If you're looking for the best drawing app for iPad to rule them all, you can't go wrong. Mac OS doesn't come with any paint app but that doesn't mean that there is a dearth of paint apps on Mac and it is quite the opposite. But before downloading any third-party app, we highly recommend checking out Preview and checking whether it fulfills all your needs or not.
- Does Mac Have A Paint App
- Microsoft Paint Equivalent For Mac
- Microsoft Paint For Mac
- Mac Version Of Paint
Have you ever wondered if Paint for Mac exists or not? Are you an ex- Windows user who recently shifted to Mac but misses Paint? If yes, this post is specially written to catch your interest and help you. You will find answers to all your questions along with some Paint alternatives for Mac in this post.
Here, I will explain to you about if Paint on Mac exists or not, and what are the best Paint alternatives that you can use on Mac to channel your inner artist. Paint is a popular drawing app that has been the favorite tool for Windows users for decades. Finding Paint on Mac would be nothing less than a bliss.
Contents
- 2 8 Best Tools That Work Like Paint for Mac
Is Microsoft Paint for Mac Available?
The straight and short answer to this frequently asked question is NO. But, there are other options available that can help you to have a paint-esque experience on Mac. Microsoft Paint is a simple but fun drawing tool that has fans all over the world. When I was a kid, the first thing that I was intrigued to on my Windows PC was the Paint software. The same is the case with millions across the globe. Paint might not be an advanced tool but is a must-have utility for computers.
That's why a lot of people search ‘Paint for Mac' to use their favorite tool on their Mac computers. Earlier, Apple included a Paint-like application known as MacPaint on the original Macintosh, but the idea was scrapped with the newer releases. As Microsoft Paint is officially not available on Mac, so you have to look for other options for your drawing needs on the Mac.
8 Best Tools That Work Like Paint for Mac
As Paint is not available for Mac, you'll need to find other apps that can help you to draw, sketch, and edit. So, here I'm listing the 8 Best Tools that work exactly like Paint. You may need to use different tools for different needs, but that's what you can do if you want Paint for Mac.
1. Mac Preview App
Preview is the default built-in app on Mac to view Images and PDF files. But, the Preview also has the ability to be the Paint for Mac. It has a set of tools that can help you to view, edit, draw, and annotate images. You just have to drag the image you want to annotate on the Preview icon in the Dock. Or, right-click on the image, click on Open with and then select Preview.
The most used tools of the Preview app are zoom, rotate, and crop. But, it also offers some advanced tools that you can access by clicking on the Toolbox icon present on the left side of the search bar. This will open the Markup Toolbar that can help you annotate and edit pictures.
2. Paint 2
Paint 2 is the next name on our list. It has a very similar user interface to Microsoft Paint. Hence, it is able to provide you the nearest experience to the original Paint software. It has all the features including the spray can-like airbrush that are the highlights of Paint. Additionally, it has some advanced features like layers that can help you create unique designs. You can move the layers up and down, or use multiple layers to manipulate your creations.
One notable feature is the magic selectiontool which is really useful. This app is available for free but also has a paid version that comes with added advantages. If you are a graphic professional, you can go for the paid version. For casual users, the free version is enough.
3. Paintbrush
Paintbrush is another free painting app for Mac that you can use. It provides a user experience that is very similar to Paint. If you want to draw or edit on a white canvas, this tool is able to fulfill your needs. This app also has a spray-can airbrush that is the favorite of the Paint users. It is a simple tool that you can use to create basic images with light tools. You can export your creations in various formats including JPEG, PNG, etc.
However, if you are a power user who wants to create high-quality art, then you might become an instant fan of this app.
4. Paint X Lite
Paint X Lite is the next Paint alternative for Mac that has a free and a paid version. The free version is known as Paint X Lite and it offers all the basic features that Paint provided. Additionally, it offers some extra features that you'll find really useful. Some common Paint-esque tools of this app are pencil, color picker, fill bucket, and text box. You can use it to create beautiful pieces of art.
The only limitation with the free version is that it puts a watermark on your image which says Created by Paint X. Apart from that, the app is great and simple to use.
5. GIMP
GIMP is an open-source app for Mac users that is available for free. It is a powerful app that has the ability to be an alternative to Paint as well as Photoshop. It has all the features that a graphic artist will ever need. The limits to create wonderful art on GIMP is how creative you could be. You'll never be short of tools here. It even has beautiful filters, effects, and correction tools to customize your creations. You can also use layers to create animated GIFs.
The interface of the app is self-explanatory. But, the beginners may need some time before understanding it fully. It is like an evolved version of Paint for Mac.
6. Acorn
Does Mac Have A Paint App
Acorn is one more very simple painting app for Mac. It has all the features that a Paint-fan finds on Mac drawing apps. But, it also offers some additional functions that may come really handy in certain situations. The user interface of the app is very similar to Paint and anyone can realize that at the first glance itself. It also supports layers so you can use them to edit your creations.
