Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Pyxel Edit VS Grafx2

Compare Pyxel Edit VS Grafx2 and see what are their differences

Pyxel Edit logo 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.

Grafx2 logo Grafx2

GrafX2 is a bitmap paint program inspired by the Amiga programs Deluxe Paint and Brilliance.
  • Pyxel Edit Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-03-24
  • Grafx2 Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-01-17

Pyxel Edit features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    Pyxel Edit's interface is designed to be intuitive and easy to use, even for beginners. The layout and tools are straightforward, making it accessible for those new to pixel art.
  • Tileset Editing
    Pyxel Edit excels at tileset creation and editing. It allows you to create tiles and see how they fit together in real-time, aiding in the efficient design of game environments.
  • Animation Support
    The software includes features for creating and previewing animations. This is useful for game developers who need to create animated sprites and see how they will look in action.
  • Cross-Platform
    Pyxel Edit is available on multiple platforms, including Windows and macOS, allowing for flexibility in the user's operating system choice.
  • Affordable Pricing
    Compared to some competitors, Pyxel Edit is reasonably priced, making it accessible for indie developers and hobbyists.

Possible disadvantages of Pyxel Edit

  • Lacks Advanced Features
    Compared to more advanced graphic design software, Pyxel Edit lacks some sophisticated features such as layer effects or more complex animation tools.
  • Performance Issues
    Some users have reported performance issues, especially when working with larger canvases or complex animations, which can slow down the workflow.
  • Limited Documentation
    The software's documentation could be more comprehensive. Users may need to rely on external tutorials and community forums to fully understand all features.
  • Slower Updates
    Update frequency for Pyxel Edit can be slower compared to some other applications, which means users might wait longer for bug fixes or new features.
  • Dependency on Adobe AIR
    Pyxel Edit relies on Adobe AIR, which can be seen as a drawback since it requires an additional installation and Adobe AIR's own stability and performance concerns.

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.

Analysis of Pyxel Edit

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Pyxel Edit is considered a good tool for pixel art and animation, especially among indie game developers and pixel artists.

Why this product is good

  • Pyxel Edit is valued for its user-friendly interface, which allows for intuitive creation and editing of pixel art. It supports features like tile-based drawing, animation previews, and a straightforward set of tools tailored specifically for pixel art workflows. Additionally, users appreciate its relatively low cost and ability to export to common formats used in game development.

Recommended for

  • Indie game developers looking to create 2D pixel art assets.
  • Artists who prefer a simple and efficient tool for pixel art creation.
  • Beginners in pixel art who want to start with a straightforward software.
  • Creators working on tile-based game designs, as it offers robust tile editing features.

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.

Pyxel Edit videos

Aseprite vs Pyxel Edit - Pixel Art Animation & Tile Tool Comparison

Grafx2 videos

GrafX2 An Introduction

More videos:

  • Tutorial - GrafX2 - Introductory Tutorial

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Pyxel Edit and Grafx2)
Graphic Design Software
52 52%
48% 48
Art Tools
48 48%
52% 52
Digital Drawing And Painting
Photos & Graphics
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Pyxel Edit seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 5 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Pyxel Edit mentions (5)

  • Look at this big Wine glass 🍷
    I use Bottles for some lightweight software I have for game development, like Pyxel Edit. No complaints so far— it works fine. Source: about 2 years ago
  • The Size and Scope of Super Mario Games [OC]
    This is an original graphical representation of both the size (number of unique stages) and scope (amount of objectives to complete) of the mainline Super Mario games. It was created by quite adept in a program called Pyxel Edit using 8 colors, over the course of a few slow work days. These 18 games are what Nintendo considers to be mainline Super Mario games, minus the two Mario Maker games and Super Mario Run.... Source: over 2 years ago
  • What's a good software for making sprites for RPG Maker?
    I use PyxelEdit. It's built especially for making tileart/tilesets and it's only $9 smackaroos! Https://pyxeledit.com/. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Anyone know any good Sprite editing programs?
    Https://pyxeledit.com/ (more tile set development). Source: over 3 years ago
  • Decided to draw Dave today, because beanies
    I use a program called pyxel edit, which is made specifically for pixel art. I'd highly recommend it, it's a very simple but does this kind of art style extremely well and only costs $10 usd. Source: over 3 years ago

Grafx2 mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Grafx2 yet. Tracking of Grafx2 recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

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

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

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

Cosmigo Pro Motion - Pro Motion is a drawing and animation software for Windows designed similar to the famous Amiga...

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

PaintCAD - Pixel art image editor, created for full keyboard control of image drawing without mouse using.

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.