- Best Photoshop Software For Photographers
- Best Photoshop Software For Pc
- Best Photoshop software, free download
- Best Photoshop Software Paid
- The Best Photo Editing Software Programs. To find the best photo editing software, we pitted the best programs tech-giant Adobe has to offer (Photoshop, Lightroom, and Photo Elements) against three highly commended competitors to find out which one was user-friendly enough for beginners and powerful enough for professionals.
- Corel PaintShop Pro is an excellent photo-editing and graphics program that's far more accessible than Photoshop and more comprehensive than Photoshop Elements.
The Best Photo Editing Software for 2019 Adobe Photoshop CC. Adobe Lightroom Classic CC. Adobe Photoshop Elements. DxO PhotoLab. Corel PaintShop Pro. CyberLink PhotoDirector. Phase One Capture One Pro. ACDSee Photo Studio Professional. Alien Skin Exposure. Skylum Luminar.
First released roughly three decades ago, Adobe Photoshop is the gold standard preferred by some of the world's top visual artists. Its powerful tools help photographers create almost anything the imagination conjures.
Photoshop is now licensed as part of the Adobe Creative Crowd suite of subscription-based software. But instead of paying the monthly fee if your budget is constrained or your use case is minimal, try a free, open-source alternative.
Before you download a Photoshop alternative, plan for your specific needs. For example, not all free Photoshop alternatives support the Adobe application's default PSD format. Others, meanwhile, will not be able to recognize some multi-layered Photoshop files. If you need a key Photoshop feature, you'll find it easier to narrow your search list if you filter based on features.
GIMP
What We Like
Constantly updated with new features.
Highly customizable and extensible.
What We Don't Like
Limited support for layers, macros, and custom shapes.
Cluttered UI with annoying floating windows.
One of the most full-featured Photoshop alternatives, GIMP (short for GNU Image Manipulation Program) offers such a large set of features that even the most complex tasks can be achieved without any strain on your budget. They say that you get what you pay for, but in GIMP's case, that idiom doesn't necessarily ring true. With a very active developer community that has historically listened to user requests and feedback, this free option continues to advance as raster editor technology expands.
While not always as intuitive as Photoshop in terms of functionality and design, GIMP makes up for some of its perceived clumsiness with several in-depth tutorials for both beginning and advanced users that help you use the majority of its components with little or no pre-existing knowledge of the open-source application. With that said, if you're only looking for the very basics in a raster-based graphics editor then GIMP may actually be a little too much and you may benefit from one of the simpler alternatives on our list.
Available in almost twenty languages for the Linux, Mac, and Windows platforms, GIMP recognizes almost all file formats that you'd expect from a paid editor like Photoshop including GIF, JPEG, PNG and TIFF among others, as well as partial support for PSD files (not all layers may be readable).
Also similar to Photoshop, a large number of external plugins are available that enhance GIMP's functionality further. As always, download at your own risk when dealing with non-native repositories.
Pixlr
What We Like
Extensive layer support with multiple blending modes.
Includes built-in filters and adjustment tools.
What We Don't Like
No social media integration.
Layer masks tool is cumbersome to use at first.
A browser-based alternative to Photoshop, Pixlr is owned by well-known software developers Autodesk and is quite robust when it comes to available features and allows for progressive editing and enhancing as well as original image design.
The Pixlr Express and Pixlr Editor web apps will run in most modern browsers as long as you have Flash 10 or above installed; they offer a significant number of integrated filters along with limited layer support. Pixlr recognizes the main graphical file formats such as JPEG, GIF, and PNG and also allows you to view some PSD files, although those larger in size or complex in nature may not open.
The web-based Pixlr even has a handy Webcam feature built right into its dashboard that lets you capture and manipulate photos on-the-fly.
In addition to the browser version, Pixlr also has free apps for both Android and iOS devices that let you perform a number of editing features from your smartphone or tablet. The Android app is so popular, in fact, that it has been installed on well over 50 million devices.
Best Photoshop Software For Photographers
Paint.NET
What We Like
Streamlined interface is a breeze to navigate.
Helpful keyboard shortcuts.
What We Don't Like
UI lacks a tool for managing plug-ins.
Text can't be edited after it's deselected.
A free Photoshop alternative strictly for Windows versions 7 through 10, the Paint.NET interface is reminiscent of the operating system's Paint application; the built-in image editing tool for PC users worldwide. The similarities are no coincidence, as the original developer's intent was to replace MS Paint with something a little better.
