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PaintFE review

Free#37 of 158 in Photo Editing Software

A flexible free editor with RAW, layers, automation, and local AI tools.

5.6/10Editor score
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

PaintFE is a free, MIT-licensed photo and raster editor for Windows, macOS, Linux, and the browser. It suits photographers, designers, and technical users who want local editing without an account, subscription, telemetry, or required internet connection. The feature set covers photo correction, selections, retouching, filters, layers, text, shapes, animation export, and GIF/APNG workflows. Its native PFE project format keeps layered work editable, while camera RAW import includes CR2, CR3, NEF, ARW, DNG, ORF, RW2, and RAF files.

For automation, PaintFE goes beyond a conventional desktop editor. The headless CLI supports batch processing, and Rhai scripting enables repeatable image operations. That combination makes it a practical fit for recurring transformations, asset preparation, and workflows that benefit from command-line control. Local AI background removal is also available through compatible ONNX Runtime and user-supplied models, keeping processing on the desktop rather than depending on a hosted service. Buyers should note that this AI workflow requires additional desktop setup.

PaintFE’s breadth is a strength for users who want editing, retouching, RAW handling, compositing, scripting, and animation export in one open-source application. It also supports tools such as clone stamp, content-aware fill, liquify, mesh warp, curves, exposure, sharpening, and noise reduction. The browser edition is documented as beta and has some native-only feature limitations, while cloud sync is not part of the product’s workflow. Choose PaintFE for flexible local editing and automation across major desktop platforms; choose another editor if browser-first parity or synchronized cloud projects is central to your work.

PaintFE pros and cons

  • Where it wins
    • Supports RAW formats, layered PFE projects, masks, and blend modes
    • Local AI background removal with compatible ONNX models
    • Batch CLI workflows and Rhai scripting support repeatable edits
  • Where it doesn't
    • Browser edition is beta and has native-only feature limitations
    • AI background removal requires desktop setup and compatible local models
    • No cloud sync for cross-device project access

PaintFE fact sheet, pricing and score →

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