Pinta is a free, open-source desktop app for drawing and editing bitmap images. It covers common tasks such as cropping, resizing, selections, recoloring, cloning and working with layers, without aiming to match the breadth of a professional image-editing suite.
What is Pinta used for?
Pinta is suited to practical, relatively straightforward image work: annotating screenshots, making simple graphics, adjusting photos and combining elements in a layered composition. Its tools include selection, crop, rotate, resize, clone, recolor and magic wand, alongside drawing and image effects. The official homepage describes it as a free program for drawing and image editing, while the user guide covers tasks such as posters, graphics, resizing, rotation and photo effects.
Is Pinta free?
Yes. Pinta is free, open-source software; users download it rather than purchase a license. Its source code is published under the MIT license, and the project welcomes community contributions, translations and forks. See the Pinta GitHub repository for the license and project information.
Does Pinta support layers?
Yes. Pinta uses a layered bitmap workflow, making it possible to arrange image elements on separate layers rather than flattening every part into one image from the outset. That is useful for simple compositions and edits where you may want to adjust individual elements. Its focus, however, is on accessible drawing and image editing rather than the extensive, specialized workflows of a professional suite.
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Is Pinta a good alternative to Photoshop, GIMP or Paint.NET?
Pinta can be a good choice when the priority is a simpler interface and common drawing or bitmap-editing tools. Whether it is a suitable alternative depends on the work: the available official materials describe Pinta as a straightforward editor, not a complete replacement for applications built around deeper professional or specialized workflows.
| Need | How Pinta fits |
|---|---|
| Basic image edits and drawing | Includes common selection, crop, rotate, resize, clone, recolor and magic-wand tools. |
| Layered compositions | Supports a layered bitmap workflow. |
| Professional color, typography, animation or non-destructive workflows | Confirm that its feature set meets the specific requirement; Pinta is positioned as simpler than feature-heavy professional software. |
| Choosing by speed, memory use or maximum image size | Universal benchmarks and limits are not stated in the official sources cited here. |
Compared with GIMP, Krita, Paint.NET or Photoshop, the useful decision points are interface simplicity, the depth of painting and photo-editing tools, layer and selection workflows, add-on ecosystems, platform support and any specialized production requirements. The cited official Pinta materials do not establish a universal performance ranking against those programs.
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- 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
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Is Pinta available for Windows, Mac and Linux?
Yes. The official downloads page lists packages or setup instructions for Linux through Flatpak and Snap, Windows, macOS for Intel and ARM, and OpenBSD. It also provides source tarballs, ZIP files and access to the source code. Package availability and installation steps can vary by operating system, so use the official downloads page to choose the instructions for your system.
How do I install Pinta?
- Open the Pinta downloads page and select the package or instructions for your platform: Linux Flatpak or Snap, Windows, macOS Intel or ARM, or OpenBSD.
- Choose a stable release for everyday use. The project describes stable builds as tested and recommended for normal use.
- Follow the platform-specific installation instructions on the downloads page. If you are installing from source, use the source options linked there and consult the project repository.
- Start Pinta and open an image or create a new one to begin drawing or editing.
The downloads page also offers development builds, but the project says these are for testing and may include bugs or unfinished features. They are not the recommended choice for routine work.
Rank #3
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- Move Beyond the Mouse: Huion Inspiroy H640P is a pen tablet that replaces your mouse for more natural, precise control. Freehand draw, take notes, or even play OSU—everything you do with a mouse, you can do better with a pen. The precise tip makes it ideal for detailed photo editing, graphic design, or signing PDF. Meanwhile, the ergonomic pen grip helps you avoid the strain that comes from hours of using a mouse.
What is the latest Pinta version?
The official GitHub release list shows Pinta 3.1.2 as the latest release listed in the material available for this article. Check the GitHub releases page for the current release, since that listing can change. Pinta 3.0 was a major technical transition that moved the application to GTK4 and libadwaita. Release notes also document individual fixes across versions, including a performance regression affecting selection tools on large images and changes to packaging and Save As behavior in sandboxed Snap or Flatpak contexts.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Is Pinta safe and private?
Pinta is open source, and the project’s stated privacy policy says the program will not transfer information to other networked systems unless the user, installer or operator specifically requests it. The statement describes the project’s policy; it does not by itself establish an independent security audit. Download Pinta through the official project channels and review the project’s repository for source and licensing information.
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