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. 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
     
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    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
  2. QuickEdit icon

    QuickEdit

     21 likes

    Lightweight tool offering cropping, drawing, text editing with formatting options, GPUImage filters, smooth Jetpack Compose-based animations, quick saving, and direct sharing to social media apps, designed for fast, simple photo enhancements on any device.

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • F-Droid
    QuickEdit screenshot 1
     
  4. PhotoFiltre icon

    PhotoFiltre

     109 likes

    PhotoFiltre 7 is a complete image retouching program. It allows you to do simple or advanced adjustments to an image and apply a vast range of filters on it. It is simple and intuitive to use, and has an easy learning curve.

    124 PhotoFiltre alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • PortableApps.com
    PhotoFiltre screenshot 1
     
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    2
    PhotoFiltre vs Adobe Photoshop Comments
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    In my opinion it provides most intuitive way to edit photos.

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

    Very fast & lightweight but still powerful with great features. Doesn't take forever to load for quick edits

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    • PhotoFiltre is Freemium and ProprietaryAdobe Photoshop is Paid and Proprietary
  5. Ad
    Screenshot
    Corel Photo-Paint icon
    Corel Photo-Paint

    Comprehensive tool for image editing, retouching, bitmap creation, digital painting, and RAW editing. Streamlined web exporting makes it ideal for professionals seeking to enhance visual elements efficiently.

    http://www.coreldraw.com
    Learn More
  6. PaintTool SAI icon

    PaintTool SAI

     142 likes

    PaintTool SAI is high quality and lightweight painting software, fully digitizer support, amazing anti-aliased paintings, provide easy and stable operation, this software make digital art more enjoyable and comfortable.

    92 PaintTool SAI alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    PaintTool SAI screenshot 1
     
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    1
    PaintTool SAI vs Adobe Photoshop Comments
    Peter Griffin
    Negative
    2

    PaintTool SAI is a great program for drawing and painting, but is definitely not a good alternative for robust photo editors like Photoshop. It is more like Krita and the likes.

    • PaintTool SAI is Paid and ProprietaryAdobe Photoshop is also Paid and Proprietary
    • PaintTool SAI is CustomizableAdobe Photoshop is not according to our users
  7. PixiEditor icon

    PixiEditor

     19 likes

    Create pixel-perfect sprites, raster paintings, and scalable vector graphics with a unified open-source editor featuring frame-by-frame animation, a node-based workflow, custom shaders, procedural art tools, anti-aliased brushes, and versatile export options.

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    • Steam
    • Flatpak
    PixiEditor screenshot 1
     
  8. Luminar Neo icon

    Luminar Neo

     83 likes

    Advanced RAW photo editing software equipped with AI-driven features like GenErase, GenExpand, and GenSwap. Enhances portraits and landscapes using Sky AI and Atmosphere AI. Compatible with Adobe and Apple products, supports multiple formats, and offers panorama stitching, noise reduction, and more.

    88 Luminar Neo alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • iPad
    • Apple Photos
    • Adobe Photoshop
    • visionOS
    • Adobe Lightroom
    Luminar Neo screenshot 1
     
  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!

    123 FireAlpaca alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    FireAlpaca screenshot 1
     
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    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. Adobe Elements icon

    Adobe Elements

     84 likes

    Comprehensive photo editing tool with AI-powered automation and easy step-by-step guidance. It includes unique creation tools, layer support, facial recognition, and organizes your photos seamlessly. Available as a one-time purchase, no subscription required, with cloud sync for flexibility.

    148 Adobe Elements alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    Adobe Elements screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Adobe Elements vs Adobe Photoshop Comments
    Bigoukun
    Positive
    1

    It's a lest costly version of PhotoShop, with all the functions most peoples need. So if you absolutly need (or want) PhotoShop and aren't a pro, go for it.

    • Adobe Elements is Paid and ProprietaryAdobe Photoshop is also Paid and Proprietary
  12. Snapseed icon

    Snapseed

     88 likes

    Snapseed is a photo enhancement and sharing app with a powerful suite of imaging filters and tools for anyone, anywhere, to transform any image into an extraordinary photo.

    72 Snapseed alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    Snapseed screenshot 1
     
  13. PhotoGIMP icon

    PhotoGIMP

     22 likes

    A Patch for GIMP 3+ for Photoshop Users.

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    PhotoGIMP screenshot 1
     
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    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
  14. 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
     
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    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
  15. MediBang Paint icon

    MediBang Paint

     118 likes

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

    78 MediBang Paint alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Steam
    Great for anime or comics
     
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    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
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