Today's digital tools have revolutionized the way we interact with our images, allowing, with just a few clicks, convert photographs into drawings, sketches, or cartoons directly from any device. Whether for creativity, entertainment, or professional needs, there are numerous mobile applications, websites, and computer programs that use Artificial Intelligence and powerful algorithms to instantly transform your photos into multi-style works of art. In this extensive compilation, you'll discover The best free and freemium alternatives, their features, advantages, limitations, and tips for choosing the perfect option based on what you're looking for.
Why convert photos into drawings, sketches or cartoons?
Transforming an image into a drawing, comic, sketch, or caricature is a trend for several powerful reasons:
- Custom giftsA drawing or caricature-style portrait is an original and unforgettable gift for family, friends, or couples.
- Fresh content on social mediaStanding out on Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, TikTok, or Tinder is easier with unique, artistic photos.
- Creating avatars and profiles: Cartoon, anime or manga effects allow you to design fun and representative avatars.
- Creative and educational projects: Illustrations for presentations, covers, calendars, school projects, etc.
- Prints for decorationA portrait turned into a sketch can look spectacular as a painting in your home or office.
- Entertainment and fun: Create memes, stickers, custom emojis, or simply be amazed by the effects.
No advanced editing knowledge or drawing skills are required. Currently, most apps and online services do all the work automatically by applying AI filters and allowing you to customize results in seconds.
Types of effects and styles you can apply to your photos
The best apps, websites, and programs for converting photos into drawings include a wide variety of filters and styles. These are the most popular:
- Pencil sketch: Simulates a freehand drawing in black and white or color.
- Charcoal or pastel style: It gives an artistic touch and different textures.
- Quick drawing or doodle: Recreates the spontaneous stroke of an artist.
- Oil, watercolor or gouache paint: Turn photos into painterly images full of color and texture.
- Comic/manga/anime effect: It imitates the features of Japanese animation, Western comics or cartoon drawings.
- Cartoon: Deform and exaggerate features to create graceful and expressive portraits.
- Artistic filters inspired by great painters: Based on styles such as Van Gogh, Picasso, Monet, Munch, etc.
- Contours, silhouettes and line effects: Minimalist style perfect for clean and elegant illustrations.
- 3D Avatars and Advanced Photo Effects: Hyperrealistic or fantastic result depending on the app or website used.
Each app or platform offers a different combination of effects, so it's a good idea to try several to find the one that best suits your taste and needs.
The best apps for turning photos into drawings and cartoons (Android and iOS)
Nowadays, you can turn any photo into a professional drawing right from your phone. Here's an expanded, updated, and detailed list of the most outstanding apps on the market, many of them free or with freemium options:
1. Prism
- Number one in popularity to turn photos into works of art from different movements. Filters inspired by Picasso, Munch, Van Gogh, etc.
- More than 500 different styles available, including sketch, comic, cartoon, oil, watercolor, portrait, etc.
- Advanced face detection and modes for selfies, landscapes, and groups.
- Frequent updates with new effects and styles.
- Free with limited filters and standard export; premium version to unlock everything and export in high resolution without a watermark.
- Available on Android and iOS devices.
Ideal for those seeking artistic, original, and professional-looking results for both portraits and landscapes.
2.PhotoDirector
- It stands out for its advanced AI and for offering features such as “AI Portrait,” “AI Scene,” and “AI Avatar.”
- It allows you to convert portraits and landscapes into sketches, cartoons, anime, stylized paintings, etc.
- Includes tools to remove reflections, blur backgrounds, change skies, and apply dispersion effects.
- Customizable filters: You can apply effects to only part of the image and erase unwanted areas.
- Mobile and desktop versions availableSome advanced features require a premium subscription.
- Intuitive interface and instant results even without prior experience.
Highly recommended for users looking for control, power and versatility in editing, both on mobile and computer.
3. Vivid AI
- Photo editor based on artificial intelligence with two sketch styles (realistic and artistic).
- Turn not only portraits but also landscapes, urban skies and backgrounds into high-quality drawings.
- “AI Avatar” feature to create custom avatars, and “AI Scene” to transform backgrounds.
- Requires a premium account for some features, but the free version is very complete.
- Available on Android and iOS.
Perfect for those who want avatars, artistic backgrounds and drawing effects in various themes.
4. Meitu
- Popular app with Facial beautification tools and drawing, anime, and sketch filters.
- The AI Art option transforms photos into anime, digital caricatures, and more.
- Focused on selfies and faces, ideal for transforming Asian-style portraits.
- Free with freemium features and advanced creative options.
- Some features may be subject to privacy concerns due to your Asian background.
Great for Users looking for immediate results in selfies, anime-like effects and automatic retouching.
5.ToonMe
- It allows you to create Disney, Pixar or classic comic style portraits with AI-powered 2D and 3D cartoon effects.
