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Open Source Microsoft Paint Alternatives

The best open source alternative to Microsoft Paint is Krita. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to Microsoft Paint and many of them is open source so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting open source alternatives to Microsoft Paint are MyPaint, Pinta, KolourPaint and Excalidraw.

Microsoft Paint alternatives are mainly Image Editors but may also be Digital Painting Tools or Photo Editors. Filter by these if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Microsoft Paint.
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Microsoft Paint iconMicrosoft Paint
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Paint (formerly Paintbrush) is a simple, ultra-basic graphics painting program that is included with almost all versions of...

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  1. Krita icon

    Krita

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    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Windows S
    • Android Tablet
    • PortableApps.com
    • Steam
    • Epic Games Store
    137 alternatives to Krita 

    Krita is a professional Free and open source (FOSS) painting program. It is made by artists that want to see affordable art tools for everyone within concept art, texture and matte painters, illustrations and comics.

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    Features
    1.  Keyframe AnimationCompositions can be keyframed in Krita, allowing you to change the parameters over time.
    2.  LightweightKrita consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
    3.  Support for LayersKrita supports the organization of elements through a hierarchical order that can be manipulated/viewed independently.
    4.  Non Destructive EditingKrita allows you to make changes to a file without overwriting the original data, which remains available in case you want to revert to it.
    5.  Drawing Tablet SupportKrita supports the use of external drawing tablets as input devices.
    6.  Custom BrushesYou can use modified/custom brushes in Krita.
    7.  Pressure SensitivityKrita can change attributes like thickness or opacity, based on how much force you apply to your stylus/finger.
    8.  PortableKrita can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
    9.  Color PickerKrita allows you to select and copy a color property from an image, object, or shape.
    Main Window
    Startup page with news
    Brush editor
    Krita vs Microsoft Paint opinions
    Most users think Krita is a great alternative to Microsoft Paint.
    vincentasmargis

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

    Top positive comment• ago
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    Guest

    Krita is free. It has a lot of features - somewhat similar to Photoshop. It is better than Paint because it has lots of different brushes and allows some brush customization. You can work with layers, which is a feature that MS Paint lacks. The app is worth a try. There's nothing to lose.

    Top positive comment• ago
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    Guest

    krita's too big and feature-rich of a program to be substitute for ms paint

    Top negative comment• ago
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    vertigo

    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.

    Negative comment• ago
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    Guest

    No, Paint is far smaller and more limited program than Krita. Krita can do much more than Paint, so using it as an alternative would be absurdly unwieldy.

    Negative comment• ago
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    Guest

    Paint is a far smaller and more limited program than Krita. While Krita can probably do everything Paint can, it can do so much more that to use it as an alternative would be absurdly unwieldy.

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    4
  2. MyPaint icon

    MyPaint

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    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • PortableApps.com
    123 alternatives to MyPaint 

    MyPaint is a fast painting program with an emphasis on full-screen use. It lets you focus on the art instead of the program. You work on your canvas with minimum distractions, bringing up the interface only when you need it.

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    Features
    1.  Support for LayersMyPaint supports the organization of elements through a hierarchical order that can be manipulated/viewed independently.
    2.  Drawing Tablet SupportMyPaint supports the use of external drawing tablets as input devices.
    3.  PortableMyPaint can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
    4.  Distraction-freeMyPaint has a distraction-free mode for when you need to focus.
    5.  Custom BrushesYou can use modified/custom brushes in MyPaint.
    The 0.9.0 interface
    Screenshot
    Screenshot
    MyPaint vs Microsoft Paint opinions
    Most users think MyPaint is a great alternative to Microsoft Paint.
    Guest

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

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    Guest

    No pixels and grid lines!

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    0
  4. Pinta icon

    Pinta

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    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Mono
    108 alternatives to Pinta 

    Pinta is a free, open source drawing/editing program modeled after Paint.NET . Its goal is to provide users with a simple yet powerful way to draw and manipulate images on Linux, Mac, and Windows.

     Suggest and vote on features
    Features
    1.  LightweightPinta consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
    2.  Support for LayersPinta supports the organization of elements through a hierarchical order that can be manipulated/viewed independently.
    Screenshot
    Screenshot
    Pinta vs Microsoft Paint opinions
    Almost everyone thinks Pinta is a great alternative to Microsoft Paint.
    Guest

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

    Top positive comment• ago
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    Guest

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

    Top positive comment• ago
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    Guest

    Pinta Has all the tool necessary for a quick manipulation, like paste screenshots, cut, paste, resize, etc...

