Free Open Source Rust MIT License

Download PaintFE

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Latest release asset links will load automatically from GitHub.

3
Desktop Platforms
Local
Desktop Processing
15
Languages
MIT
License
WIN
Windows
Native Windows application. Windows 10 v1903+ and Windows 11. GPU acceleration via DirectX 12 or Vulkan.
Download Portable .exe Download Checksums Get it from the Microsoft Store
Also available through the Microsoft Store where the listing is available. Store delivery and update behaviour are managed by Microsoft.
Windows 10 v1903+ / Windows 11 · x64
LNX
Linux
Native Linux binary. GPU acceleration via Vulkan. AppImage for distribution-independent deployment.
Download .AppImage Download Raw Binary
Also available via the AUR (Arch User Repository). Community package versions can lag GitHub releases:
yay -S paintfe
Check the AUR package details before installing so you can confirm the packaged version.
Ubuntu 20.04+ / Arch / Fedora 36+ · x64
MAC
macOS
GitHub autobuilds for both Apple Silicon and Intel Macs. These builds are unsigned and unnotarized, so expect macOS security prompts on first launch.
Download Apple Silicon .dmg Download Intel .dmg
GitHub release builds. Use the arm64 build on Apple Silicon Macs and the x86_64 build on Intel Macs.
Apple Silicon / Intel · unsigned .dmg
!
Windows Portable Builds Are Unsigned

The portable .exe is unsigned, so SmartScreen may show "Windows protected your PC". Click More info then Run anyway. If you want the cleanest Windows install path, use the Microsoft Store build. Detailed steps are on the Help page.

!
macOS Builds Are Unsigned and Unnotarized

The macOS GitHub release builds are unsigned and unnotarized. Open the .dmg, copy PaintFE to your Mac, then use Right-click → Open on first launch. If Gatekeeper still blocks it, go to System Settings → Privacy & Security and click Open Anyway. More detail is on the Help page.

What's Included
  • Portable native releases
  • Built-in and custom brush tips
  • Built-in and custom shapes
  • Release sizes vary by platform
  • 15 languages built-in
  • Rhai scripting engine
  • GPU compute shaders
  • No internet required
Completely Local & Portable

Native editing is local. No telemetry, license checks, or built-in updater. You choose when to update.

requirements

System Requirements

Release targets
WindowsWindows 10/11 · x86-64
Linuxx86-64 · Vulkan
macOSApple Silicon or Intel
BrowserDesktop WebGPU/WebGL browser; some native-only features are unavailable
Practical guidance
DriversUse current graphics drivers
MemoryScales with canvas and layer count
CPUMore native cores improve parallel work
WebSome native features are unavailable

AI Background Removal (optional) requires additional memory and a local ONNX Runtime. See the desktop AI setup notes.

build from source

Build from source

Standard Rust/Cargo project. Build time depends on the machine and whether dependencies are already cached.

1
Install Rust
Via rustup.rs (stable channel). Handles Windows, Linux, and macOS.
2
Clone & build
git clone https://github.com/kylejckson/PaintFE.git
cd paintfe
cargo build --release
3
Run
./target/release/paintfe
Settings save to %APPDATA%/PaintFE/ (Windows), ~/.config/paintfe/ (Linux), or ~/Library/Application Support/PaintFE/ (macOS).
License & Source

MIT Licensed, Open Source

Use commercially, fork it, embed it, redistribute it. Only condition: preserve the license notice.

Windows portable downloads are unsigned, and the macOS .dmg builds are unsigned and unnotarized. Code signing is planned. The Microsoft Store listing, where available, is distributed through Microsoft. Native editing is local with no telemetry.

Also available
Headless CLI

Full batch processing CLI for scripted workflows. Glob support, Rhai scripts, format conversion.

View CLI reference →