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Paint.NET alternatives: 6 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Paint.NET: windows only, and no RAW support or adjustment layers. We ranked 6 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Paint.NET, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Pinta currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Pinta logoPintaOpen sourceYesWindows, macOS, Linux3 of 366.5
2GIMP logoGIMPOpen sourceYesWindows, macOS, Linux4 of 462.6
3Krita logoKritaOpen sourceYesWindows, macOS, Linux +14 of 450.3
  1. Pinta logo

    1. PintaTop pick

    Best for: Linux users who want a lightweight Paint.NET-style editor for quick edits

    Open sourceWindows, macOS, Linux

    66.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from Paint.NET

    Open-source editor modelled on Paint.NET that also runs on Linux and macOS.

    Pros

    • Free and MIT-licensed
    • Simple, uncluttered interface with layers and history
    • Runs on Linux, Windows, macOS and BSD

    Cons

    • Basic feature set compared with GIMP or Krita
    • No RAW processing
    • Limited support for layered file formats like PSD
    Visit Pinta Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.3100
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Pinta a good Paint.NET alternative?

    Verified facts

    3 of 3 verified
    License
    MIT
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Linux, Mac, Windows, BSD
    Checked Oct 25, 2026pinta-project.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Price
    Free
    Checked Oct 25, 2026pinta-project.com(opens source in a new tab)
  2. GIMP logo

    2. GIMP

    Best for: Anyone who wants a capable layered image editor at no cost, especially on Linux

    Open sourceWindows, macOS, Linux

    62.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Paint.NET

    Free, open source and far more capable when you outgrow simple edits.

    Pros

    • Free and open source with no account or licence fees
    • Runs on Linux, Windows and macOS
    • Extensible with scripts and plug-ins

    Cons

    • Interface and terms differ a lot from Photoshop
    • Limited CMYK and print-production support
    • Fewer AI-assisted tools than commercial editors
    Visit GIMP Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.387
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is GIMP a good Paint.NET alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Licence
    GNU GPL
    Checked Oct 25, 2026gimp.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Linux, macOS, Windows
    Checked Oct 25, 2026gimp.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Price
    Free
    Checked Oct 25, 2026gimp.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Main uses
    Retouching, composition, image authoring
    Checked Oct 25, 2026gimp.org(opens source in a new tab)
  3. Krita logo

    3. Krita

    Best for: Illustrators and concept artists who want a free, full-featured painting app

    Open sourceWindows, macOS, Linux, Android

    50.3

    score / 100

    Why switch from Paint.NET

    Free and open source with much better tools for painting and drawing.

    Pros

    • Free and GPL-licensed
    • Excellent brush engines and drawing assistants
    • Runs on Windows, macOS, Linux and Android

    Cons

    • Not built for photo editing
    • Can slow down on very large canvases
    • No iPad version
    Visit Krita Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.346
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Krita a good Paint.NET alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    License
    GPL-3.0
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Price
    Free
    Checked Oct 25, 2026krita.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Windows, macOS, Linux, Android
    Checked Oct 25, 2026krita.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Android
    Google Play builds
    Checked Oct 25, 2026krita.org(opens source in a new tab)

The best Paint.NET alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Pinta logo

Best Paint.NET alternative for most people

Pinta

Open-source editor modelled on Paint.NET that also runs on Linux and macOS.

GIMP logo

Best Paint.NET alternative for a free option

GIMP

Free, open source and far more capable when you outgrow simple edits.

PhotoScape X logo

Best Paint.NET alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

PhotoScape X

Free Windows and Mac editor geared to quick photo fixes, collages and batch jobs.

Krita logo

Best Paint.NET alternative for open source

Krita

Free and open source with much better tools for painting and drawing.

Affinity logo

Best Paint.NET alternative for Mac

Affinity

Free for individuals and a big step up to professional photo editing.

Pinta logo

Best Paint.NET alternative for Windows

Pinta

Open-source editor modelled on Paint.NET that also runs on Linux and macOS.

Pinta logo

Best Paint.NET alternative for Linux

Pinta

Open-source editor modelled on Paint.NET that also runs on Linux and macOS.

Photopea logo

Best Paint.NET alternative for working in the browser

Photopea

Free browser editor that opens PSD files, with no install needed.

Paint.NET alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Paint.NET?

Pinta ranks first right now. Open-source editor modelled on Paint.NET that also runs on Linux and macOS. GIMP and PhotoScape X follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Paint.NET?

Yes. Pinta (open source), GIMP (open source), PhotoScape X (free plan + paid) and Krita (open source) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Paint.NET?

Yes: Pinta, GIMP and Krita.

Which Paint.NET alternatives work on Linux?

Pinta, GIMP and Krita run on Linux.

Why do people switch from Paint.NET?

The complaints we hear most: windows only; no RAW support or adjustment layers; not open source despite being free.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Paint.NET, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.