MyPaint vs MS Paint: is it a good Linux alternative?

MyPaint as a Linux alternative to MS Paint

Updated October 24, 2026

Our verdict

MyPaint can replace MS Paint for users who want a free, open‑source painting tool that supports tablets and brush dynamics, but it is not a drop‑in replacement for casual users who only need basic drawing and file compatibility. It is suitable for digital artists, hobbyists who use graphics tablets, or anyone who wants more control over brushes and layers. For simple sketching, text, or quick edits, MS Paint remains more convenient.

Feature parity60%

License: GPL-2.0+
Price: Free
Latest version: 2.0.1 (May 29, 2020)
Rating: —

Install MyPaint Website ↗

What works the same

Both are raster editors that allow drawing with a brush or pencil
Both support basic shapes and text insertion
Both can open and save common image formats like BMP, JPEG, PNG, GIF, and TIFF
Both provide simple cropping and resizing tools
Both run natively on Linux

What is different

MyPaint lacks a built‑in shape tool and advanced selection options; shapes must be drawn manually
MyPaint does not support a two‑color mode or a simple color picker like MS Paint
MyPaint’s interface is canvas‑only; it has no toolbar for quick access to tools, which can slow casual workflows
MyPaint does not provide a built‑in image editor for simple pixel manipulation (e.g., pixel‑by‑pixel editing)
MyPaint’s export options are limited to PNG, JPEG, OpenRaster, and a few others; it does not natively export to BMP or TIFF

Opening your MS Paint files

MyPaint can open BMP, JPEG, GIF, PNG, and TIFF files via the standard image loader. Exporting to BMP or TIFF is not supported directly; you would need to export to PNG or JPEG and then convert with another tool. If you need to preserve MS Paint’s proprietary .BMP format, you can use GIMP or ImageMagick as an intermediate step.

Switching from MS Paint to MyPaint, step by step

1. Install MyPaint from your distro’s package manager or Flathub.
2. Open your existing image with MyPaint by selecting File → Open and choosing the BMP, JPEG, GIF, PNG, or TIFF file.
3. If you need a two‑color mode, use the color picker to select two colors and manually paint; MyPaint does not have a dedicated mode.
4. Edit your image using the brush, pencil, or shape tools (draw shapes manually).
5. Add text with the Text tool and adjust font/size as needed.
6. Save or export the finished image via File → Export as PNG or JPEG; convert to other formats if required.

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 (Flathub)flatpak install flathub org.mypaint.MyPaint

Ubuntu / Mintsudo apt install mypaint

Debiansudo apt install mypaint

Fedorasudo dnf install mypaint

Arch / Manjarosudo pacman -S mypaint

openSUSEsudo zypper install mypaint

Frequently asked questions

Does MyPaint support graphics tablets?

Yes, MyPaint is designed for tablet use and supports pressure sensitivity and tilt on most devices.

Can I use MyPaint to edit existing photos?

While you can open photos, MyPaint is primarily a painting program; it lacks advanced photo‑editing tools like layers, masks, or filters.

Is MyPaint suitable for beginners who only need basic drawing?

It can be used for basic drawing, but its canvas‑only interface and lack of quick‑access tools make it less convenient than MS Paint for casual users.