Free Alternatives to Photoshop

Introduction

Photoshop has traditionally been the industry standard, but it's expensive for users who only sometimes need to modify photos. Here are 17 free Photoshop alternatives for basic picture editing or graphic design, some of which provide the best of both worlds.

Since it is used often and merely for basic picture editing, Photoshop has long been the industry standard. However, it is expensive for people to purchase. Photoshop is powerful picture editing and graphic design software, but it takes up a lot of storage space and might cause your computer to slow down.

It might also be tough for newcomers to understand. Photoshop, at $9.99 a month, may not be the best solution for many inexperienced photographers.

You've come to the right place if you're looking for a free Photoshop alternative. This article will take you through 16 cost-free Photoshop substitutes. Some are excellent for simple picture editing, some for graphic design, and others provide the best of both worlds.

1. Luminar:

If you're looking for full-featured free Photoshop alternatives, the Luminar free trial is a great option. In Luminar, photo management and powerful RAW processing are merged. You'll enjoy Luminar if you're a professional photographer or designer.

Advantages:

• May use it to edit RAW photographs with great precision.
• Properties like contrast, highlights, saturation, and brightness are all subject to fine adjustments.
• Additional AI-enhanced filters in Luminar include Accent AI 2.0 and Foliage enhancement.
• These automated editing tools provide lightning-fast editing with exceptional quality.

Disadvantages:

You may enjoy all of the advantages of this picture editor for a 7-day trial period. Three membership categories are available for Luminar Neo as well:

• $14.95 for one month,
• $8.25 per month for one year
• One-time lifetime payment of $109 per user.

2. Apple Photos:

Every Mac comes with Apple Photos pre-installed, providing easy-to-use photo editing tools. It's also an incredible place to save your photographs because you can arrange them into folders or categorize them by date. Simple changes, such as brightness, saturation, and contrast, may be made by clicking a button.

Advantages:

• Photos are easy to use and function as both an editor and an organization system for photos. Apple users will find the interface quite simple because the tools for editing photographs are the same on the PC and the iOS app.

Disadvantages:

• Photos only support Mac and iOS devices and have a relatively small toolbox. In contrast to Photoshop, it doesn't offer layers or sophisticated modifications.

3. Microsoft Windows 10 Photos:

One of the greatest free photo editing software, comparable to Photoshop, is the Microsoft Windows 10 Photos software.

It comes with every Windows 10 operating system. Windows 10 Photos works similarly to Apple Photos as a photo management system.

It makes it simple to import photographs that are kept in other folders and instantly display all of the images saved in your Pictures folder.

With only one click, the one-click fix option switches filters and quickly enhances color, brightness, and contrast. Another choice is batch editing.

Advantages:

• For Windows users who don't want to install other software, 10 Photos is excellent. For inexperienced photographers who don't require extensive features, the simple User experience is excellent.

Disadvantages:

• This software is only compatible with Windows 10 and has few features for photographers who work professionally.

4. GIMP:

The most commonly used free picture editing program, comparable to Photoshop, GIMP, has been around for a while and is one of the first programs many think of when they hear the phrase "free Photoshop."

There are versions of accessible software for Windows, Mac, and Linux. The official website has a variety of informative lessons. The GIMP team performed a fantastic job with file compatibility: you may deal with all common file types without issues.

Advantages:

• GIMP has sophisticated tools like layer masks and filters.
• It has the benefit of allowing plug-ins to be downloaded from the Internet.
• For your purposes, there are several downloadable add-ons available.
• This software can operate on even the oldest PCs due to its low system requirements.
• Photographers and graphic designers will find the tools they need to finish most of their work with GIMP, which supports a wide range of file formats.

Disadvantages:

• This interface is far less user-friendly than Adobe's interface.

5. Photo Pos Pro:

Photo Pos Pro, a free photo editor similar to Photoshop, can edit photos, make collages, and even create business cards. You may edit already-created photographs as well as begin brand-new projects from the beginning.