- Fast processing and multiple options for facial and full-body portraits.
- Ideal for sharing on social networks thanks to direct integration.
- Free with paid options to access premium filters and export without a watermark.
One of the best options for imitate famous animation styles and achieve viral effects.
6.ToonApp
- Specialized in cartoon, anime and big head filters for selfies and portraits.
- Includes tools to create AI avatars, automatically remove backgrounds, and customize artistic backgrounds.
- Highlights include filters inspired by Studio Ghibli, manga and Japanese pop culture.
- Allows you to add stickers, symbols, doodles, and special effects to further personalize your drawings.
- PRO mode no ads and access to all filters, but free version with many useful features.
Perfect for those who want Unique animated effects, memes, action avatars, and customizable results.
7. BeautyPlus
- Focused on facial beautification and retouching.
- It offers cartoon, sketch, and automatic filter effects that are especially useful for selfies and portraits.
- All-in-one photo editor with built-in camera.
- Less recommended for landscapes or complex compositions.
Very useful if your goal is Transform selfies with beautiful, fast results.
8. Sketch Me! Sketch & Cartoon
- App dedicated to converting photos into sketches and cartoons with a dozen basic and customizable filters.
- Very easy to use and available for free on Android and iOS.
- Allows you to customize the intensity of the stroke and easily export.
Excellent for those looking for Quick and easy hand-drawn effects.
9.Painnt
- More than 200 artistic filters inspired by real painting techniques: oil, acrylic, watercolor, sketch, pop art and more.
- Every day offers free premium filters.
- Allows you to individually adjust filter parameters.
- Free version with watermark and resolution limitation; paid version removes restrictions.
Designed for those who want to explore a wide variety of artistic styles and genuine results.
10. MomentCam Cartoons & Stickers
- Create customizable cartoons and comics, animated stickers and emoticons from photos.
- It offers a large catalog of funds and accessories to customize results.
- Ideal for sharing on messaging apps and social networks.
Highly recommended for those looking for fun, humor and originality in your images.
11. Cartoon Artist (ArtistA)
- Variety of Filters with city names and art styles.
- Allows manual retouching after applying the effect.
- Freemium model by unlocking more filters by watching ads.
It is recommended for those who like experiment with different effects and customize styles.
12. Pencil Sketch
- Turn photos into freehand drawings, sketches and realistic plots in black and white or color.
- Very simple and fast interface.
- Freemium model but advertising is not intrusive.
Great for those looking for classic or vintage effect in portraits and illustrations.
13.Photo Sketch Maker
- Numerous pencil sketch filters (BN and color).
- Allows you to add manual strokes for extra customization.
- Works with photos from the gallery or taken with the camera.
- Free with ads and paid options.
Recommended for illustrators or those who want authentic hand-drawn effects.
14. Deep Art Effects
- Advanced AI to apply more than forty painting effects (sketch, oil, watercolor, drawing, comic and more).
- Effect intensity control and high-resolution export.
- Fast processing from European server.
- Free version with limitations, premium for more effects.
Ideal for Creative or professional users who want polished and fast results.
15. Comic
- Specialized in comic, cartoon, and facial distortion filters.
- Allows you to create memes, collages and share easily.
- Gallery, camera and multi mode to apply effects to multiple photos.
Very useful for create comic strips, memes, and funny montages.
16. Cartoon Pictures
- Offer Various cartoon filters and effects to transform images in cartoons.
- Compatible with Android and iOS, completely free.
Recommended for those looking for Quick results and various cartoon styles.
17. PicsArt
- Complete editing platform with Sketch and Magic effects to turn photos into sketches and cartoons.
- Allows you to edit the intensity and customize the effects.
- Most effects are free up to a certain size limit; high-resolution export requires a fee.
Excellent option for advanced editing and customization of photos and drawings.
18. Clip2Comic (iOS)
- App for iOS that convert photos and videos into comics or cartoons.
- It offers a dozen high-quality filters, with a paid option to export without a watermark.
- It allows you to obtain professional results, create printed postcards and delimit areas to edit.
19. Comic Cartoon Maker
- For comic book fans who want animated image with classic comic filter.
- Available on Android and iOS, free and easy to use.
Best websites and free online solutions for converting photos into drawings
It's not always necessary to install an app. There are multiple websites where you can transform photos into drawings quickly and easily, many of them completely free, without watermarks, and without the need to register:
1. MyEdit
- Online solution with AI that turns a photo into a cartoon, sketch, anime or comic with just one click.
- Includes object restoration and deletion tools.
- Up to 50 MB per photo, several free and premium features.
- Frequent updates and variety of styles.
2. Fotor
- Online editing suite with sketch, cartoon, painting, and watercolor filters.
