PintaLinux
vs
AsepriteWindows
Pinta as a Linux alternative to Aseprite
Updated
Our verdict
Pinta can replace Aseprite for very basic pixel art and simple frame‑based animation, but it lacks many specialized tools that Aseprite offers. It is suitable for hobbyists who need a lightweight, free editor for small sprite sheets and simple onion‑skin animations. For serious pixel artists or game developers who rely on tilemaps, advanced layer blending, or precise frame control, Aseprite remains the better choice.
- License
- MIT
- Price
- Free
- Latest version
- 3.1.2 (March 29, 2026)
- Rating
- 5/5 (3)
What works the same
- Both support unlimited layers for organizing work
- Both provide a simple toolbar with freehand and shape tools
- Both allow exporting images in common raster formats like PNG
- Both have keyboard shortcuts similar to Paint.NET
- Both are cross‑platform and free to use
What is different
- Pinta does not have a dedicated frame‑based animation timeline
- Onion skinning is limited or absent in Pinta
- Tilemap editing is not available in Pinta
- Pinta lacks sprite sheet export options specific to game development
- Pinta’s effect set is generic and not tailored to pixel art
Opening your Aseprite files
Pinta cannot open Aseprite’s .ase/.aseprite files directly. Users would need to export frames or sprite sheets from Aseprite as PNG or GIF before importing into Pinta. Exporting from Pinta will produce standard raster files, not the Aseprite project format.
Switching from Aseprite to Pinta, step by step
- Export each Aseprite frame or sprite sheet as PNG or GIF.
- Open the exported files in Pinta via File → Open.
- Recreate layers manually if needed, using Pinta’s layer panel.
- Use Pinta’s animation features (if available) to sequence frames.
- Save the project in Pinta’s .png or .psd format for future edits.
- Re‑export the final sprite sheet from Pinta for use in your game.
Key features of Pinta
- Simple toolbar with freehand, shapes, and line tools
- Unlimited layers for organizing edits
- 35+ built‑in effects (blur, distort, color adjustments)
- Supports common raster formats (PNG, JPEG, BMP, TIFF)
- Keyboard shortcuts similar to Paint.NET
- Cross‑platform (Linux, Windows, macOS)
How to install Pinta on Linux
flatpak install flathub com.github.PintaProject.Pintasudo dnf install pintasudo pacman -S pintasudo zypper install pintaFrequently asked questions
Does Pinta support onion skinning for animation?
Pinta has no built‑in onion‑skin feature; you would need to manually overlay frames or use a plugin if available.
Can I edit tilemaps in Pinta?
No, Pinta does not provide tilemap editing tools; it is a general bitmap editor.
Is Pinta suitable for creating sprite sheets?
You can export multiple layers or frames as PNGs and assemble them into a sprite sheet manually, but Pinta lacks automated sprite‑sheet export options.
3 other alternatives to Aseprite
KritaKrita is a full‑featured open‑source digital painting and illustration program.Open sourceFreeFlatpakKrita vs Aseprite
GIMPGIMP is a free, open-source raster graphics editor for photo editing, digital painting, and image composition.Open sourceFreeFlatpakGIMP vs Aseprite
MyPaintMyPaint is a fast, free, open‑source raster painting program focused on brush dynamics and tablet use.Open sourceFreeFlatpakMyPaint vs Aseprite