Clip Studio Paint Price in 2026: PRO vs EX, Free Trial and the Cheapest Way to Buy

This article contains affiliate links. ArtBlast may earn a commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you.

Clip Studio Paint costs $63 once for PRO and $277 once for EX on Windows and macOS, or $26.99 a year (PRO) and $76.99 a year (EX) on a single-device plan that also covers iPad, iPhone and Android. There is a free trial of up to three months, but the program itself is not free. This guide puts every price, the PRO vs EX split, the monthly vs one-time maths and the free trial rules in one place, so you can pick the cheapest option that fits how you draw.

All prices below are US dollars from Clip Studio's official purchase and plan pages, checked in November 2026 (Version 5.0 is the current one-time edition). The job numbers come from ArtBlast's own tracking of studio job posts from March to August 2026, so you can see how much Clip Studio Paint matters for getting hired before you spend anything.

Clip Studio Paint Price at a Glance

The purchase page headline reads "from $0.99/month, first three months free"; the single-device prices above are what the plan selector shows for one device. The 12-month license is listed on the purchase page as temporarily unavailable. Sources are listed at the end.

The Short Answer: Which Option Should You Buy?

• Windows or Mac, drawing and illustration: buy PRO once for $63. It is the cheapest long-term option and you keep it.
• Comics, webtoons, long animation: you need EX. Pay $277 once, or $76.99 a year if you would rather spread the cost.
• iPad, iPhone or Android: a plan is the only way. PRO is $26.99 a year, and the first three months can be free.
• Not sure yet: start the Clip Studio Paint free trial and draw your real project in it before you pay.

See Clip Studio Paint plans and start the free trial. Comparing it with other programs first? See the guides to the best digital art software, Clip Studio Paint vs Krita, Clip Studio Paint vs Procreate and Photoshop vs Clip Studio Paint.

What Studios Ask For: ArtBlast Job Data

Price only matters if the tool helps you earn. ArtBlast tracked two sets of job posts that included a full description, from March 13 to August 12 2026, and counted how many name Clip Studio Paint. Each post is counted once.

The takeaway: studios list Clip Studio Paint far less often than Photoshop, and 25 of the 28 posts that name it in the 2D set also name Photoshop. In the wider set, the 37 posts that name it cluster in illustrator, 2D game art, concept art, animation, comic and webtoon roles (job titles can match more than one group: 14 illustrator, 11 2D, 8 concept, 8 animation, 6 comic, webtoon, manga or line art). So Clip Studio Paint is a niche skill that stands out for comics, line art and 2D animation, not a studio requirement. A mention means the studio lists the tool as a skill, not that every artist must own it. If your goal is a job, the cheap PRO license or a trial is enough to build a portfolio. Browse roles that use it: 2D artist jobs, comic artist jobs, illustrator jobs and 2D animator jobs.

Clip Studio Paint PRO vs EX: What You Actually Get

PRO and EX share the same drawing engine: brushes, vector layers, rulers, the Correct Line tool and the 3D model library. The editions differ in comic, page and animation limits.

The practical rule: buy PRO unless you finish multi-page comics or animations longer than 24 frames. Everything else, including pen stabilization, vector line editing and rulers, is in both. If you start on PRO and outgrow it, Clip Studio lists upgrade prices from PRO to EX on the purchase page. For animation in depth, see the Clip Studio Paint animation guide.

Monthly, Yearly or One-Time: The Real Cost

The one-time license is cheapest if you use the program for more than two years; a plan is cheaper if you only need it for a project or need it on a tablet. Here is what each route costs over time for a single device:

Derived from the official prices, before any free months or sales. The one-time license is Version 5.0; later feature updates need the optional Update Pass ($10.99 a year for PRO, $31.99 for EX) or a plan.

