Many people think Chromebooks do not have good apps for creative tasks, but that is not true.
Earlier, we shared a list of top Chromebook photo editors to prove the point. Now, we will highlight some free drawing apps for Chromebooks.
These apps run smoothly and offer full-screen touch controls with many tools and features.
We carefully selected offline apps with low latency for drawing and painting on a Chromebook. So, let’s check out the best drawing apps for Chromebook in 2025.
Best Drawing Apps for Chromebook (2025)
Below, you will find 14 great drawing apps for Chromebooks, including Android, Linux, Web, and Chrome apps.
I tested all these apps, and they work well on my Chromebook without touch latency problems.
The list also includes animation drawing apps and high-quality painting apps for Chrome OS. Now, let’s go through the options.
Sketchbook by Autodesk
Sketchbook is a popular digital drawing app suitable for both beginners and professionals.
The good news is that Chromebooks now support it through the Android platform.
It works smoothly in full-screen mode, offering a large canvas, multiple tools, and layer support.
During testing, touchscreen response was almost instant, and drawing on the HP Chromebook x360 was seamless without crashes or freezing.
The app also works well with an active stylus and supports palm rejection.
In short, Sketchbook by Autodesk is well-known for sketching and drawing.
You can install it on a Chromebook without modifications, and since it runs as an Android app, it also works offline.
Pros:
- Suitable for all skill levels
- No lag issues
- Various brushes and tools
- Works offline
- Palm rejection support
Cons:
- Requires Android app compatibility
Adobe Illustrator Draw / Adobe Photoshop Sketch
Sketchbook, Adobe Illustrator Draw and Photoshop Sketch are top drawing apps for Windows and macOS.
Now, they are available on Chromebooks via the Play Store. Both apps run in full-screen mode and support touchscreen, keyboard, and mouse input.
If unsure which app to pick, start with Adobe Illustrator Draw. It is a vector-based app that allows freehand drawing on a large canvas with multiple brushes, layers, and tools.
If you prefer raster or bitmap drawing, Adobe Photoshop Sketch is better.
Depending on your needs, you may use both. Performance is smooth, with no noticeable input lag on Chromebooks. Additionally, both apps feature tilt mode, which uses the rotate tool.
Pros:
- Supports vector drawing and freehand sketching
- No input delay
- Advanced tools
- Layer functionality
Cons:
- Some UI elements appear as small
- Requires Play Store access
Sumopaint
Many Chromebook users, especially students, cannot access the Play Store.
If your school-issued Chromebook has restrictions, installing a drawing app from the Play Store is not an option.
In that case, Sumopaint is an excellent choice because it does not require any downloads.
It is a web-based drawing tool that offers advanced features for free. You can also install Sumopaint as a PWA and use it offline.
Sumopaint provides around 300 brushes and various effects and tools commonly found in desktop applications.
It also supports filters, text elements, and image merging for unique designs. If you need an MS Paint alternative for Chromebooks, Sumopaint is a solid option.
Pros
- Web-based drawing tool
- Works well on school Chromebooks and offers many tools and effects
- Offline support
Cons
- No palm rejection
Aggie.io
Aggie.io is an online app for drawing and animation on Chromebooks. Magma Studio, famous for its art collaboration tool, developed it.
Aggie.io offers a free version where users can start a canvas and draw with others online. People can also use it alone as a drawing tool.
The app includes an excellent selection of tools, supports layers, and allows GIF imports for animation projects.
Despite running in a browser, it performs smoothly without any lag. If you need a Chromebook drawing app that does not require downloads from the Play Store or Linux, Aggie.io is an excellent choice.
Pros
- Ideal for online collaboration
- Web-based drawing tool
- Supports GIF imports
- No input lag
Cons
- No palm rejection
Infinite Painter
Infinite Painter may not rank among the top Play Store apps, but it performs well on Chromebooks. It offers a simple drawing experience with low latency and smooth canvas control.
Free panning from all sides enhances usability. Testing showed that touch input worked better than Adobe apps.
The app includes over 160 natural brush presets and allows users to create custom brushes.
It supports layers, blend modes, and geometric tools such as a line, ellipse, and protractor. Beginners will find it helpful in drawing, painting, and sketching on a Chromebook.
Pros
- Simple and easy to use
- Fast and responsive input
- Includes essential tools
- Supports layers
Cons
- Requires Play Store access
ibis Paint X
ibis Paint X provides a feature-rich drawing experience on Chromebook.
It includes over 800 fonts, 381 brushes, 71 filters, and multiple blending modes. Stroke stabilization improves accuracy and creates smoother pen strokes.
Additional tools like Radial Line rulers, clipping masks, and an SNS feature help users learn new techniques.
Testing on an Intel-based Chromebook showed almost zero latency, while ARM-based devices delivered even better performance. Ibis Paint X remains a top choice for Chromebook users.
Pros
- Packed with useful features
- Most tools available for free
- Improves pen stroke stability
- Minimal input lag
Cons
- It may feel complex for beginners
Concepts
Concepts is a well-known drawing app on iOS and iPadOS, and it is also available on Chromebooks through the Play Store.
The app is optimized for Chromebooks, offering almost zero latency and an infinite canvas for creating sketches, illustrations, and design projects.
Additionally, Concepts includes tilt and pressure modes, making it easier to sketch with precision.
Like other drawing apps, it provides various brushes, pens, and pencils. There is also an option to choose different canvas backgrounds with preset papers and textures.
If you use an active stylus like one from Wacom, the app’s velocity feature allows for flexible sketching and drawing.