    Positive comment• ago
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    Guest

    Simple interface with powerful tools

    Positive comment• ago
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    Guest

    Is simple and have all the tools of Microsoft Paint

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  5. KolourPaint icon

    KolourPaint

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    • Linux
    34 alternatives to KolourPaint 

    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.

     Suggest and vote on features
    Features
    1.  LightweightKolourPaint consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
    Screenshot
    KolourPaint vs Microsoft Paint opinions
    Almost everyone thinks KolourPaint is a great alternative to Microsoft Paint.
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    ahmed52

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

    Top positive comment• ago
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    dginovker

    Drop in replacement for Microsoft Paint

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    Guest

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

    Top negative comment• ago
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    Guest

    It is straightforward and easy to use

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    Guest

    Simple, lightweight and easy. Do exactly what mspaint does, but better.

    Positive comment• ago
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    Guest

    It works very well and is like what paint should be.

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    UsernameUn

    Best alternative for Linux with KDE environment.

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    7 of 10 comments
  6. Excalidraw icon

    Excalidraw

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    • Online
    • Self-Hosted
    23 alternatives to Excalidraw 

    Excalidraw is an open-source whiteboard tool that lets you easily sketch diagrams that have a hand-drawn feel to them. Available directly online as a web app and also through CodeSandbox to easily see how the code works, and the app is available for self-hosting.

     Suggest and vote on features
    Features
    1.  Real time collaborationMultiple users can work together in Excalidraw simultaneously.
    2.  No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in Excalidraw without registration.
    3.  End-to-End EncryptionExcalidraw has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
    4.  Dark ModeExcalidraw supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
    Screenshot
  8. LazPaint icon

    LazPaint

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    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • PortableApps.com
    41 alternatives to LazPaint 

    Raster & vector graphic editor with many tools and filters, written in Lazarus (Free Pascal). Portable, 32bit (under 3mb) & 64bit (3.55mb) versions, ORA format & 16384x16384 image support. In app 3D import & rendering.

     Suggest and vote on features
    Features
    1.  LightweightLazPaint consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
    2.  Support for LayersLazPaint supports the organization of elements through a hierarchical order that can be manipulated/viewed independently.
    3.  PortableLazPaint can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
    Main UI
    Screenshot
    16K PNG AT 1:1 VIEW IN 32BIT VERSION, RESAMPLED TO 8K in 32bit
    LazPaint vs Microsoft Paint opinions
    Almost everyone thinks LazPaint is a great alternative to Microsoft Paint.
    Guest

    Really lightweight and fast, has a lot of additional features but is neat, making it powerful but not complicated (looking at you, Gimp).

    It would count closer to a Paint.NET replacement in my opinion. Though if you have this why would you ever want a normal MS Paint clone?

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  9. miniPaint icon

    miniPaint

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    • Linux
    • Online
    • Self-Hosted
    36 alternatives to miniPaint 

    miniPaint is free online image editor using HTML5. Edit, adjust your images, add effects online in your browser without installing anything. You can use the Electron based version of the editor if you like.

     Suggest and vote on features
    Features
    1.  No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in miniPaint without registration.
    2.  Support for LayersminiPaint supports the organization of elements through a hierarchical order that can be manipulated/viewed independently.
    Screenshot
  10. PhotoDemon icon

    PhotoDemon

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    • Windows
    22 alternatives to PhotoDemon 

    PhotoDemon provides a comprehensive selection of photo editing tools in an 8 MB download. It runs on any Windows machine (XP through Win 10) and does not require installation. It can easily be run from a USB stick or SD card.

     Suggest and vote on features
    Features
    1.  PortablePhotoDemon can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
    2.  Support for LayersPhotoDemon supports the organization of elements through a hierarchical order that can be manipulated/viewed independently.
    3.  Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsPhotoDemon can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
    4.  Batch EditingPhotoDemon allows you to select multiple items (tasks, files, images etc) and edit their properties all at once.
    Screenshot
  11. Drawing icon

    Drawing

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    14 alternatives to Drawing 

    This application is a basic image editor, similar to Microsoft Paint, but aiming at the GNOME desktop.

     Drawing has no features, suggest some!
    Screenshot
  12. Tux Paint icon

    Tux Paint

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    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Haiku
    • Android
    40 alternatives to Tux Paint 

    Tux Paint is a free, award-winning drawing program for children ages 3 to 12 (for example, preschool and K-6). Tux Paint is used in schools around the world as a computer literacy drawing activity. It combines an easy-to-use interface, fun sound effects, and an encouraging...

     Tux Paint has no features, suggest some!
    Screenshot
Showing 10 of 30 alternatives
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