Advantages:

• Photo Pos Pro is excellent for new users since it detects RAW files, lets you choose between Novice and Expert settings, and aids with easing you through the workflow.

Disadvantages:

• You must purchase the $30 Premium edition to access all features. There are two interfaces; however, working with layers is impossible if you select the Novice option.

6. Raw Therapee:

A wonderful photo editing software for beginners is called Raw Therapee. You may quickly arrange photographs, enhance exposure, change the color and white balance, boost clarity, and more with just a few clicks. You may make collages and give your photographs frames using Raw Therapee.

Advantages:

• You can download extensions suited to your need. It's a fantastic entry-level photo editor for novices and was created expressly to operate smoothly on older systems. Three essential Retouch profiles provide an even quicker picture improvement method (Raw Therapee's version on presets).

Disadvantages:

• Fewer lessons are accessible due to the program's small user base compared to competing picture editing software. Although it will be challenging for novices to operate, this program's complicated interface might be regarded as a drawback because it enables sophisticated photo manipulations.

7. Pixlr:

Pixlr is web-based, which is distinct from other image editors. Basic modifications like vignettes, color correction, saturation, contrast, and frames are possible. It's simple to edit photos on the go using the mobile version.

Advantages:

• Pixlr is a wonderful option for users who don't have space on their computers to download other apps.
• Photoshop Elements inspire the simple user interface.
• Pixlr supports layers, which is hard to find in an online editor.
• Another benefit of this application is its user-friendly interface, which is packed with useful functions and offers the opportunity to connect to cloud storage.
• Automating routine tasks is made easier by clever tools.

Disadvantages:

• To edit photos, Pixlr has to be connected to the internet continuously.
• If you continue using the original Pixlr Editor, Flash is also required for it to work. However, the new Pixlr X is HTML5-based.

8. Paint.NET:

Paint.NET has transformed into a simple photo editor in the years since it was initially created. It was first designed as a Microsoft Paint alternative. It has tools that enable layer, curve, and level editing.

Although the tools and filters are limited, you may download free extensions to offer additional variety. There are several forums where you may get instructions because many people use Paint. NET.

Advantages:

• Its user interface is pleasant. It may be installed and used at any time.
• Paint.NET offers basic photo editing features for those who don't want anything elaborate and is simple and clear to use, even for beginners.

Disadvantages:

• Paint.NET only works with Windows operating systems and has a limited capacity.

9. Darktable:

Darktable is an image editor that is sometimes promoted as a Lightroom substitute despite having fewer features than comparable Adobe applications. However, it provides excellent capabilities for fundamental picture enhancement, which is a wonderful place for beginners. Additionally, it lets you make and store your own presets, which improves one-click editing.

Advantages:

• Darktable has a simple user interface that lets users fix colors, use filters quickly, and modify brightness and contrast.
• The UI is remarkably similar to Lightrooms. Darktable is a photo editing tool that can be used on Linux, unlike many others that are exclusively compatible with Mac and Windows.

Disadvantages:

• Professional photographers need access to more tools; if files are too huge, Darktable may become unstable and crash.

10. LightZone:

Users of LightZone's free, simple photo editor may quickly make simple color corrections, change the white balance, and enhance exposure.

Advantages:

• This tool is simple and ideal for new users and people who only sometimes edit their photos.
• Despite being a simple editor, it still accepts RAW files. Linux, Mac, and Windows all support LightZone.

Disadvantages:

• LightZone misses a proper layering tool, instead providing a solution that involves layering tools on top of one another.
• The color correction could be better with other free editors, and the photo editing features are pretty simple.
• There isn't much support accessible if you don't know how to apply specific tools in the application.
• If a photographer is proficient with specialist software, just the caliber of the source material and the scope of his imagination serve as the framework for correcting, enhancing, and creating beautiful photo stylizations.