• PRO breaks even in year three. Two years of the yearly plan cost $53.98, less than $63, but three years cost $80.97, so the one-time license wins from the third year.
• EX breaks even in year four. Three years of the yearly plan cost $230.97, under $277, and four years cost $307.96.
• Monthly is for short projects. Twelve months of monthly PRO costs $53.88, more than twice the yearly plan. Use it for one webtoon season or a three-month course, then cancel.
• Only plans work on tablets and phones. The one-time license is Windows and macOS only.
• Compare with Photoshop. Photoshop is $22.99 a month on its single-app plan with an annual commitment, which is $275.88 a year, more than three years of Clip Studio Paint PRO on the yearly plan. Details in Photoshop vs Clip Studio Paint.

Clip Studio Paint Price on iPad, iPhone and Android

The iPad, iPhone and Android apps are free to download, but you need a plan to save and export finished work. A plan costs the same as on a computer: PRO is $4.49 a month or $26.99 a year, and EX is $8.99 a month or $76.99 a year. One plan covers every device you log in to, with cloud sync, so a subscriber can start a drawing on the iPad and finish it on a Windows PC. On a phone, the app is free for 30 hours every month. Choosing an iPad? Read the guide to the best drawing software for iPad and the best iPad for drawing.

Clip Studio Paint Free Trial: How It Works

Clip Studio runs two separate free offers. You can use one, the other, or both in the right order, but each has rules.

The 30-day free trial (no plan needed)

You get every EX feature for 30 days on Windows, macOS, iPad, Android tablets and Chromebook. You only need a free Clip Studio account. Install the app from the Clip Studio download page, choose "Try for free", log in and pick "Get 30 days free". Clip Studio does not allow the 30-day trial if you have used it before, ever used a registered trial, ever used a 3-month free plan, hold a PRO or EX plan, or own a perpetual license.

The up to 3 months free trial (plan needed)

First-time users can get up to three months free on an annual or monthly plan. You start it inside the app (on Windows and macOS: open Clip Studio, choose Get Clip Studio Paint, then "First 3 months free"; on iPad, iPhone, Android or Chromebook: tap View plans). You choose your device count, edition and payment method, and nothing is charged during the free period. After the three months you are charged, so set a reminder if you only want the trial. Clip Studio's support page lists the limits: one use per person, no offer if you sign up for the plan on the website instead of in the app, and smartphone plans are not eligible.

Other free offers

• Galaxy Store: a separate 6 months free offer for Samsung Galaxy devices.
• iPhone and Android phones: free for 30 hours every month.
• Limited-time offers: Clip Studio has run short promotions, such as a second EX trial for people who had used up the first one (offered until January 6, 2026). Watch the Clip Studio news page.

The download page lists "up to 3 months" for most platforms and its heading says "up to 6 months", so confirm the length for your device before you start.

What happens when the trial ends

If your plan expires or you have no license, Clip Studio Paint opens in Doodle Mode, a free limited version. In Doodle Mode, Save, Save As and Save Duplicate are restricted, and exporting, printing and several page and batch tools are locked, although recovery information is still saved. So you can keep drawing, but you cannot save finished work normally. Start the trial when you are ready to draw a real project, not on the day you install it.

Ready to test it? Download the Clip Studio Paint free trial.

Is Clip Studio Paint Free?

No. Clip Studio Paint is paid software with free trials. After a trial, Doodle Mode lets you open the program but not save normally, and the iPhone and Android phone apps give 30 free hours a month. If you want a full painting program at no cost, Krita is the usual choice; see Clip Studio Paint vs Krita.

Is Clip Studio Paint Worth the Price?

At $63 once, yes for most 2D artists. The pen stabilization, vector layers, rulers and Correct Line tool are what artists pay for, and the price is a fraction of Photoshop's. It is the better buy for comics, manga, webtoons, line art and 2D animation. It is less compelling if your pipeline is Photoshop-only: 51% of the 2D job posts above name Photoshop, so learn that first and add Clip Studio Paint for line work. Buying a license is not the only cost: the Clip Studio Assets store sells brushes, 3D models and materials with its own currency, 100 GOLD for about $1, and many assets are free. The best Clip Studio Paint brushes guide covers what is worth getting.