That was a long time ago, and Paint.NET has since grown by leaps and bounds to the point where it's comparable in some ways to the more advanced editing software on the market, both free and paid. This includes the ability to use multiple layers and blending, all the while maintaining a fairly simple interface that lends itself to even the most novice user. If you do get stuck, the Paint.NET forums are an invaluable source for assistance where inquiries are sometimes answered in mere minutes. Couple that with the tutorials found on the same website and this Windows-only graphics editor offers a user-friendly experience.
Although Paint.NET does not provide some of the higher-end functionality of Photoshop or even GIMP, its feature set can be expanded upon through the use of external plugins. For example, the application does not natively support PSD files but can open Photoshop Documents after the PSD plugin is installed.
The self-proclaimed fastest image editor available, Paint.NET can run in almost two dozen languages and is free to use for both business and commercial use with no restrictions.
PicMonkey
What We Like
Supports cloud storage integration.
You can make custom collages without signing up.
What We Don't Like
No layer support.
Free version is rather limited.
Another platform-independent, web-based design and editing tool with a lot to offer is PicMonkey, which was seemingly designed with the neophyte user in mind but also packs a punch for those looking for more state-of-the-art features. As long as you have a browser running Flash, PicMonkey is accessible on virtually any platform and lets you start your creation from scratch or begin editing an existing image file in under a minute.
PicMonkey will not replace Photoshop's more advanced functionality and you won't have much luck with PSD files, but it is ideal for working with filters and even creating collages from within your favorite browser. The free version offers quite a bit in terms of features, but you'll need to pony up some cash if you want access to some of the app's exclusive effects, fonts, and tools as well as an advertisement-free experience.
The premium adaptation of PicMonkey features a seven-day free trial that can be activated by providing your email address and payment information. If you want to continue using its advanced functionality long-term, though, a monthly fee of $7.99 or $47.88 for an annual membership is required.
With an oft-updated blog featuring a bevy of tips and tutorials, you should be able to figure out whether or not PicMonkey is the right option to suit your needs within the week-long trial period.
Smartphone and tablet users may also want to try the free PicMonkey Photo Editor app, available for both Android and iOS platforms.
SumoPaint
What We Like
Great layer support.
Affordable pro package.
One of our personal favorites, SumoPaint's interface will look familiar if you have past Photoshop experience. The similarities are more than just skin deep, too, as its layering functionality and fairly wide range of editing tools, including several brushes and wand types, make it a formidable alternative.
The free version of SumoPaint runs in most Flash-enabled browsers and is mainly supported by on-page ads. There is also a Chrome Web App available for Chromebooks as well as users running Google's browser on other desktop operating systems.
More intricate projects may not be suitable for SumoPaint, and its file support is somewhat limited and does not include Photoshop's default PSD format. You can open files with traditional image extensions such as GIF, JPEG, and PNG while edits can be saved in the app's native SUMO format as well as JPEG or PNG.
If you try the free version and feel that SumoPaint is what you've been looking for, then you may want to give Sumo Pro a whirl. The paid version allows for an ad-free experience as well as access to additional features and tools for about $4 per month if you pay for a year in advance. Sumo Pro also offers a downloadable version of its software that can be used while offline, as well as access to a dedicated technical support team and cloud storage.
Krita
What We Like
Customizable interface.
Brush tools feature detailed previews.
What We Don't Like
Updates are often unstable.
Consumes a lot of CPU resources.
An interesting editing and painting tool, Krita is an open source application that has seen its feature set expand significantly in recent years. With a nifty palette and a seemingly endless amount of brush customizations that can be stabilized to smooth out even the most unsteady hand, this Photoshop alternative supports most PSD files and offers advanced layer management.
Free to download, the regularly updated desktop application also uses OpenGL and allows you to author and manipulate HDR images — among many other benefits. Available for Linux, Mac, and Windows, Krita boasts a fairly active forum containing sample artwork created by members of its user community.
There is another version of Krita optimized for ultrabooks and other touchscreen PCs, named Gemini, available from Valve's Steam platform.
Adobe Photoshop Express
What We Like
No registration required.
Excellent white balance adjustment with numerous presets.
What We Don't Like
Requires an internet connection to use.
Only edits JPEG files.
