Paint.NET
Free Windows image editor with support for layers, plugins, and special effects. Offers intuitive interface, works offline, ad-free, and portable, consuming fewer resources.
Cost / License
- Free
- Proprietary
Application types
Platforms
- Windows
- .NET Framework
Features
Properties
- Lightweight
- User friendly
- Minimalistic
- Intuitive Interface
Features
- Support for Layers
- Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
- Dark Mode
- Export to PNG
- Support for image plugins
- History Panel
- Transparency
- Community-based
- Scan to JPEG
- Ad-free
- Portable
- Built-in Color Picker
- Works Offline
- No registration required
- Consistent UI
- WEBP Support
- Pixel Art
- Export to PDF
- PNG Compression
- Convert Photo to Painting
- Curve Manipulation
- Alpha Channel
Tags
Paint.NET News & Activities
Recent News
- Maoholguin published news article about Paint.NET
Revamped Direct2D and more: Paint.net 5.0.3 brings exciting changesThe popular image editing software, paint.net, has released its latest version, 5.0.3, which brings...
Recent activities
trentpierce added Paint.NET as alternative to LingoScreen- RemovedUser liked Paint.NET
Featured in Lists
This is going to be a list of the free tools/software that can be used mostly in any field. it's based on websites …
After a fresh Windows installation, new users might get frustrated by the weakness of the default Microsoft apps. So, …
An up to date list of what I need in order to do my job.
What is Paint.NET?
Paint.NET is a free image and photo editing software. It features an intuitive and innovative user interface with support for layers, unlimited undo, special effects, and a wide variety of useful and powerful tools. An active and growing online community provides friendly help, tutorials, and plugins.
The app is completely free through a direct download on the website, though there is a small fee involved for access to the app through Windows Store.
Paint.NET information
Developed by
dotPDN LLC Licensing
Proprietary and Free product.Pricing
One time purchase (perpetual license) that costs $7.Rating
Average rating of 4.3Alternatives
165 alternatives listedSupported Languages
- English
Comments and Reviews
Works great, easy to use, lots of features, can disable antialiasing when working with really low resolution images
I like Paint.net, but it bothers me very much, that it is not possible to select and to move a text object and change the font size. You can only select areas with pixels, not text objects. From the moment, when a text has been created, you can edit it only as an area with pixels, not as a text with changeable size, letters and changeable text position. The manipulation of text fields is a big weak point of Paint.net.
If the developers would improve this weak point, or if someone does not use texts in pictures, Paint.net would be on of the best picture editing applications.
There is now an add-on to the latest version specifically for text editing and changing. It's also easy to move, change or resize text if you remember to put it in a different layer, and save the project as a pdn file so it can be changed later. If you compress the layers into a jpg, it is then much harder to change.
Could you specify a link to a description and download of this add-on? Can it be installed with Paint.net portable?
http://www.getpaint.net/doc/latest/TextTool.html I recommend you simply use a separate layer for text. That way you can simply delete the layer and add new text in whatever color, format, etc. you like. Save the project WITH THE LAYER in it as PDN if you feel you will edit this later. ALSO save as your preferred format (.jpg etc)but be aware you can't edit text in a flat (single layer) format like that, you will have to use the saved pdn file. This is similar to "that other" image manipulation software, just different file names for different programs that work similarly) Be aware also latest version is paint.net 4.0.6 which is likely to have quite a few new features! (No, I haven't tried it yet)
[Edited by fixitmanarizona, December 13]
It should be possible to select some letters of a text with shift + or shift + end and cut off the selected text. The developers should improve this big weak point. So it is uncomfortable to use paint.net .
@em4020 , you ask a feature that is from a vector drawing program. Pixel/raster drawing program are not expected to let you change the objects after they have been drawn on canvas. By using a separate layer, as said by @fixitmanarizona , it lets you do some editing of separate parta, but still on the pixel level. To get what you ask you need to move to a vector graphics editing program.
Paint.net (GetPaint.net)
I’ve been using Paint.net for many years, and it’s become my absolute favorite software for image editing and creation. I love it so much that I even purchased the paid version from the Microsoft Store, not because it's different from the free version, but simply to show my support for a program I truly cherish and use almost daily.
My Favorite Things About This Program:
★ Completely Free ★ A Wealth of Add-ons and Effects Available on Their Forums ★ Layer Support for Complex Editing ★ User-Friendly and Easy to Learn ★ 100% Pure Awesome
Things I Wish Were Added:
★ A Center Object Effect as a Default Feature
Honestly, there’s very little I would change about this program. The only enhancement I’d love to see is a default center object effect upon installation, which I believe would make the user experience even better. I create all of my images in Paint.net, along with the majority of my edits for any pictures I take, and it consistently delivers impressive results.
While many people gravitate towards Gimp, I find it to be more challenging to learn and use. In my experience, Paint.net is far more intuitive. The main downside is that it’s only supported on Windows due to its dependency on the .NET software, but for me, it’s a small price to pay for such an outstanding tool.
Surprisingly slow to boot up. The magic wand tool is fantastic and the layers function puts it closer to more advanced paint alternatives like Krita and GIMP. The forums are very catty.
Runs way better than GIMP on Windows but still just some random person's side project. An impressive side project nonetheless, but it should NOT be used for any professional work. Only use if you have no other option.
It has been a good alternative for PS for a while but now due to limitation to Win10 and lack of any progress (there's still no simple way to manipulate selections or good out-of-box refills) it became almost a useless heavyware. Even a litter like gimp is better now.
Same as gimp dogshit alternative to photoshop.