PintaLinux
vs
Windows PaintWindows
Pinta as a Linux alternative to Windows Paint
Updated
Our verdict
Pinta is a solid drop‑in for anyone who outgrows the very limited Windows Paint but still wants a lightweight editor. It offers the basic drawing tools, shape tools, color picker, fill bucket and text insertion that Paint users expect, and it runs quickly on most desktops. The extra layer support and effects don’t hurt, they just give more room to experiment. For users who only need the simplest paint program, Pinta feels a bit richer but remains easy to pick up, making it a good replacement for casual drawing, quick edits, and teaching environments.
- License
- MIT
- Price
- Free
- Latest version
- 3.1.2 (March 29, 2026)
- Rating
- 5/5 (3)
What works the same
- Freehand pencil/brush tool
- Shape tools for rectangles, circles and lines
- Color picker and fill bucket
- Text insertion
- Support for PNG, BMP and other common raster formats
What is different
- Pinta adds unlimited layers, which Paint lacks
- Over 35 image effects are available, not present in Paint
- Interface includes a menu bar and more dialogs, slightly more complex than Paint’s minimal UI
- Pinta can open and save JPEG and TIFF, formats Paint does not handle natively
- No built‑in animation or GIF creation, which Paint never had
Opening your Windows Paint files
Pinta can open and save the same PNG and BMP files that Windows Paint uses without issue. It also reads JPEG and TIFF, so most Paint work can be transferred directly. There is no proprietary Paint format beyond standard bitmaps, so compatibility is straightforward. If a Paint file is saved as a BMP or PNG, Pinta will handle it without loss.
Switching from Windows Paint to Pinta, step by step
- Install Pinta from your distribution’s package manager or via Flathub
- Launch Pinta and familiarize yourself with the toolbar layout
- Open your existing PNG or BMP files using File → Open
- Use the shape and text tools to replicate any Paint work you need
- Save the edited image in PNG or BMP to retain full compatibility
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
Can Pinta replace Paint for school assignments?
Yes, Pinta provides all the basic tools required for simple drawings, annotations, and image cropping that teachers typically expect.
Is Pinta slower to start than Paint?
Pinta starts in a second or two on modern hardware, which is slightly slower than Paint but still fast enough for occasional use.
Do I lose any features when switching from Paint to Pinta?
You won’t lose any core drawing capabilities; you actually gain layers and effects, though the interface is a bit more feature‑rich than Paint’s minimal layout.
