Here is a list of best free open source Photoshop alternative for Windows. As you know Adobe Photoshop is an extremely popular graphics designing and image editing software. However, it is a paid and closed source software. In this article, I have created a list of open source software that can be used as an alternative of Photoshop. Looking for a free Photoshop alternative? Here are some of the best free and open source software that you can use instead of Adobe Photoshop. Adobe Photoshop is a premium image editing and design tool available for Windows and macOS. Undoubtedly, almost everyone knows about it. It’s that popular. Well, you can use Photoshop on Linux using.
Old laptop owners, you know the drill. *And… freeze!*
While Adobe Photoshop is the industry standard for graphic designers, visual artists, and photo editors--it is not for the light-of-RAM. Even on newer computers, users often report having to use a separate drive for scratch disk space just to prevent frequent crashes.
Plus, Photoshop can be clunky and expensive for beginners, making it an investment of both time AND money in order to enjoy the value it promises.
Top Paid and Free Adobe Photoshop Alternatives
So if you’re searching for easier, cheaper, alternatives to Photoshop or Lightroom CC, we’ve got a list of 16 free and paid photoshop alternative tools for you to consider.
Rev your rasters, baby. Let’s go.
Paid Alternatives to Photoshop
1. Pixlr
AppSumo Deal: Pixlr
Jw org app download 2018. One-click editing for professional quality images without the learning curve.
$49.00 | $144.00
With Pixlr, editing photos has never been easier, faster, or smarter. Its AI Cutout features lets you remove backgrounds with just one click. Give your images a makeover with a simple drag-and-drop of Pixlr’s dazzling selection of overlays. Add accents or textures, like light streaks, dust flecks, and glitter to your photos. Plus, you can use layers to create captivating photo edits, image composites, and more!
Trial version: Free plan available for limited features
OS: Web-based app available across browsers
Pricing model: Premium plan starts at $4.99 and Creative Pack starts at $14.99, billed annually. Or you can grab Pixlr’s AppSumo deal at a one-time payment of $49
Potential downsides: Limited touch up capabilities which mean you need high-quality photos to begin with
2. Pixelied
AppSumo Deal: Pixelied
Create scroll-stopping graphics with a full-featured design suite that’s easy for anyone to use.
$59.00 | $480.00
Pixelied is just like Pixlr (they sounds similar too), but with thousands of ready-made templates and icons, millions of stock images, and a suit of photo-editing capabilities like removing background in one click.
Two unique features set Pixelied apart from many graphic design tools as an alternative to Photoshop. First, its mockup editor lets you get to create powerful product mockups for your brand. And with Pixelied’s workspace, you can switch between workspaces, each with its own separate assets, designs and team members.
Trial version: Free plan available for limited features
OS: Web-based app available across browsers
Pricing model: Starts free and with Pro plan at $7.95 per month. For a limited time, you can get Pixelied Pro starting at $59 for life at AppSumo.
Potential downsides: Many features focus on graphic design instead of photo-editing
3. Affinity Photo
As a photo editing tool, Affinity Photo is more lightweight than PS, promising fewer crashes and fast, real-time rendering of all your edits. Enjoy unlimited layers, healing brush, over 1,000,000% zoom, a full set of 16-bit filters, and RAW file editing. Apply effects like blurs, lighting, and distortions as non-destructive live filter layers. Plus undo/redo up to 8K steps—with autosave that always has your back. Users will be happy that most standard PS keyboards commands will work for Affinity too.
Trial version: Yes
OS: Mac, Windows, and iPad
Pricing model: One-time price of $49.99, free and frequent updates (only $19.99 on iPad)
Potential downsides: Still comes with a learning curve similar to PS
4. Acorn
Acorn 6 is a Mac-only photo editor known for its circle text/text on a path tool, making it especially friendly to designers looking to create expert-level graphics, ads, and logos. In addition to photo-editing tools like the brush designer, layer masks, and filters that allow you to mute or unmute by later, it does have vector-editing tools as well. While it may be simpler than PS, it does pack a punch under the hood.
Trial version: Yes
OS: MacOS
Pricing model: One-time $29.99
Potential downsides: Not compatible with PC; some users report slowness
5. Colorcinch
AppSumo Marketplace Deal: Colorcinch
Produce stunning designs and enhanced photos with just a few clicks.
Colorcinch helps hobbyists and professional designers beautifully transform photos and create stunning designs fast. With over 50,000+ vector icons and graphics available for instant use and dozens of top-notch filters/effects, Colorcinch provides users with all the tools they’d need to make advanced edits inside an intuitive, beginner-friendly workspace. Amongst other features, Colorcinch’s cartoonizer tool makes it a perfect alternative to Photoshop. Unlike PS, designers can easily apply artistic effects to their photos and transform them into cartoons and digital sketches with just a click and without having to watch long video tutorials.
Trial version: Free plan available for limited features
OS: Web-based app available across browsers
Pricing model: Starts at $5.99/month (annual plan $47.88/year). Check out Colorcinch for $33.49 for one year on AppSumo Marketplace.
