LibreSprite – open-source pixel art editor

The pixel art and indie game development community has rallied around a new open-source project called LibreSprite, a direct fork of the widely-used Aseprite editor. This initiative was sparked when the original Aseprite project, long beloved for its GPLv2-licensed source code, transitioned to a proprietary source-available license for new versions while keeping its executable free for personal use. The community, valuing true software freedom and the ability to modify and distribute the tool, forked the last fully GPLv2 version to create LibreSprite, ensuring a perpetually free and open alternative for creators.

LibreSprite launches with all the core functionality that made Aseprite a staple, including a non-destructive layer system, frame-by-frame animation timelines with onion skinning, and powerful tools for creating and exporting sprite sheets. The project is hosted on Codeberg and welcomes community contributions to fix bugs, add features, and maintain compatibility. For professional artists and indie developers who rely on pixel-perfect workflows but need to audit or customize their tools, LibreSprite provides a crucial open-source foundation, preventing vendor lock-in and fostering a collaborative ecosystem for one of game development's most iconic art styles.