GpaintLinux
vs
Windows PaintWindows
Gpaint as a Linux alternative to Windows Paint
Updated
Our verdict
Gpaint is a solid replacement for Windows Paint for users who need basic drawing tools on Linux. It handles simple tasks like sketching, coloring, and minor image edits without bloat. The interface is straightforward, and it starts quickly, even on older hardware. If you're used to Paint's minimal feature set, Gpaint feels familiar and gets the job done. It won't replace advanced editors, but for casual use—like annotating screenshots or drawing quick diagrams—it's more than sufficient.
- License
- GPL-3.0
- Price
- Free
- Latest version
- —
- Rating
- 5/5 (1)
What works the same
- Basic tools: pencil, line, rectangle, and ellipse drawing
- Fill bucket with support for transparency
- Color picker and custom color palette
- Simple text insertion with font options
- Lightweight and fast to launch
What is different
- Gpaint lacks freeform cropping; only rectangular selections can be copied and pasted
- No eraser tool with adjustable size
- No built-in image resizing dialog—resizing requires external tools or screenshot workflow
- Limited shape customization (e.g., no rounded rectangles or line thickness presets)
Opening your Windows Paint files
Gpaint can open and save PNG, BMP, JPEG, and GIF files, which covers the formats most commonly used in Windows Paint. Files created in Windows Paint (especially .bmp and .png) open without issues in Gpaint. There are no known compatibility problems with standard 24-bit or 32-bit raster files. However, complex formatting like layered images isn't supported by either program, so interoperability remains high for basic use cases.
Switching from Windows Paint to Gpaint, step by step
- Install Gpaint via your package manager (e.g., sudo apt install gpaint on Debian/Ubuntu)
- Open Gpaint and adjust the color palette if needed
- Use Ctrl+Z and Ctrl+Y for undo/redo, as in Windows Paint
- Copy and paste selections with Ctrl+C and Ctrl+V
- Save files in PNG or BMP to maintain compatibility
Key features of Gpaint
- Basic drawing tools: pencil, line, rectangle, ellipse
- Fill bucket with transparent option
- Simple text insertion with font selection
- Undo/redo support
- Clipboard integration for copy‑paste
- Supports common raster formats (PNG, JPEG, BMP, GIF)
- Customizable color palette
- Lightweight, runs on low‑end hardware
Frequently asked questions
Can Gpaint open .bmp files saved by Windows Paint?
Yes, Gpaint opens .bmp files without issues, including those created by Windows Paint.
Is Gpaint available in all Linux distributions?
Most major distributions include Gpaint in their repositories, though availability may vary. Check your package manager first.
Does Gpaint support transparent backgrounds?
Yes, the fill bucket has a transparent option, and PNG files can be saved with transparency.
