Krita vs Paint.NET: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Krita and Paint.NET side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below, Paint.NET leads on higher user rating. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Krita
Free digital painting and illustration software
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (Paint.NET requires payment)
Paint.NET
Powerful yet simple image and photo editing software for Windows PCs.
Best for you if:
- • You want free to download and use (with optional paid version on Microsoft Store)
| At a Glance | Krita | Paint.NET |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free 100% free | Free plan |
Category | Graphic Design Image Editing | Graphic Design Image Editing |
Rating | 4.3/5 Capterra 4.4 · G2 4.4 · SourceForge 2.5 147 reviews | 4.7/5 Capterra 4.6 · SourceForge 5.0 39 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose Krita or Paint.NET?
Choose Krita if
- You want a fully free tool (Paint.NET requires payment)
- You want free digital painting
- You want professional brushes
Choose Paint.NET if
- You want free to download and use (with optional paid version on Microsoft Store)
- You want fast performance and optimized for modern hardware
In-Depth Analysis
Krita
Free digital painting and illustration software
Krita's pricing is exceptionally generous, being entirely free and open-source.
Strengths
- Pro: Free digital painting
- Pro: Professional brushes
- Pro: Animation support
- Pro: Cross-platform
- Pro: Active development
Weaknesses
- Con: Not for photo editing
- Con: Resource heavy
- Con: Learning curve
- Con: UI overwhelming
- Con: Tablet issues sometimes
Key features
Paint.NET
Powerful yet simple image and photo editing software for Windows PCs.
Paint.NET offers an incredibly generous pricing model, with its core software available for free.
Strengths
- Pro: Free to download and use (with optional paid version on Microsoft Store)
- Pro: Fast performance and optimized for modern hardware
- Pro: User-friendly interface, easy to learn
- Pro: Includes advanced features like layers and color management
- Pro: Active online community with tutorials and plugins
Weaknesses
- Con: Only available for Windows PCs
- Con: Some advanced features might require plugins
- Con: Not as feature-rich as professional-grade software like Adobe Photoshop
Key features
Plans and prices: Krita vs Paint.NET
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Krita |
| krita.org read Sep 28, 2026 |
| Paint.NET |
| getpaint.net read Nov 2, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Krita pricing and Paint.NET pricing.
Key Takeaways
Krita
- Choose if you want free digital painting and illustration software
Paint.NET
- Higher user rating: 4.7/5 vs 4.3/5
What the data shows
On the data below, Paint.NET leads on higher user rating. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
- Paint.NET has the higher user rating (4.3/5 from 147 reviews for Krita, 4.7/5 from 39 reviews for Paint.NET).
- Both have a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Krita and Paint.NET compare in 2026?
On the data below, Paint.NET leads on higher user rating. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. Paint.NET has the higher user rating (4.3/5 from 147 reviews for Krita, 4.7/5 from 39 reviews for Paint.NET). Both have a free plan.
What are Krita and Paint.NET used for?
Krita: Free digital painting and illustration software. Paint.NET: Powerful yet simple image and photo editing software for Windows PCs.
What does Krita cost vs Paint.NET?
Krita is free. Paint.NET has no public paid-plan price on file. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Nov 2, 2026.
What's the main difference between Krita and Paint.NET?
Krita's main strength: free digital painting. Paint.NET's main strength: free to download and use (with optional paid version on Microsoft Store).