Photoshop AlternativesOnly apps categorised as Digital Painting Tools

The best Digital Painting alternative to Adobe Photoshop is GIMP, which is both free and Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to Adobe Photoshop and loads of them are Digital Painting Tools so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Digital Painting Tool alternatives to Adobe Photoshop are Affinity Photo, Krita, Paint.NET and Photopea.

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Adobe Photoshop alternatives are mainly Digital Painting Tools, but if you're looking for Image Editors or Photo Editors you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Open Source, Mac, Online, Windows, Linux, Free and Windows + Free. You can also filter by region, for example EU-based alternatives if you prefer software developed in the European Union. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to Adobe Photoshop.
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Alternatives list

  1. GIMP icon

    GIMP

     4733 likes

    GIMP delivers powerful functionalities for photo retouching, image composition, and format conversion. As a versatile tool, it serves as both a simple paint program and a high-end retouching suite, and offers batch processing for mass image tasks in an accessible open-source platform.

    190 GIMP alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • Haiku
    • Flatpak
    • AmigaOS
    yes
     
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    111
    Comments about GIMP as an Alternative to Adobe Photoshop
    Top Positive Comment
    Conner Vieira
    4

    If you're used to Photoshop, GIMP will feel very unusual, since it has very different ways of doing things. That being said, its more than capable of keeping up with Photoshop on a technical level, and well exceeds Photoshop's abilities (if at the cost of intuitiveness) in my opinion

    Top Negative Comment
    Marek
    25

    Irritating, totally unintuitive, completely unthought-out interface. It may have a lot of possibilities, but a lifetime is not enough to discover them and understand the twisted logic of this program.

    Mike-Fulton
    Negative
    0

    On paper, GIMP would seem to match up quite well against Adobe Photoshop, but when you actually try to use it, it's got a user interface that not even a mother could love. Most features are implemented in a very non-intuitive fashion. Want to crop an image? In Photoshop you enter the desired size and then drag a rectangle around the portion of the image you want to keep. It automatically constrains the selection to the aspect ratio of the size you entered. Gimp offers a variety of options for the crop tool but none of them is as simple and quick to use as PS. I've tried using GIMP several times over the past few decades and it always makes me want to tear my hair out.

    3 of 111 comments
    GIMP icon
    GIMP icon
    • GIMP is Free and Open SourceAdobe Photoshop is Paid and Proprietary
    • GIMP is Customizable, Privacy focused and LightweightAdobe Photoshop is not according to our users
  2. Affinity Photo icon

    Affinity Photo

     552 likes

    Real-time image editing software supporting extensive colour spaces, unlimited layers, non-destructive edits, and a streamlined workspace for complex tasks on Windows, Mac, and iPad.

    100 Affinity Photo alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • iPad
    Affinity Photo screenshot 1
     
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    61
    Comments about Affinity Photo as an Alternative to Adobe Photoshop
    Top Positive Comment
    Blouko
    20

    I believe, now that it supports Windows, that it's a great alternative to Photoshop. There's a wide variety of features you can find both on Photoshop and Photo, they share most of the key features. Affinity's design is beautiful aswell.

    adex345
    Positive
    0

    Affinity is now free and works in Linux!

    ericbright
    Positive
    1

    Exceptional app with almost anything a professional photographer or photo-editor might ask for. It is easy to use, fast, and familiar.

    3 of 61 comments
    Affinity Photo icon
    Affinity Photo icon
    • Affinity Photo is Paid and ProprietaryAdobe Photoshop is also Paid and Proprietary
    • Affinity Photo is Lightweight and Privacy focusedAdobe Photoshop is not according to our users
  4. Krita icon

    Krita

     1415 likes

    Free, open-source painting software designed by artists for artists. Offers customizable UI, 9 brush engines, color management, tablet support, non-destructive editing, and privacy features. Portable and available on major platforms, supporting seamless texture creation.

    142 Krita alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android Tablet
    • KDE Plasma
    • Epic Games Store
    • PortableApps.com
    • Steam
    • F-Droid
    Main Window
     
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    46
    Comments about Krita as an Alternative to Adobe Photoshop
    Top Positive Comment
    Atoshi
    18

    It's kinda more intuitive to use than GIMP (which is a briliant PS alternative too) interface-wise, and supports CMYK out of the box if one needs it. As of version 3.1 it has pretty advanced support for animation, including opacity curves (GIMP fails completely in that field, animathing anything is a major PITA in it)

    Top Negative Comment
    Soul Rain
    37

    photoshop is a photo editing software; krita is a painting and sketching app

    Tomás Barão
    Positive
    0

    I often use complex layer layouts. From my experience, Krita offers ways of combining and compositing layers much more powerful than Photoshop. Some things Krita can do non-destructively that Photoshop can't.

    Krita is often branded with an anime and cartoons focus, but I use it in my professional work for raster processing in general.

