For drawing on the go, see our selection of the best drawing apps for iPad and the best 2-in-1 laptops for creatives. Many of these programs work well with the best drawing tablets you can buy, so you don't need to worry if you've already got a digital art setup. If we haven't tested a program, we have good reason for including it, and have done extensive research to back up our claims. We've tested much of this software, with our reviewers assessing each pick against a range of criteria including power and overall performance (see how we test software for more – and watch out for the links to full reviews).

In this guide, you'll find offerings on both ends of the price spectrum, from zero to, well, not zero.

From pro tools with pro prices to completely free options, the best digital art software comes in all shapes and sizes when it comes to price. And there's also the question of cost, which is particularly pertinent right now. There are specific tools for photo editing, graphic design, digital painting and everything in-between.

Free sketching programs for windows