Perhaps the most well known Photoshop alternative, GIMP has been around for ages and is one of the first programs that comes to mind for many people when they think 'free Photoshop.' It's an open-source program available for Windows, Mac, and Linux, and the official website offers a lot of helpful tutorials.
- January 01, 2020
- 18 min to read
- Popular free Alternatives to Adobe Photoshop for Windows, Mac, Web, Linux, iPhone and more. Explore 25+ apps like Adobe Photoshop, all suggested and ranked by the AlternativeTo user community.
- Yes, we admit, no freeware program can serve as a complete replacement for a high-end program like Adobe Photoshop. But we truly believe that a creative, clever, budget-conscious designer can overcome the limitations of any program and create beautiful results. Are there any free Photoshop alternatives out there that we missed?
If you need to make a few tweaks to your images, but do not want to use Photoshop, you are in luck as there are several superb solutions. Here are the 15 best alternatives in no particular order:
1. Luminar 4 (Free Trial 7 days)
When time for editing your photos is a luxury, Luminar 4 can help. Luminar 4 lets you transform your photos in a flash and synchronizes all the edits that you have made effortlessly. What makes it so great is that you can easily browse all your photos as it automatically organizes your photos which makes navigation simple. Luminar Libraries also boast a very modern interface which optimizes the viewing experience.
Luminar 4 offers many great adjustable styles, features, and tools that you will fall in love with such as its AI Sky Enhancers, Advanced Contrast, and Dehaze to mention only a few.
2. Pixlr (Free Version Available)
Pixlr boasts an interface that is really not much different from Photoshop. It offers hundreds of overlays, borders and other effects. If you simply want to crop your image or whiten your teeth on your iOS or Android device, Pixlr is the right tool for the job. With Pixlr, you can complete all the editing tasks that a good basic photo editor will allow.
3. PicMonkey (Trial 7 days)
The beauty of PicMonkey is found in its easy-to-use interface. If you need to put together a collage, this is your tool to use. All you have to do is upload your images and drag them into the right spot.
4. Adobe Photoshop Elements (Free Trial 30 days)
Do not be fooled by the name, Adobe Photoshop Elements is not the actual Photoshop. However, countless users have experienced that the Adobe Photoshop Elements app offers all the tools that they require to enhance their images. In short, this app has been reduced to the essentials.
With the help of its Adjustment and Blend layers, you can turn any photo into the most amazing image in barely any time at all. Thanks to its guided mode, it is also geared towards beginners.
When it comes to finding a Photoshop alternative, your only challenge will be to identify the software solution that works the best for your unique needs. Why not give them all a try? You might just discover that the best course of action will be to use a couple of these tools instead of just one.
5. Sketch (Free Trial 30 days, MacOS only)
If you are working on a Mac and in need of a budget-friendly alternative to Photoshop, Sketch is the answer. Sketch is a vector graphics app that has the design field all excited, specifically website designers. As it is so popular, you will be able to access countless plug-ins that have been created by the community that will make this app even more functional.
Its user interface is easy to understand and boasts several features such as gradients and layers that are similar to Illustrator and Photoshop. What is more, it also offers a color picker and style presets. You can use one of the basic shapes to create your own graphic or start from scratch with the help of the pencil tool. This app is really so flexible!
6. GNU Image Manipulation Program (GIMP)
GNU is an open-source cross-platform image editor. Can i install office on a mac. Dragon spin slot machine. As its interface is very similar to Photoshop, it will not take you too long to familiarize yourself with GIMP. Though, users who do not have any image editing experience will find the different GIMP tutorials very useful.
It offers color correction, enhancement as well as painting tools to mention only a couple of its features and is compatible with Windows, Linux, and Mac.
7. Acorn (Trial 14 days) Mw3 intel locations with pictures.
Mac users who are searching for image editing software need to look no further than Acorn. It is a cost-effective solution if you do not have access to Photoshop. What makes it so great is that it is quick, enjoyable to use and offers useful features.
Some of its features include non-destructive filters, custom brushes and layer styles to mention only a few. The software is easy to use, but, you can rest assured, there are tutorials available for both beginners as well as image editing experts.
8. Affinity Photo (Trial)
Affinity Photo is for sure one of the best Photoshop alternatives. It is ideal for professional designers and photographers as it is completely compatible with Photoshop as well as other file formats. What makes it such a great alternative is that it is not nearly as expensive as Photoshop. Though, users can rest assured as it will still deliver the same performance (if not better).
It is compatible with Mac and Windows. If you are using an iPad, you will be happy to know that Affinity Photo for iPad is also available.
