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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
1Photopea logoPhotopeaFree plan + paidNoWeb2 of 347.7
  1. Photopea logo

    1. PhotopeaTop pick

    Best for: Occasional photo editing and opening PSD files without Photoshop

    Free plan + paidWeb

    47.7

    score / 100

    Why switch from Paint.NET

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

    Pros

    • Free and runs in the browser
    • Opens PSD and many other formats
    • Familiar Photoshop-style interface

    Cons

    • Ads in the free version
    • Large files can be slow in the browser
    Visit Photopea Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.341
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1577
    Votes ×0.150

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

    Is Photopea a good Paint.NET alternative?

    Verified facts

    2 of 3 verified
    Price
    Free with ads; premium removes ads
    Not checked yetphotopea.com(opens source in a new tab)
    PSD support
    Yes
    Checked Oct 24, 2026photopea.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Install required
    No (browser)
    Checked Oct 24, 2026photopea.com(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.