Software Alternatives & Startups

Microsoft Paint VS Notepad++

Compare Microsoft Paint VS Notepad++ and see what are their differences

Microsoft Paint

Paint (formerly Paintbrush) is a simple, ultra-basic graphics painting program that is included...

Microsoft Paint Landing page
Rating
5.0 · 1 review
Notepad++

A free source code editor which supports several programming languages running under the MS Windows environment.

Notepad++ Landing page
Rating
5.0 · 2 reviews
Pricing
Open source
Note: These products don't have any matching categories. If you think this is a mistake, please edit the details of one of the products and suggest appropriate categories.

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, Notepad++ seems to be more popular. It has been mentioned 176 times since March 2021.

social mentions
0 vs 176
user rating
5.0 vs 5.0
Digital Drawing And Painting popularity
100% vs 0%

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

Microsoft Paint
Notepad++
Website microsoft.com notepad-plus-plus.org
Pricing
Open source
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Microsoft Paint 5 features
Notepad++ 6 features
  • Simplicity
    Microsoft Paint is very easy to use, making it accessible to users of all ages and skill levels. The straightforward interface allows for quick navigation and drawing.
  • Pre-installed
    Microsoft Paint comes pre-installed with Windows operating systems, eliminating the need for additional downloads or installations. It is immediately available for use.
  • Low Resource Usage
    Paint is lightweight and consumes minimal system resources, making it ideal for use on older or less powerful computers.
  • Basic Image Editing
    It offers fundamental image editing tools like cropping, resizing, and simple drawing tools, which are sufficient for basic tasks.
  • No Cost
    As a built-in application in Windows, Microsoft Paint is free to use, adding no extra cost to the user.

Possible disadvantages

  • Limited Functionality
    Microsoft Paint lacks advanced features found in other graphic editing software, such as layers, filters, and advanced brush options.
  • Basic Tools
    The program offers only basic drawing and editing tools, which may not be sufficient for professional graphic design or detailed artwork.
  • Limited File Format Support
    Paint supports a limited range of file formats (e.g., BMP, JPEG, GIF, PNG, and TIFF) and may not be suitable for users needing a broader spectrum of format options.
  • No Vector Support
    Microsoft Paint operates purely with raster graphics and does not support vector-based drawing, which limits scalability and precision.
  • Outdated Interface
    The interface of Microsoft Paint has seen minimal updates over the years, making it appear outdated compared to more modern design software.
  • Free and Open Source
    Notepad++ is completely free to download and use, and its source code is open for anyone to review, modify, and contribute to.
  • Lightweight and Fast
    Notepad++ is lightweight, meaning it uses fewer system resources compared to more complex IDEs, allowing for quick loading times and responsiveness.
  • Syntax Highlighting
    Supports syntax highlighting for over 80 programming languages, making it easier to read and write code.
  • Plugin Support
    Offers a wide range of plugins to extend its functionality, including customization options, code analyzers, and more.
  • Tabbed Interface
    Allows multiple documents to be opened in the same window through a tabbed interface, which greatly improves productivity.
  • Regular Updates
    Frequently receives updates and patches, improving its features and fixing bugs.

Possible disadvantages

  • Limited Advanced Features
    Lacks some of the advanced features and integrations of full-fledged IDEs, which might be necessary for professional software development.
  • Windows Only
    Natively available only on Windows, although it can be run on other systems using compatibility layers like Wine, which might affect performance.
  • Manual Plugin Management
    Managing plugins can be cumbersome, as users often need to download and install them manually.
  • Occasional Stability Issues
    Although generally stable, users sometimes encounter crashes or bugs, particularly when using many plugins.

Analysis

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

Microsoft Paint
Notepad++

Overall verdict

  • Microsoft Paint is a good choice for users seeking a straightforward and easy-to-use graphics editor for basic image editing tasks.

Why this product is good

  • Microsoft Paint is a simple yet effective graphic editing tool that has been part of the Windows operating system for many years. It is user-friendly, requires minimal system resources, and provides basic tools for tasks like drawing, coloring, and editing images with ease. Its simplicity makes it accessible to users of all ages and skill levels, making it a convenient tool for quick edits and creative projects without the need for complex software.

Recommended for

  • Beginners who need a simple tool to get started with digital art or image editing.
  • Anyone looking to perform quick edits or sketches without installing larger software applications.
  • Users who appreciate a no-cost, built-in solution for basic graphic design and editing tasks.

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Notepad++ is considered a good editor for both programmers and general users who need a reliable and feature-rich text editing tool.

Why this product is good

  • Notepad++ is a popular text and code editor due to its lightweight design, wide array of features, and support for numerous programming languages. It offers syntax highlighting, macro recording, customizable interfaces, and plugin support, making it highly versatile for various coding and text editing tasks. Its open-source nature allows for community-driven improvements, and it runs efficiently on Windows systems without consuming significant resources.

Recommended for

    Notepad++ is recommended for programmers, developers, and writers who need a robust text editor with advanced features. It's ideal for anyone using Windows who wants a free, efficient, and customizable editing solution capable of handling a wide range of file types and coding languages.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

Microsoft Paint 1 video + Add
Notepad++ 3 videos + Add

If Microsoft Paint was 3D

Notepad++ Review

More videos

  • Review - Notepad++ Review
  • Review - Notepad++ Text Editor: Intro for Beginners

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100
Microsoft Paint
Notepad++
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
IDE
100% 100%

User comments

Share your experience with using Microsoft Paint and Notepad++. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

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Reviews and articles

External articles and on-site reviews we used to compare the two products.

Microsoft Paint 5.0 · 1 review
Notepad++ 5.0 · 2 reviews
  • very good
    SaaSHub review
    · Apr 2022

    everything is easy to do

  • Simple and Fast
    SaaSHub review
    · Aug 2026

    Fast, lightweight, and incredibly useful. A great free editor that gets the job done without unnecessary complexity.

  • the best assistant at work
    SaaSHub review
    · Sep 2024

    I've been using it for a long time, I can say that it has become my main tool in my work. First, you need to get used to using it and look at all the functionality. Overall, it's useful for me!

  • Boost Your Productivity with These Top Text Editors and IDEs
    convesio.com · Nov 2023

    Notepad++ provides a tabbed interface, allowing you to work on multiple files simultaneously. Its intuitive user interface makes it easy to navigate and edit your code efficiently. With features like syntax...

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Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

Microsoft Paint 0 mentions
Notepad++ 176 mentions

Tracking Microsoft Paint since Mar 2021.

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Alternatives to Microsoft Paint and Notepad++

When comparing Microsoft Paint and Notepad++, you can also consider the following products.