Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Grafx2 VS Koadro

Compare Grafx2 VS Koadro and see what are their differences

Grafx2 logo Grafx2

GrafX2 is a bitmap paint program inspired by the Amiga programs Deluxe Paint and Brilliance.

Koadro logo Koadro

Any image, rebuilt in real pixels, in colors you choose. What comes out is what went in.
  • Grafx2 Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-01-17
  • Koadro Anything you can picture, in pixels.
    Anything you can picture, in pixels. //
    2026-07-27
  • Koadro You pick the colors
    You pick the colors //
    2026-07-27
  • Koadro Every pixel is a choice
    Every pixel is a choice //
    2026-07-27
  • Koadro Not a filter. A workshop.
    Not a filter. A workshop. //
    2026-07-27
  • Koadro Build your collection
    Build your collection //
    2026-07-27

Koadro turns any photo into real pixel art, right on your device.

Drop in a photo and Koadro rebuilds it as a true pixel grid: every cell a deliberate pixel, in a color palette you control. No filters faking a pixel look, actual pixels you can edit cell by cell.

What you can do

  • Convert any photo into an editable pixel grid
  • Choose your grid resolution and color count
  • Fine-tune the result by hand, pixel by pixel
  • Pick and refine the palette so the colors are yours, not a preset
  • Export your pixel art to share or use anywhere

Built to respect you

  • Works fully offline
  • No account, no sign-up
  • Your photos and pixel art never leave your device
  • No ads

Pricing

Free to use with everything you need to make pixel art. A one-time Premium unlock (no subscription, yours forever) adds higher resolution export, full palette control, dithering, and transparent backgrounds.

Platforms

iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Android.

Koadro

$ Details
freemium $12.99 / One-off (Lifetime Premium)
Platforms
iPhone iPad MacOS Android
Release Date
2026 July
Startup details
Country
Chile
City
Santiago
Founder(s)
Gregorio Undurraga
Employees
1 - 9

Grafx2 features and specs

  • Open-source
    Grafx2 is an open-source software, which means its source code is freely available for anyone to inspect, modify, and distribute.
  • Lightweight
    The application is lightweight and does not require significant system resources, making it easy to run on older hardware.
  • Supports Multiple Platforms
    Grafx2 is available for a wide range of operating systems including Windows, macOS, Linux, FreeBSD, and Haiku, offering great flexibility.
  • Palette-based Artwork
    Specialized in creating pixel art and low-color graphics, making it ideal for game developers, artists, and retro art enthusiasts.
  • Extensive File Format Support
    Supports numerous graphic formats such as BMP, PNG, and TGA, as well as various specialized formats used in different games and applications.
  • Customizable Interface
    Offers a highly customizable interface, allowing users to tweak the layout and tools to fit their workflow.
  • Wide Range of Tools
    Includes a variety of tools and features such as gradient fills, pattern fills, transparency settings, and animation capabilities.

Possible disadvantages of Grafx2

  • Steep Learning Curve
    Due to its wide array of features and tools, it may be intimidating and challenging for beginners to use effectively.
  • Limited Documentation
    The available documentation and tutorials are limited compared to other more popular graphic software, which might hinder learning and troubleshooting.
  • Niche Application
    It is specialized for pixel art and low-color graphics, making it less versatile for artists looking to create high-resolution or vector-based artwork.
  • Outdated User Interface
    The user interface may appear outdated compared to modern graphics software, which could be off-putting to new users.
  • Lack of Integration
    Doesn't offer integration with other popular graphic design tools and software, which might be a downside for professionals needing a more comprehensive toolset.

Koadro features and specs

  • Pixel conversion
    Turns any photo into a true, editable pixel grid
  • Palette control
    Choose and refine the exact colors used in your pixel art
  • Resolution & color count
    Set your grid resolution and number of colors
  • Dithering
    Smoother gradients and shading
  • Privacy
    Fully offline, no account, no cloud, no ads, photos stay on device

Analysis of Grafx2

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Grafx2 is considered a good software for pixel art enthusiasts.

