Our verdict: LibreSprite is a solid free choice for drawing and animating sprites, built on the last open-source version of Aseprite. Layers, frames and onion skinning cover the core pixel art workflow. It lacks the newer features that Aseprite added after the fork, such as tilemaps.

LibreSprite main window with an empty sprite, color palette, tools and preview panel · Screenshot: LibreSprite contributors, GNU GPL v2, from the official repository

About LibreSprite

LibreSprite started as a fork of Aseprite on the last commit released under the GPL v2, before Aseprite moved to a proprietary license in 2016. Since then it has been developed independently by a volunteer community.

A sprite is built from layers and frames, so you draw each animation step and preview it in real time. Pixel-precise tools, shading mode, ready-made palettes and a tiled mode for seamless textures are aimed at game artists who work at small resolutions.

What it does well

Layers and frames. Each sprite combines layers with animation frames on a timeline.
Real-time preview. Play the animation while you draw to check timing and motion.
Onion skinning. Shows neighbouring frames as transparent overlays while you draw.
Tiled drawing mode. Draw repeating patterns and textures that wrap at the edges.
Palettes. Use ready-made palettes or build your own for a consistent look.

Who it is for

Good fit

Indie game developers and hobbyists who want a free, open-source sprite editor.

Look elsewhere

Artists who need tilemap layers or the newest Aseprite features, or painters working at high resolutions.

Pros and cons

Pros

Free and open source
Familiar Aseprite-style workflow
Onion skinning and animation preview
Runs on Windows, macOS, Linux and Android

Cons

Lacks features Aseprite added after 2016
Smaller community and fewer tutorials than Aseprite

How to install LibreSprite

Download the Windows x64 installer from the official GitHub release; a portable zip is also offered on the same page. Sprites are saved in the .ase format, which older Aseprite versions can open too.

Questions about LibreSprite

Is LibreSprite free?

Yes. It is open source under the GNU GPL v2 with no paid edition.

Is LibreSprite the same as Aseprite?

It started from the last GPL version of Aseprite in 2016 and has been developed separately since then, so newer Aseprite features are missing.

Download LibreSprite from libresprite.github.io ExeDepot does not host this file. The download starts from the developer's server, github.com. Other versions are on the official download page.

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