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Design · head to head

Linearity Curve vs PaintTool SAI

Linearity Curve logo

Linearity Curve

Design

Professional vector design for Mac and iPad

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
P

PaintTool SAI

Design

Lightweight digital painting and illustration software for Windows

From
5500/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Linearity Curve has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Linearity Curve limited to Apple ecosystem (Mac, iPad, iPhone) with no Windows or Linux support; PaintTool SAI windows-only software with no native Mac or Linux version.
  • They diverge on capability: Linearity Curve covers Vector editing, PaintTool SAI covers Pressure-Sensitive Tablet Support.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Linearity Curve and PaintTool SAI actually diverge.

Attributes where Linearity Curve and PaintTool SAI differ
AttributeLinearity CurvePaintTool SAI
Starting priceFree5500/month
Pricing modelUnknownone-time
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsMac, Ioswindows
Founded2017Unknown

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Design).

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 Linearity Curve

  • Vector editing
  • Auto Trace
  • Typography tools
  • Pen tool
  • iCloud sync
  • Adobe Creative Cloud
  • Sketch
  • Figma

Only in PaintTool SAI

  • Pressure-Sensitive Tablet Support
  • Anti-Aliased Brushes
  • 16-bit ARGB Color Channels
  • Lightweight Performance
  • Crash Data Protection

What people use each for

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

Linearity Curve

  • Vector illustrationnot PaintTool SAI
  • Logo designnot PaintTool SAI
  • UI designnot PaintTool SAI
  • Print designnot PaintTool SAI

PaintTool SAI

  • Digital illustration and manga artnot Linearity Curve
  • Line art and inking with pressure-sensitive pensnot Linearity Curve
  • Lightweight painting on lower-spec computersnot Linearity Curve
  • Character and concept art sketchingnot Linearity Curve

Where each one falls short

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

Linearity Curve

  • Limited to Apple ecosystem (Mac, iPad, iPhone) with no Windows or Linux support
  • Requires annual or monthly subscription for commercial use, unlike competitors offering lifetime purchase options
  • Free plan is severely limited to only 3 Curve files and 5GB storage

PaintTool SAI

  • Windows-only software with no native Mac or Linux version.
  • Only supports 32-bit operation, lacking modern 64-bit performance benefits.
  • Lacks the advanced brush engine customization and layer effects found in tools like Photoshop or Clip Studio Paint.
  • No cloud sync or mobile app, unlike many modern illustration tools.

Pricing, plan by plan

Linearity Curve

Free
  • StarterFree
    • 50 lifetime credits
    • 3 Curve files
    • 5GB storage
  • Pro$11.99/month
    • 250 monthly credits
    • Unlimited files
    • 100GB storage
  • Business$65/month
    • 500 monthly credits
    • 500GB storage
    • Brand management

PaintTool SAI

5500/month
  • Standard License$5500/month
    • Perpetual license
    • All 1.x.x minor updates
    • Free upgrade path to version 2

Which should you pick?

Choose Linearity Curve if

  • You need vector editing.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Mac, Ios.
  • You also want auto trace.
Linearity Curve review

Choose PaintTool SAI if

  • You need pressure-sensitive tablet support.
  • You work on windows.
  • You also want anti-aliased brushes.
PaintTool SAI review

Questions people ask

Is Linearity Curve or PaintTool SAI better?
Neither clearly leads. Linearity Curve starts at Free and PaintTool SAI at 5500/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Linearity Curve or PaintTool SAI?
Linearity Curve has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Linearity Curve and 5500/month for PaintTool SAI.
Does Linearity Curve or PaintTool SAI run on more platforms?
Linearity Curve runs on Mac, Ios. PaintTool SAI runs on windows.
Can I use Linearity Curve for free?
Yes. Linearity Curve has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. PaintTool SAI starts at 5500/month.
What is Linearity Curve best used for?
Linearity Curve is most often used for vector illustration, logo design, ui design, print design. Of those, vector illustration and logo design are not what PaintTool SAI is typically brought in for.
What can Linearity Curve do that PaintTool SAI cannot?
Linearity Curve covers Vector editing, Auto Trace, Typography tools, Pen tool. PaintTool SAI covers Pressure-Sensitive Tablet Support, Anti-Aliased Brushes, 16-bit ARGB Color Channels, Lightweight Performance.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Linearity Curve: Does Linearity Curve have a free plan?

Yes, Linearity offers a free Starter plan with 50 lifetime credits, 1 basic brand kit, and 5GB cloud storage. No credit card is required to access the free tier.

Source
PaintTool SAI: Is there a free trial for PaintTool SAI?

Yes, PaintTool SAI offers a 31-day free trial with full functionality before requiring purchase of a license.

Source
Linearity Curve: Can I use Linearity Curve on multiple devices?

Yes, Linearity Curve is available on Mac, iPad, and iPhone, with real-time collaboration allowing teams to see changes instantly across devices.

Source
PaintTool SAI: What does the license cover?

The one-time 5,500 JPY purchase provides a perpetual license covering all minor updates within version 1.x.x; a major version 2 upgrade is offered for free.

Source
Linearity Curve: What file formats can I export from Linearity Curve?

Linearity Curve supports exporting to industry-standard formats including .ai, SVG, PDF, PNG, JPG, and TIFF, making it compatible with other design tools.

Source
PaintTool SAI: What operating systems are supported?

PaintTool SAI runs on Windows XP through Windows 11, but only in 32-bit mode, requiring at least a 450MHz Pentium processor and 256MB of RAM.

Source
Linearity Curve: Does Linearity Curve have AI-powered vectorization?

Yes, Linearity Curve includes an Auto Trace feature with three modes (Sketch, Photography, Illustration) that uses AI to instantly vectorize images into editable paths. It also includes AI-powered background removal.

Source
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