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Paint.NET VS Photopea

Compare Paint.NET VS Photopea and see what are their differences

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Paint.NET logo Paint.NET

Paint.NET is a free image and photo editing software.

Photopea logo Photopea

Online photo editor, which can work with PSD, XCF and Sketch files (Photoshop, Gimp and Sketch App).
  • Paint.NET Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-02-10
  • Photopea Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-21

Paint.NET features and specs

  • User Friendly
    Paint.NET offers an intuitive and straightforward interface that makes it accessible for users of all skill levels.
  • Freeware
    Paint.NET is free to download and use, making it a cost-effective solution for basic to intermediate image editing tasks.
  • Lightweight
    The software is lightweight and has low system requirements, ensuring it can run smoothly on most computers without demanding significant resources.
  • Active Community
    It has an active community that provides a wealth of tutorials, plugins, and support which can extend its capabilities.
  • Layer Support
    Paint.NET supports layers, allowing users to work on complex projects and easily manage different elements within an image.
  • Plugin Support
    Users can enhance Paint.NET's functionality through a variety of third-party plugins, adding features like additional effects and support for more file types.

Possible disadvantages of Paint.NET

  • Limited Advanced Features
    Compared to professional-grade software like Adobe Photoshop, Paint.NET lacks many advanced features and tools required for high-level image editing.
  • Windows Only
    Paint.NET is available exclusively for Windows, which means users on macOS or Linux cannot natively run the software.
  • Slow Development
    The development and update cycle for Paint.NET can be slow, meaning that new features and bug fixes may take a while to be released.
  • No Vector Support
    Paint.NET does not support vector graphics, which can be a limiting factor for users needing to work with scalable graphic elements.
  • Dependence on .NET Framework
    The software requires the .NET Framework to run, which means users have to install and maintain this additional requirement if it's not already present on their system.
  • Basic Text Tools
    The text tools in Paint.NET are quite basic and lack the advanced text manipulation features found in more comprehensive graphics editing software.

Photopea features and specs

  • Accessibility
    Photopea is a web-based application, making it accessible from any device with an internet connection without the need for installation.
  • Cost
    It is free to use with an option for a premium subscription, making it an affordable alternative to expensive software like Adobe Photoshop.
  • Compatibility
    Supports a wide range of file formats, including PSD, XCF, Sketch, XD, and more, allowing for seamless workflow integration with other graphic design tools.
  • Feature Set
    Offers many advanced features and tools that are similar to those found in professional software, making it suitable for both beginners and advanced users.
  • User Interface
    Intuitive and similar to Adobe Photoshop, which can reduce the learning curve for users familiar with Photoshop.

Possible disadvantages of Photopea

  • Performance
    As a browser-based application, Photopea may suffer from slower performance compared to native applications, especially with large files or complex projects.
  • Offline Use
    Requires an internet connection to access, which can be a limitation for users who need to work offline.
  • Ad-Supported Free Version
    The free version is supported by ads, which can be distracting for some users. A premium subscription is required to remove ads.
  • Limited Plugins
    Unlike some desktop applications, Photopea has limited support for third-party plugins, which can limit customization and extendibility.
  • Resource Intensive
    Depending on the complexity of the tasks, Photopea can be resource-intensive, potentially causing issues on less powerful devices or browsers.

Analysis of Paint.NET

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Paint.NET is generally viewed as a good and reliable image editing software, especially for its price point (free). It effectively balances simplicity and functionality, allowing users to perform a variety of tasks without being overwhelmed.

Why this product is good

  • Paint.NET is considered good due to its user-friendly interface and wide range of features that are available for free. It offers essential photo editing tools and supports layers, special effects, and plugins, making it a versatile option for both beginners and more advanced users. Additionally, its active community provides support and frequently releases updates and new plugins.

Recommended for

    Paint.NET is recommended for beginner to intermediate users who need an easy-to-use but powerful image editing tool. It's particularly suitable for individuals looking for free software for tasks like photo editing, graphic design, and basic digital painting.

Analysis of Photopea

Overall verdict

  • Photopea is generally considered a good option, particularly for users seeking a cost-effective and accessible image editing tool. While it may not have all the advanced features found in premium software like Adobe Photoshop, it offers a robust set of tools and capabilities that are suitable for a wide range of design needs. Overall, Photopea serves as an excellent alternative to more expensive graphics editors, especially for users who require a free and fully online solution.

Why this product is good

  • Photopea is widely praised for its versatility and accessibility. As a browser-based application, it eliminates the need for downloads and installations, making it easy to access from various devices with internet connectivity. It supports a wide range of file formats, including PSD, XCF, Sketch, XD, and CDR, which makes it an excellent tool for working with different types of graphic projects. Its interface is similar to Adobe Photoshop, which is advantageous for users familiar with that software, allowing for a more seamless transition. Additionally, Photopea provides many powerful editing tools, such as advanced layers, masks, and adjustments, which makes it suitable for both basic and complex graphic design tasks.

Recommended for

  • Graphic design beginners who want a free tool to start learning the basics of photo editing and design.
  • Professionals looking for a quick, online alternative to more resource-heavy software for minor tasks.
  • Users who need to work across various devices without the hassle of software installation.
  • People who need to open and edit multiple file formats without converting them first.
  • Educators or institutions seeking affordable software solutions for teaching design and photo editing.

Paint.NET videos

+ Add

Reviewing Paint.NET vs MS Paint

More videos:

  • Review - Beginner's Guide to Paint.NET | The Basics
  • Review - Paint.NET vs Photoshop - Avatar Na'vi

Photopea videos

+ Add

Photopea Free Photoshop Alternative

More videos:

  • Review - Photopea - Photoshop in the Browser?

