Army Painter and Vallejo are the two brands most new painters compare first, since both sell affordable, widely stocked ranges built around wargaming, while Citadel sits as the default for anyone painting Games Workshop miniatures specifically because its color names and codex references are woven directly into Warhammer's own hobby material. None of the three is simply better than the other two. Each optimizes for a different combination of range breadth, one-coat speed, and brand tie-in, and the right pick depends on which of those three things matters most to your painting.
The short answer
Citadel wins on integration with Warhammer specifically, since its color names appear directly in official painting guides and box art. Vallejo wins on raw color range and consistency across its Model Color and Game Color lines, which suits painters working across multiple game systems or historical projects. Army Painter wins on speed for painting large numbers of models, particularly through its Speedpaint one-coat line, and its sets are priced to appeal to painters building an army rather than a handful of display pieces.
Citadel vs Vallejo
Citadel's paint system is built around a distinct three-stage process, Base, Layer, and Shade, that walks a painter through opaque coverage, highlighting, and recess shading in a specific order. Vallejo's Model Color and Game Color lines do not enforce a system the same way, giving painters more flexibility to build their own process at the cost of a little more trial and error early on. Citadel's Contrast line has no direct Vallejo equivalent in the same one-coat format, which is one of the clearer functional differences between the two brands rather than just a stylistic one. The full breakdown, including coverage and pigment strength differences, is in the Citadel vs Vallejo comparison.
Citadel vs Army Painter
Both brands sell a traditional layered system and a one-coat contrast-style option, which makes this the closest matchup of the three on paper. Citadel's Contrast paints and Army Painter's Speedpaint occupy the same role: one coat over a light undercoat that self-shades into recesses. The difference shows up more in scale of use. Army Painter's sets and pricing structure lean toward painters equipping a full army at once, while Citadel's tie-in to Warhammer's own model range makes it the default for painters who are only ever painting Games Workshop miniatures. See the full Citadel vs Army Painter comparison for how the two brands' contrast-style lines actually compare side by side.
Army Painter vs Vallejo
This is the matchup most budget-conscious painters actually face, since both brands are priced and positioned for painters equipping a full collection rather than a handful of showcase models. Army Painter's strength is speed, particularly through Speedpaint, while Vallejo's strength is color range and consistency for painters who want more control over the finished look rather than the fastest route to a finished model. Neither range is tied to a specific miniature line the way Citadel is, so the choice comes down almost entirely to painting style. The Army Painter vs Vallejo comparison goes deeper into how the two ranges handle metallics and washes specifically, which is where painters most often notice a real difference between them.
A side-by-side summary
| Factor | Citadel | Vallejo | Army Painter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Warhammer-specific painting | Broad color range, multi-system use | Fast army-scale painting |
| One-coat option | Contrast | No direct equivalent | Speedpaint |
| System structure | Base, Layer, Shade | Flexible, no enforced system | Flexible, with a layered set option |
| Brand tie-in | Games Workshop miniatures | None specific | None specific |
Do painters actually mix all three?
Very commonly, yes. It is normal for a painter's shelf to include Citadel washes alongside Vallejo base colors and an Army Painter metallic, since none of the three brands claims to be the single best option at every step of the process. A wash and shade paint set(affiliate link) is a common way painters round out whichever brand's base colors they already own, regardless of which of the three ranges they started with. The converter is built for exactly this kind of mixed shelf: look up any paint from one brand and see its closest match across the other two before you buy a duplicate color you already own under a different name.
FAQ
Is Army Painter as good as Vallejo?
They are strong at different things rather than one being objectively better. Army Painter is built for painting speed and army-scale volume, while Vallejo offers a broader, more flexible color range across its Model Color and Game Color lines.
Is Citadel paint better than Vallejo?
Not universally better, but Citadel is the more integrated choice for Warhammer specifically, since its color names and system are built directly into official painting guides. Vallejo offers a wider general color range for painters working across multiple game systems.
What is the difference between Citadel Contrast and Army Painter Speedpaint?
Both are one-coat paints that self-shade into recesses over a light undercoat, occupying the same functional role in each brand's lineup. Differences show up mainly in specific color availability and how each formula behaves on different surfaces.
Can you mix Vallejo, Citadel, and Army Painter paints on the same model?
Yes, and many painters do exactly this, since acrylics from different brands are generally compatible once dry. The main thing to watch is consistency in finish and undertone across a single model rather than any chemical incompatibility.
Which brand is cheapest for painting a full army?
Army Painter's sets and per-pot pricing are generally positioned for army-scale purchases, while Citadel and Vallejo both offer competitively priced starter sets as well. Exact value depends on how many colors you actually need rather than list price alone.