9. Pixelmator Pro (Trial 30 days)
Pixelmator is not a new Photoshop alternative, but recently the Pixelmator Pro version which uses a user-friendly single-window interface has been added to the mix. On top of that, the Pixelmator Pro version also boasts non-destructive image editing and offers features that include split view and a hidden interface that allows you to view your images without any distractions.
It is only available for Mac users.
10. SumoPaint (Online + Desktop)
The different standard features that you would expect in a Photoshop alternative, SumoPaint has to offer. There are shapes, brushes, gradients, text, and pencils that you can effortlessly access.
Though a word of warning to Photoshop users - a couple of its tools work differently and there are some limitations. Overall, this image editor remains very capable and can load in a flash.
11. Paint.net
Paint.net is a powerful and practical tool that Windows users can rely on instead of Photoshop. It is a capable and functional tool that concentrates less on artistic creation and more on photo editing. Minecraft pc version cost. Authenticator blizzard app.
It offers a decent variety of tools and special effects that include brightness/contrast and repeat selections. It might not boast all the serious editing tools, but that only means that it is not as difficult to master making it the ideal image editor tool for beginners.
12. Canva (Free Basic Plan + Trial 30 days)
Canva is where you will find countless layouts, stock photos, fonts and other great design elements. The best part is that several of these you can use at zero cost. You can use this app to design your business card or put together a birthday card.
13. CorelDRAW Graphics Suite (Trial 15 days or Full Paid or Monthly sub)
Windows users will love the tools that CorelDRAW has to offer. This Photoshop alternative boasts an interactive tool that will help you to straighten your image or adjust the perspective. Though, one of its most impressive features is its stylus control that reacts to a different pressure.
If you are working with Windows 10, this is the perfect fit. Windows users will also be happy to know that it supports 4K displays and multi-monitor viewing.
14. Photolemur (Free Version with watermark available)
Best choice for beginners or people who have no time to edit photos. Enhancing your images has never been easier thanks to Photolemur. By using AI, this automatic photo enhancer app enhances your images without you having to lift a finger. You simply need to import your images to Photolemur and it will get the job done automatically. This means that you do not require any prior editing experience to complete tasks like getting rid of imperfections. It is oh-so easy and available for both Mac and Windows.
15. Serif PhotoPlus
Many people have already relied on this app for years. It is ideal for users who are only starting with image editing now as it offers great support for new users in the form of videos and tutorials. What is more, users can get great tips on their active forum for fellow users. Thanks to its latest release, Serif PhotoPlus users will be also able to work with their RAW image files much easier.
The Adobe Photoshop is the most widely chosen and used photo editing tool. It essential become a verb that most of the people use when they ask someone to edit a photo and enhance its quality. Though it has been a popular tool for years, it does not mean you have to stick to it for all your image editing demands. There are some other tools which provide equally impressive features as Adobe Photoshop. Unlike Photoshop, you can use these tools for free.
So, let's find out which are Top Free Alternatives for Photoshop.
1. Krita
Krita is a feature-rich image editing tool that you can download for free on your Windows PC. It provides a number of impressive features just like Adobe Photoshop. Numerous people left Photoshop in a quest to find a better alternative. Most of them used Krita and found it pretty impressive. The user interface of this tool is pretty similar to what Photoshop offers. The developers have arranged toolbars in a pretty similar way so that you can easily use all the functions featured there for editing.
This photo editor tool allows you to open multiple images at the same time. You can edit all of them according to the demands and use the Slice tool that provides additional support for tools. Krita is totally free to use but you can also use the paid version if you wish to work with the developers in order to improve your work and the performance of this application.
2. GIMP
When it comes to choosing one of the top recommended alternatives to Adobe Photoshop, GIMP would be the one many experts will suggest. The GNU Image Manipulation Program is a sophisticated creative and image editing tool. It allows you to perform every image enhancement operation that you perform on Adobe Photoshop. Many people also say that it intimates the key features offered by Photoshop.
Some individuals might not like it completely because a number of brushes apply the same settings. It might feel a bit frustrating, especially when you have to switch between different brushes. So, consider both the pros and cons before you decide to get this free photo editing tool.
3. Pixlr – Online Photo Editor
4. Adobe Photoshop Elements (Free Trial 30 days)
Do not be fooled by the name, Adobe Photoshop Elements is not the actual Photoshop. However, countless users have experienced that the Adobe Photoshop Elements app offers all the tools that they require to enhance their images. In short, this app has been reduced to the essentials.
With the help of its Adjustment and Blend layers, you can turn any photo into the most amazing image in barely any time at all. Thanks to its guided mode, it is also geared towards beginners.
