The Best Microsoft Paint AlternativesTop Digital Painting Tools & Image Editors like Microsoft Paint

Microsoft Paint is described as 'Basic, ad-free editor bundled with Windows for bitmap, JPEG, GIF, PNG, and TIFF files. Features AI powered features, layer support, offline use, and no registration' and is a very popular digital painting tool in the photos & graphics category. There are more than 100 alternatives to Microsoft Paint for a variety of platforms, including Windows, Mac, Web-based, Linux and Android apps. The best Microsoft Paint alternative is Paint.NET, which is free. Other great apps like Microsoft Paint are Krita, Pinta, Photopea and MyPaint.

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Microsoft Paint alternatives are mainly Image Editors, but if you're looking for Digital Painting Tools or Photo Editors you can filter on that. Other popular filters include iPad, iPhone, Open Source, Mac, Android, Linux and Digital Painting. You can also filter by region, for example EU-based alternatives if you prefer software developed in the European Union. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to Microsoft Paint.
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Alternatives list

  1. Paint.NET icon

    Paint.NET

     1648 likes
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    Free Windows image editor with support for layers, plugins, and special effects. Offers intuitive interface, works offline, ad-free, and portable, consuming fewer resources.

    165 Paint.NET alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • .NET Framework
    Paint.NET screenshot 1
     
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    3
    80
    Comments about Paint.NET as an Alternative to Microsoft Paint
    frozengamer687
    Positive
    0

    This one is nice, but i think it should have iOS support and be a little cheaper.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    ThomasJPitts
    Positive
    1

    The amount of support, plugins and alternative options make it far better than Paint.

    Guest
    Positive
    -1

    Easy to use, basic, photo editing software.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Microsoft Paint Icon
    Paint.NET icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Paint.NET is a great Microsoft Paint alternative.

    • Paint.NET is the most popular Windows alternative to Microsoft Paint.

    • Paint.NET is the most popular free alternative to Microsoft Paint.

    • Paint.NET is Free and ProprietaryMicrosoft Paint is also Free and Proprietary
  2. Krita icon

    Krita

     1407 likes
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    Free, open-source painting software designed by artists for artists. Offers customizable UI, 9 brush engines, color management, tablet support, non-destructive editing, and privacy features. Portable and available on major platforms, supporting seamless texture creation.

    142 Krita alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android Tablet
    • KDE Plasma
    • Epic Games Store
    • PortableApps.com
    • Steam
    • F-Droid
    Main Window
     
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    8
    49
    Comments about Krita as an Alternative to Microsoft Paint
    Top Positive Comment
    vincentasmargis
    1

    I was looking for a program that could convert a .JPG file into .ico,and Krita did just that.

    Top Negative Comment
    vertigo
    4

    Krita is probably a great program for those that need the extra functionality, but those looking for an alternative to the extremely basic MS Paint don't need that, and it will be far more complicated to use. Even more importantly, though, is that even on my high-end system, it takes minimum several seconds to start, and sometimes around half a minute or longer, and that's just too long for doing basic tasks that would be done in Paint.

    Guest
    Negative
    0

    too complicated and bloated

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
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    3 of 8 comments
    Microsoft Paint Icon
    Krita icon

    • Most users think Krita is a great Microsoft Paint alternative.

    • Krita is the most popular Mac, Linux & Android Tablet alternative to Microsoft Paint.

    • Krita is the most popular Open Source alternative to Microsoft Paint.

    • Krita is Free and Open SourceMicrosoft Paint is Free and Proprietary
    • Krita is Customizable and Privacy focusedMicrosoft Paint is not according to our users
  4. Pinta icon

    Pinta

     274 likes
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    Pinta is a image editing, drawing and painting application with a simple yet powerful interface. Pinta has a wide range of drawing tools, including: freehand, rectangles, circles and lines. It also has over 35 effects to apply to your images, and also has the ability to create...

    99 Pinta alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Flathub
    • Mono
    • Snapcraft
    Pinta 3.0
     
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    5
    29
    Comments about Pinta as an Alternative to Microsoft Paint
    Top Positive Comment
    Guest
    2

    Simple interface with powerful tools

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    This app uses similar features like MS Paint, but there’s one thing that’s missing. The Grid Lines. Needs an Update.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    Similar options like mspaint. If you come from windows, install and work.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
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    3 of 5 comments
    Microsoft Paint Icon
    Pinta icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Pinta is a great Microsoft Paint alternative.

    • Pinta is Free and Open SourceMicrosoft Paint is Free and Proprietary
    • Pinta is Privacy focusedMicrosoft Paint is not according to our users
  5. Ad
    Screenshot
    Clip Studio Paint icon
    Clip Studio Paint

    Professional software for comic and manga creation, optimized with panel layouts, perspective rulers, sketching, inking, toning, vector support, and 3D model import, suitable for artists seeking advanced drawing and coloring tool...

    https://www.clipstudio.net
    Learn More
  6. Photopea icon

    Photopea

     330 likes
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    Browser-based image editing supports PSD, XCF, Sketch formats, advanced layers, vector tools, RAW photo support, and exports in 40+ formats. Fully client-side with AI background removal, content-aware tools, and privacy as files never leave your device.

    111 Photopea alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    Photopea screenshot 1
     
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    2
    8
    Comments about Photopea as an Alternative to Microsoft Paint
    Guest
    Negative
    2

    Photopea is an outstanding Chrome OS substitute for Photoshop (or GIMP), but it is much more complicated to use than MS Paint.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    -1

    Its The same but simply it's more advanced

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Microsoft Paint Icon
    Photopea icon

    • Most users think Photopea is a great Microsoft Paint alternative.

    • Photopea is the most popular Web-based & SaaS alternative to Microsoft Paint.