In short, Concepts is worth checking out if you need a top-tier drawing app for Chromebooks.
Pros
- Infinite canvas
- Stylus support
- Includes tilt and pressure modes
- Ideal for illustrations
Cons
- Steep learning curve
ArtFlow
Apps like Sketchbook offer professional drawing tools, but beginners might find them overwhelming.
ArtFlow, an Android digital drawing and sketching app, is a great alternative. It runs smoothly on Chromebooks and is easy to install.
A key advantage of ArtFlow is its lightweight design, ensuring minimal latency when drawing on a large canvas.
The app provides essential tools such as different brushes, a color picker, an opacity slider, and more, making it easy to start painting on Chromebooks.
It also supports tilt functionality, helping users adjust line width and rotation with specific brushes.
ArtFlow is a great lightweight painting app for those starting their drawing journey on a Chromebook.
Pros
- Beginner-friendly painting app
- Includes tilt support
- Various brushes and tools
Cons
- Occasionally buggy
Sketchpad
Most Chromebook drawing apps are available through the Play Store. However, users without Play Store access can try Sketchpad, a web-based app.
Sketchpad also works offline and can be installed as a PWA, allowing full access to features without an internet connection or additional settings.
The app includes essential tools like different brush styles, color pickers, and layer support.
It also offers basic vector drawing features, making it useful for users interested in that style. For Chromebooks without Play Store access, Sketchpad is a reliable drawing tool.
Pros
- Web-based drawing app
- Works offline
- Supports multiple brushes
- Includes basic vector tools
Cons
- It may be difficult for first-time users
Boxy SVG
Boxy SVG is a great vector graphics tool that works in a browser. It allows you to edit SVG files and is a fast vector drawing app for Chromebooks.
Unlike other drawing apps, its interface is clean and well-organized. There are no cluttered menus or unnecessary toolbars.
You can create illustrations easily without needing Play Store or Linux support.
It also has customizable keyboard shortcuts. Boxy SVG is a solid choice if you need a vector drawing app for your Chromebook. Plus, it supports offline use.
Pros
- Ideal for editing SVG files
- Clean and polished interface
- Customizable keyboard shortcuts
- Runs in a browser
- Works offline
Cons
- The free version does not support SVG to PDF export
Krita
Krita is a powerful desktop app for painting and sketching. It is a free and open-source Linux application that runs on a Chromebook.
To use it, you must first enable Linux support. This app offers tools for creating concept art, comics, and detailed illustrations.
Many Linux users prefer Krita, and professionals use it for digital painting.
Krita is an excellent choice for a Chromebook drawing app that matches desktop tools like Adobe Illustrator and Sketchbook. It ran well during testing on a Chromebook.
Pros
- Professional-grade painting software
- Great for detailed illustrations
- Free and open-source
Cons
- Requires Linux support
Installation Steps
First, enable Linux and Flatpak on your Chromebook. Then, run the following commands.
After installation, you will find Krita in the Linux apps folder in the app drawer. Alternatively, you can install it through the GUI app store linked in the guide.
sudo su
flatpak install flathub org.kde.krita
Inkscape
Inkscape works as a Linux app for vector drawing on a Chromebook.
Unlike Android apps, it is a complete desktop program with advanced tools like flyout, anchor, and intelligent navigation.
Many users consider it an alternative to the desktop version of Adobe Illustrator on Chrome OS.
The program includes powerful features for creating detailed artwork, logos, and other designs.
Tools like bezier and spiro curves, layers, color profiles, and a strong text tool enhance the drawing experience.
Since Inkscape requires significant resources, a high-performance Chromebook ensures smooth operation.
Enabling GPU acceleration for Linux apps improves performance further.
Pros
- Full-featured desktop vector drawing program
- Includes advanced tools
- Ideal for banners, logos, and artwork
Cons
- Requires a high-end Chromebook
- Needs Linux support
How to Install
Open the Linux Terminal and run the command:
sudo apt-get install inkscape
After installation, the app appears in the Linux apps folder in the app drawer.
Gravit
Gravit serves as an excellent vector drawing app for Chromebooks. It does not fall under Android or Linux apps.
Instead, it operates as a well-built Chrome app that allows users to create and design various graphic elements.
It supports drawing logos, icons, and vector-based graphics while offering multiple design tools. Raster graphics support also enables character and animation creation.
Many experts use Gravit for design and drawing. People who need a potent tool in the Chrome system pick it.
Using Gravit can work better than running Inkscape on Linux. Checking its features helps decide if it fits specific needs.
Pros
- High-quality vector drawing app
- Supports raster graphics
- Suitable for professionals
Cons
- No major drawbacks
Chrome Canvas
Chrome Canvas offers a simple painting app for Chromebooks.
A large canvas and a few brush options make it easy for beginners to learn digital painting or doodling. Kids and new artists find it useful for practicing basic skills.
Many touchscreen Chromebooks include Chrome Canvas pre-installed. Those without it can access the website and install it as a PWA.
Offline functionality ensures accessibility without an internet connection. Opening Chrome Canvas allows users to start painting immediately.
Pros
- Great for beginners
- Easy to use
- Works offline
Cons
- Limited brush options
Get a Free Drawing App for Your Chromebook
These are the top drawing apps for Chromebook. Many Android apps work well and include desktop-level tools.
So, you are not losing any features. Chromebooks now offer a drawing experience similar to an iPad because of these high-quality apps.
That’s all for now. Which app do you prefer? Share your favorite in the comments below.
