MyPaintLinux
vs
Microsoft PaintWindows
MyPaint as a Linux alternative to Microsoft Paint
Updated
Our verdict
MyPaint is a good replacement for Microsoft Paint if you're moving beyond basic edits into expressive drawing or painting, especially with a tablet. It excels for artists who want natural brush behavior and a clean workspace. However, casual users looking to make quick annotations or simple crops may find it overly minimal or lacking familiar UI elements. It doesn’t mimic Paint’s simplicity exactly, but offers far more creative power. If your goal is freehand art rather than basic image tweaks, MyPaint is a strong upgrade.
- License
- GPL-2.0+
- Price
- Free
- Latest version
- 2.0.1 (May 29, 2020)
- Rating
- —
What works the same
- Both are raster graphics editors for drawing and painting
- Support common export formats like PNG and JPEG
- Offer a simple, direct interface focused on the canvas
- Allow freehand drawing with a mouse or stylus
- Are lightweight and quick to launch
What is different
- MyPaint lacks basic tools like a shape selector, text tool, or fill bucket that Paint includes
- No built-in support for resizing or cropping images directly in the UI
- Designed primarily for expressive brush work, not precise pixel editing
- No native support for .BMP files, which Paint uses by default
- Interface hides all controls by default, which can confuse new users
Opening your Microsoft Paint files
MyPaint can open and export PNG and JPEG files, which are commonly used in Microsoft Paint, but does not natively support .BMP—the default format in classic Paint. You can export to PNG or JPEG for compatibility. If you receive .BMP files, convert them first using a tool like ImageMagick or GIMP. OpenRaster support allows layered work, but Paint doesn’t use layers, so complex files won’t transfer directly.
Switching from Microsoft Paint to MyPaint, step by step
- Install MyPaint via your package manager or Flathub
- Import any custom brushes or settings if available
- Open your image in MyPaint; note that .BMP files may need conversion first
- Use the brush tools for drawing—press 'B' to access them quickly
- Export as PNG or JPEG for sharing
Key features of MyPaint
- Brush engine with hundreds of configurable parameters
- Supports pressure sensitivity and tilt on graphics tablets
- Simple, distraction‑free canvas‑only interface
- Layer support with basic blending modes
- Export to PNG, JPEG, OpenRaster and other common formats
- Extensible via Python plugins
- Pre‑installed brush packs from professional artists
- Undo/redo history with unlimited steps
How to install MyPaint on Linux
flatpak install flathub org.mypaint.MyPaintsudo apt install mypaintsudo apt install mypaintsudo dnf install mypaintsudo pacman -S mypaintsudo zypper install mypaintFrequently asked questions
Can I use MyPaint with a mouse instead of a tablet?
Yes, but it's optimized for graphics tablets. Brush dynamics like pressure won't work without one, and the experience will feel limited compared to using a stylus.
Why doesn’t MyPaint have a text tool?
It focuses purely on painting. Text isn’t supported—use another app like GIMP or Inkscape if you need annotations.
Is MyPaint harder to learn than Microsoft Paint?
Initially, yes—its minimal interface hides tools. But once you learn keyboard shortcuts, it becomes fast. It’s less intuitive for simple edits but better for artistic work.
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