When it comes to finding a Photoshop alternative, your only challenge will be to identify the software solution that works the best for your unique needs. Why not give them all a try? You might just discover that the best course of action will be to use a couple of these tools instead of just one.
5. Sketch (Free Trial 30 days, MacOS only)
If you are working on a Mac and in need of a budget-friendly alternative to Photoshop, Sketch is the answer. Sketch is a vector graphics app that has the design field all excited, specifically website designers. As it is so popular, you will be able to access countless plug-ins that have been created by the community that will make this app even more functional.
Its user interface is easy to understand and boasts several features such as gradients and layers that are similar to Illustrator and Photoshop. What is more, it also offers a color picker and style presets. You can use one of the basic shapes to create your own graphic or start from scratch with the help of the pencil tool. This app is really so flexible!
6. GNU Image Manipulation Program (GIMP)
GNU is an open-source cross-platform image editor. Can i install office on a mac. Dragon spin slot machine. As its interface is very similar to Photoshop, it will not take you too long to familiarize yourself with GIMP. Though, users who do not have any image editing experience will find the different GIMP tutorials very useful.
It offers color correction, enhancement as well as painting tools to mention only a couple of its features and is compatible with Windows, Linux, and Mac.
7. Acorn (Trial 14 days) Mw3 intel locations with pictures.
Mac users who are searching for image editing software need to look no further than Acorn. It is a cost-effective solution if you do not have access to Photoshop. What makes it so great is that it is quick, enjoyable to use and offers useful features.
Some of its features include non-destructive filters, custom brushes and layer styles to mention only a few. The software is easy to use, but, you can rest assured, there are tutorials available for both beginners as well as image editing experts.
8. Affinity Photo (Trial)
Affinity Photo is for sure one of the best Photoshop alternatives. It is ideal for professional designers and photographers as it is completely compatible with Photoshop as well as other file formats. What makes it such a great alternative is that it is not nearly as expensive as Photoshop. Though, users can rest assured as it will still deliver the same performance (if not better).
It is compatible with Mac and Windows. If you are using an iPad, you will be happy to know that Affinity Photo for iPad is also available.
9. Pixelmator Pro (Trial 30 days)
Pixelmator is not a new Photoshop alternative, but recently the Pixelmator Pro version which uses a user-friendly single-window interface has been added to the mix. On top of that, the Pixelmator Pro version also boasts non-destructive image editing and offers features that include split view and a hidden interface that allows you to view your images without any distractions.
It is only available for Mac users.
10. SumoPaint (Online + Desktop)
The different standard features that you would expect in a Photoshop alternative, SumoPaint has to offer. There are shapes, brushes, gradients, text, and pencils that you can effortlessly access.
Though a word of warning to Photoshop users - a couple of its tools work differently and there are some limitations. Overall, this image editor remains very capable and can load in a flash.
11. Paint.net
Paint.net is a powerful and practical tool that Windows users can rely on instead of Photoshop. It is a capable and functional tool that concentrates less on artistic creation and more on photo editing. Minecraft pc version cost. Authenticator blizzard app.
It offers a decent variety of tools and special effects that include brightness/contrast and repeat selections. It might not boast all the serious editing tools, but that only means that it is not as difficult to master making it the ideal image editor tool for beginners.
12. Canva (Free Basic Plan + Trial 30 days)
Canva is where you will find countless layouts, stock photos, fonts and other great design elements. The best part is that several of these you can use at zero cost. You can use this app to design your business card or put together a birthday card.
13. CorelDRAW Graphics Suite (Trial 15 days or Full Paid or Monthly sub)
Windows users will love the tools that CorelDRAW has to offer. This Photoshop alternative boasts an interactive tool that will help you to straighten your image or adjust the perspective. Though, one of its most impressive features is its stylus control that reacts to a different pressure.
If you are working with Windows 10, this is the perfect fit. Windows users will also be happy to know that it supports 4K displays and multi-monitor viewing.
14. Photolemur (Free Version with watermark available)
Best choice for beginners or people who have no time to edit photos. Enhancing your images has never been easier thanks to Photolemur. By using AI, this automatic photo enhancer app enhances your images without you having to lift a finger. You simply need to import your images to Photolemur and it will get the job done automatically. This means that you do not require any prior editing experience to complete tasks like getting rid of imperfections. It is oh-so easy and available for both Mac and Windows.
15. Serif PhotoPlus
Many people have already relied on this app for years. It is ideal for users who are only starting with image editing now as it offers great support for new users in the form of videos and tutorials. What is more, users can get great tips on their active forum for fellow users. Thanks to its latest release, Serif PhotoPlus users will be also able to work with their RAW image files much easier.
