Is there a good freeware alternative to Manga Studio?

Answer 1

The simple answer is no.

Note: You may be thinking of Open-Source.

Freeware is a type of closed-source program that often contains spyware, adware, and trojens. This allows them to make money without you needing to pay for their software. And if the source cannot be seen, it is very hard to detect custom spyware, adware, and trojens (unless they use old versions antiviruses already know about).

There are many art programs can be good for Manga creation.

Manga Studio has a collection of features packed into one package. So to find alternatives, you will need to know your purpose for using Manga Studio.

1. Are you drawing panels for a comic book?

2. Is your goal to combined your frames into an animated video (Anime)?

3. Are you using it in combination with a tablet for inking?

4. Are you using it to paint in hand-drawn art?

5. Will you be utilizing any 3D effects available in the pro version?

6. Do you need RGB or CYAN?

The problem with these questions is that each artist will have their own preferences to which program(s) work the best to accomplish their goal. So it is hard to catagorize software outside of being commercial, freeware, and open-source.

Commercial:

Paintshop Pro

Adobe Photoshop (Elements 'RGB only' or Full 'CYAN for professionl printers')

Maya

3D Studio Max

Manga Studio

Open-Source (FOSS Licenses: L-GPL, GPL, Apache, Creative Commons, MIT, BSD, MS-PL, ...):

Gimp

Paint.NET

InkScape

Blender (3D)

Xara Xtreem

Synfig (best open-source Manga Studio alternative)

Don't forget to donate! I tend to donate half of what I pay for similar Commercial applications. Find an issue, pay them to fix it (it is how it progresses).

Freeware (avoid these!)

Always go to the original website to get a program (find its cost or FOSS license, and give the author/company credit! If you need support, fixing issues, or learning how to use it, that is where you go!).