Clip Studio Paint PRO or EX? Which One You Actually Need
Thinking about Clip Studio Paint for your drawing? Then you’ve probably hit the next question: PRO or EX? The names don’t explain themselves, and the price gap is large enough to make you pause.
Here is the plain answer, so you can choose with confidence and not spend more than you need to.
The short version
For most beginners and hobbyists, PRO is the right place to start. EX is mainly for people making multi-page projects, like comics or manga, or longer animations. If that isn’t you yet, you can start with PRO and upgrade later.
What each version is for
According to Clip Studio’s own support page, PRO covers single-page illustrations and comics, and it includes support for drawing with 3D models. EX includes everything PRO does and adds features for multi-page projects.
The second big difference is animation. PRO allows up to 24 frames of animation. EX has no frame limit. If you want to make a short looping animation, 24 frames can be enough to learn on. If you plan to make longer animated pieces, you will run into that limit.
What they cost
The official page lists one-time purchase prices for Windows and macOS of US$63 for PRO and US$277 for EX. Clip Studio also offers monthly and annual plans, which are available on more devices, including iPad, iPhone, Android, and Chromebook. Plan prices and sale prices change and can differ by region, so please check the official site for the current number before you buy.
The practical point is the gap. EX costs more than four times as much as PRO as a one-time purchase. Unless you already know you need what EX adds, that is a lot to pay for features you may not use for a long while.
And if you start with PRO and later need more, the official page says owners of a PRO perpetual license can upgrade to EX by paying the price difference. That means starting with PRO does not lock you out of anything.
Who should pick PRO
- You are learning digital drawing and want a capable, well-regarded app.
- You make single illustrations, character art, or a one-page comic.
- You want to try short animations to see if you enjoy them.
- You are working with a budget, which is most of us at the start.
Who should consider EX
- You are making a multi-page comic or manga and want the multi-page tools.
- You plan to animate beyond 24 frames.
- You have already outgrown PRO and know exactly which EX feature you are missing.
If that last point doesn’t describe you, there is no need to start with EX.
A note for anime and chibi-style artists
Clip Studio Paint is popular with artists who draw in manga and anime-inspired styles. That is a big part of why it shows up in our guides. Whichever style you draw, PRO is plenty to start with. Comic-style work only becomes an EX question once you are building pages, not single pieces.
Do you need it at all?
Maybe not yet. If you already own an iPad, Procreate is a one-time purchase on iPad only, and it’s a lovely place to begin. We compare it with Clip Studio Paint and Photoshop in a separate post so you can see where each one fits.
Related reading: Procreate vs Clip Studio Paint vs Photoshop
And if you are still choosing hardware, start with our beginner tablet guide.
Related reading: best drawing tablet for beginners
If you decide Clip Studio Paint is for you, you can see the current plans and prices on the official site here:
A quiet little note
You don’t need the most expensive version to make good art. The best software is the one you will open every day. Start small, and let your needs lead the upgrade.
Disclosure: This post contains an affiliate link. If you buy Clip Studio Paint through it, Mochiluma may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Our advice is the same either way: start with PRO unless you know you need EX.