Alternatives to Microsoft Paint

Simple image editing and drawing app for Windows, distributed through the Microsoft Store. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.

Replacements

Listings that take over the same core job as Microsoft Paint.

  • Paint.NET

    A fast Windows image editor that sits between Microsoft Paint and a full photo suite.

    FreeProprietaryWindows

    Paint.NET stays on Windows and free from its website but adds layers, unlimited undo, GPU-accelerated effects and a large plugin library for everyday edits.

  • JS Paint

    Browser-based remake of classic MS Paint with extra features and an optional desktop app.

    FreeOpen sourceLinuxWeb

    JS Paint recreates the classic MS Paint interface in any browser under the MIT license, with extras such as vertical text and a Linux desktop build.

  • Pinta

    A small painting and image editor modelled on Paint.NET 3, and the closest thing to it on macOS and Linux.

    FreeOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinux

    Pinta is an MIT-licensed editor for Windows, macOS and Linux that adds layers, effects with live previews and unlimited undo with a history pane.

  • KolourPaint

    A simple KDE paint program for quickly creating raster images and doing basic touch-ups.

    FreeOpen sourcemacOSLinux

    KolourPaint is a simple open-source KDE paint program for quick sketches and basic touch-ups, running on Linux and macOS instead of Windows.

  • LazPaint

    A free cross-platform image editor with raster and vector layers, similar to Paint.NET.

    FreeOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinux

    LazPaint is free and open source for Windows, macOS and Linux, adding raster and vector layers in a Paint.NET-like approach.

  • miniPaint

    Open-source online image editor with layers and filters that runs entirely in the browser.

    FreeOpen sourceWebSelf-hosted

    miniPaint runs in the browser with layers and filters, no ads, and MIT-licensed source that can be self-hosted, so no Windows install is needed.

  • PhotoDemon

    A free, portable, open-source photo editor for Windows that runs without installation.

    FreeOpen sourceWindows

    PhotoDemon is a free, open-source portable Windows editor with over 200 tools, macros and batch processing, runnable from a USB stick without installing.

  • GIMP

    The long-running free image editor for photo retouching, compositing and general pixel work.

    FreeOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinux

    GIMP is a free, open-source full image editor for Windows, macOS and Linux with layers, masks and scripting, but has a much steeper learning curve.

Similar software

Related functionality, not a direct replacement.