Best Paint.NET Alternatives
The top-ranked Paint.NET alternative is GIMP (Open Source). The best free option is Krita (open source).
Paint.NET is a free, easy-to-use raster image editor for Windows with layers and plugins. People seek alternatives for cross-platform support, more advanced features, vector editing, or professional-grade tools.
1Free, open-source editor; version 3.2 (2026) adds non-destructive, vector and link layers.
2Free, open-source painting and image editing tool for artists.
3Industry-standard professional image editing and compositing software.
Free all-in-one photo, vector and layout app from Canva; AI features need Canva Pro.
Photopea
FreemiumFree browser-based editor that opens and edits Photoshop files.
Pixelmator Pro
PaidApple-owned image editor for Mac; one-time purchase, or included in Apple Creator Studio.
Pinta
Open SourceFree, open-source Paint.NET-style editor for all major platforms.
Free, open-source vector graphics editor with a full feature set.
PhotoScape X
FreemiumFree photo editor with collage, batch editing, and filters.
Corel PaintShop Pro
PaidFeature-rich photo editing software with a one-time purchase.
Photivo
Open SourceFree open-source raw photo processor and image editor.
Paint.NET alternatives: FAQ
What is the best alternative to Paint.NET?
GIMP is ranked first on this list (Open Source). The ranking combines our base score with readers' votes, so it can change.
What is the best free alternative to Paint.NET?
The highest-ranked free or open-source options here are GIMP, Krita and Paintbrush.
Which Paint.NET alternatives work on Mac?
GIMP, Krita, Adobe Photoshop and Affinity (by Canva) run on macOS.
Which Paint.NET alternatives work on Linux?
GIMP, Krita, Pinta and Inkscape run on Linux.
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