Pinta
Simple image editor with layers and effects, modelled on Paint.NET. Good for quick crops and touch-ups.
Our verdict
Pinta is the app to install if what you actually miss from Windows is Paint.NET or a slightly better Microsoft Paint. Crop a photo, draw an arrow on a screenshot, resize an image for an email, all without opening something as heavy as GIMP.
It was built to resemble Paint.NET on purpose, so the tools are where you expect them and nothing needs explaining. Layers and unlimited undo mean it goes further than Paint ever did, and it opens fast enough to use casually.
Do not expect it to replace Photoshop. There is no .psd support, the effects list is short and there are no plugins. When a job outgrows Pinta, move that one file to GIMP and come back here for the next quick edit.
What's good
- Deliberately close to Paint.NET, so it is familiar straight away
- Opens in a second and does not need a manual
- Layers, unlimited undo and around 35 effects, which is plenty for everyday edits
- Tiny download compared with GIMP
What to know first
- Nowhere near GIMP for serious retouching
- Does not open Photoshop .psd files
- Effect selection is modest and there are no plugins to speak of
- Not a photo library
The details
- Cost
- Free
- Open source
- Yes (MIT)
- How you install it
- App store (Flatpak), App store (Snap), AppImage download, Built-in app store
Windows apps it can replace
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