Since Microsoft retired Paint 3D from the Microsoft Store in November 2024, many users are looking for a Paint 3D alternative that is just as simple. No single app replaces everything, because Paint 3D mixed quick 2D photo edits with beginner 3D modeling. So we grouped the best options by what you actually need. Prefer to keep the original? You can still install Paint 3D on Windows 11.

App	Price	Platform	2D	3D	Best for
Microsoft Paint	Free	Windows	Yes	No	Quick edits
Tinkercad	Free	Browser	No	Yes	Beginner 3D
Blender	Free	Win, Mac, Linux	Limited	Yes	Pro 3D
SketchUp Free	Free	Browser	No	Yes	3D design
Krita	Free	Win, Mac, Linux	Yes	No	Illustration
Paint.NET	Free	Windows	Yes	No	Photo editing
GIMP	Free	Win, Mac, Linux	Yes	No	Advanced editing
Vectary	Free plan	Browser	No	Yes	3D mockups

1. Microsoft Paint Best for 2D

Microsoft chose to invest in the classic Paint app instead of Paint 3D, and it shows. Recent versions on Windows 11 add layers, transparency, and one-click background removal, which covers the most popular Paint 3D task. It has no 3D tools at all, though. Compare them side by side in Paint 3D vs MS Paint.

2. Tinkercad Best for 3D beginners

Autodesk Tinkercad is the closest thing to Paint 3D’s 3D workspace. You build models by combining simple shapes, it runs entirely in the browser, and it exports STL and OBJ files for 3D printing. It is also popular in schools, so it suits the same students who used Paint 3D.

3. Blender Best for pros

Blender is a free, open-source 3D suite for modeling, sculpting, texturing, animation, and rendering. It can do everything Paint 3D did and far more, but the learning curve is steep. Choose it if you want to grow into serious 3D work.

4. SketchUp Free

The free web version of SketchUp is built for architecture, furniture, and product concepts. Its push-pull modeling is intuitive once you learn a few shortcuts, and it is more precise than Paint 3D for anything with real measurements.

5. Krita

If you mostly used Paint 3D’s brushes, Krita is a big upgrade. This open-source painting app offers hundreds of brushes, layers, and pressure support for drawing tablets.

6. Paint.NET

Paint.NET is a lightweight Windows photo editor with layers, effects, and plugins. It is a natural step up for anyone who used Paint 3D for cropping, resizing, and simple photo fixes.

7. GIMP

GIMP is a free, open-source image editor often compared to Photoshop. It handles masks, advanced selections, and retouching, making it the strongest free option for detailed background removal.

8. Vectary

Vectary is a browser-based 3D design tool aimed at product mockups and interactive 3D scenes. The free plan is enough to try it and create simple designs.

How to choose

• You removed backgrounds and edited photos: Microsoft Paint, or GIMP for more control.
• You built simple 3D models: Tinkercad.
• You want to learn real 3D: Blender.
• You drew and painted: Krita.

Honest take: for beginners who want 2D and 3D in one simple app, nothing has fully replaced Paint 3D yet. If it runs on your PC, it is still worth keeping. See our Paint 3D beginner guide to get the most out of it.

FAQ

What replaced Paint 3D?

Microsoft did not release a direct successor. Instead, it added layers and background removal to the classic Microsoft Paint app.

What is the best free Paint 3D alternative for Mac?

Tinkercad for simple 3D, since it runs in the browser, and Blender or Krita for more advanced 3D or painting work.