Potential downsides: Most catchy effects/filters are only available to premium users. So those on the free plan might complain of limited customization options.
6. PicMonkey
PicMonkey is a Canva-like photo editing and design tool that is chock-full of design assets and templates. Again, if you use PS to create graphics for business use cases, PicMonkey may be a faster way to get designs out the door. Plus with touchup, layer, and mask features, as well as effects and features, you might be surprised by the photo enhancement you can do with this tool. Plus, you can use their real-time team collaboration feature to work in tandem with teammates or clients.
Trial version: Yes
OS: web-based app available across browsers with apps for iPhone, android, and tablet
Pricing model: Starts at $7.99 per month
Potential downsides: Some users say the features offered in the app and in the web version differ from one another
?Also check out our top 10 PicMonkey alternatives.
7. Corel PaintShop Pro
PaintShop Pro has released a new feature-packed 2020 version. With RAW and HDR editing, advanced brushes, layers, and masking, and flexible workspaces depending on your editing needs, Corel’s Paintshop is a one-time purchase that will keep on delivering for your photography or graphic design needs. Note it is Windows-only, so that may be limiting for some in creative fields.
Trial version: Yes
OS: Windows only
Pricing model: One-time $63.99 (Get Paintshop Pro Ultimate for $79.99)
Potential downsides: Some users report it is not a lightweight program; Windows-only
8. Fotor
Fotor describes itself as “fundamentally Photoshop online.” With advanced editing, effects, and retouching, you can also make use of some fun features like the GoArt AI photo effect that makes photos look like classic pieces of art. Fotor is also available in 7+ languages.
Trial version: Yes
OS: web-based app available across browsers and mobile
Adobe Photoshop For Windows Free
Pricing model: Starts at $8.99/month (annual Plan $39.99/year)
Potential downsides: No template or photo libraries, few advanced photo editing capabilities
9. Pixelmator Pro
Pixelmator Pro is a Mac-only image editing tool that uses emerging tech like machine learning to give users highly functional and exciting capabilities like layer management, nondestructive resizing, layouts, retouching, selections, painting, and image repair. Its sleek UI and fast functionality make this tool pleasant to use. Pixelmator Pro is perfect for skilled hobbyists or creatives who don’t need super-advanced PS capabilities.
Trial version: Yes
OS: MacOS (with Pixelmator for iOS for iPhone and iPad)
Pricing model: One-time $39.99 (iOS app for $4.99)
Potential downsides: Missing some more advanced PS features like tone mapping or source and target layer ranges for blending
Free Alternatives to Photoshop
Adobe Photoshop Alternative For Windows
10. Photopea
Photopea is a free alternative to Photoshop. When you arrive at their website, you can jump straight into a project, with many of the tools you’re used to enjoying in premium photo editing tools. Photopea lets you add text, crop images, blur, change colors, and much more. Plus, you can export the final product in most of your favorite formats: PNG, JPEG, SVG, and more. Among the free products showcased in this article, this one is probably the most similar to Photoshop.
OS: Web-based
Pricing model: Free
Potential downsides: Many people use free tools for their simplicity. In this case, since it’s so much like Photoshop, Photopea can come with a bit of a learning curve for new designers.
11. GIMP
GIMP empowers designers with the tools to edit photos and create graphics. It also provides different code support for developers who want to use their designs across websites and have more customization options. GIMP offers many top photo editing features to help you touch up your favorite photos, add filters, and even customize your working interface.
OS: GNU/Linux, OS X, Windows, and more operating systems
Pricing model: Free
Potential downsides: While the tool offers great features, it may require downloading other design tools (like Scribus and Inkscape) to get the most out of it; outdated UI
12. PhotoScape X
As another free alternative to Photoshop, PhotoScape X helps you design and edit photos using a variety of powerful tools. You have all the normal editing tools like cropping, filters, brushes, and color and background changes. It also includes bulk-editing features: batch resize, batch format change, and more for streamlined organization and editing. Whether you’re cleaning up an image or creating a graphic from scratch, PhotoScape X is a strong free Photoshop alternative.
First of all, the Alpaca’s bowtie is on point. (#classy)
FireAlpaca is a free paint tool with simple functionality for creating graphics. You can use templates or start completely from scratch. FireAlpaca gives you different viewing options as well, including 3D view. Use the Pencil, Airbrush, or Blur tools to edit graphics with artistic precision. If you’re leaving Photoshop because it’s too complex, FireAlpaca is founded on simplicity.
Download Adobe Photoshop For Window
OS: Windows and Mac
Pricing model: Free
Potential downsides: This tool is intentionally lean. If you’re looking for a tool to keep up with Photoshop’s optionality, FireAlpaca might not have the features you’re looking for.
14. Photoshop Express
Cirrus casino online. Adobe has also gotten into the free image editing and collage app game with Photoshop Express. The difference here boils down to interface and functionality—plus the fact that Photoshop Express is “built for mobile device photography.” You can think of it as Photoshop lite for mobile. With intelligent edits, spot healing, auto-fix, and robust filters and effects, you can edit photos for social posting to your heart’s content in this little app.
