Microsoft Paint Alternatives for Linux

Microsoft Paint is not available for Linux but there are plenty of alternatives that runs on Linux with similar functionality. The best Linux alternative is Krita, which is both free and Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to Microsoft Paint and many of them are available for Linux so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Linux alternatives to Microsoft Paint are Pinta, MyPaint, KolourPaint and LazPaint.

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Microsoft Paint alternatives are mainly Digital Painting Tools but may also be Image Editors or Photo Editors.  Filter by these or use the filter bar below if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Microsoft Paint.
Microsoft Paint iconMicrosoft Paint
  176
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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.

More about Microsoft Paint
More about Microsoft Paint
Microsoft Paint alternatives page was last updated Feb 13, 2025
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Alternatives
  1. Krita icon

    Krita

     1344 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.

    143 Krita alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • NL flagNetherlands
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android Tablet
    • Epic Games Store
    • PortableApps.com
    • Steam
    Main Window

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Customizable

    Features

    1.  Digital Drawing
    2.  Blending brushes
    3.  Keyframe Animation
    4.  Drawing 2D
    5.  Advanced brush settings
    6.  Drawing Tablet Support
    7.  Digital-painting focused
    8.  Sketching
    9.  Color blending
    10.  Support for Layers
    11.  Texture painting
    12.  Dark Mode

    Krita VS Microsoft Paint

     
    Comments about Krita as an Alternative to Microsoft Paint
    Top Positive Comment
    vincentasmargis
    Jul 24, 2017
    1

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

    Top Negative Comment
    vertigo
    Dec 19, 2022
    3

    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.

    Most Recent Comment
    Guest
    Negative •Oct 17, 2024
    0

    too complicated and bloated

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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 LightweightMicrosoft Paint is not according to our users
  2. Pinta icon

    Pinta

     266 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...

    105 Pinta alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Flathub
    • Mono
    Pinta 3.0

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Support for Layers
    2.  Works Offline
    3.  Ad-free
    4.  Non Destructive Editing
    5.  Dark Mode
    6.  No registration required
    7.  No Tracking
    8.  Multiple languages
    9.  Color correction
    10.  Image Filters
    11.  Gtk

    Pinta VS Microsoft Paint

     
    Comments about Pinta as an Alternative to Microsoft Paint
    Top Positive Comment
    Guest
    Feb 9, 2018
    2

    Simple interface with powerful tools

    Most Recent Comment
    Guest
    Positive •Feb 12, 2022
    0

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

    Guest
    Positive •Sep 23, 2020
    0

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

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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 LightweightMicrosoft Paint is not according to our users
  4. MyPaint icon

    MyPaint

     378 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.

    122 MyPaint alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • PortableApps.com
    MyPaint screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Distraction-free

    Features

    1.  Sketching
    2.  Support for Layers
    3.  Infinite canvas
    4.  Portable
    5.  Drawing Tablet Support
    6.  Fullscreen support
    7.  Ad-free
    8.  No registration required
    9.  Custom Brushes
    10.  Color blending

    MyPaint VS Microsoft Paint

     
    Comments about MyPaint as an Alternative to Microsoft Paint
    Guest
    Negative •Jun 27, 2017
    6

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

    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
  5. KolourPaint icon

    KolourPaint

     41 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.

    41 KolourPaint alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • DE flagGermany
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Flathub
    • KDE
    KolourPaint screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Ad-free
    2.  No registration required
    3.  Dark Mode
    4.  Works Offline
    5.  Pixel Art
    6.  Options for re-scaling
    7.  Texturing

    KolourPaint VS Microsoft Paint

     
    Comments about KolourPaint as an Alternative to Microsoft Paint
    Top Positive Comment
    edgatolobo
    Sep 1, 2019
    0

    Almost the same funtions and interface

    Top Negative Comment
    Guest
    Feb 12, 2022
    0

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

    Most Recent Comment
    ahmed52
    Positive •Jan 4, 2022
    0

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

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    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
    • KolourPaint is LightweightMicrosoft Paint is not according to our users
  6. LazPaint icon

    LazPaint

     43 likes
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    Raster & vector graphic editor with many tools and filters, written in Lazarus. Portable, 32bit & 64bit versions, ORA format & 16384x16384 image support. In app 3D import & rendering.

    38 LazPaint alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • PortableApps.com
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    Main UI

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Support for Layers
    2.  Reads PDN Format
    3.  Transparent images
    4.  Portable
    5.  Pixel accuracy
    6.  Debian package
    7.  Support for SVG
    8.  Export to SVG

    LazPaint VS Microsoft Paint

     
    Comments about LazPaint as an Alternative to Microsoft Paint
    Guest
    Positive •Mar 17, 2017
    -2

    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?

    Microsoft Paint Icon
    LazPaint icon

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

    • LazPaint is Free and Open SourceMicrosoft Paint is Free and Proprietary
    • LazPaint is LightweightMicrosoft Paint is not according to our users
  7. miniPaint icon

    miniPaint

     29 likes
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    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.

    36 miniPaint alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Online
    • Self-Hosted
    miniPaint screenshot 1

    miniPaint Features

    1.  No registration required
    2.  Support for Layers
    3.  Ad-free
    4.  Create New Empty Images

    miniPaint VS Microsoft Paint

     

    • miniPaint is the most popular Self-Hosted alternative to Microsoft Paint.

    • miniPaint is Free and Open SourceMicrosoft Paint is Free and Proprietary
  9. Pixelitor icon

    Pixelitor

     28 likes
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    Pixelitor is an open source image editor with an intuitive interface and with a special emphasis on non-destructive editing.

    118 Pixelitor alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Pixelitor screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Works Offline
    2.  Ad-free
    3.  Support for Layers
    4.  Image Filters
    5.  Photo effects
    6.  Image Processing
    7.  Retouch photos
    8.  Photographic filters
    9.  Java based
    10.  Sketching

    Pixelitor VS Microsoft Paint

     
7 of 22 Microsoft Paint alternatives