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Paint.NET and Photopea)

Paint.NET

Photopea

Digital Drawing And Painting
57 57%
Digital Drawing And Painting
43% 43
Image Editing
45 45%
Image Editing
55% 55
Graphic Design Software
46 46%
Graphic Design Software
54% 54
Art Tools
100 100%
Art Tools
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Paint.NET and Photopea

Paint.NET Reviews

20+ Picasa Alternatives And Best Similar Apps Like Picasa 2022
Paint.NET has been gaining market share and has been a really widespread and capable editor. options like layers, curves, levels, and a full library of good Paint.NET extensions area units sometimes reserved for costlier photo-editing apps, but Paint.NET boasts all of those for gratis.
Source: www.gizmoconcept.com
68 Best Painting Apps and Softwares
Why Paint.net? – If you want to relax and doodle, Paint.net has it all, with all the paintbrushes you’ll need, and if you want to get more serious, Paint.net also has the massive editing power and features to help you do so.
Source: www.mavenart.com
The 7 Best Free Photoshop Alternatives
That was a long time ago, and Paint.NET has since grown by leaps and bounds to the point where it's comparable in some ways to the more advanced editing software on the market, both free and paid. This includes the ability to use multiple layers and blending, all the while maintaining a fairly simple interface that lends itself to even the most novice user. If you do get...
Source: www.lifewire.com
12 Best Free Photoshop Alternatives You Should Try
Paint.NET was originally developed to be a more powerful version of MS Paint and as such it brings a lot of the features from MS Paint. While Paint.NET is nowhere near as powerful as Photoshop, it brings a lot of features that make it a viable alternative for people looking for a free Photoshop alternative for Windows. Paint.NET supports layers with blending modes which is...
Source: beebom.com
The 9 best alternatives to Photoshop
Paint.net is a Windows-based alternative to the Paint editor that Microsoft shipped with versions of Windows. Don't let that put you off, though: it's a surprisingly capable and useful tool, available completely free of charge via Getpaint.net (there's also a paid-for version in the Windows store).
Source: www.creativebloq.com

Photopea Reviews

10 Best Photopea Software Alternatives in 2024 (Free & Paid)
Photopea is a popular online photo editing tool that offers many of the features found in Adobe Photoshop but without the hefty price tag. It’s a great option for anyone looking for powerful editing capabilities without breaking the bank. However, Photopea isn’t the only option available. Photopea is a powerful image editor with PSD, XD, XCF, Sketch, and CDR files. Graphic...
Source: www.geeksforgeeks.org
Our 6 Favorite Free Photoshop Alternatives (2022 Update)
At the same time, Pixlr also has some functionality that Photopea doesn’t have, like Pixlr X, they’re even more cut down and simple to use image editor that you can, for example, use to quickly edit up a photo for Instagram.
Source: www.cgdirector.com
A free Photoshop alternative: No, it's not GIMP
Photopea and Photoshop's similarity in options and effects is fascinating. I like to use Curves adjustments as well as gradient maps in my Photoshop workflow. Photopea allowed me to follow the exact same workflow with ease. The performance was just as quick as Photoshop. Computational photo editing features, such as spot removal and cloning, aren't as fast, but they're...
Source: www.techrepublic.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Photopea seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 309 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Paint.NET mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Paint.NET yet. Tracking of Paint.NET recommendations started around Mar 2021.

Photopea mentions (309)

  • Show HN: Turn Screenshots into Designs Instantly
    I can go to https://photopea.com and get an entire photoshop clone in my browser, but it would be nice to just use your tool for screenshots when I need. - Source: Hacker News / 4 months ago
  • 11 real-life PWA examples you can learn from in 2025
    Last but certainly not least, I have to mention Photopea, which, in my humble opinion, is one of the greatest pieces of software ever built on the web. In a nutshell, it’s a free Photoshop alternative, fully developed using web technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. - Source: dev.to / 5 months ago
  • Gimp 3.0 – a milestone for open-source image editing
    I'm happy gIMP is still being worked on. That said, I'm a photoshop user and I find all my personal needs are covered by Photopea (https://photopea.com). It feels like it duplicates all of the photoshop features I regularly use including non-destructive editing, smart layers, and non-destructive layer blending options like stroke, outline, outer-shadow, inner-shadow, solid-color, that I use often. It's not open... - Source: Hacker News / 6 months ago
  • Why Apple Uses JPEG XL in the iPhone 16 and What It Means for Your Photos
    Serving images from CDNs is not the only use case for browser JXL support. Browsers can perform client side processing of images before upload. They even host fully featured image editors like https://photopea.com. And sometimes you do want to see an original image from your camera in your browser, like say on the web version of Google Photos. - Source: Hacker News / 9 months ago
  • A Simple Performance Benchmark
    When the link was up, we were 100% sure the link was to "https://photopea.com". You can configure your computer, if you know how, to show you the link, if it doesn't already, when you hover over it with your mouse, or you click (or tap) and hold the link before you actually follow it. You should see how to do that with your computer and browser. Source: over 1 year ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Paint.NET and Photopea, you can also consider the following products

GIMP - GIMP is a multiplatform photo manipulation tool.

Adobe Photoshop - Adobe Photoshop is a webtop application for editing images and photos online.

Krita - Krita is a professional FREE and open source painting program. It is made by artists that want to seaffordable art tools for everyone. Concept art. texture and matte painters, illustrations and comics.

Photoscape - high quality photo editing software, that enables you to fix and enhance photos.

Affinity Photo - Affinity is the imaging and design suite for creative professionals exclusively for Mac.

MyPaint - MyPaint is a fast, distraction-free, and easy painting tool for digital artists.

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