Compare Clip Studio Paint PRO and EX on the official site.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Clip Studio Paint PRO and EX?

PRO covers illustration and single-page comics, with animation limited to 24 frames. EX adds multi-page projects, webtoon tools, PDF and e-book export and full-length animation. PRO is $63 once or $26.99 a year, EX is $277 once or $76.99 a year.

How much is Clip Studio Paint?

On Windows and macOS, PRO is $63 and EX is $277 as one-time purchases (Version 5.0). On any device, a single-device plan is $26.99 a year or $4.49 a month for PRO, and $76.99 a year or $8.99 a month for EX.

Is Clip Studio Paint a one-time purchase?

On Windows and macOS, yes: pay once and keep Version 5.0 forever, with an optional Update Pass for later features. On iPad, iPhone and Android, it is a plan only.

Is Clip Studio Paint free?

No. It has a 30-day free trial with all EX features, and up to three months free on a plan for first-time users. After a trial ends, Doodle Mode is free but you cannot save normally. The phone apps are free for 30 hours a month.

How long is the Clip Studio Paint free trial?

There are two: a 30-day trial of every EX feature that needs only a free account, and up to three months free on an annual or monthly plan for first-time users. Galaxy Store installs get 6 months.

Can I get the Clip Studio Paint free trial again?

Usually not. The 30-day trial is not available if you used it before, used a registered trial, used a 3-month free plan, or hold a plan or perpetual license. Clip Studio sometimes runs a limited-time second trial, so check its news page.

Is the Clip Studio Paint free trial really free?

The 30-day trial needs no plan and no payment. The 3-month trial is free during the three months, but you start it with a payment method and are charged afterwards unless you cancel.

Can you animate in Clip Studio Paint?

Yes. PRO supports animation up to 24 frames (3 seconds at 8 frames per second), and EX supports full-length animation with a timeline. See the Clip Studio Paint animation guide for workflow.

Why is Clip Studio Paint so expensive?

It is not, compared with Photoshop. PRO is $63 once, while Photoshop's single-app plan is $22.99 a month, about $276 a year. EX costs more because it adds multi-page comic and long animation tools.

Is Clip Studio Paint worth it on iPad?

Yes if you want desktop-grade line art and comic tools on a tablet. The iPad app needs a plan, $26.99 a year for PRO, so over three years it costs more than Procreate's one-time $12.99.

Which is better, Procreate or Clip Studio Paint?

Procreate is cheaper and faster for sketching on an iPad. Clip Studio Paint is better for comics, animation, vector lines and working across devices. See the Clip Studio Paint vs Procreate comparison.

Is Clip Studio Paint professional?

Yes. It is used for professional comics, manga, webtoons, character art and animation. In ArtBlast's job data it is named in 6% of 2D art posts, most often alongside Photoshop.

Sources and Price Checks

All prices were checked in November 2026. Prices change and sales are frequent, so confirm the figure on the official page before you buy.

• Prices, plans, Update Pass and the 12-month license note: Clip Studio purchase page (Version 5.0, PRO $63, EX $277, Update Pass $10.99 and $31.99, plans from $0.99 a month with the first three months free, GOLD 100 for about $1) and the plan selector (single-device PRO $4.49 monthly or $26.99 yearly, EX $8.99 monthly or $76.99 yearly)
• PRO and EX differences: Clip Studio feature list (PRO animation up to 24 frames, no layer comps in PRO)
• Free trial: download page, 30-day trial support page, three-month offer support page and Doodle Mode support page
• Photoshop: Adobe Creative Cloud plans page, read from a United States server in November 2026 (single-app plan US$22.99 a month, annual commitment billed monthly). Adobe shows local currency by country and runs promotions.

Job data: ArtBlast job tracking, March 13 to August 12 2026, 508 distinct 2D art posts (395 employers) and 5,380 distinct posts across all art disciplines, each with a full description. Using these figures? Please cite ArtBlast and link to this page.