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Krita vs Microsoft HoloLens 2

Krita logo

Krita

Software

Free and open-source digital painting software

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Microsoft HoloLens 2 logo

Microsoft HoloLens 2

Software

Enterprise mixed reality for the modern workplace

From
$3500/one-time
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Krita has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Krita not portable across Windows/macOS/Linux with consistent performance; Microsoft HoloLens 2 narrow field of view of 52 degrees limits visibility of holograms and causes parts of 3D objects to disappear when viewing up close
  • They diverge on capability: Krita covers Digital painting, Microsoft HoloLens 2 covers Spatial mapping.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Krita and Microsoft HoloLens 2 actually diverge.

Attributes where Krita and Microsoft HoloLens 2 differ
AttributeKritaMicrosoft HoloLens 2
Starting priceFree$3500/one-time
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWindows, macOS, LinuxStandalone AR Headset
Founded19992015

Identical on both: pricing model (Unknown), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Krita

  • Digital painting
  • Brush engines
  • Layer management
  • Animation
  • Vector tools
  • OpenEXR
  • PSD files
  • Graphics tablets

Only in Microsoft HoloLens 2

  • Spatial mapping
  • Hand tracking
  • Eye tracking
  • Holographic display
  • Azure
  • Dynamics 365
  • Microsoft Teams
  • Mixed-reality support

Both cover

  • Windows support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Krita

  • Digital paintingnot Microsoft HoloLens 2
  • Concept artnot Microsoft HoloLens 2
  • Character designnot Microsoft HoloLens 2
  • 2D animationnot Microsoft HoloLens 2
  • Texture paintingnot Microsoft HoloLens 2

Microsoft HoloLens 2

  • VR Gamingnot Krita
  • AR Marketingnot Krita
  • Virtual Trainingnot Krita
  • 3D Visualizationnot Krita
  • Immersive Experiencesnot Krita

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Krita

  • Not portable across Windows/macOS/Linux with consistent performance
  • Performance limits on large projects with many layers compared to professional software
  • Requires system administrator privileges for installation on managed systems
  • Limited professional support compared to commercial alternatives

Microsoft HoloLens 2

  • Narrow field of view of 52 degrees limits visibility of holograms and causes parts of 3D objects to disappear when viewing up close
  • Heavy weight makes extended wearing uncomfortable and impractical for sessions longer than a few hours
  • Short battery life of 2.5 to 5.5 hours limits extended deployments without charging
  • Display is sensitive to bright light and sunlight, with rainbow color artifacts and poor outdoor readability
  • High price of $3,500 limits accessibility to enterprises with substantial budgets

Pricing, plan by plan

Krita

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Krita review.

Microsoft HoloLens 2

$3500/one-time

No published plan breakdown. See the Microsoft HoloLens 2 review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Krita if

  • You need digital painting.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, Linux.
  • You also want brush engines.
Krita review

Choose Microsoft HoloLens 2 if

  • You need spatial mapping.
  • You work on Standalone AR Headset.
  • You also want hand tracking.
Microsoft HoloLens 2 review

Questions people ask

Is Krita or Microsoft HoloLens 2 better?
Neither clearly leads. Krita starts at Free and Microsoft HoloLens 2 at $3500/one-time, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Krita or Microsoft HoloLens 2?
Krita has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Krita and $3500/one-time for Microsoft HoloLens 2.
Does Krita or Microsoft HoloLens 2 run on more platforms?
Krita runs on Windows, macOS, Linux. Microsoft HoloLens 2 runs on Standalone AR Headset.
Can I use Krita for free?
Yes. Krita has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Microsoft HoloLens 2 starts at $3500/one-time.
What is Krita best used for?
Krita is most often used for digital painting, concept art, character design, 2d animation. Of those, digital painting and concept art are not what Microsoft HoloLens 2 is typically brought in for.
What can Krita do that Microsoft HoloLens 2 cannot?
Krita covers Digital painting, Brush engines, Layer management, Animation. Microsoft HoloLens 2 covers Spatial mapping, Hand tracking, Eye tracking, Holographic display. Both handle Windows support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Krita: Is Krita free and open source?

Yes, Krita is completely free and open source software developed by the KDE community. It is distributed under the LGPL license with no licensing fees.

Source
Microsoft HoloLens 2: How long is the battery life of HoloLens 2?

HoloLens 2 battery life is 2.5 to 5.5 hours of active use depending on workload intensity and brightness settings.

Source
Krita: What platforms does Krita support?

Krita is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux. It can be downloaded from krita.org or installed via package managers on Linux distributions.

Source
Microsoft HoloLens 2: What is the field of view for HoloLens 2?

HoloLens 2 has a 52-degree field of view (43 degrees horizontal and 29 degrees vertical), which is considered narrow and limits the visible hologram area when viewing objects up close.

Source
Krita: What animation capabilities does Krita have?

Krita supports frame-by-frame animation with onion skin view, timeline management, and export to video formats for creating animated sequences.

Source
Microsoft HoloLens 2: Can HoloLens 2 be worn over glasses?

Yes, HoloLens 2 can be worn directly over glasses with an ergonomic design that allows the visor to flip up, though comfort depends on the glasses' size and weight.

Source
Microsoft HoloLens 2: What is the price of HoloLens 2?

The HoloLens 2 costs $3,500 USD with enterprise rental options at $125 per month and developer rental at $99 per month.

Source
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