I’ve always thought that lightweight image editing on Windows is oddly polarized. Even though the built-in Microsoft Paint app is more robust and faster than it used to be, it still feels like a tool designed for quick, disposable work. It’s very different from GIMP or Photoshop, which require patience, time, and commitment. Paint.NET stays in the middle, offering editing power while excluding professional overhead.
However, I no longer appreciate occupying the middle ground. Microsoft Paint is increasingly driven by creative artificial intelligence, and each successive version of Paint.NET is becoming increasingly bloated. I finally decided to try Pinta. It was supposed to be a compromise, but it feels more modern than I expected and more suitable for everyday editing than Microsoft Paint and Paint.NET. It’s the kind of app that Microsoft should have built.
Pinta gets the scope exactly right
An editor that knows what it should and shouldn’t do
I love that Pinta is built with restraint. It’s not a basic sketching app, but it’s not pretending to be a complete photo editor either. Pinta focuses on tasks like cropping images, annotating screenshots, adjusting colors, and adding text, which you perform every day. It’s also great for seamlessly combining a few visual elements.
Its easily defined scope is evident in the UI setup, which comprises a central canvas and visible tools that don’t require advanced workflows. Pinta feels well-settled into its role, unlike Paint.NET, which often comes off as robust yet feels like a toolbox that’s still growing.
It makes me feel like I can trust an app when it understands its limits. I launch it, edit, save, and move on; no second-guessing whether I’m using the right feature.
- OS
-
Linux, Windows
- Price model
-
Free
Pinta is an open-source program that lets you draw or edit images. The tool combines intuitive tools and a set of powerful features.
A workflow that stays flexible without getting heavy
Layers, history, and edits you don’t have to commit to immediately
Pinta’s workflow is the key difference from Microsoft Paint. The layers are much more noticeable and manageable, and they function as you’d expect. It’s easy for me to layer elements or rearrange the layers I’m using without struggling with the software.
This newfound flexibility has changed how I work. It allows me to build incrementally rather than make permanent edits. When I use animations, they don’t flatten my image until I want them to. Also, text stays editable, and shapes remain isolated. It’s built to encourage experimentation and trial-and-error, making it an ideal solution for first-timers.
I also use layers a lot in Paint.NET, but I find Pinta’s implementation calmer. The layers aren’t buried, but they aren’t scattered either. When I combine this with a clear undo history, it creates the perfect workflow without punishing mistakes. After using this tool for a while, you will come to appreciate this strength even more.
Performance that feels consistent, not flashy
Responsiveness matters more than raw speed
I find Pinta faster than most options; however, what really stands out is its consistency. It launches fast; the tools are responsive, and the menus are well-defined but simple. These traits add up to a sense of consistency you can feel in daily use.
It stays composed when I use it to edit larger images or when I need to work at high resolutions; I don’t notice any UI stuttering while applying adjustments. Even during time-consuming tasks, such as complex filter rendering or heavy adjustments to multiple layers, Pinta remains consistently responsive.
Paint.NET is still fast. However, it now carries more visual and functional weight. Pinta avoids heavy visual embellishments, remaining much lighter. It’s effective but gets out of the way exactly as a lightweight editor ought to.
Advanced features without a steeper learning curve
While doing light editing, certain tools are a must. Pinta has a precise selection of tools and drawing tools. Shapes are easily editable, and I don’t need to explore the menu items to find them. Pinta also has a deliberate approach to text placement.
Pinta’s effects and adjustments are the most practical I’ve used. It’s easy to preview and apply brightness, contrast, hue, saturation, and sharpening, and even though there are artistic effects, they don’t dominate the experience.
Every element is easily discoverable, and this sets it apart from Microsoft Paint and Paint.NET. For someone like me, who doesn’t invest in memorizing workflows to get results, it’s a winner. I get a readable toolbar with options that appear where they are relevant.
Cross-platform freedom makes it a long-term choice
Pinta feels like a tool you won’t outgrow
A significant strength of Pinta is its portability. I do most of my work on Windows and Linux systems. Irrespective of the operating system, it’s the same environment. I can start working on any computer without any mental adaptation.
It’s also open source, making it a perfect tool for someone who prefers open-source alternatives to several mainstream services and apps. But this also means it doesn’t lock any features behind tiers, and I’m not pressured to adopt trends that don’t serve the editor’s core goals.
This open-source Photoshop rival is better than it has any right to be
I didn’t expect much from a free Photoshop alternative—but Krita seriously overdelivers.
Pinta quietly became my default editor
I don’t believe Pinta will replace every editor. Specific workflows are more suited to Paint.NET, and Microsoft Paint is a good pick for quick tasks. But I find myself using Pinta by default more and more. It’s an excellent fit for my current workflow, and it may remain this way for years.
However, what sold me wasn’t a single feature, but the fact that it didn’t require an account and that the app’s goal was simple. It builds trust and suggests Pinta isn’t likely to change drastically anytime soon. When I use Paint.NET, I almost always need plugins, but Pinta feels complete the way it is.
