Paint.NET
Free raster image and photo editor for Windows, simpler than Photoshop or GIMP.
HN commenters like it as a lightweight, intuitive editor for basic cropping, resizing and adjustments12, and because it is not a subscription.3 The most common caveat is that there is no Linux version45, and it is less capable than Photoshop or Krita for serious art work.67
Why people recommend it
Simple and light · 3
Commenters find it lighter, faster and more intuitive than GIMP or Krita for everyday edits.
“It’s lighter, simpler, and faster with a much more intuitive UX.”
“Paint.net is my go-to image editing software.”
Show 1 more
“I love PDN. It isn't as capable as Photoshop, but it isn't a rental, and it does 99% of what I need it to do.”
Polish · 2
It is described as more polished and usable than alternatives like Pinta or GIMP.
“Krita is a heavier program, but has a similar level of polish.”
“It’s lighter, simpler, and faster with a much more intuitive UX.”
No subscription · 1
One commenter values that it does most of what they need without being a rental like Photoshop.
“I love PDN. It isn't as capable as Photoshop, but it isn't a rental, and it does 99% of what I need it to do.”
Caveats and dissent
No Linux version · 2
Linux users say they miss it or are unsure of a Linux equivalent.
“It’s lighter, simpler, and faster with a much more intuitive UX.”
“Paint.net is my go-to image editing software.”
Limited features · 2
It is less capable than Photoshop, and Krita is preferred for creating art.
“I love PDN. It isn't as capable as Photoshop, but it isn't a rental, and it does 99% of what I need it to do.”
“It’s lighter, simpler, and faster with a much more intuitive UX.”
Closed source · 2
It was open source early on but later moved to a proprietary license, which some find dubious.
“Paint.net likely still benefits from the announcement of "Open Source Alternative To Microsoft Paint" long after switching to a proprietary license”
“Krita is a heavier program, but has a similar level of polish.”
Often compared with
Who recommends it in their own words
Threads where it came up
- Paint.net 5.2 alpha now runs on Linux 6 mentions
Also written as Paint.net. Data: paint-net.json. Quotes are verbatim; the verdict and theme labels are written by a model from these comments, and every clause links to its sources.
All comments 6
“I like Paint.net. Will try it out when its finished.”
“I love PDN. It isn't as capable as Photoshop, but it isn't a rental, and it does 99% of what I need it to do.”
“Paint.net is my go-to image editing software.”
“It’s lighter, simpler, and faster with a much more intuitive UX.”
“Krita is a heavier program, but has a similar level of polish.”
“Paint.net likely still benefits from the announcement of "Open Source Alternative To Microsoft Paint" long after switching to a proprietary license”