Are you looking for an alternative to Adobe Photoshop? Do you want to level up your editing game without spending a single penny? Well, you’re in luck because we’ve rounded up the top Photoshop alternatives that are all free!
From powerful open-source programs to lightweight and online alternatives, there’s an option for everyone. Keep reading to discover the best free Photoshop alternatives and revolutionize your editing.
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1. GIMP – the best free Photoshop alternative
GIMP is a free and open-source image editing software that can be used for various purposes such as photo retouching, image manipulation, and graphic design. It has a wide range of tools, including layer support, brushes, filters, and even 3D support. One of the key advantages of GIMP is that it supports a wide range of file formats, including popular ones such as PSD, JPEG, and PNG. Another advantage is that it is regularly updated, so users can benefit from the latest features and bug fixes.
GIMP – features, pros, and cons
Features
- Layer support
- Brushes and filters
- 3D support
- Wide range of file format support, including PSD, JPEG, and PNG
Pros
- Free and open-source
- Regularly updated with latest features and bug fixes
- Wide range of tools for photo retouching, image manipulation, and graphic design
- Supports a wide range of file formats, including popular ones such as PSD, JPEG, and PNG
Cons
- Steep learning curve for beginners
- User interface may not be as intuitive as commercial software
- Some advanced features may not be as robust as in commercial software
2. Krita – a powerful open-source alternative to Photoshop
Krita is an open-source digital painting software that can be used for a wide range of creative tasks, including drawing, painting, and animation. It has an intuitive user interface and plenty of features, including layer support, brushes, filters, and more. One of the key advantages of Krita is its support for drawing tablets, which makes it an excellent choice for artists who prefer to work with a stylus. It also has a wide range of customization options, so users can tailor it to their specific needs.
Krita – features, pros, and cons
Features
- Intuitive user interface
- Layer support
- Brushes and filters
- Support for drawing tablets
- Wide range of customization options
Pros
- Free and open-source
- Wide range of features for drawing, painting, and animation
- Excellent support for drawing tablets
- Intuitive user interface
- Regularly updated with latest features and bug fixes
Cons
- Some advanced features may not be as robust as in commercial software
- Steep learning curve for beginners who are not familiar with digital painting software
- Limited support for file formats other than Krita’s native format
3. Paint.net – a lightweight Photoshop alternative
Paint.net is a lightweight image editing software that is free to use. It is easy to use and has a range of basic tools, such as crop, resize, rotate, and color adjustment. One of the key advantages of Paint.net is its simplicity, which makes it a great choice for beginners who are looking for an alternative to Adobe Photoshop. However, it does lack some of the more advanced features that are available in other image editing software.
Paint.net – features, pros, and cons
Features
- Easy to use
- Basic tools such as crop, resize, rotate, and color adjustment
Pros
- Free to use
- Simple and user-friendly
- Great choice for beginners who are looking for an alternative to Adobe Photoshop
Cons
- Lacks some of the more advanced features that are available in other image editing software
4. Pixlr – an online Photoshop alternative
Pixlr is an online photo editor that is free to use. It has a wide range of tools, including layer support, brushes, filters, and more. One of the key advantages of Pixlr is that it can be used without downloading any software, which makes it a convenient choice for users who are on the go. Another advantage is that it is regularly updated, so users can benefit from the latest features and bug fixes.
Pixlr – features, pros, and cons
Features
- Layer support
- Brushes and filters
- Wide range of tools for photo editing
- Can be used online without downloading any software
Pros
- Free to use
- Can be used without downloading any software
- User-friendly interface
- Regularly updated with latest features and bug fixes
Cons
- Some advanced features may not be as robust as in commercial software
- Internet connection required to use the online version
- Limited support for file formats other than Pixlr’s native format
5. SumoPaint – a feature-rich Photoshop alternative
SumoPaint is a feature-rich image editing software that is free to use. It has a wide range of tools, including layer support, brushes, filters, and more. One of the key advantages of SumoPaint is its support for drawing tablets, which makes it an excellent choice for artists who prefer to work with a stylus. Another advantage is that it has a user-friendly interface, which makes it a great choice for beginners.
