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. 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.

    64 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
  2. Photoscape icon

    Photoscape

     262 likes

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

    195 Photoscape alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    Photoscape screenshot 1
     
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    4
    Comments about Photoscape as an Alternative to Adobe Photoshop
    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 icon
    Photoscape icon
    • Photoscape is Freemium and ProprietaryAdobe Photoshop is Paid and Proprietary
    • Photoscape is LightweightAdobe Photoshop is not according to our users
  4. Clip Studio Paint icon

    Clip Studio Paint

     132 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.

    103 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
  5. Ad
  6. QuickEdit icon

    QuickEdit

     21 likes

    Lightweight photo editor where you can crop your images, paint over them, add text and even add exciting filters to make it stand out on social media. Save the edited images locally or share them directly to your friends through any other social media app.

    55 QuickEdit alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • F-Droid
    QuickEdit screenshot 1
     
  7. 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.

    127 PhotoFiltre alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • PortableApps.com
    PhotoFiltre screenshot 1
     
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    2
    Comments about PhotoFiltre as an Alternative to Adobe Photoshop
    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 icon
    PhotoFiltre icon
    • PhotoFiltre is Freemium and ProprietaryAdobe Photoshop is Paid and Proprietary
  8. Polarr icon

    Polarr

     119 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
    Comments about Polarr as an Alternative to Adobe Photoshop
    Guest
    Negative
    0

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

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

    I couldn't find an option for layers.

    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 icon
    Polarr icon
    • Polarr is Freemium and ProprietaryAdobe Photoshop is Paid and Proprietary
  10. Luminar Neo icon

    Luminar Neo

     82 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.

    86 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
     
  11. PaintTool SAI icon

    PaintTool SAI

     140 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
    Comments about PaintTool SAI as an Alternative to Adobe Photoshop
    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 icon
    PaintTool SAI icon
    • PaintTool SAI is Paid and ProprietaryAdobe Photoshop is also Paid and Proprietary
    • PaintTool SAI is CustomizableAdobe Photoshop is not according to our users
  12. FireAlpaca icon

    FireAlpaca

     89 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
     
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    1
    Comments about FireAlpaca as an Alternative to Adobe Photoshop
    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 icon
    FireAlpaca icon
    • FireAlpaca is Free and ProprietaryAdobe Photoshop is Paid and Proprietary
  13. Adobe Elements icon

    Adobe Elements

     83 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.

    149 Adobe Elements alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    Adobe Elements screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Comments about Adobe Elements as an Alternative to Adobe Photoshop
    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 icon
    Adobe Elements icon
    • Adobe Elements is Paid and ProprietaryAdobe Photoshop is also Paid and Proprietary
  14. LazPaint icon

    LazPaint

     45 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.

    43 LazPaint alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • PortableApps.com
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    Main UI
     
    |
    1
    Comments about LazPaint as an Alternative to Adobe Photoshop
    maurosoft391
    Negative
    -2

    the software is poorly designed

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

    Snapseed

     87 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.

    75 Snapseed alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    Snapseed screenshot 1
     
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