Milton review
A focused open-source sketching tool with persistent work and unlimited undo.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Milton is an open-source desktop paint program for drawing, sketching, and painting on an effectively infinite canvas. Its vector-based strokes aim for a raster-like painting feel, making it a focused option for solo sketchers who want room to work without a fixed page boundary. It is not intended to replace an image editor or vector graphics editor, so artists who need those workflows should look elsewhere.
The drawing tools include brushes, an eraser, a line tool, adjustable brush size and transparency, and pressure-to-opacity control. The project describes work as persisting automatically, without a manual save button, and offers unlimited undo. Projects use Milton’s native .mlt format. This combination suits exploratory sketching and painting where a large working surface and the ability to revise strokes matter more than broader editing features or a range of formats.
Milton is free and open source, with desktop builds for Windows, Linux, and macOS listed among its platforms. There is an important platform caveat: Windows binaries are available, while Linux and macOS builds may require compiling from source and are not officially supported according to the project README. Community support is the listed support channel. Choose Milton if an infinite canvas and direct sketching tools are the priority, particularly on Windows; consider another drawing app if you need image editing, vector-graphics editing, or officially supported Linux or macOS builds.
Milton pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Draw and paint on an effectively infinite canvas
- Work persists automatically, with unlimited undo
- Adjust brush size and transparency; use pressure-to-opacity
- Where it doesn't
- Not designed as an image editor or vector graphics editor
- Linux and macOS builds may require compiling from source
- Linux and macOS are not officially supported
Milton fact sheet, pricing and score →
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