AUTOMATIC1111 vs 
Krita AI Diffusion
AUTOMATIC1111 vs Krita AI Diffusion compared for 2026 — features, license, ease of use, performance and which one to choose. The classic Stable Diffusion web UI vs Generative AI inside a real painting app.
Updated regularly · curated by OpenSourceAI.tech
AUTOMATIC1111 vs Krita AI Diffusion at a glance
| Spec | AUTOMATIC1111 | Krita AI Diffusion |
|---|---|---|
| Category | AI image generation | AI image generation |
| Type | Web UI | Krita plugin |
| License | AGPL-3.0 | GPL-3.0 |
| Runs locally | Yes | Yes |
| Primary language | Python | Python |
| Ease of use | Intermediate | Intermediate |
| Best for | users who want the biggest extension ecosystem | artists who want AI inside their painting workflow |
| GitHub stars | 164.3k | 10.3k |
Feature comparison
| Feature | AUTOMATIC1111 | Krita AI Diffusion |
|---|---|---|
| Runs locally | ✓ | ✓ |
| Node workflows | ✗ | ✗ |
| Inpainting | ✓ | ✓ |
| LoRA support | ✓ | ✓ |
| ControlNet | ✓ | ✓ |
| API | ✓ | ✗ |
How AUTOMATIC1111 and Krita AI Diffusion score
| Criterion | AUTOMATIC1111 | Krita AI Diffusion |
|---|---|---|
| Popularity | 5.0 | 3.0 |
| Maintenance | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| Ease of use | 3.5 | 3.5 |
| Privacy | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| License freedom | 3.5 | 3.5 |
Scores are computed automatically from public signals — GitHub stars (popularity), recent commit activity (maintenance), license type (freedom), local-first design (privacy) and onboarding complexity (ease of use). Indicative, not a verdict.
What each one is
AUTOMATIC1111
AUTOMATIC1111 (stable-diffusion-webui) is the classic, feature-packed Gradio web UI for Stable Diffusion, with a huge extension ecosystem and an enormous community.
- Massive extension and tutorial ecosystem
- Familiar form-based UI, gentle learning curve
- Huge community with answers for everything
Krita AI Diffusion
This plugin brings Stable Diffusion and Flux directly into Krita: inpaint on layers, refine selections and live-paint with AI while keeping full artistic control.
- True layer-based inpainting in a pro painting app
- Live painting mode with instant AI feedback
- Uses a local ComfyUI backend — nothing leaves your machine
Key differences
AUTOMATIC1111 is web UI, while Krita AI Diffusion is krita plugin. Their licenses differ (AGPL-3.0 vs GPL-3.0), which matters if you ship a commercial product. In short, AUTOMATIC1111 fits users who want the biggest extension ecosystem, and Krita AI Diffusion fits artists who want AI inside their painting workflow.
Which should you choose?
Choose AUTOMATIC1111 for users who want the biggest extension ecosystem. Choose Krita AI Diffusion for artists who want AI inside their painting workflow.
There is rarely one winner — many setups use both. The right pick depends on your hardware, your team's skills, and whether you value simplicity or control.
Frequently asked questions
Is AUTOMATIC1111 or Krita AI Diffusion easier to use?
Both sit at a similar level (Intermediate). Your choice should come down to fit rather than difficulty.
Are AUTOMATIC1111 and Krita AI Diffusion free?
AUTOMATIC1111 is free and open source (AGPL-3.0), and Krita AI Diffusion is free and open source (GPL-3.0). Neither charges for the core software.
Can I run AUTOMATIC1111 and Krita AI Diffusion locally?
AUTOMATIC1111: yes · Krita AI Diffusion: yes. Both can be used without sending your data to a third-party cloud where their setup allows.
AUTOMATIC1111 vs Krita AI Diffusion — which should I pick in 2026?
Choose AUTOMATIC1111 for users who want the biggest extension ecosystem. Choose Krita AI Diffusion for artists who want AI inside their painting workflow.
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