    3 of 46 comments
    Krita icon
    Krita icon
    • Krita is Free and Open SourceAdobe Photoshop is Paid and Proprietary
    • Krita is Lightweight, Customizable and Privacy focusedAdobe Photoshop is not according to our users
  5. Ad
  6. Paint.NET icon

    Paint.NET

     1653 likes

    Free Windows image editor with support for layers, plugins, and special effects. Offers intuitive interface, works offline, ad-free, and portable, consuming fewer resources.

    166 Paint.NET alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • .NET Framework
    Paint.NET screenshot 1
     
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    21
    Comments about Paint.NET as an Alternative to Adobe Photoshop
    Top Positive Comment
    Thatstinkyguy
    1

    While it doesn't beat GIMP in terms of features, open-source, or cross-platform accessibility, it's still a solid program that's lightweight, fairly easy to use, and with a plugin (among many other ones), it seems to have better compatibility with PSD files than GIMP.

    Guest
    Positive
    0

    Well, it as the first image editor I have used other than... paint, So I might be a little biased. But its great, I love it, it has stuff, and its good.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    1

    I was able to use it from day one and get better over time the more I worked in it.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    3 of 21 comments
    Paint.NET icon
    Paint.NET icon
    • Paint.NET is Free and ProprietaryAdobe Photoshop is Paid and Proprietary
    • Paint.NET is Lightweight and MinimalisticAdobe Photoshop is not according to our users
  7. Photopea icon

    Photopea

     337 likes

    Browser-based image editing supports PSD, XCF, Sketch formats, advanced layers, vector tools, RAW photo support, and exports in 40+ formats. Fully client-side with AI background removal, content-aware tools, and privacy as files never leave your device.

    111 Photopea alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    Photopea screenshot 1
     
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    31
    Comments about Photopea as an Alternative to Adobe Photoshop
    Top Positive Comment
    Guest
    16

    Fully supports PSD format with adjustment layers, layer effects, paths, layer masks etc.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    For me, who can't afford to pay for every subscription but still wants to use the tools, Photopea is the best alternative to Photoshop. Especially the free version. The structure, functions, and even the keyboard shortcuts are the same. Plus, you can work entirely with PSD files, and vectors are also supported.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Kris Regina
    Positive
    0

    An actual free alternative to Photoshop.

    3 of 31 comments
    Photopea icon
    Photopea icon
    • Photopea is Freemium and ProprietaryAdobe Photoshop is Paid and Proprietary
  8. Pixlr icon

    Pixlr

     389 likes

    Web-based editor with AI image generation, quick fixes, overlays, intricate lighting and texture adjustments, customizable templates, advanced filters, support for layers, high-res export, and ad-free premium features for accessible image and design editing.

    227 Pixlr alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    Pixlr screenshot 1
     
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    10
    Comments about Pixlr as an Alternative to Adobe Photoshop
    Top Positive Comment
    Guest
    9

    The fact that Pixlr is browser based is cool at places like school where you can't just install GIMP.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Ilgazcl
    Positive
    0

    It was acquired by Apple so you should make sure multi-platform and even Web support continues. Apple doesn't have a good history of maintaining other platforms compatibility.

    Ömer Emin Onaran
    Positive
    3

    You do not need to download a program, you enter from the web.

    3 of 10 comments
    Pixlr icon
    Pixlr icon
    • Pixlr is Freemium and ProprietaryAdobe Photoshop is Paid and Proprietary
    • Pixlr is LightweightAdobe Photoshop is not according to our users
  10. Pixelmator icon

    Pixelmator

     421 likes

    Image editing software for macOS and iOS, offering nondestructive, GPU-powered editing with machine learning features, RAW support, custom brushes, and seamless macOS integration for touch-ups, painting, and creative compositions.

    154 Pixelmator alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    Pixelmator screenshot 1
     
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    5
    Comments about Pixelmator as an Alternative to Adobe Photoshop
    Top Positive Comment
    Dave Cortright
    3

    For the simple editing I do to get photos ready for email and web, Pixelmator is perfect. It can crop (including constrained cropping), resize, and do all the essential color/brightness/contrast/levels tweaks. And the best feature of all, it has a magical healing brush for removing blemishes.

    DalsPhotography
    Positive
    0

    A great program, just got it so I am still trying it, but you have some more tools or kind of different tools than within Photoshop, as you can work with paths without going to lets say , Illustrator.

    Guest
    Positive
    0

    Can accomplish nearly all of the functions of Photoshop, while still being cheaper, and more stable

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    3 of 5 comments
    Pixelmator icon
    Pixelmator icon
    • Pixelmator is Paid and ProprietaryAdobe Photoshop is also Paid and Proprietary
    • Pixelmator is CustomizableAdobe Photoshop is not according to our users
  11. Corel PaintShop Pro icon

    Corel PaintShop Pro

     107 likes

    Corel's tool provides comprehensive photo editing and design features including enhanced layers, precise tools, RAW editing, and organization capabilities such as keyword tags, auto sorting, and facial recognition, making it ideal for both novices and professionals in various projects.

