Free Photoshop Alternatives for Mac

There are many alternatives to Adobe Photoshop for Mac if you are looking for a replacement. The best free Mac alternative is GIMP, which is also Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to Adobe Photoshop and many of them are free and available for Mac so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting free Mac alternatives to Adobe Photoshop are Krita, Affinity, MyPaint and Photoscape.

filter to find the best alternatives

Adobe Photoshop alternatives are mainly Image Editors, but if you're looking for Photo Editors or Digital Painting Tools you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Open Source, Mac, Online, Free, Windows, Linux and Android. 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.
More about Adobe Photoshop
Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard
Adobe Photoshop alternatives page was last updated

Alternatives list

  1. GIMP icon

    GIMP

     4750 likes

    Free open-source suite offering advanced photo retouching, image composition, original artwork creation, batch processing, plugin support, custom scripting, mass image format conversion, and integration with free publishing tools for comprehensive editing solutions.

    188 GIMP alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • Haiku
    • Flatpak
    • AmigaOS
    • AppImage
    GIMP screenshot 1
     
    |
    112
    GIMP vs Adobe Photoshop Comments
    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.

    Rex2111
    Negative
    1

    Gimp is a great open source alternative for less complex tasks but it is FAR from a true photoshop alternative.

    3 of 112 comments
    • 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. Krita icon

    Krita

     1433 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.

    145 Krita alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android Tablet
    • KDE Plasma
    • Epic Games Store
    • PortableApps.com
    • F-Droid
    • Steam
    • AppImage
    Main Window
     
    |
    47
    Krita vs Adobe Photoshop Comments
    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

    doctorwhatag
    Positive
    0

    It's intuitive to use and despite being called "digital painting" software, it can also do plenty of things that you can do in Adobe Photoshop and other image editing software

    3 of 47 comments
    • 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
  4. Affinity icon

    Affinity

     66 likes

    Unified design solution merging advanced photo, vector, and layout tools for seamless workflow, non-destructive editing, RAW support, batch processing, AI enhancements, GPU acceleration, file compatibility, cloud asset integration, and tailored workspace options.

    70 Affinity alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    Affinity screenshot 1
     
    |
    4
    Affinity vs Adobe Photoshop Comments
    OMGparticles
    Positive
    1

    Affinity has most of Photoshop's features without the predatory subscription scheme. It includes many of the full Adobe suite's features, combining vector and rasterized graphics editing. The UI is clean, familiar, and easy to understand and customize.

    ctrl
    Positive
    1

    It have so many feature and excellent interface. And it's FREE.

    kazu
    Positive
    0

    The closest thing to have an actual Photoshop competitor, although Canva has a stinky reputation

    3 of 4 comments
    • Affinity is Freemium and ProprietaryAdobe Photoshop is Paid and Proprietary
  5. Ad
    Screenshot
    HitPaw FotorPea icon
    HitPaw FotorPea

    AI-powered photo editing tool with features like photo enhancement, object and background removal, and AI art generation. Upscale images to 8K, enhance facial features, remove noise, blemishes, colorize, and fix faded photos. Inc...

    https://www.hitpaw.com
    Learn More
  6. MyPaint icon

    MyPaint

     392 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.

    130 MyPaint alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • PortableApps.com
    MyPaint screenshot 1
     
    |
    5
    MyPaint vs Adobe Photoshop Comments
    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
    21

    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 is Free and Open SourceAdobe Photoshop is Paid and Proprietary
    • MyPaint is LightweightAdobe Photoshop is not according to our users
  7. Photoscape icon

    Photoscape

     262 likes

    PhotoScape is a fun and easy photo editing software that enables you to fix and enhance photos.

    193 Photoscape alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    Photoscape screenshot 1
     
    |
    4
    Photoscape vs Adobe Photoshop Comments
    DalsPhotography
    Positive
    0

    It's a bit outdated for Mac, but nevertheless it's useful, light weight, and with some funny tools that you can use for daily tasks.

    Guest
    Positive
    1

    I like it because you can merge multiple photos easily.

