I've recently switched from Windows to my Mac. But, I don't have a good image editing software. I've used paint.net before back on Windows, but there's no Mac version of it. It's at getpaint.net. Are there any good free alternatives to it? I haven't found any. As the best Paint.NET for Mac alternative, Pixelmator helps you create beautiful pictures from scratch. It includes other smart tools to help you edit your images on Mac OS X. Well-organized Photo Editing Tools Like Photoshop, but with pure Mac-style.

Formerly known as “Paintbrush for Windows”, Paint is a simple graphics painting program pre-installed on all versions of Microsoft Windows. This nifty tool from Windows gained much popularity due to its ease of usage and simple graphics editing tools. However, the major downside of Paint is that it is only available to all Microsoft Windows users. This means that Apple fan boys wanting the same application should look for program like Paint for Mac.

On its early years, Apple has had the same application called MacPaint. It was released together with the first Macintosh PC on January 1984. It was then sold separately but due to decline sales, the distributor stopped selling the product. Since then, MacPaint never made a comeback to modern PCs. If you are a mac user currently in search for a simple editing tool just like Microsoft’s Paint, check out these great alternatives below.

Review of Top Programs like Paint for Mac

#1. Online Image Editor

The Online Image Editor is a free, no-installation needed application that features a very similar interface as with Microsoft’s Paint. This program can crop images, add texts, insert symbols, pick colors, remove red eye, select background colors, add gradient effects and all other things you could usually do with Paint. Additionally, you can add layers as well as amazing effects to further beautify your picture.

Top versatility makes the Online Image Editor one of the best Paint equivalent for Mac. This program comes totally free of charge and it works with all browsers as well as operating systems. Whether you use Firefox, Chrome, Safari, Opera and the likes, rest assured that the Online Image Editor will work the same way.

#2. Paintbrush

One particular application that is very similar to Microsoft’s Paint is Paintbrush. This software works just like Paint, the only difference is that it is made exclusively for Mac users. It features several editing tools like airbrush, rounded rectangle, eyedropper, zoom, image resizing, cropping, transparent selection and all others. If you need quick photo edits on your Mac, Paintbrush works like a charm.

This Paint alternative on Mac comes free and it has two variants available depending on your Mac OS version. First is the Paintbrush 2.1.1 for Mac OS X 10.5 or higher, then the Paintbrush 1.2 for Mac OS X 10.4 or higher.

#3. Scribbles

Scribbles is yet another Microsoft Paint for Mac. It is said to be designed especially for kids but due to its utmost usefulness when it comes editing images, it has made it into the hearts of adults as well. This application is equipped with different graphic tools such as paintbrush, spray can, calligraphy brushes, eraser, various effects, zoom functions, direct publishing of works, etc.

Although, bear in mind that Scribbles doesn’t come free. It has a price of tag $19.95 but free to try. Additionally, it runs on Mac OS X 10.4 and 10.5. Sadly, support for Scribbles has already been discontinued by the developer.

#4. Pixelmator

For a more advanced graphic editing tool, Pixelmator is a must to try. This Paint alternative for Mac is actually leaning towards the Adobe Photoshop side in terms of features and functionalities. With it, you can quickly remove unwanted objects using the repair tool, distort images with move tool, paint realistically, add texts, create color adjustments, and all others.

Recommended for professional image editors, Pixelmator is priced at $29.99 which is quite steep compare to other programs like Paint for Mac. The most recent version of this software requires Mac OS X 10.9.1 or later as well as 64 bit processor.

#5. Seashore

Created by Mark Pazolli, Seashore is a simple Paint equivalent for Mac. It is an easy-to-use image editing tool equipped with powerful editing features. It has all the basic functionalities of Paint with some tools similar to Adobe Photoshop. You can use it to insert texts, change color backgrounds, create layers, zoom images, crop photos, add effects, and many more.

Seashore is free to use and it has several versions openly available for downloads. The most stable version is the 0.1.9 that works with Mac OS X 10.3 to 10.5 while the most updated one is the Seashore 0.5.1 with compatibility to Mac OS X 10.4.11 or later.

There are many programs that functions just like Microsoft Paint for Mac, some of them are free while others are paid. If you only need basic image editing, it is advised to use free online applications that need not to be installed. They have a very similar functionality as with paint and it will not slow down or bulk up your system. Premium software are good as they are packed with extra features but why splurge on them when you can have free applications that works just like Microsoft Paint.

• January 01, 2020
• 18 min to read

Paint Alternative For Mac

If you need to make a few tweaks to your images, but do not want to use Photoshop, you are in luck as there are several superb solutions. Here are the 15 best alternatives in no particular order:

1. Luminar 4 (Free Trial 7 days)

When time for editing your photos is a luxury, Luminar 4 can help. Luminar 4 lets you transform your photos in a flash and synchronizes all the edits that you have made effortlessly. What makes it so great is that you can easily browse all your photos as it automatically organizes your photos which makes navigation simple. Luminar Libraries also boast a very modern interface which optimizes the viewing experience.

Luminar 4 offers many great adjustable styles, features, and tools that you will fall in love with such as its AI Sky Enhancers, Advanced Contrast, and Dehaze to mention only a few.

2. Pixlr (Free Version Available)

Pixlr boasts an interface that is really not much different from Photoshop. It offers hundreds of overlays, borders and other effects. If you simply want to crop your image or whiten your teeth on your iOS or Android device, Pixlr is the right tool for the job. With Pixlr, you can complete all the editing tasks that a good basic photo editor will allow.

