The Best Cheap Alternatives to Citadel Paints (2026)

Citadel makes excellent paint — but at roughly the highest price per ml in the hobby, a full army adds up fast. The good news: you can match almost any Citadel color in a cheaper brand. Here's where to look, and how to convert your list without guesswork.

Best value brands that match Citadel

• Vallejo (Game & Model Color) — dropper bottles, less waste, big range, noticeably cheaper per ml.
• The Army Painter Warpaints — strong value, wide range, great for whole armies.
• Pro Acryl (Monument) — artist-grade pigment, generous bottles, superb coverage for the price.

Cheaper doesn't mean a compromise

Because these ranges are so broad, most Citadel colors have a close equivalent — the trick is knowing which one. Eyeballing swatches online is unreliable; a color-science match is not.

Convert your whole Citadel list

Pick any Citadel paint in brushmatch and instantly see the closest Vallejo, Army Painter or Pro Acryl equivalent, ranked by accuracy — e.g. Mephiston Red or Macragge Blue. Rebuild your shopping list around a brand that fits your budget.

Find cheaper equivalents for your paints →