    158 Corel PaintShop Pro alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Corel PaintShop Pro screenshot 1
     
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    8
    Comments about Corel PaintShop Pro as an Alternative to Adobe Photoshop
    Top Positive Comment
    Guest
    9

    It does almost everything PhotoShop does, and easier. All toolbars easily customizable, can record scripts and add them as toolbar buttons, and is inexpensive to boot!

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Shaz Shah
    Positive
    0

    I do remember using PaintShop Pro before Corel bought it. Corel's no stranger to creative software with their staple Corel Draw. It may not be free, like The GIMP, but PaintShop Pro is a powerful piece of kit without a steep learning curve for those who come from a Photoshop background.

    Sebastian
    Positive
    0

    App/Software that is a classic.

    3 of 8 comments
    Corel PaintShop Pro icon
    Corel PaintShop Pro icon
    • Corel PaintShop Pro is Paid and ProprietaryAdobe Photoshop is also Paid and Proprietary
  12. MyPaint icon

    MyPaint

     388 likes

    MyPaint is a fast, distraction-free, and easy painting tool for digital artists. It supports graphics tablets made by Wacom, and many similar devices.

    127 MyPaint alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • PortableApps.com
    MyPaint screenshot 1
     
    |
    5
    Comments about MyPaint as an Alternative to Adobe Photoshop
    Top Positive Comment
    uhada
    2

    If you're looking for a painting app, MyPaint may be a good alternative to Photoshop. It has infinite canvas, good, natural brushes and overall good tools.

    Top Negative Comment
    Guest
    20

    MyPaint is only a drawing program, but it can't edit images. Adobe Photoshop can do both.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    sedeti
    Negative
    0

    My paint is not a image editor

    3 of 5 comments
    MyPaint icon
    MyPaint icon
    • MyPaint is Free and Open SourceAdobe Photoshop is Paid and Proprietary
  13. CorelDRAW Graphics Suite icon

    CorelDRAW Graphics Suite

     216 likes

    A full suite of graphic design software that provides vector illustration, page layout, image editing, and tracing software. Designed for professional designers, it delivers precision tools, excellent file compatibility, and quality content for crafting professional results from creative ideas.

    89 CorelDRAW Graphics Suite alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    CorelDRAW Graphics Suite screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Comments about CorelDRAW Graphics Suite as an Alternative to Adobe Photoshop
    tobylennon
    Positive
    3

    Corel Photo-paint and CorelDraw work very well with Corel Painter and Paint-shop Pro. Pretty much everything is covered, there [High-end full-body textile design must be around the corner.] Everlasting licences also make CorelDraw the clear Winner.

    CorelDRAW Graphics Suite icon
    CorelDRAW Graphics Suite icon
    • CorelDRAW Graphics Suite is Paid and ProprietaryAdobe Photoshop is also Paid and Proprietary
    • CorelDRAW Graphics Suite is CustomizableAdobe Photoshop is not according to our users
  14. Affinity Designer icon

    Affinity Designer

     381 likes

    A precise vector graphic design software built for creative professionals, offering vibrant colors, high-speed performance, live gradients, customizable shapes, and unique non-destructive features for superior design flexibility.

    63 Affinity Designer alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • iPad
    Affinity Designer screenshot 1
     
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    2
    Comments about Affinity Designer as an Alternative to Adobe Photoshop
    DalsPhotography
    Positive
    2

    Affinity Designer runs as an alternative to Illustrator.

    Guest
    Negative
    0

    It appears that Affinity Designer is more oriented toward vector graphics than photos

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Affinity Designer icon
    Affinity Designer icon
    • Affinity Designer is Paid and ProprietaryAdobe Photoshop is also Paid and Proprietary
  15. Clip Studio Paint icon

    Clip Studio Paint

     134 likes

    Professional software for comic and manga creation, optimized with panel layouts, perspective rulers, sketching, inking, toning, vector support, and 3D model import, suitable for artists seeking advanced drawing and coloring tools.

    102 Clip Studio Paint alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Samsung Galaxy Store
    Customizable workspace
     
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    3
    Comments about Clip Studio Paint as an Alternative to Adobe Photoshop
    James Hunt
    Positive
    0

    Far better than photoshop for digital painting

    Guest
    Positive
    1

    It has pretty similar tools and the results look just as good as in PS

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    1

    Clip Studio Paint has the best blending tools I've seen so far

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Clip Studio Paint icon
    Clip Studio Paint icon
    • Clip Studio Paint is Paid and ProprietaryAdobe Photoshop is also Paid and Proprietary
    • Clip Studio Paint is Customizable and LightweightAdobe Photoshop is not according to our users
12 of 63 Adobe Photoshop alternatives