    • Photopea is Freemium and ProprietaryMicrosoft Paint is Free and Proprietary
  7. MyPaint icon

    MyPaint

     387 likes
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    MyPaint is a fast, distraction-free, and easy painting tool for digital artists. It supports graphics tablets made by Wacom, and many similar devices.

    126 MyPaint alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • PortableApps.com
    MyPaint screenshot 1
     
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    1
    34
    Comments about MyPaint as an Alternative to Microsoft Paint
    Guest
    Negative
    6

    There is no selection tool, which is what i need.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Microsoft Paint Icon
    MyPaint icon

    • Most users think MyPaint is a great Microsoft Paint alternative.

    • MyPaint is Free and Open SourceMicrosoft Paint is Free and Proprietary
  8. Paint 98 icon

    Paint 98

     3 likes
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    Paint 98 is a simple yet powerful drawing tool for iPhone and iPad that lets you to create, edit and share images without all the complications of today's image editors. Paint like it's 1998!.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • iPhone
    • iPad
    Paint 98 screenshot 1
    Paint 98 screenshot 2
    Paint 98 screenshot 3
     
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    3
    46
    Comments about Paint 98 as an Alternative to Microsoft Paint
    Guest
    Positive
    7

    It edits image files exactly like paint does

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    Straightforward for amateurs!

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    -2

    it's actually pretty much microsoft paint

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Microsoft Paint Icon
    Paint 98 icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Paint 98 is a great Microsoft Paint alternative.

    • Paint 98 is the most popular iPhone & iPad alternative to Microsoft Paint.

    • Paint 98 is Free and ProprietaryMicrosoft Paint is also Free and Proprietary
  10. Clip Studio Paint icon

    Clip Studio Paint

     132 likes
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    Professional software for comic and manga creation, optimized with panel layouts, perspective rulers, sketching, inking, toning, vector support, and 3D model import, suitable for artists seeking advanced drawing and coloring tools.

    102 Clip Studio Paint alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Pay once or Subscription
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Samsung Galaxy Store
    Customizable workspace
     

    • Clip Studio Paint is the most popular Android alternative to Microsoft Paint.

    • Clip Studio Paint is the most popular commercial alternative to Microsoft Paint.

    • Clip Studio Paint is Paid and ProprietaryMicrosoft Paint is Free and Proprietary
    • Clip Studio Paint is CustomizableMicrosoft Paint is not according to our users
  11. Photoscape icon

    Photoscape

     261 likes
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    PhotoScape is a fun and easy photo editing software that enables you to fix and enhance photos.

    194 Photoscape alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Pay once)
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    Photoscape screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Comments about Photoscape as an Alternative to Microsoft Paint
    Guest
    Negative
    1

    you cannot actually create or draw pictures with this app

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Microsoft Paint Icon
    Photoscape icon
    • Photoscape is Freemium and ProprietaryMicrosoft Paint is Free and Proprietary
  12. Procreate icon

    Procreate

     164 likes
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    Procreate is a versatile, award-winning app for creative digital drawing and painting on iOS. It delivers a robust, professional toolset with hundreds of configurable brushes, a powerful layering system, vector graphic tools, and comprehensive design capabilities, ensuring desktop-level flexibility and power.

    63 Procreate alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Pay once
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • iPhone
    • iPad
    Procreate screenshot 1
     
  13. MediBang Paint icon

    MediBang Paint

     117 likes
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    MediBang Paint is a lightweight software for illustration and making comic books on Windows and Mac OS.

    75 MediBang Paint alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Pay once)
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Steam
    Great for anime or comics
     
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    3
    24
    Comments about MediBang Paint as an Alternative to Microsoft Paint
    Guest
    Positive
    3

    While a lot more complicated than Paint, it has everything you need to create a Paint image; line tools, shape tools, airbrush, pixel brush, bucket tool (that can fill without white spaces by expanding!) Not to mention more advanced tools and layer options, for more complicated drawings and even professional artists’ needs.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    It is a great program I have been using it for years and it's very easy to use

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Negative
    -1

    Microsoft Paint is far smaller than MediBang Paint. While MediBang Paint can do anything Microsoft Paint can do, it can do much more than Microsoft paint. So, using it as an alternative is rather unwieldy.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Microsoft Paint Icon
    MediBang Paint icon

    • Almost everyone thinks MediBang Paint is a great Microsoft Paint alternative.

    • MediBang Paint is Freemium and ProprietaryMicrosoft Paint is Free and Proprietary
  14. KolourPaint icon

    KolourPaint

     42 likes
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    KolourPaint is a simple painting program to quickly create raster images. It is useful as a touch-up tool and for simple image editing tasks.

    38 KolourPaint alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • KDE Plasma
    • Flathub
    • Snapcraft
    KolourPaint screenshot 1
     
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    10
    27
    Comments about KolourPaint as an Alternative to Microsoft Paint
    Top Positive Comment
    edgatolobo
    0

    Almost the same funtions and interface

    Top Negative Comment
    Guest
    0

    Not similar to Microsoft Paint and not easy for my Disability.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    ahmed52
    Positive
    0

    simple, lightwate, its ms paint but much better +also respect your theme

    Show more comments
    3 of 10 comments
    Microsoft Paint Icon
    KolourPaint icon

    • Almost everyone thinks KolourPaint is a great Microsoft Paint alternative.

    • KolourPaint is Free and Open SourceMicrosoft Paint is Free and Proprietary
  15. FireAlpaca icon

    FireAlpaca

     88 likes
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    FireAlpaca is the image editor that can be used readily and easily. We made it possible to provide the completely free download, in order for our products to be experienced by more users from all over the world. It is available for both Mac and Windows users!

    122 FireAlpaca alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    FireAlpaca screenshot 1
     
12 of 124 Microsoft Paint alternatives