3. PicMonkey (Trial 7 days)

Paint.net Alternative Mac Os X

The beauty of PicMonkey is found in its easy-to-use interface. If you need to put together a collage, this is your tool to use. All you have to do is upload your images and drag them into the right spot.

4. Adobe Photoshop Elements (Free Trial 30 days)

Do not be fooled by the name, Adobe Photoshop Elements is not the actual Photoshop. However, countless users have experienced that the Adobe Photoshop Elements app offers all the tools that they require to enhance their images. In short, this app has been reduced to the essentials.

With the help of its Adjustment and Blend layers, you can turn any photo into the most amazing image in barely any time at all. Thanks to its guided mode, it is also geared towards beginners.

When it comes to finding a Photoshop alternative, your only challenge will be to identify the software solution that works the best for your unique needs. Why not give them all a try? You might just discover that the best course of action will be to use a couple of these tools instead of just one.

5. Sketch (Free Trial 30 days, MacOS only)

If you are working on a Mac and in need of a budget-friendly alternative to Photoshop, Sketch is the answer. Sketch is a vector graphics app that has the design field all excited, specifically website designers. As it is so popular, you will be able to access countless plug-ins that have been created by the community that will make this app even more functional.

Its user interface is easy to understand and boasts several features such as gradients and layers that are similar to Illustrator and Photoshop. What is more, it also offers a color picker and style presets. You can use one of the basic shapes to create your own graphic or start from scratch with the help of the pencil tool. This app is really so flexible!

Paint.net Mac

6. GNU Image Manipulation Program (GIMP)

GNU is an open-source cross-platform image editor. As its interface is very similar to Photoshop, it will not take you too long to familiarize yourself with GIMP. Though, users who do not have any image editing experience will find the different GIMP tutorials very useful.

It offers color correction, enhancement as well as painting tools to mention only a couple of its features and is compatible with Windows, Linux, and Mac.

7. Acorn (Trial 14 days)

Mac users who are searching for image editing software need to look no further than Acorn. It is a cost-effective solution if you do not have access to Photoshop. What makes it so great is that it is quick, enjoyable to use and offers useful features.

Some of its features include non-destructive filters, custom brushes and layer styles to mention only a few. The software is easy to use, but, you can rest assured, there are tutorials available for both beginners as well as image editing experts.

8. Affinity Photo (Trial)

Affinity Photo is for sure one of the best Photoshop alternatives. It is ideal for professional designers and photographers as it is completely compatible with Photoshop as well as other file formats. What makes it such a great alternative is that it is not nearly as expensive as Photoshop. Though, users can rest assured as it will still deliver the same performance (if not better).

It is compatible with Mac and Windows. If you are using an iPad, you will be happy to know that Affinity Photo for iPad is also available.

9. Pixelmator Pro (Trial 30 days)

Pixelmator is not a new Photoshop alternative, but recently the Pixelmator Pro version which uses a user-friendly single-window interface has been added to the mix. On top of that, the Pixelmator Pro version also boasts non-destructive image editing and offers features that include split view and a hidden interface that allows you to view your images without any distractions.

It is only available for Mac users.

10. SumoPaint (Online + Desktop)

The different standard features that you would expect in a Photoshop alternative, SumoPaint has to offer. There are shapes, brushes, gradients, text, and pencils that you can effortlessly access.

Though a word of warning to Photoshop users - a couple of its tools work differently and there are some limitations. Overall, this image editor remains very capable and can load in a flash.

11. Paint.net

Paint.net is a powerful and practical tool that Windows users can rely on instead of Photoshop. It is a capable and functional tool that concentrates less on artistic creation and more on photo editing.

It offers a decent variety of tools and special effects that include brightness/contrast and repeat selections. It might not boast all the serious editing tools, but that only means that it is not as difficult to master making it the ideal image editor tool for beginners.

12. Canva (Free Basic Plan + Trial 30 days)

Canva is where you will find countless layouts, stock photos, fonts and other great design elements. The best part is that several of these you can use at zero cost. You can use this app to design your business card or put together a birthday card.

Paint Dot Net Alternative For Mac

13. CorelDRAW Graphics Suite (Trial 15 days or Full Paid or Monthly sub)

Windows users will love the tools that CorelDRAW has to offer. This Photoshop alternative boasts an interactive tool that will help you to straighten your image or adjust the perspective. Though, one of its most impressive features is its stylus control that reacts to a different pressure.

Windows Paint Alternative

If you are working with Windows 10, this is the perfect fit. Windows users will also be happy to know that it supports 4K displays and multi-monitor viewing.

14. Photolemur (Free Version with watermark available)

Best choice for beginners or people who have no time to edit photos. Enhancing your images has never been easier thanks to Photolemur. By using AI, this automatic photo enhancer app enhances your images without you having to lift a finger. You simply need to import your images to Photolemur and it will get the job done automatically. This means that you do not require any prior editing experience to complete tasks like getting rid of imperfections. It is oh-so easy and available for both Mac and Windows.

Paint.net For Mac

15. Serif PhotoPlus

Many people have already relied on this app for years. It is ideal for users who are only starting with image editing now as it offers great support for new users in the form of videos and tutorials. What is more, users can get great tips on their active forum for fellow users. Thanks to its latest release, Serif PhotoPlus users will be also able to work with their RAW image files much easier.