While Adobe charges a fee to use its main Photoshop software, the company does offer free image editing tools in the form of the Photoshop Express application. Available for Android, iOS and Windows tablets and phones, this surprisingly capable app allows you to enhance and tweak your photos in a number of ways.
In addition to correcting problems such as red eye with just a tap of the finger, Photoshop Express also makes it easy to apply unique effects and incorporate custom frames and borders before sharing your pictures on social media or elsewhere from right within the app itself.
Adobe Photoshop is one of the most popular photo editing software out there used by both professionals to create and edit masterful images, and yours truly who just need it for basic image manipulation. No matter which side of the fence you’re on, I’m sure you’ve at least tried Photoshop. However, due to Adobe’s Creative Cloud subscription, Photoshop can prove to be quite expensive for people just getting into photo editing. Plus, with the plethora of tools on offer in Photoshop, it can be quite tough to use. So, if you are looking for Photoshop alternatives that are easier to use or a free Photoshop alternative for your Windows PC, Mac, Linux machine or even your Android or iOS device, well we have you covered.
Best Photoshop Alternatives: Sections
To make it easier for you to find a Photoshop alternative that best fits your needs, I’m breaking this article down into four sections, and you can click on the links below to head over to the section best suited for your needs.
Free and Open-Source Photoshop Alternatives
Online Photoshop Alternatives
Photoshop Alternatives for Android and iOS
Paid Photoshop Alternatives
Free Photoshop Alternatives (Windows, macOS and Linux)
1. Krita
Krita is a free tool like Photoshop that is almost as feature rich in the options it offers as Photoshop is. It also happens to be one of the tools that are highly recommended by people in online forums about photo editing and creative editing. Another thing I really like about Krita is the fact that it looks and feels very similar to Photoshop — the toolbars are arranged in a very similar way, it has a dark theme by default (but you can configure that if you want some other color scheme in the app). There’s support for tools like the Slice Tool that a lot of Photoshop users swear by, and you can also open multiple images in tabs just like Photoshop. It’s completely free, however there’s a paid version available for anyone who wants to support the developers and show some love.
Pros:
- Support for drawing tablets and pens.
- Templates for different types of projects.
- Supports Rulers and Guides.
- Lot of effects.
Cons:
- No history tool.
- Patch tool lags on larger images (I tried 1200×1600)
- Text tool isn’t as feature rich as Photoshop’s.
- No Camera RAW filter.
File Support: PNG, BMP, GIMP, TIF, TGA, JPEG, WEBP and more
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux
Price: Free; optional paid version available to support developers
2. GIMP
One of the topmost recommendations you’d read for a tool like Photoshop is GIMP, and for good reason. GIMP, or GNU Image Manipulation Program is a very feature rich photo editing and creative tool that can do almost everything that Photoshop can, and brings in everything from the popular Adobe software to a free and open-source software. However, GIMP isn’t my top choice for a Photoshop alternative because it has a bunch of issues as well, most annoying of which is the fact that multiple preset brushes share the same settings, which gets annoying if you’re constantly switching between brushes. Also, GIMP doesn’t have the drawing capabilities of Photoshop. It’s free though, and is definitely worth a look-see if you’re in the market for a free Photoshop alternative.
Pros:
- Comprehensive layer support with blending modes.
- Supports Rulers and Guides.
- Supports image slicing.
- History toolbar.
Cons:
- UI looks dated and takes getting used to.
- Text tool is weird and not intuitive at all.
- no Camera RAW filter.
- Finding tools can be difficult.
File Support: PNG, JPEG, BMP, TIF, and more.
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux
Price: Free
3. Paint.NET
Paint.NET was originally developed to be a more powerful version of MS Paint and as such it brings a lot of the features from MS Paint. While Paint.NET is nowhere near as powerful as Photoshop, it brings a lot of features that make it a viable alternative for people looking for a free Photoshop alternative for Windows. Paint.NET supports layers with blending modes which is one of the most used features in Photoshop. It also has a history tool that can come in handy to quickly undo multiple edits in a project. Basically, it’s a very well rounded tool for image editing even though it’s not as powerful as Photoshop can be when used properly.
Pros:
- Layer support with blending modes.
- History tool.
- Pretty well rounded for basic editing.
- Supports rulers.
- Supports a ton of file types.
Cons:
- UI looks dated.
- No support for Guides.
- No Camera RAW option.
- No slice tool, patch tool, or spot healing tool.
- Doesn’t support auto-snapping.
