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For general bitmap editing on Linux, start with Pinta, GIMP, or KolourPaint; for browser-based or terminal-based work, consider JS Paint or Textual Paint. The 13 applications below are not interchangeable: some focus on simple drawing and quick edits, while others support layers and compositing. For illustration, RAW development, or managing a large photo library, a specialist tool may be a better fit than a general raster editor.
This list follows the scope of the September 18, 2026 roundup: free and open-source Linux raster editors, excluding tools primarily designed for RAW development, batch processing, digital painting, pixel art, or vector graphics. Inclusion does not mean every app offers the same features or has the same level of current maintenance.
How to choose a Linux raster editor
Match the app to the job before comparing feature lists. A quick crop or annotation has different needs from a layered composite or a retouching workflow.
- For quick edits: Prefer an uncomplicated interface and the selection, crop, resize, and color tools you use most.
- For composites: Check for layers, transparency, and a clear way to control how elements combine.
- For drawing: Look for a painting-focused workflow and confirm that your tablet works with your Linux setup. A tablet is optional for ordinary image editing.
- For photography: Distinguish direct pixel editing from RAW development and photo-library organization. Those are separate workflows and may call for different software.
- For a long-term choice: Check the project’s current release activity and whether your distribution offers a suitable package. The roundup’s inclusion alone does not establish current maintenance or package availability.
The 13 editors
1. GIMP
GIMP is one of the roundup’s 13 general raster-editor entries. Consider it when you want a full-featured desktop editor for pixel-level work, selections, retouching, or composition. Confirm the features and installation options in the release available for your distribution; the roundup does not establish version-specific details.
#1 Best Overall
- Word-first 16K Pressure Levels: The upgraded stylus features 16,384 levels of pressure sensitivity and supports up to 60 degrees of tilt, delivering smoother lines and shading for a natural drawing experience. With no battery or charging needed, it operates like a real pen, making it easy for beginners to create effortlessly. This functionality helps novice artists develop their skills and explore their creativity without the intimidation of complex tools
- Designed for Beginners: This drawing pad desinged with 8 customizable shortcuts for both right and left-hand users, express keys create a highly ergonomic and convenient work platform
- Perfectly Adapted for Android: The XPPen Deco 01 V3 art tablet supports connections with Android devices running version 10.0 and above. It is recommended to download the XPPen Tools Android application, which adapts to your smartphone's screen aspect ratio, ensuring accurate mapping. It also supports mapping on Android screens with different aspect ratios in portrait mode
- Large Drawing Space, Bigger Bold Inspiration: This expansive drawing pad has10 x 6.25-inch helps you break through the limit between shortcut keys and drawing area
- Easy Connectivity for Beginners: The Deco 01 V3 offers USB-C to USB-C connectivity, plus adapters for USB C. This ensures easy connection to various devices, allowing beginner artists to set up quickly and focus on their creativity without compatibility concerns. Whether using a laptop, tablet, or desktop, the Deco 01 V3 provides a seamless experience, making it an ideal choice for those just starting their digital art journey
2. JS Paint
JS Paint recreates the classic Paint experience in a browser. It is a candidate for simple, familiar drawing and bitmap edits without committing to a traditional desktop workflow. The roundup does not specify its current offline behavior or Linux installation route.
3. Pinta
Pinta is described by its project as a free, open-source bitmap editor for a range of uses. Its user guide documents Linux support, layers, edit history, add-ins, a customizable workspace, and more than 35 adjustments and effects. The guide covers version 1.6, so those details describe that guide’s scope, not necessarily the current release. Pinta project and guide.
4. Photoflare
Photoflare is presented as a cross-platform editor. It may suit someone who wants an editor used across more than one operating system, but the roundup does not provide enough detail to compare its current tools, formats, or maintenance status with the other entries.
Recommended Free Tools
Rank #2
- Working Area Configuration - HUION art tablet equips with a 10 x 6.25 inches working area, providing the user with the most comfortable size to work; the 10mm slim structure and minimalist design of appearance make the drawing tablet more attractive.
- Tilt Function Battery-free Stylus: This computer graphics tablet come with a battery-free stylus PW100, no need to charge, allowing for constant uninterrupted drawing. ±60° tilt support enables imitation of lines input with diverse drawing gestures, with accuracy ensured.