Why this product is good

  • Grafx2 is highly appreciated for its focus on pixel art and low-spec graphics, offering a simple yet powerful interface reminiscent of classic graphic software. It supports a wide range of file formats and has a multitude of tools specifically designed for creating detailed pixel art. Its open-source nature allows for community contributions and continuous improvements, ensuring that it remains relevant and functional. Additionally, Grafx2 is lightweight and available across various platforms, making it accessible for most users.

Recommended for

  • Artists looking to create pixel art or retro-style graphics.
  • Users seeking a lightweight and straightforward graphic editing software.
  • Individuals interested in open-source software that is regularly updated.

Grafx2 videos

GrafX2 An Introduction

More videos:

Koadro videos

No Koadro videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

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Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Grafx2 and Koadro)
Graphic Design Software
100 100%
0% 0
Photos & Graphics
0 0%
100% 100
Art Tools
100 100%
0% 0
Graphic Design
0 0%
100% 100

Questions & Answers

As answered by people managing Grafx2 and Koadro.

How would you describe the primary audience of your product?

Koadro's answer:

Artists, illustrators, and hobbyists who want to create pixel art from their own photos, plus anyone who likes the pixel look for avatars, game assets, or personal projects. It suits both people new to pixel art who want a fast, guided result and experienced pixel artists who want a photo-based starting point they can fine-tune.

What makes your product unique?

Koadro's answer:

Koadro makes real pixel art, not a filter that fakes the look. It rebuilds your photo as a true grid of deliberate pixels that you can edit cell by cell, in a color palette you control. And it does all of it on your device: no account, no cloud, no ads, and your photos never leave your phone or computer.

Why should a person choose your product over its competitors?

Koadro's answer:

Most pixel-art tools are blank-canvas editors built for drawing from scratch. Koadro starts from your own photo and turns it into an editable pixel grid in seconds, then lets you refine the resolution and the palette It is simple enough to get a great result on the first try, private by default, and free to use, with a one-time unlock instead of a subscription.

What's the story behind your product?

Koadro's answer:

Koadro is made by Paintingstack, a top software studio known for well-crafted tools for artists. It grew out of a simple frustration: turning a photo into good pixel art usually meant either a cheap filter that only imitated the style, or a full editor where you rebuild everything by hand. Koadro was built to sit in between, giving you a real, editable pixel version of your own image, while keeping everything on your device and free of accounts, ads, and cloud servers.

Which are the primary technologies used for building your product?

Koadro's answer:

Koadro is a native app for iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Android, so it runs fast and feels right on every device. It is built to respect you: everything happens on your own device, your photos and projects never touch a cloud server, and there are no accounts and no ads. You pay once and it is yours, no subscription. The result is a tool that is quick, private, and simple, made to get out of your way so you can focus on creating.

Who are some of the biggest customers of your product?

Koadro's answer:

  • Pixel artists and illustrators
  • Indie game developers making sprites and game art
  • Digital creators making avatars, profile pictures, and emotes
  • Hobbyists and crafters (cross-stitch, perler beads, diamond painting patterns)
  • Designers who want a quick pixel-art version of a photo

User comments

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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Grafx2 and Koadro, you can also consider the following products

Piskel - Piskel is a website where designers online create sprites or pixel art.

Aseprite - Aseprite is an art program dedicated to the creation of pixel art.

Pixelorama - Free and open source sprite editor and animator, ideal for pixel art.

Pixen - Pixen is a professional pixel art editor designed for working with low-resolution raster art, such as those 8-bit sprites found in old-school video games.

Pyxel Edit - Welcome! Pyxel Edit is a pixel art editor designed to make it fun and easy to make tilesets, levels and animations. Twitter. Tweets av @PyxelEdit. Share.

GIMP - GIMP is a multiplatform photo manipulation tool.