch▲103
A social drawing application by Sony
2017 · apps.apple.com · its alternatives →
16
Tayasui Sketches▲97
The ideal canvas for ideas, illustrations, paintings (iOS)
2014 · its alternatives →
17
Linea Sketch▲130
iPad sketchbook designed for Apple Pencil, now turbo-charged
2018 · linea-app.com · its alternatives →
18
BLACK▲197
The stunning black + white photo app, now on iOS
2015 · apps.apple.com · its alternatives →
19
Canvas▲251
A DALL·E playground for the Mac
2023 · kevinhermawan.com · its alternatives →
20
Pichon for Mac▲270
Best design graphics at your fingertips, just drag and drop
2021 · icons8.com · its alternatives →
21
Neon▲81
Real-time color & gradient picker
2019 · apps.apple.com · its alternatives →
22
AR Drawing - Easy to Trace▲94
Draw anything with ease using AR tracing technology
2023 · its alternatives →
23
Whiteboard▲187
Simple whiteboard app to make sketching quick & easy
2015 · its alternatives →
24
Lekh Diagram, sketch recognition diagramming app for ipad▲87
Download Lekh: whiteboard & diagramming by LEKHAPP LLC on the App Store. See screenshots, ratings and reviews, user tips, and more apps like Lekh: whiteboard &…
2012 · itunes.apple.com · its alternatives →

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Ranked by how close each launch is in meaning, then by votes. Prices were read from each product’s own site when checked and can change. Refine with your own description →