SumoPaint – features, pros, and cons
Features
- Layer support
- Brushes and filters
- Support for drawing tablets
- Wide range of tools for photo editing and graphic design
Pros
- Free to use
- User-friendly interface
- Excellent support for drawing tablets
- Wide range of tools for photo editing and graphic design
Cons
- Some advanced features may not be as robust as in commercial software
- Limited support for file formats other than SumoPaint’s native format
- Internet connection required to use the online version
6. Microsoft Windows 10 Photos – Adobe Photoshop alternative for Window Users
Microsoft Windows 10 Photos is a free image editing software that is easy to use. It has a range of basic tools, including crop, resize, rotate, and color adjustment. One of the key advantages of Microsoft Windows 10 Photos is its integration with the Windows operating system, which makes it a convenient choice for users who are already using Windows. Another advantage is that it is regularly updated, so users can benefit from the latest features and bug fixes.
Microsoft Windows 10 Photos – features, pros, and cons
Features
- Basic tools such as crop, resize, rotate, and color adjustment
Pros
- Free to use
- Easy to use
- Integration with the Windows operating system
Cons
- Limited features compared to advanced photo editing software
- Not available for other operating systems
7. Apple Photos – Adobe Alternative to Adobe Photoshop for Mac Users
Apple Photos is a photo editing software available for iOS users. It comes pre-installed on all Apple devices and offers a range of features, making it a great free alternative to Adobe Photoshop. One of the standout features of Apple Photos is its user-friendly interface, which makes it easy for beginners to use. The program also supports layers, brushes, and filters, allowing for more advanced editing capabilities. Additionally, Apple Photos includes tools for cropping, resizing, rotating, and adjusting colors, making it a versatile program for basic photo editing. The software is regularly updated, ensuring that users have access to the latest features and bug fixes.
Apple Photos – features, pros, and cons
Features
- User-friendly interface
- Support for layers, brushes, and filters
- Tools for cropping, resizing, rotating, and adjusting colors
Pros
- Free and pre-installed on Apple devices
- Offers a range of features, making it a great free alternative to Adobe Photoshop
- User-friendly interface, making it easy for beginners to use
- Regularly updated with latest features and bug fixes
Cons
- Limited editing capabilities compared to advanced photo editing software
- Only available for iOS users
8. Raw Therapee – Open-source Substitute for Photoshop
Raw Therapee is an open-source photo editing program that is a great substitute for Adobe Photoshop. It offers advanced editing features, including support for layers, brushes, and filters, and is particularly useful for editing RAW photo files. The program is designed to be user-friendly and offers a variety of tools for editing, such as cropping, resizing, and color adjustments. Raw Therapee is updated regularly, ensuring that users always have access to the latest features and bug fixes.
Raw Therapee – features, pros, and cons
Features
- Advanced editing features, including support for layers, brushes, and filters
- Designed for editing RAW photo files
- User-friendly interface
- Includes tools for cropping, resizing, and color adjustments
Pros
- Free and open-source
- Advanced editing capabilities compared to basic photo editing software
- Regularly updated with latest features and bug fixes
- Useful for organizing and editing large collections of photos
Cons
- Steep learning curve for beginners who are not familiar with editing RAW photo files
- Limited support for file formats other than RAW
- Not as widely used as commercial photo editing software, so finding support and tutorials may be more difficult
9. Darktable – Adobe Lightroom Alternative
Darktable is a powerful open-source photo editing program that is a great alternative to Adobe Lightroom. It offers advanced editing features, including support for layers, brushes, and filters, and is designed to be user-friendly. The program is particularly useful for organizing and editing large collections of photos. Darktable includes tools for cropping, resizing, and adjusting colors, making it a versatile program for basic photo editing. Like Raw Therapee, Darktable is updated regularly, ensuring that users have access to the latest features and bug fixes.
Darktable – features, pros, and cons
Features
- Advanced editing features, including support for layers, brushes, and filters
- Designed to be user-friendly
- Useful for organizing and editing large collections of photos
- Includes tools for cropping, resizing, and adjusting colors
Pros
- Free and open-source
- Advanced editing capabilities compared to basic photo editing software
- Regularly updated with latest features and bug fixes
- Useful for organizing and editing large collections of photos
Cons
- Steep learning curve for beginners who are not familiar with photo editing software
- Limited support for file formats other than RAW
- Not as widely used as commercial photo editing software, so finding support and tutorials may be more difficult