Clip Studio Paint vs Inkscape:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Inkscape had more branded searches than Clip Studio Paint among illustration software worldwide. Inkscape had about 673,000 branded searches, while Clip Studio Paint had 246,000. Inkscape made up 23.1% of all illustration software searches we track, and Clip Studio Paint accounted for 8.5%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about illustration software, Clip Studio Paint appeared in all five answers and Inkscape in two. Clip Studio Paint was mentioned before Inkscape in four out of five answers.
Who do people search for more?
Inkscape, about 3 searches for every 1 for Clip Studio Paint
Who does AI mention more?
Clip Studio Paint, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Clip Studio Paint, named ahead of Inkscape in 4 of 5 answers
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Top illustration software in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Clip Studio Paint appeared in all five answers. Inkscape was mentioned in two out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Clip Studio Paint was listed before Inkscape in four out of five answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Procreate1st- Clip Studio Paint2nd
Adobe Illustrator3rd
Krita4th
Affinity5th- Inkscape6th
- Adobe Fresco7th
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Krita5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Procreate5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Clip Studio Paint5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Affinity4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Adobe Fresco4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Adobe Illustrator3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Inkscape2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about illustration software
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which illustration software should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best illustration software options?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best illustration software for digital drawing?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“illustration software”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“digital drawing app”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 21, 2026.
Is Clip Studio Paint or Inkscape more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Clip Studio Paint and Inkscape by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven illustration software we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Inkscape, Clip Studio Paint. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Inkscape | Krita | Adobe Illustrator | Procreate | Clip Studio Paint | Affinity | Adobe Fresco |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 22.1% | 18.1% | 22.5% | 18.1% | 9.9% | 6.9% | 2.4% |
| Nov 2025 | 20.8% | 17% | 21.1% | 17% | 11.3% | 10.1% | 2.8% |
| Dec 2025 | 19.7% | 19.7% | 20% | 19.7% | 13.2% | 5.1% | 2.6% |
| Jan 2026 | 23.6% | 19.3% | 19.6% | 19.3% | 10.6% | 5% | 2.6% |
| Feb 2026 | 26.5% | 17.7% | 22.1% | 17.7% | 9.7% | 3.8% | 2.4% |
| Mar 2026 | 23.4% | 19.1% | 19.5% | 19.1% | 12.8% | 4.1% | 2.1% |
| Apr 2026 | 25.8% | 21.1% | 21.5% | 17.2% | 9.4% | 3.1% | 1.9% |
| May 2026 | 26.8% | 17.9% | 22.3% | 17.9% | 9.8% | 3.2% | 2% |
| Jun 2026 | 23.3% | 19.1% | 19.4% | 19.1% | 12.8% | 4.1% | 2.1% |
| Jul 2026 | 24% | 19.6% | 20% | 19.6% | 10.7% | 4.2% | 1.8% |
| Aug 2026 | 23.1% | 23.1% | 19.2% | 18.9% | 10.3% | 3.3% | 2.1% |
| Sep 2026 | 23.1% | 23.1% | 19.3% | 18.9% | 8.5% | 4% | 3.1% |
How has the Clip Studio Paint and Inkscape comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Inkscape was ahead of Clip Studio Paint in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Clip Studio Paint’s share of searches among illustration software worldwide moved from 9.9% to 8.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 301K to 246K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Inkscape’s share of searches among illustration software worldwide moved from 22.1% to 23.1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 673K.
How did search popularity change for illustration software worldwide in September 2026?
1 change
In September 2026, Clip Studio Paint lost share of searches among illustration software worldwide, from 10.3% to 8.5%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Clip Studio Paint’s and Inkscape’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Clip Studio Paint
1 branded search term
- clip studio paint
Inkscape
1 branded search term
- inkscape
Other head-to-heads among illustration software
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