The Adobe Photoshop is the most widely chosen and used photo editing tool. It essential become a verb that most of the people use when they ask someone to edit a photo and enhance its quality. Though it has been a popular tool for years, it does not mean you have to stick to it for all your image editing demands. There are some other tools which provide equally impressive features as Adobe Photoshop. Unlike Photoshop, you can use these tools for free.
So, let's find out which are Top Free Alternatives for Photoshop.
1. Krita
Krita is a feature-rich image editing tool that you can download for free on your Windows PC. It provides a number of impressive features just like Adobe Photoshop. Numerous people left Photoshop in a quest to find a better alternative. Most of them used Krita and found it pretty impressive. The user interface of this tool is pretty similar to what Photoshop offers. The developers have arranged toolbars in a pretty similar way so that you can easily use all the functions featured there for editing.
This photo editor tool allows you to open multiple images at the same time. You can edit all of them according to the demands and use the Slice tool that provides additional support for tools. Krita is totally free to use but you can also use the paid version if you wish to work with the developers in order to improve your work and the performance of this application.
2. GIMP
When it comes to choosing one of the top recommended alternatives to Adobe Photoshop, GIMP would be the one many experts will suggest. The GNU Image Manipulation Program is a sophisticated creative and image editing tool. It allows you to perform every image enhancement operation that you perform on Adobe Photoshop. Many people also say that it intimates the key features offered by Photoshop.
Some individuals might not like it completely because a number of brushes apply the same settings. It might feel a bit frustrating, especially when you have to switch between different brushes. So, consider both the pros and cons before you decide to get this free photo editing tool.
3. Pixlr – Online Photo Editor
Photoshop Freeware Alternative Font
Pixlr is a browser-based tool that is owned by Autodesk. This tool has quickly gained a huge popularity mainly because it belongs to world-famous Autodesk which is already offering top-rated AutoCAD solutions. Pixlr is a powerful tool that supports progressive editing and image enhancing. It does not matter what browser you are using because Pixlr Editor web and Pixlr Express applications will run smoothly on all the browsers. This tool perfectly improves the quality whenever you choose to improve JPEG, PNG, and GIF images.
You can also view some PSD files through this tool which usually do not open on all the photo editing tools due to their complex nature and larger size. It will also allow you to capture live images and edit them on-the-fly through its webcam feature.
4. PicMonkey
PicMonkey is another web-based photo editing and designing tool. This platform has a bulk of features to offer when it comes to editing. This tool is designed especially to meet the requirements of novice users. However, it also provides a number of advanced features in order to meet the demands of users who are searching for the most cutting-edge image editing features.
Your browser must run Flash if you want to access PicMonkey. You can also use this online tool through your smartphone if you seek more advanced photo editing solutions than image editing apps. It might disappoint you if you are looking to work with the PSD files, otherwise, every feature introduced by PicMonkey is amazing.
5. Sumopaint
Sumopaint is one of the top rated online image editing tools that is also a great alternative to Adobe Photoshop. This online tool can be beneficial especially when you do not want to deal with highly complex features such as Photoshop offers. You can run this tool on any machine you like because it is a platform independent program that works smoothly on Mac PCs and Windows PCs.
It will offer the support for a number of blending modes and layers in order to help you in enhancing the quality of the targeted image. You can easily crop and resize the image without losing its natural charm. In order to make the image look more wonderful, you can add various effects and filters without paying any penny for using them. Therefore Sumopaint seems a wonderful online alternative to Photoshop. The user interface might seem a bit outdated but still, you will enjoy working with this tool.
6. Paint.Net
Paint.Net is introduced only for the Windows PCs and its user interface will appear quite similar to the Paint app you get with the PC. The similarities between MS Paint and Paint.Net would make you think that it is an online version of the same application. The developer also wanted to enhance the features of MS Paint and therefore they offered Paint.Net.
This tool has been launched quite a while ago and now it is featuring many competitive features like Photoshop. You would happily use it for its ability to use several blending and layers together in order to improve the appeal of images. It is quite user-friendly, feature-rich, and free for every Windows PC user. So, you might like to use it if not using Adobe Photoshop.
7. Adobe Photoshop Express
Adobe is charging a considerable amount of money for using its premium Photoshop tool. It knows that many users would simply ignore that tool because of its cost and therefore Adobe is offering a free alternative 'Adobe Photoshop Express. This tool also provides a variety of image editing tools that you can use to make an image look beautiful.
Final thoughts
A lot of people have stopped using Photoshop because of its cost and complexity. We have featured tools which are free and more user-friendly than Adobe Photoshop. So, choose one of the above-given tools to get the best image editing solutions.
Photoshop Freeware Alternative Software
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