This app offers a 15-days free trial that you can use to try it out fully. And, if you find it worthy, you can purchase it for a price of $29.99.
7. Pixelmator
Pixelmator is one more tool that has the ability to be the Paint for Mac. It has a number of advanced features that make it even better than Paint. But, you can still find your favorite basic painting tools as well. The user interface is very simple and anyone can understand it very well. One useful feature of this app is the slice tool that lets you slice images and export them separately.
Pixelmator doesn't have a free version, and this might be the only considerable limitation with it. You have to pay a one-time fee of $29.99 to purchase it.
8. Mischief
Mischief is the ultimate name on our list. It is an amazing drawing app for Mac that comes with all the basic set of tools that you'll need. You can use it to create beautiful pieces of art. The user interface is very similar to MS Paint and you can easily use it without any trouble. This app is also available in a free and a paid version. The paid version costs $25 but the good thing is you'll get a 15-days free trial before deciding to pay.
Microsoft Paint Equivalent For Mac
All in all, this app is a complete package if you need a Paint-like app on your Mac computer.
Microsoft Paint For Mac
2. Paint 2
Paint 2 is the next name on our list. It has a very similar user interface to Microsoft Paint. Hence, it is able to provide you the nearest experience to the original Paint software. It has all the features including the spray can-like airbrush that are the highlights of Paint. Additionally, it has some advanced features like layers that can help you create unique designs. You can move the layers up and down, or use multiple layers to manipulate your creations.
One notable feature is the magic selectiontool which is really useful. This app is available for free but also has a paid version that comes with added advantages. If you are a graphic professional, you can go for the paid version. For casual users, the free version is enough.
3. Paintbrush
Paintbrush is another free painting app for Mac that you can use. It provides a user experience that is very similar to Paint. If you want to draw or edit on a white canvas, this tool is able to fulfill your needs. This app also has a spray-can airbrush that is the favorite of the Paint users. It is a simple tool that you can use to create basic images with light tools. You can export your creations in various formats including JPEG, PNG, etc.
However, if you are a power user who wants to create high-quality art, then you might become an instant fan of this app.
4. Paint X Lite
Paint X Lite is the next Paint alternative for Mac that has a free and a paid version. The free version is known as Paint X Lite and it offers all the basic features that Paint provided. Additionally, it offers some extra features that you'll find really useful. Some common Paint-esque tools of this app are pencil, color picker, fill bucket, and text box. You can use it to create beautiful pieces of art.
The only limitation with the free version is that it puts a watermark on your image which says Created by Paint X. Apart from that, the app is great and simple to use.
5. GIMP
GIMP is an open-source app for Mac users that is available for free. It is a powerful app that has the ability to be an alternative to Paint as well as Photoshop. It has all the features that a graphic artist will ever need. The limits to create wonderful art on GIMP is how creative you could be. You'll never be short of tools here. It even has beautiful filters, effects, and correction tools to customize your creations. You can also use layers to create animated GIFs.
The interface of the app is self-explanatory. But, the beginners may need some time before understanding it fully. It is like an evolved version of Paint for Mac.
6. Acorn
Does Mac Have A Paint App
Acorn is one more very simple painting app for Mac. It has all the features that a Paint-fan finds on Mac drawing apps. But, it also offers some additional functions that may come really handy in certain situations. The user interface of the app is very similar to Paint and anyone can realize that at the first glance itself. It also supports layers so you can use them to edit your creations.
This app offers a 15-days free trial that you can use to try it out fully. And, if you find it worthy, you can purchase it for a price of $29.99.
7. Pixelmator
Pixelmator is one more tool that has the ability to be the Paint for Mac. It has a number of advanced features that make it even better than Paint. But, you can still find your favorite basic painting tools as well. The user interface is very simple and anyone can understand it very well. One useful feature of this app is the slice tool that lets you slice images and export them separately.
Pixelmator doesn't have a free version, and this might be the only considerable limitation with it. You have to pay a one-time fee of $29.99 to purchase it.
8. Mischief
Mischief is the ultimate name on our list. It is an amazing drawing app for Mac that comes with all the basic set of tools that you'll need. You can use it to create beautiful pieces of art. The user interface is very similar to MS Paint and you can easily use it without any trouble. This app is also available in a free and a paid version. The paid version costs $25 but the good thing is you'll get a 15-days free trial before deciding to pay.
Microsoft Paint Equivalent For Mac
All in all, this app is a complete package if you need a Paint-like app on your Mac computer.
Microsoft Paint For Mac
Mac Version Of Paint
Final Thoughts
As Paint for Mac does not exist, these Paint alternatives can help you to create awesome digital arts. If you know more about such tools, let me know in the comments below. So, I can update the readers about them. Also, if you need any help with anything written in this post, you can convey the issue to me using the comment box.
