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Microsoft Paint vs Notepad++

Professional comparison and analysis to help you choose the right software solution for your needs.

Microsoft Paint icon
Microsoft Paint
Notepad++ icon
Notepad++

Microsoft Paint vs Notepad++: The Verdict

⚡ Summary:

Microsoft Paint: Microsoft Paint is a simple raster graphics editor that comes pre-installed with Microsoft Windows. It allows users to draw simple images, crop and resize images, and apply basic edits like rotating images and changing color palettes. Common uses are making simple diagrams, editing screenshots, and basic image manipulation.

Notepad++: Notepad++ is a free and open-source text editor for Windows. It supports syntax highlighting for over 100 programming languages and markup languages. Notepad++ is highly customizable with plugins and themes and includes features like multi-view editing, macro recording and code folding.

Both tools serve their respective audiences. Compare the features, pricing, and user ratings above to determine which best fits your needs.

Last updated: May 2026 · Comparison by Sugggest Editorial Team

Feature Microsoft Paint Notepad++
Sugggest Score — —
Category Photos & Graphics Development
Pricing — Free

Product Overview

Microsoft Paint
Microsoft Paint

Description: Microsoft Paint is a simple raster graphics editor that comes pre-installed with Microsoft Windows. It allows users to draw simple images, crop and resize images, and apply basic edits like rotating images and changing color palettes. Common uses are making simple diagrams, editing screenshots, and basic image manipulation.

Type: software

Notepad++
Notepad++

Description: Notepad++ is a free and open-source text editor for Windows. It supports syntax highlighting for over 100 programming languages and markup languages. Notepad++ is highly customizable with plugins and themes and includes features like multi-view editing, macro recording and code folding.

Type: software

Pricing: Free

Key Features Comparison

Microsoft Paint
Microsoft Paint Features
  • Basic drawing tools (brush, pencil, eraser, etc)
  • Basic shape tools (rectangle, ellipse, etc)
  • Simple image editing tools (crop, resize, rotate, flip, etc)
  • Basic text insertion
  • Basic color palette editing
  • Saving images in common formats like JPEG, PNG, GIF
  • Opening and editing image files
  • Copy and paste images or parts of images
Notepad++
Notepad++ Features
  • Syntax highlighting
  • Code folding
  • Multi-document interface
  • Plugin support
  • Macro support
  • Search/replace
  • Zoom in/out
  • Word wrap
  • Tabbed interface

Pros & Cons Analysis

Microsoft Paint
Microsoft Paint
Pros
  • Simple and easy to use
  • Comes pre-installed on Windows
  • Good for basic image editing and drawing
  • Intuitive interface
  • Lightweight and fast
Cons
  • Very limited features compared to advanced editors
  • Lack of layers makes complex image editing difficult
  • Few advanced image manipulation tools
  • Can only edit flat images, no 3D or vector graphics
  • Saving can degrade image quality compared to source formats
Notepad++
Notepad++
Pros
  • Free and open source
  • Lightweight and fast
  • Highly customizable
  • Supports many languages
  • Available on Windows
Cons
  • Windows only
  • Lacks some IDE features
  • Steep learning curve
  • UI not as polished as some alternatives

Pricing Comparison

Microsoft Paint
Microsoft Paint
  • Not listed
Notepad++
Notepad++
  • Free

Related Comparisons

Learn More About Each Product

Microsoft Paint
Microsoft Paint
Reviews, pricing & alternatives →
Notepad++
Notepad++
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