- Advanced customization: add text, stickers, adjust parameters to your liking.
- Free for some features, but requires credits or payment for filters and HD export.
3. AILab Tools
- More than 20 different styles of artistic and cartoon drawing.
- AI algorithms and a very intuitive interface.
- High-quality results, free option, and premium features.
4.BeFunky
- Full Online photo editor with cartoon, sketch, watercolor, oil, and other filters..
- Allows you to create collages, perform retouching, and export professional results.
- Limited free version; premium option for AI filters and higher resolution.
- Watermark in free mode if exported from PC.
5. Photopea
- Alternative to Photoshop online free and without registration.
- It provides drawing filters, watercolor, sketch and most of the effects of professional programs.
- Allows layer editing and advanced tools.
6. Picture to People
- Variety of free filters for drawings, cartoons and painting.
- allows to create stickers, logos and illustrations.
- Completely free and without watermarks; retro yet easy-to-use interface.
7. Image to Sketch
- Specialized in Turn photos into pencil drawings with a single high-quality filter.
- Allows you to adjust the intensity of the stroke and download without a watermark.
- Free and without restrictions.
8. Snapstouch
- Offers six various free sketch filters to transform images into hand-drawn drawings.
- It allows you to download without watermarks but includes a lot of advertising.
9. PhotoFunia
- Editor with artistic filters and fun frames.
- Includes a special section for drawings and sketches, all free and easy to use.
10. Photokako
- Dozens of Free filters for different drawing styles and variants to personalize each creation.
- Totally free and without watermarks.
11. Linify
- Converts the image into a drawn by straight colored lines with customizable parameters.
- Completely free website, very original results.
12. Face Editor
- Specialized in transform selfies and headshots into sketches and caricatures.
- Possibility of unlimited creation upon prior creation of a free account.
13. Rapid Resizer
- Website designed for Resize photos and apply five free hand-drawn filters.
- Simple but useful filters to obtain tailored results.
14. Photo Cartoon
- Transform photos into drawings online with a variety of styles.
- Includes a large watermark in free mode; paid license to remove it.
15. CartoonMe
- Turn photos into 3D cartoons and even allows you to simulate the aging/rejuvenation of portraits.
- Various styles, some require watching ads to unlock.
Desktop solutions for Windows and Mac
If you prefer to work from your computer for greater control or quality, there are free and paid software options for Windows and Mac:
- FotoSketcherCompletely free software for Windows. It features over 20 hand-drawn filters, automatic adjustment options for color, saturation, contrast, and custom effects. The result can be saved in high resolution and without a watermark.
- PhotoDirector (CyberLink)Available for Windows and Mac. Includes free and paid versions. Powered by AI, it features cartoon, sketch, anime, and painting filters and allows you to work in zones.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
- Is it possible to convert photos to drawings without installing any apps?
Yes, websites like MyEdit, Fotor, BeFunky, Snapstouch, Photopea, or Image to Sketch allow you to do this online, for free, and without registration. - Which app is best for creating caricatures of people?
ToonApp, ToonMe, MomentCam, and ArtistA stand out for their cartoon filters, customization, and viral humor effects. - Can I turn videos into cartoons or anime?
PowerDirector, Vivid Glam, Clip2Comic, and Cartoon Video Effects allow you to apply these filters to entire videos, with options for social media. - Are there any free apps that don't leave a watermark?
Paint, Sketch Me!, Picture to People, FotoSketcher, certain PicsArt features, and MyEdit allow you to export images without markup in free mode. - Can you create anime-style avatars or Studio Ghibli-style portraits?
ToonApp and MyEdit have filters and avatar generators based on anime, manga, and Ghibli, ideal for this type of creation. - Do websites and apps work well with landscapes?
Most platforms also work with landscapes, although the best results are found in portraits and photos with simple backgrounds. Apps like Prisma, PhotoDirector, and Vivid AI handle landscapes very well. - What alternatives are there for creating comic strips, memes, or stickers?
Comica, MomentCam, BeFunky, and PicsArt are ideal for these uses, allowing you to add speech bubbles, stickers, special effects, and export entire comic strips. - Are there privacy risks when uploading photos?
On most platforms, photos are only processed and not stored, but if privacy is important, check each app's policies and avoid uploading sensitive images.
Thanks to the variety of mobile applications, websites and desktop programs Focused on converting photos into drawings, cartoons, anime, or artistic sketches, any user—amateur or professional—can achieve unique and creative results in seconds. Whether you want to stand out online, make original gifts, create memes, or simply explore your artistic possibilities, there are free, freemium, and premium alternatives for all tastes, needs, and devices. Just choose the option that best suits you and let your creativity run wild, exploring all the styles, filters, and tools available. Experiment, customize, and be amazed by how easily a simple photo can be transformed into digital art or your next viral image.
