Alternatives to Pinta

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

  • Paint.NET

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

    FreeProprietaryWindows

    Paint.NET is the Windows-only, closed-source editor Pinta was modelled on, with GPU acceleration and a much larger plugin library.

  • GIMP

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

    FreeOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinux

    GIMP is a free, open source editor for the same platforms that adds masks, paths and scripting, at the cost of a steeper learning curve.

  • Photopea

    Browser-based image editor that opens Photoshop, XD and Sketch files.

    FreemiumProprietaryWeb

    Photopea runs in the browser with no installation and opens Photoshop files, but it is ad-supported unless you pay for premium.

  • PhotoFlare

    Simple cross-platform image editor for quick edits and batch processing.

    FreeOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinux

    PhotoFlare is another free, open source cross-platform editor that adds built-in batch processing but drops layers entirely.

  • Pixelmator Pro

    Apple's image editor for Mac and iPad with nondestructive layers, vector tools and AI features.

    PaidProprietarymacOSiOS

    Pixelmator Pro is a paid, Apple-only editor with nondestructive layers, vector tools and AI features, going well beyond Pinta's simple editing.

  • Adobe Photoshop

    Adobe's raster image editor for photo retouching, compositing, painting and generative AI edits.

    PaidProprietaryWindowsmacOSWeb

    Adobe Photoshop is a paid subscription editor with a broad retouching and compositing toolset and generative AI, with no Linux version.

  • LazPaint

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

    FreeOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinux

    LazPaint is another free, open-source Paint.NET-style editor for Windows, macOS and Linux, adding vector layers alongside raster layers in the same image.

  • KolourPaint

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

    FreeOpen sourcemacOSLinux

    KolourPaint is a simpler open-source KDE paint program for quick sketches and fixes, lacking layered work and targeting Linux and macOS.

Also worth comparing

These listings name Pinta as their own alternative, so the relationship runs both ways.

  • Acorn

    A one-time-purchase image editor for macOS covering photo editing, painting, text and graphics.

    PaidProprietarymacOS

    Pinta is free under the MIT license and runs on Windows, macOS and Linux, offering layers, effects and unlimited undo, but it is far less capable for serious editing.

  • JS Paint

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

    FreeOpen sourceLinuxWeb

    Pinta is an MIT-licensed desktop editor for Windows, macOS and Linux with layers, effects and unlimited undo, following Paint.NET rather than the classic MS Paint layout.

  • Microsoft Paint

    Simple image editing and drawing app for Windows, distributed through the Microsoft Store.

    FreeProprietaryWindows

    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.

  • miniPaint

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

    FreeOpen sourceWebSelf-hosted

    Pinta is an MIT-licensed desktop editor for Windows, macOS and Linux with layers, effects and unlimited undo, installed locally rather than run in the browser.

  • PhotoDemon

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

    FreeOpen sourceWindows

    Pinta is an MIT-licensed Paint.NET-style editor that runs on Windows, macOS and Linux, with layers and history but fewer tools.

  • Tux Paint

    A free, open-source drawing program designed for children aged 3 to 12.

    FreeOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinuxAndroidiOS

    Pinta is a free MIT-licensed editor for Windows, macOS and Linux with layers and effects, aimed at adults making quick edits rather than children drawing.

Similar software

Related functionality, not a direct replacement.