- Press Keys:12 programmable press keys plus 16 programmable soft keys, you can set shortcut keys on drawing tablet's driver based on your preferences, such as erase, zoom in/out, scroll up and down, and so on.
- Compatibility: HUION graphics tablet supports Windows 7 or later/ macOS 10.12 or later/ Android 6.0 or later/ Linux (Ubuntu). A USB adapter is required to connect to a Mac computer. H1060P supports various mainstream design and drawing software, including PS, SAI, AI, CDR, etc. (Please note: The H1060P is compatible with Ubuntu, but it requires the use of the Xorg display server. Wayland is not supported.)
- NOTE: You can easily connect your phone to the art tablet via the OTG connector; while iPhone and iPad are NOT at the moment. The cursor will not show up in the SAMSUNG Galaxy S series at present. If you are not sure whether the product is compatible with your Phone or any help, please contact us.
5. LazPaint
LazPaint is described as a lightweight editor with layers and transparency. Those features make it worth considering for simple compositions where separate image elements need to remain independently editable.
6. dibuja
dibuja is characterized as a simple paint tool. It is a candidate for basic drawing or straightforward raster work, rather than a choice to make on the assumption that it has an advanced layer or retouching workflow.
7. Drawing
Drawing is another simple paint-oriented option in the roundup. Compare it with dibuja by trying the tools you actually need; the available descriptions do not establish a detailed feature distinction between them.
Rank #3
- Large Active Drawing Space: UGEE M708 V3 graphic drawing tablet features 10 x 6 inch large active drawing space with papery texture surface, provides enormous and smooth drawing for your digital artwork creation, offers no-lag sketch and painting experience
- 16384 Passive Stylus Technology: A more affordable passive stylus technology offers 16384 levels of pressure sensitivity allows you to draw accurate lines of any weight and opacity according to the pressure you apply to the pen, sharper line with light pressure and thick line with hard pressure for artistry design or unique brush effect for photo retouching
- Compatible with Multiple System and Softwares: Powerful compatibility, tablet for drawing computer, perform well with Windows 11/10/8/7, Mac OS X 10.10 or later, Android 10.0 or later, mac OS 10.12 or later, Chrome OS 88 or later and Linux; Driver program works with creative software such as Photoshop, Illustrator, Macromedia Flash, Comic Studio, SAI, Infinite Stratos, 3D MAX, Autodesk MAYA, Pixologic ZBrush and more
- Ergonomically Designed Shortcuts: 8 customizable express keys on the side for short cuts like eraser, zoom in and out, scrolling and undo, provide a lot more for convenience and helps to improve the productivity and efficiency when creating with the drawing tablet
- Easy Connectivity for Beginners: The UGEE M708 V3 offers USB to USB-C connectivity, plus adapters for USB C, ensuring easy connection to various devices and allowing beginner artists to set up quickly and focus on their creativity without compatibility concerns; Whether using a laptop, desktop, chromebook, or tablet, the UGEE M708 V3 provides a seamless experience for those just starting their digital art journey
8. Textual Paint
Textual Paint brings a Paint-style experience to the terminal. It is a niche option for users who specifically want a text-terminal interface, not a substitute for a conventional graphical editor when precision selection or visual layer management matters.
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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute9. Pixelitor
Pixelitor is described as offering layers, filters, and effects. It may fit work that combines image elements or applies effects, but verify the current project and package details before choosing it for a sustained workflow.
10. paint.software
The roundup presents paint.software as accessible, Paint.NET-style editing. Treat that as a usability description, not a guarantee of identical features or behavior. Check that its current Linux delivery method suits your environment.
Rank #4
- Battery-Free Pen: StarG640 drawing tablet is the perfect replacement for a traditional mouse! The XPPen advanced Battery-free PN01 stylus does not require charging, allowing for constant uninterrupted Draw and Play, making lines flow quicker and smoother, enhancing overall performance
- Ideal for Online Education: XPPen G640 graphics tablet is designed for digital drawing, painting, sketching, E-signatures, online teaching, remote work, photo editing, it's compatible with Microsoft Office apps like Word, PowerPoint, OneNote, Zoom, Xsplit etc. Works perfect than a mouse, visually present your handwritten notes, signatures precisely
- Compact and Portable: The G640 art tablet is only 2 mm thick, it's as slim as all primary level graphic tablets, allowing you to carry it with you on the go
- Chromebook Supported: XPPen G640 digital drawing tablet is ready to work seamlessly with Chromebook devices now, so you can create information-rich content and collaborate with teachers and classmates on Google Jamboard’s whiteboard; Take notes quickly and conveniently with Google Keep, and effortlessly sketch diagrams with the Google Canvas
- Multipurpose Use: Designed for playing OSU! Game, digital drawing, painting, sketch, sign documents digitally, this writing tablet also compatible with Microsoft Office programs like Word, PowerPoint, OneNote and more. Create mind-maps, draw diagrams or take notes as replacement for mouse
11. Brushshe
Brushshe is described as a simple raster editor. It may be adequate for modest edits, but the roundup does not establish detailed format support, advanced retouching tools, or its present release state.
