--- title: Paint.NET canonical: https://saasranked.com/software/paint-net/ category: Photo Editing Software points: 27 rank: 9 of 9 facts_checked: 2026-10-08 --- # Paint.NET Free Windows image and photo editor with layers, effects and plugin support. 27 points out of 100. #9 of 9 photo editors. Vendor: dotPDN LLC. Website: https://paint.net/ - Paint.NET is a free download from the vendor; the Microsoft Store version is paid [2]. - It needs Windows 11, Windows 10 version 21H2 or newer, or Windows Server 2022 [2]. - Version 5.1.12 was released on March 8th, 2026 [1]. - It supports layers, blend modes and unlimited undo, and plugins add effects and file types [1][4]. - The licence bars modifying the software or making derivative works [5]. Verdict: Paint.NET suits Windows users who want a free editor with layers and effects [1][2][4]. It reads common formats such as PNG, JPEG, HEIC, AVIF, WebP and TIFF [3]. The catch: it is Windows only, and the vendor's pages list no raw, PSD, mask, library or AI features [3][4]. Best for: Windows users who want a free editor for everyday photo work. ## Points | Criterion | Line | Value | Points | Note | |---|---|---|---|---| | Systems | Systems | Windows | 2/12 | Described as editing software for PCs that run Windows; the download page lists Windows 10 and 11 [1][2]. | | Editing tools | Camera raw editing | Not published | 0/10 | Not published on the vendor's features page; the format list names no camera raw formats [3]. | | Editing tools | Layers and masks | Not published | 0/8 | Layers and blend modes are documented, but layer masks are not mentioned [3][4]. | | Editing tools | Non-destructive editing | Not published | 0/6 | Not published on the vendor's features page; it describes undo history, not editable adjustments [3]. | | Editing tools | Local adjustments | Not published | 0/5 | Not published on the vendor's features page [3]. | | Editing tools | Opens and saves PSD | Not published | 0/3 | Not published on the vendor's features page; PDN is the native format, PSD is not listed [3]. | | Editing tools | HDR and panorama merge | Not published | 0/2 | Not published on the vendor's features page [3]. | | AI tools | AI subject and sky selection | Not published | 0/5 | Not published on the vendor's features page [3]. | | AI tools | AI object removal | Not published | 0/5 | Not published on the vendor's features page [3]. | | AI tools | AI noise reduction or upscaling | Not published | 0/3 | Not published on the vendor's features page [3]. | | Workflow | Built-in photo library | Not published | 0/5 | Not published on the vendor's features page [3]. | | Workflow | Batch editing and export | Not published | 0/4 | Not published on the vendor's features page [3]. | | Workflow | Soft proofing | Not published | 0/2 | Not published on the vendor's features page; it mentions colour management only [3]. | | Price and licence | Open source | No | 0/3 | The licence says you may not modify the software or create derivative works [5]. | | Price and licence | Free trial | Not published | 0/2 | Not published on the vendor's download page [2]; the free download is not a trial. | | Price and licence | Free version | Yes | 8/8 | The vendor's download page lists a free download from the vendor [2]. | | Price and licence | No subscription needed | Yes | 5/5 | Free to use from the vendor; the Store version is a paid listing, not marked as a subscription [2]. | | Price and licence | Price per month | $0 | 12/12 | Free download from the vendor [2]. | ## Plans | Plan | Price | Per month (USD) | |---|---|---| | Free download | Free [2] | $0 | | Microsoft Store | Paid; price not shown on the vendor's page [1][2] | - | The vendor's download page marks the Microsoft Store version Paid and gives no price; the free download is scored [2]. ## Strengths - The vendor's download is free [2]. - Layers can be reordered and given layer transparency, with many blend modes [4]. - The undo history records every action and is limited only by disk space [3][4]. - Third-party plugins add effects, adjustments and file formats [4]. ## Limits - It runs only on Windows [1][2]. - The format list names no camera raw or PSD support; more types come from plugins [3]. - The licence forbids modifying the software or creating derivative works [5]. - No layer masks, photo library, batch tools or AI tools are mentioned on the features or documentation pages [3][4]. ## Vendor claims (not scored) - Paint.NET says its rendering engine is multithreaded and that its features are optimized for current multicore CPUs, GPUs and NVMe SSDs [3][4]. ## Sources 1. [Paint.NET: Free Software for Digital Photo Editing](https://paint.net/), dotPDN, accessed 2026-10-08 2. [Paint.NET download](https://paint.net/download.html), dotPDN, accessed 2026-10-08 3. [Paint.NET features](https://paint.net/features.html), dotPDN, accessed 2026-10-08 4. [Paint.NET documentation: Overview and Features](https://paint.net/doc/latest/index.html), dotPDN, accessed 2026-10-08 5. [Paint.NET license](https://paint.net/license.html), dotPDN, accessed 2026-10-08