Coloring apps have become increasingly popular in recent years as a fun, relaxing activity for adults. These apps provide a digital coloring book experience, allowing users to color intricate designs and artwork on their smartphones or tablets. For many people, coloring can be a form of artistic expression, entertainment, and even stress relief. The best coloring apps offer a wide selection of images, customizable color palettes, and helpful features like zooming and symmetry tools. In this article, we will explore some of the top coloring apps available, look at their key features, and help you decide which might be the best fit for you.
Top Coloring Apps
Here are some of the most popular and highly-rated coloring apps to consider:
Pigment
Pigment is one of the most feature-rich and user-friendly coloring apps available. It offers over 4,000 images to color from a variety of artists and styles, including animals, mandalas, floral designs, abstract art, and more. Users especially love the smooth coloring experience and color-by-number features. Pigment also includes helpful tools like layers, symmetry drawing, and the ability to import your own photos to color. The basic app is free, with a premium subscription available to unlock additional images and features.
Colorfy
Colorfy contains thousands of coloring pages separated into categories like animals, flowers, and fantasy. The images have a more simple, cartoon-style design. Colorfy introduces new pages every day, so you’ll always have something new to color. Convenient features include a zoom tool, color shading for depth, and the ability to share finished artwork. Like Pigment, Colorfy offers a basic free version and paid premium version with more images and features.
Recolor
Recolor sets itself apart with a focus on artwork from museums and libraries around the world. It contains over 1,500 images from institutions like the National Gallery of Art and New York Public Library. The collection includes animal illustrations, botanical drawings, repeat patterns, iconic paintings, and more. Recolor provides multiple coloring tools and a soothing soundtrack for a relaxed coloring experience. A paid subscription unlocks additional design packs organized by museum or theme.
Happy Color
Happy Color is a free coloring app with over 2,000 images and simple tools perfect for beginners. Categories range from animals and flowers to food, fantasy, and mandalas. Convenient features include a color-by-number mode, pixel art images, and collections based on the time of year. Users can easily zoom, undo strokes, and switch between coloring tools. Finished artwork can be saved or shared on social media. The app contains ads and in-app purchases to unlock more images.
Color Planet
Color Planet offers one of the most extensive collections of free images to color, with over 3,500 designs. Categories include animals, flowers, scenery, mandalas, vintage art, and more. Users enjoy the high-quality artwork from talented illustrators. Helpful features include a magnifier tool, color mixing ability, and options for transparent or solid coloring. Finished pieces can be saved, printed, or shared. In-app purchases provide access to even more images.
Features to Look for in Coloring Apps
When choosing a coloring app, consider which features will enhance your experience and fit your preferences:
Number of Images
Look for an extensive library of designs so you always have something new to color. Many apps add new images every day.
Categories
Choose a variety with categories that interest you, like animals, mandalas, flowers, abstract designs, etc.
Coloring Tools
Look for options like crayons, markers, colored pencils, paintbrushes, airbrushes, and more. Advanced apps let you customize brushes and create palettes.
Zoom Capability
Zoom tools allow you to easily work on small details in a design.
Symmetry Function
This mirrors your coloring onto other parts of the image for symmetrical effects.
Background Audio
Soothing soundtracks enhance the relaxing coloring experience.
Import Photos
Some apps let you import your own photos to color.
Color-by-Number
These images are numbered with sections assigned specific colors.
Sharing Options
Share finished artwork through the app on social media or other platforms.
Printing Ability
Print physical copies of your colored designs.
| Coloring App | Key Features |
|---|---|
| Pigment | Over 4,000 images, layers, symmetry, import photos |
| Colorfy | Thousands of pages, zoom, shading |
| Recolor | 1,500 images from museums/libraries |
| Happy Color | 2,000+ images, color-by-number, simple tools |
| Color Planet | 3,500+ free images, color mixing |
Choosing the Right App for You
When selecting a coloring app to try, consider your personal preferences:
Casual Users
If you color occasionally for relaxation, try Happy Color or Color Planet for free basic apps with plenty of images. Recolor is also great for dabbling in artwork from museums.
Coloring Enthusiasts
For avid, regular coloring fans, Pigment and Colorfy offer robust features and giant design libraries, especially with premium subscriptions. Their tools accommodate intricate coloring.
Stress Relief
Those using coloring for meditation or anxiety relief may prefer calming, repetitive patterns like mandalas. Try Pigment, Colorfy, or Color Planet for great mandala selections. The soundtrack feature in Recolor can also aid relaxation.
Artistic Expression
If you’re interested in coloring as artistic fulfillment, you’ll appreciate the fine artwork of Recolor, along with pigment’s ability to use your own photos. Color Planet also has artwork from talented illustrators.
Design Variety
For maximum design diversity, Pigment and Colorfy offer images in the widest range of styles and categories. Their libraries contain illustrations to satisfy any mood or interest.
Tips for Getting the Most from Coloring Apps
Follow these tips for making the most of your coloring app experience:
Take Advantage of Features
Try out all the app’s tools and effects fully, like layers, symmetry, color blending, soundtracks, etc. These enhance the coloring experience.
Color Regularly
Schedule time to color every day or several times a week for maximum relaxation and creative benefits. Treat coloring like an enjoyable hobby.
Limit Distractions
For optimum stress relief, turn off phone notifications and silence other devices while coloring. Avoid multi-tasking.
Change It Up
Vary the type of coloring page depending on your mood – try simpler pages when unwinding or detailed ones when seeking greater focus.
Display Finished Artwork
Save or print your finished pieces to hang up, share on social media, or gift to friends. Displaying your work can be motivating.
Join an Online Community
Connect with other coloring fans online for tips, inspiration or to share your work. Coloring groups exist on social platforms.
Conclusion
Coloring apps offer convenient, portable access to endless coloring designs along with helpful tools to enhance the artistic experience. Top options like Pigment, Recolor, Colorfy, Color Planet, and Happy Color provide quality illustrations, customization features, and relaxing soundtracks. Consider aspects like image variety, coloring tools, and special functions when selecting an app tailored to your needs and interests. Set aside regular coloring time and display your finished pieces for a rewarding, de-stressing hobby you can take anywhere digitally. Coloring apps make creating art fun, approachable, and relaxing for all.
