KolourPaintLinux
vs
PaintWindows
KolourPaint as a Linux alternative to Paint
Updated
Our verdict
KolourPaint is a solid replacement for Windows Paint for users who need a simple, no-frills raster graphics editor. It handles basic drawing, text, shapes, and image tweaks just as Paint does, with a clean interface and reliable performance. While it lacks some modern conveniences like transparency support or advanced selection tools, it covers the core use cases well. It's ideal for casual users doing quick edits or simple illustrations, especially within KDE environments. The extra effects like monochrome and rotation add slight value over Paint.
- License
- BSD-2-Clause and LGPL-2.0+ and GFDL-1.2
- Price
- Free
- Latest version
- 26.04.3 (July 2, 2026)
- Rating
- —
What works the same
- Basic freehand drawing and line tools
- Shape tools including rectangles, ovals, and polygons
- Text insertion with font selection
- Color picker for sampling pixels
- Selection tools for copying, moving, or deleting image regions
What is different
- No built-in support for transparency or layers
- Fewer image effects compared to modern Paint versions
- Interface follows KDE design, may feel unfamiliar on non-KDE desktops
- Lacks ruler or grid tools present in newer Paint versions
- No built-in crop-to-selection shortcut
Opening your Paint files
KolourPaint supports common raster formats like PNG, JPEG, BMP, and TIFF. It can open and save files created in Windows Paint without issues, especially BMP and PNG. Most basic edits transfer correctly. While it doesn't support older .pcx or .rle formats, those are rarely used today. Users can expect smooth compatibility for everyday files.
Switching from Paint to KolourPaint, step by step
- Install KolourPaint via your package manager or Flatpak
- Open a BMP or PNG file created in Windows Paint to test compatibility
- Use the shape, text, and freehand tools to verify expected behavior
- Test color picker and selection tools for accuracy
- Save edits in PNG format for best quality and compatibility
Key features of KolourPaint
- Drawing shapes: lines, rectangles, ovals, polygons
- Curve and freehand line tools
- Text insertion and editing
- Color picker for precise sampling
- Selection tools for moving and editing parts of an image
- Rotation and monochrome effects
- Support for standard raster image formats
How to install KolourPaint on Linux
flatpak install flathub org.kde.kolourpaintsudo apt install kolourpaintsudo apt install kolourpaintsudo dnf install kolourpaintsudo pacman -S kolourpaintsudo zypper install kolourpaintFrequently asked questions
Can KolourPaint open .bmp files from Windows Paint?
Yes, KolourPaint fully supports BMP files and preserves content correctly.
Is KolourPaint available on non-KDE desktops like GNOME?
Yes, it runs on any Linux desktop, though it integrates best with KDE.
Does KolourPaint support transparent backgrounds?
No, it does not support alpha channels or transparency in images.
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