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

    Simple, no layers, but brushes are available. Cheap, light weighted and goes easy on your machine resources. Even as professional I do use Photoscape for a first review of my photos.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    3 of 4 comments
    • Photoscape is Freemium and ProprietaryAdobe Photoshop is Paid and Proprietary
    • Photoscape is LightweightAdobe Photoshop is not according to our users
  8. Polarr icon

    Polarr

     120 likes

    Offers advanced filters, high-precision color and light tools, clarity, dehaze, batch export, watermarking, custom filter creation, touch and mouse access, infinite undo, HSL/RGB curves, blending, and workspace customization for versatile editing needs.

    140 Polarr alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    Polarr screenshot 1
     
    |
    3
    Polarr vs Adobe Photoshop Comments
    kreela
    Positive
    0

    I couldn't find an option for layers.

    Guest
    Negative
    0

    This more like a photo editor, doesn't come close

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

    Free version is the most capable offline editor available in Chromebook. Excellent masking tools in paid version.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    • Polarr is Freemium and ProprietaryAdobe Photoshop is Paid and Proprietary
  10. FireAlpaca icon

    FireAlpaca

     90 likes

    FireAlpaca is the image editor that can be used readily and easily. We made it possible to provide the completely free download, in order for our products to be experienced by more users from all over the world. It is available for both Mac and Windows users!

    124 FireAlpaca alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    FireAlpaca screenshot 1
     
    |
    1
    FireAlpaca vs Adobe Photoshop Comments
    Ryvaa
    Positive
    1

    I really like how smooth is to paint on Fire Alpaca, It's a wonderful software for painting. And faster then Krita.

    • FireAlpaca is Free and ProprietaryAdobe Photoshop is Paid and Proprietary
  11. PhotoGIMP icon

    PhotoGIMP

     22 likes

    A Patch for GIMP 3+ for Photoshop Users.

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    PhotoGIMP screenshot 1
     
    |
    1
    PhotoGIMP vs Adobe Photoshop Comments
    John Gringo
    Positive
    2

    It's a good way for Photoshop users to be able to use GIMP.

    • PhotoGIMP is Free and Open SourceAdobe Photoshop is Paid and Proprietary
    • PhotoGIMP is Privacy focusedAdobe Photoshop is not according to our users
  12. MediBang Paint icon

    MediBang Paint

     119 likes

    MediBang Paint is a lightweight software for illustration and making comic books on Windows and Mac OS.

    77 MediBang Paint alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Steam
    Great for anime or comics
     
    |
    2
    MediBang Paint vs Adobe Photoshop Comments
    Whitter
    Negative
    2

    MediBang is used for drawing manga and comic books, NOT editing photos.

    Ryvaa
    Positive
    0

    It's a wonderful software for painting, not editing photos.

    • MediBang Paint is Freemium and ProprietaryAdobe Photoshop is Paid and Proprietary
    • MediBang Paint is LightweightAdobe Photoshop is not according to our users
  13. LazPaint icon

    LazPaint

     46 likes

    Raster & vector graphic editor with many tools and filters, written in Lazarus. Portable, 32bit & 64bit versions, ORA format & 16384x16384 image support. In app 3D import & rendering.

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • PortableApps.com
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    Main UI
     
    |
    1
    LazPaint vs Adobe Photoshop Comments
    maurosoft391
    Negative
    -2

    the software is poorly designed

    • LazPaint is Free and Open SourceAdobe Photoshop is Paid and Proprietary
    • LazPaint is LightweightAdobe Photoshop is not according to our users
  14. Fotor icon

    Fotor

     61 likes

    Comprehensive online editor offering filters, frames, text, stickers, collage creation, graphic design, templates for social media, batch editing, photo retouching, mobile and desktop access, regular updates, and direct sharing to social channels.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    Fotor screenshot 1
     
    |
    2
    Fotor vs Adobe Photoshop Comments
    kreela
    Positive
    0

    It has no layers, but it has a nice tool to change the focal point, and it is much easier than photoshop for basic edits.

    Guest
    Positive
    -2

    Simple for using ,with enough tools

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    • Fotor is Freemium and ProprietaryAdobe Photoshop is Paid and Proprietary
  15. Pixelitor icon

    Pixelitor

     27 likes

    Open source image editor with non-destructive editing, 110+ filters, adjustment and text layers, support for smart objects and adjustment layers, cross-platform compatibility, and layer-based editing for flexible image composition.

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Pixelitor screenshot 1
     
12 of 37 Adobe Photoshop alternatives