Side by side
Retrospecs vs Tilf
Both stand on pixel art software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan iPhone
Retrospecs provides a broad set of retro display styles with detailed dithering and custom modes. The free tier is limited, while the 1.99 GBP unlock adds the full listed toolkit.
Visit Retrospecs Free plan LinuxMacWindows
Tilf provides focused pixel-art drawing and file support in a free, offline desktop editor. Its stated performance limits make it better suited to compact assets than very large images.
Visit TilfThe facts
| Retrospecs | Tilf | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | iPhone | Linux, Mac, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Unlock everything: £1.99, paid once | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 2 | 1 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | 8bitartwork.co.uk | github.com |
| On pixel art software | #50 of 70 | #46 of 70 |
Retrospecs: what it does well
- More than forty system looks
- Custom graphics engines and palettes
- Many dithering methods
- Animation and blending effects
- Native .SCR and .TAP exports
What to know first
- Free version limits systems and dithers
- Video processing unavailable in free version
- Animation options unavailable in free version
- Mac version is not verified
Tilf: what it does well
- Free plan with all features unlocked
- Works offline on three desktop platforms
- Custom canvas and 1–50x zoom
- PNG transparency export
- No account or registration required
What to know first
- Undo and redo history capped at 50 states
- Large flood fills may take longer
- Very large images may affect performance
- Focused on small sprites and assets
Alternatives to Retrospecs Alternatives to Tilf The whole list