What it does
Pixelorama is a free, MIT-licensed pixel-art application for sprites, tiles and animation. It combines tilemap layers, onion skinning, clipping masks and command-line exports, with desktop and browser versions.
Tilemap layers handle rectangular, isometric and hexagonal tiles. Animation uses layers, frames and tags; clipping masks and effects such as outlines or gradient maps can change the appearance without replacing the underlying pixels.
Use File > Save for a .pxo project that keeps layers, brushes and tags. File > Export produces PNG, APNG, GIF or a sprite sheet. The export window lets you choose frames, layers, tagged sections, playback direction and scale. In the browser version, saving and exporting download the files to your device.
The free versions have the same creative features as the paid Steam edition. Steam adds its own automatic updates, cloud synchronization and achievements. Android is experimental and intended primarily for tablets. Video export needs a separate FFmpeg installation, configured in Edit > Preferences > Startup > FFMPEG.
Strengths
- Tilemap layers support several grid types.
- The creator publishes the software under MIT.
Watch out for
- Android is experimental and primarily intended for tablets.
- Video export requires an external FFmpeg installation; large GIF exports can be slow.
Best for
- Open-source pixel workflows
- Tiles and animated sprites
Sources
- Pixelorama: Your free & open source sprite editor (Oct 27, 2026)
- Pixelorama by Orama Interactive (Oct 27, 2026)
- Save and Export: Pixelorama (Oct 27, 2026)
- FAQ: Pixelorama (Oct 27, 2026)