File Support: PDN, BMP, GIF, JPG, PNG, TIFF, TGA, DDS (directdraw surface)
Platforms: Windows
Price: Free; optional paid version available to support developers
4. Seashore
Seashore is another Photoshop alternative that’s aimed solely at Mac users. It brings some important features from Photoshop including support for layers. The app also supports pressure sensitivity, so if you’re using a pressure sensitive drawing tablet, you’ll be able to make full use of its pressure levels. Personally, I found Seashore to be more easy in terms of beginner-usability, and it’s also completely free which is awesome.
Pros:
- Supports layers.
- Completely free.
- Pressure sensitivity support.
- Easy to use.
Cons:
- UI looks very outdated.
- No effects
- Grid isn’t customisable.
- Doesn’t support PSD files.
File Support: JPG, PNG, GIMP, TIFF, GIF
Platforms: macOS
Price:Free
Best Photoshop Software For Pc
Check out Seashore
Online Photoshop Alternatives
5. Pixlr Editor
One of the best online Photoshop alternatives out there, Pixlr editor does a remarkable job for editing photos. It brings a bunch of great and powerful tools that make it one of the best online Photoshop like software out there. Pixlr Editor comes with support for layers and blending modes, a lot of effects and filters, a history tool and even has the healing tool that a lot of Photoshop users love using. It’s basically perfect for a quick on-the-go edit and with some of the advanced features it can be used for more advanced edits as well. Since it’s online, you can use it no matter what operating system you’re on and that’s one of the best things about online tools.
Pros:
- Online, so it works on every platform.
- Supports layers and blending modes.
- History tool.
- Healing tool.
Cons:
- No pen tool.
- Not as versatile as Photoshop.
- Doesn’t support as many file types as Photoshop.
- No Rulers and Guides.
- Support for PDF, PSD, and Sketch formats is behind a paywall.
File Support: JPG, PNG, BMP, TIFF, and PXD (layered pixlr image)
Platforms: Web
Price: Free; Pro version at $5/month
6. Sumopaint
Sumopaint is yet another online Photoshop alternative that you can consider using for projects that don’t necessarily need the level of complexity that Photoshop offers. Being an online tool, Sumopaint can be used on any machine you have and it does offer a bunch of great Photoshop like features. The tool brings support for layers and blending modes which is a very useful feature for projects that are more than just resizing and cropping. There are also quite a lot of effects and filters that Sumopaint brings to the table — these should prove enough for most photo editing needs. Unfortunately the app doesn’t bring support for rulers and guides, which I personally find very useful in Photoshop, and the interface does look dated by today’s standards. However, you can use it for free, and only pay if you need the tools that are locked for pro users.
Pros:
- Support for layers and blending modes.
- Quite a lot of effects and filters.
- Enough tools in for basic to slightly advanced photo editing.
Cons:
- Some tools are locked behind a paywall. Including Text tool, line tool, and more.
- Interface is dated.
- No Pen tool, Camera RAW filter, and auto-snapping.
- Limited file support.
File Support: PNG, JPG, SUMO
Platforms: Web
Price: Free; pro-version starts at $4/month
7. PicMonkey
If Pixlr and Sumo didn’t suit your needs, PicMonkey might just be what you’re looking for. The tool works completely online so it’s easy to access without worrying about OS compatibility and what not. Plus, it brings support for layers, and also has a very font-rich text tool. However, don’t expect a text tool as feature rich as Photoshop’s or you’ll be disappointed. There are also a bunch of filters and effects that you might find useful. However, PicMonkey isn’t nearly as feature rich as Photoshop is, and it tends to respond a little slow at times. That said, the biggest problem in PicMonkey is that unless you subscribe to a pro subscription, you’ll not be able to export your images.
Pros:
- Support for layers.
- Text tool has a lot of fonts.
- Bunch of filters and effects.
Cons:
- Gets slow at times.
- Can’t export images in free version.
File Support: JPG, PNG
Platform: Online, mobile app available
Price:Free; Pro version starts at $5.99/month (7 day free trial available)
Photoshop Alternatives for Android and iOS
8. Multi Layer (Android)
If you’re looking for an app that will let you edit images on the go on your Android smartphone or tablet, Multi Layer is a great app to go with. While there’s no dearth of photo editing apps on Android, Multi Layer beats them with features like support for layers and blending modes, a wide variety of features to edit photos, and even grid support. The app is available completely free to use, however, some features (like blending modes) are only available in the Pro version which you can buy as an in-app purchase for Rs. 200.