12. KolourPaint
KolourPaint is KDE’s paint program, making it a natural candidate for basic bitmap tasks such as drawing and simple image changes. Its inclusion does not imply that it is limited to KDE desktops; check the package offered by your distribution.
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CinePaint is described as providing painting, manipulation, and image-processing tools. Consider it when those capabilities align with your workflow, and verify current project activity and distribution support rather than assuming the roundup establishes them.
Best Value
- Upgraded A30 V3 drawing tablet with 16384 pressure : A clear upgrade from the previous V2 model, offering finer control and smoother stroke transitions – a solid choice for beginners advancing to intermediate level. This upgraded drawing tablet delivers smooth, natural lines and precise shading for digital illustrations, sketching, and animation in Photoshop, Clip Studio Paint, or Krita with minimal lag
- Unique multi-touch gesture pad : Features an intuitive multi-touch area that allows you to zoom, scroll, rotate, and switch tools directly on the tablet – making your workflow faster and more convenient for beginners, students, and hobbyists
- 10x6 inch active area with 60° tilt support : Provides a spacious yet portable workspace on this lightweight drawing tablet (only 1.26lb), suitable for detailed drawing and note-taking during remote classes, travel, or daily creative sessions
- 4 customizable hotkeys & touch gestures : Allows quick access to your favorite shortcuts in any software on this graphics tablet – helping digital artists, designers, and OSU! players save time while working on Windows, Mac, Android, or Linux
- Complete accessory kit included – This 10x6 drawing tablet comes with a battery-free pen (extra nibs included), drawing glove, protective film, OTG adapter, and USB cable – everything needed to start creating comfortably right away
When a specialist tool is a better fit
Illustration and tablet drawing: Krita
The roundup excludes software primarily designed for digital painting, so Krita is not one of its 13 entries. It is nevertheless a relevant alternative for illustration: its official download page listed Krita 5.3.4, released September 15, 2026, and a Linux 64-bit AppImage when accessed October 7, 2026. The page says any graphics tablet compatible with the operating system can be used. Check the current download page and your tablet’s Linux compatibility before installing. Krita downloads.
RAW development: darktable
darktable is a photography workflow tool, not simply another direct pixel editor. Its project describes a non-destructive workflow in which original images are not modified, with support for RAW, standard, and high-dynamic-range formats, color management, collection filtering, camera tethering, and export. Choose it when developing photographs from camera files is the central task; use a raster editor when you need to change pixels directly. darktable features.
Photo-library management: digiKam
digiKam centers on organizing, searching, and managing a photographic collection. Its official feature information also documents RAW support, an image editor, editing plugins, 16-bit-per-pixel support, and batch queues. That makes it useful in a broader photo-management workflow, but its role is different from a standalone raster editor selected chiefly for hands-on image manipulation. digiKam features.
Quick Recap
Shortlist by task
| Need | First candidates | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Basic bitmap edits | Pinta, KolourPaint, JS Paint | Whether the editor’s current tools and installation route meet your needs. |
| Layers and composition | Pinta, LazPaint, Pixelitor | Layer behavior, transparency, and the specific effects or adjustments you need. |
| Simple paint tools | dibuja, Drawing, Brushshe | Current project activity and whether essential selection, crop, and export functions are present. |
| Terminal interface | Textual Paint | Whether a terminal-based workflow can handle the precision your task requires. |
| Illustration with a tablet | Krita, outside the 13-editor roundup | Linux compatibility for the specific tablet and current Krita download options. |
| RAW photo development | darktable, outside the 13-editor roundup | Support for your camera files and the export workflow you need. |
| Organizing a photo collection | digiKam, outside the 13-editor roundup | Whether its cataloging and search approach suits your library. |
