Photoshop Alternatives

Adobe Photoshop serves as a professional raster graphics editor for Windows and macOS, handling advanced image editing, retouching, and digital art. Users praise its extensive feature set for graphics and design, though many complain about high pricing compared to other editors.

GIMP tops the rankings as the leading Photoshop alternative, offering broad image-editing and retouching tools completely free and open-source. Many users switch to GIMP specifically to escape Photoshop's cloud licensing and subscription model. Affinity Photo ranks second with its polished interface and one-time purchase model, repeatedly highlighted as a cost advantage over subscription pricing. Luminar Neo brings AI tools like GenErase and GenExpand plus focus stacking and HDR merging for photographer-centric workflows.

Krita ranks third, focusing on digital painting with advanced brush control and animation support for artists. The alternatives landscape splits between pro photo editors and art-first painting apps, with Photopea standing out as a free, install-free option with PSD support and a familiar interface.

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For open source transparency, GIMP and Krita lead with community-driven development and no proprietary licensing restrictions. Linux users have native options in GIMP, Krita, and MyPaint without relying on Windows or macOS-only tools. Windows-only picks include Paint.NET and Corel PaintShop Pro for desktop editing with layers, effects, and selection tools.

Web-based editors like Photopea, Pixlr, and Sumo Paint work in browsers when you can't install software on school or locked-down computers. Users avoiding subscriptions can choose Affinity Photo and Affinity Designer for predictable one-time licensing. For PSD workflows, Photopea, Affinity Photo, and Pixelmator open Photoshop-format documents to maintain collaboration compatibility. iPad workflows benefit from Affinity Photo, Pixelmator, and Pixlr for editing on tablets rather than desktop-only setups.

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Alternatives list

  1. Inspire Pro icon
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    Inspire Pro delivers an incredibly fast and realistic painting, drawing and sketching experience that you can take with you wherever you go and use whenever inspiration strikes.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • iPhone
     
  2. Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Saint Paint is the ideal paint package for creating and editing True Colour, 256 colour, 16 colour, and Monochrome graphics, and animating in any mode or combination of modes, with AVI editing support. It features all the essential graphic tools you'll need in everyday use...

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Windows
     
  3. Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    AI-powered platform generates unique, realistic artwork in seconds. Features print-on-demand options for canvases, frames, digital formats including NFTs, ensuring each piece's uniqueness.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Pay once)
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
     
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    Luminance Studio is a Pixarra product in the Studio series with a focus on painting with luminance for both natural media and design style of artwork.

    Cost / License

    • Pay once
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
     
  5. Formulas icon
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    Dozens of custom, multilayered photo effects unlike anything available on the App Store, ranging from basic color and tonal to authentic vintage film emulations, textured finishes, and painterly and artistic styles.

    Cost / License

    • Pay once
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • iPad
    • iPhone
     
  6. MyBrushes icon
     22 likes
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    MyBrushes Paint for Mac app allows you to paint on infinite canvas and PLAYBACK whole drawing.

    Cost / License

    • Pay once
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • iPhone
    • iPad
     
  7. Foto Trix icon
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    Upload a digital photo to add fun effects and novelty layouts. We have over 2,500 templates for your digital photographs! Make it look like you had your photograph taken with a celebrity or add some goofy props to spice up your photos.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Online
     
  8. SharpShot icon
     5 likes
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    SharpShot is a multi-platform picture editing software. It is meant for people who think Adobe Photoshop or GIMP are too cumbersome for everyday picture editing, while other simpler software like...

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
     
  9. Fotowall icon
     8 likes
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    Fotowall is an opensource creative tool that lets you play with your pixels as you've ever wanted! Make the perfect arrangement with your photos, add text, live video from your webcam and the best internet pictures.

    42 Fotowall alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
     
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    Presets and filters for Lightroom to enhance your photos. Make stunning photos easily in just few clicks. 

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Adobe Photoshop Lightroom
     
  11.  5 likes
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    3D texturing tool. It supports, .3DS, .X, .OBJ, .LWO and .B3D.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Windows
     
  12. Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Create and share your own film-like photographic images with this fun and easy to use photo app.

    Cost / License

    • Pay once
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • iPhone
    • iPad
     
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