Pros:
- Supports layers and blending modes.
- Feature rich.
- Supports grids.
Cons:
- UI can be confusing.
- Only supports JPG and PNG files.
- Contains ads in free version.
File Support: JPG, PNG
Platforms: Android
Price: Free; Pro version for Rs. 200
Download Multi Layer from the Play Store (Free)
9. PhotoWizard (iOS)
If you’re using an iOS device, PhotoWizard is definitely one of the most powerful free apps you can use to edit photos. The app doesn’t come with support for layers, but it brings a lot of powerful features you probably won’t find on other Photoshop alternatives for iOS. There’s historgram, motion blur, gaussian blur, curve editing, masking and a lot more. The app is definitely a pretty powerful app for iOS devices, plus the masking feature works really well.
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Supports curve editing and histogram
- Feature packed
Cons:
- UI looks dated
- No layer support
File Support: All iPhone supported formats.
Platforms: iOS
Price: Free
Download PhotoWizard from the App Store (Free)
Paid Photoshop Alternatives
10. Affinity Photo
Affinity Photo is a very popular image editing application that’s every bit as powerful as Photoshop is and is definitely one of the best paid Photoshop alternatives out there. The app brings a ton of cool and useful features including tools like the Pen tool, rulers, guides, and grids. It also has the healing tool, the clone tool, and most other tools you’d find in Photoshop. It also has support for layers with blending modes and a lot more. However, the app isn’t cheap and you’ll have to pay a one-time price of Rs. 3,999 to get it.
Pros:
- Powerful Photoshop substitute.
- Pen tool, healing tool, clone tool and more.
- Supports layers and blending modes.
- Supports rulers and grids.
Cons:
- UI can be a little confusing at first.
- Not as many file types are supported as Photoshop.
- No Camera RAW tool
File Support: PNG, JPEG, GIF, TIFF, PSD, PDF, SVG, EPS and more.
Platforms: Windows, macOS
Price: Rs. 3,999
11. Pixelmator
Pixelmator is a macOS only photo editing tool that brings with it a ton of Photoshop like features and tools, and it also supports some of the latest features that Apple has brought to macOS such as editing and exporting images stored in the High Efficiency Image File format. There are the usual features like support for layers and blending modes, a plethora of tools to use for editing the images, support for live previews and SVG files. I also love the interface of Pixelmator and find it to be quite a lot better than Photoshop’s UI. However, it’s a very Mac-oriented interface so you might not like it as much as I do.
Pros:
- Feature packed.
- Supports layers and blending modes.
- Supports slice tool.
- Excellent UI in line with Apple’s guidelines.
Cons:
- Hugely different UI as compared to most photo editors.
- Might not seem intuitive to Photoshop users.
- Not for beginners.
File Support: HEIF, JPG, PNG, TIFF, Pixelmator Pro, PSD, PDF, GIF, and more.
Platforms: macOS
Price: 30 day free trial available; $60
12. PhotoLine
PhotoLine is an image editing software that brings quite a bit of great features to Windows and macOS systems. The overall UI of the software is decent but not great, however, it brings support for layers and blending modes, rulers and guides, along with a bunch of great effects and filters. The app also supports drawing vector images so if that’s something you need, this is definitely the app for you. PhotoLine is available to try for free for 30 days, however, you’ll have to pay to continue using it past that time.
Pros:
- Support for layers and blending modes.
- Support for rulers and guides
- Supports vector drawing
Cons:
- No pen tool, slice tool, or patch tool.
- Toolbox looks confusing.
File Support: PDF, SVG, BMP, GIF, WEBP, JPG, PNG, and more.
Platforms: Windows, macOS
Price: 30 day free trial; ~$67 after that
SEE ALSO: 10 Best TeamViewer Alternatives
Check Out these Photoshop Alternatives
So those were the 12 best free (and paid) Photoshop alternatives that you can try out if you’re looking to ditch Photoshop, or are unwilling to pay a subscription pricing for a image editing software. I’ve included software that are free, paid, mobile apps, and even dedicated Windows and macOS software with varying degrees of advanced features, so no matter what you’re looking for in your Photoshop alternative, I think you’ll find it here. That said, if you think I missed out on a great Photoshop alternative that deserves to be on this list, let me know in the comments down below.