OS: mobile app for Android, iOS, and Windows
Pricing model: Free (Premium version for $9.99/month)
Potential downsides: Very simple, social-focused functionality—but that’s it
15. Polarr
A simple, intuitive image editing app, Polarr gives you Lightroom-like image manipulation capabilities like editing exposure, temperature, denoise, diffuse, dehaze, and more. It does have advanced HSL and RGB curve tools, as well as filter blending, mixing, and toning tools. Plus, you get persistent edit history and infinite undo and redo—making it super user-friendly.
OS: web, Windows, Mac, Chromebook, iOS, Android
Pricing model: free
Potential downsides: It seems there have been some recent bugs and now users must upgrade to Pro in order to save edited photos
16. Krita
Krita is a free, flexible, open-source painting program that won TechRadar’s #1 best free painting software for 2019. With over 100 brush types, 9 brush engines, and brush stabilizer, there’s plenty to play around with in Krita. A more intuitive and lightweight alternative to GIMP, Krita is one of the best alternatives to Photoshop in terms of brush performance.
OS: Mac, Windows, Linux
Pricing model: free
Potential downsides: Since Krita is focused on digital painting, it doesn’t have the photo editing features some users might need from an alternative to Photoshop.
Pick Your Favorite Photoshop Alternative
And that’s a (text) wrap on our list of alternatives to Photoshop! If you’re looking for some good and affordable options, check out some of AppSumo’s best deals:
Pixlr. Remove backgrounds with just one click and add overlays from the library of icons, stickers, text, and more.
Pixelied. Create scroll-stopping graphics with a full-featured design suite that’s easy for anyone to use.
Happy editing!
Prefer a video over a blog post? Here’s our YouTube video on the top alternatives to Photoshop:
If you liked this blog, take a look at even more of our graphic design and editing tool comparison posts:
By Sarabeth Lewis
Adobe Photoshop is a popular software utility to manipulate the image and enhance its appearance. No matter whether you are a professional or starting out, Adobe Photoshop offers several powerful features suitable for every user.
However, with several options available, you might notice a steep learning curve or complexity while using it. Especially, for beginners. Not just limited to that, Adobe’s monthly subscription for its software cannot be considered as affordable for every user.
So, there’s a need for Adobe Photoshop alternatives, no matter what. In this article, we shall take a look at some of the best Adobe photoshop alternatives!
You can draw some amazing work using the brush tools, import/export PSD files, add live layers, re-size, and more. It offers many powerful features for a professional user.
Even if you are a newbie, Affinity Photo is relatively easy to use and the options are easily accessible. The user interface is carefully crafted to provide a great user experience. It is a must-try!
2. GIMP (Free)
If you are looking for free Adobe photoshop alternatives, GIMP is probably your best bet. It is an open-source application which is completely free to use.
However, GIMP may not be user-friendly for new users. The user interface is simple but may feel overwhelming to learn if you are a newbie. Ruling out the usability, it offers equally powerful features and you can do a great deal of professional-grade work without spending a penny on the software.
3. Paint.NET (Free)
This may not be a full-fledged Photoshop alternative. But, for the basic image editing like adding layers, adding texts, re-sizing, and more, can be easily done thanks to Paint.NET.
It is a Windows-only software but it is suitable for quick image edits without the hassle of launching a full-blown image editor like Photoshop. You will be impressed how good the tool is for essential image editing without needing a lot of system resources.
4. Pixlr (Free & Paid options)
Pixlr is a web-based photo editor that does more things than you would expect from a basic image editor. It is an impressive Adobe Photoshop alternative that you can use on your browser.
It offers both free and paid plans. The free plan obviously enforces some restrictions and is supported by advertisements. If you want to get rid of the advertisements and the limitations of the free plan, you will have to opt for the paid plans.
You will also notice two editions of editors available – Pixlr X and E. With X edition, you get basic image editing support and the E version is an advanced image editor. As of writing this, they had plans to introduce apps for both Windows and macOS.
5. Canva (Free & Paid options)
Canva may not be a proper alternative to Photoshop but for beginners, it can prove to be one. If your work involves basic layer management, editing images, making a thumbnail, poster, infographics, and so on, Canva can be a great fit.
It is completely a web service that is free to get started. You can get a lot of work done without paying a penny but if you want all the premium icons, backgrounds, shapes, etc you can get a subscription. In addition to that, Canva also offers a team-based subscription that you can utilize for your organization.
Overall, it is easy to use and perfect for beginners.
6. PicMonkey (Paid)
PicMonkey is yet another Adobe Photoshop alternative that is similar to the web-based Canva. PicMonkey is also a web-based service but it does not offer a free plan.
You can opt for a free trial but no free to use plans. You might find a few things better here compared to Canva, but that’s just a personal preference. We would recommend you try both if you are looking for an easy alternative to Photoshop.
Wrapping Up
Even though not all the alternatives offer the same feature-set, you get a variety of options when considering a replacement for Adobe Photoshop for your specific requirement. Overall, Affinity Photo could be the best bet for professionals and web-based services like Canva can be an easy alternative for beginners.
Filed in . Read more about Adobe, Photoshop and Social Hit.