11. PhotoScape X:

Even though PhotoScape X is generally promoted as a photo editor, it is capable of much more. It offers group editing, screenshots, animated GIFs, RAW picture processing, and photo stitching.

It is simple and clear to add text and images to pictures with PhotoScape X since it has many of the same brushes and tools as Photoshop.

Advantages:

• PhotoScape X is ideal for beginners and offers many easy-to-use tools and filters to improve any shot and explore concepts.

Disadvantages:

• The Photoscape X interface might be busy and challenging for some users to operate at first, and the program can become slow when dealing with large files.
• It could be difficult to alter a specific photo section because of the restricted selection possibilities.

12. Photopea:

Photopea is another online picture editor that does not require users to download software. Although it accepts various image types, including PSD, it doesn't have as many editing features as Photoshop.

Advantages:

• Since the interface is similar to Photoshop Elements', switching is simple and doesn't need much understanding.
• Using only a few simple modifications may quickly improve photographs with Photopea's support for layer editing on imported PSD files.
• Additionally, it handles both vector and raster drawings.

Disadvantages:

• Because this application is free, many advertisements exist.
• You'll need to pay $9 monthly to get rid of them.
• Photopea requires an online connection and struggles to clear huge portions of photos (such as the complete background).

13. InPixio:

The InPixio software collection consists of five programs: Photo Focus, Photo Clip, Photo Eraser, Photo Maximizer, and Photo Cutter.

It starts with the tool Photo Editor. The InPixio free edition is user-friendly and provides a selection of filters, frames, and textures to enhance your photographs.

Advantages:

• InPixio has many one-click filters that may drastically change a photo.
• This application is simple to use, even for beginners, because it doesn't have many sophisticated editing tools.

Disadvantages:

• InPixio's free edition has a lot of restrictions.
• You'll have to pay the extra $30 to get the full version.
• For the maximum benefit from InPixio, you must be using Windows because only a small number of the add-on packages work with Mac.

14. Polarr:

An easy-to-use photo editing tool called Polarr uses filters to improve pictures. Many different filters are available, enabling users to enhance their photographs with a single click.

In addition to the filters currently included in the application, customers who purchase the Pro edition may also design and store their own.

Advantages:

• Polarr has an app for iOS and Android that makes mobile photo editing quick and easy.
• Polarr is ideal for beginning photographers who desire a quick edit without extra features because of its straightforward design.
• It can easily be removed Imperfections thanks to the skin editing tool.

Disadvantages:

• A $2.50 monthly charge is required to access all the features
• Polarr offers a variety of filters; it lacks sophisticated picture editing software.
• The application may slow while editing larger photographs.

15. InkScape:

For graphic artists who wish to work with vector images, InkScape is particularly designed for them. It is more like an alternative to Illustrator than Photoshop, which is how it is promoted.

You may even use it to edit photos simply by trimming them or copying and pasting. It's also a fantastic technique to turn photos into vector images.

Advantages:

• For graphic artists who require the drawing and painting skills offered in applications like Photoshop and Illustrator, Inkscape is wonderful.
• Inkscape also supports vector pictures.

Disadvantages:

• InkScape frequently slows or crashes while working with large files.
• Inkscape could seem too limited to someone who prefers to take photographs over create graphics.

16. Krita:

Another application focusing on illustrators and graphic designers is Krita, which provides many of the same capabilities as Adobe Illustrator. However, it does handle PSD files, making it excellent for designers who frequently use Photoshop.

Advantages:

• Because of the interface's similarities to Photoshop, switching is simple.
• Krita offers a variety of effects, and you may work on many projects at once.
• Due to its support for drawing tablets, Krita is excellent for digital painting and sketching.

Disadvantages:

• Not supporting RAW files is a drawback of Krita.
• When creating projects from the beginning, it is preferable to traditional picture editing of the already photos.

17. Pixelmator:

Mac users can edit photos easily with Pixelmator. It allows you to edit existing photographs or start working on a new project. The tool menu of Pixelmator resembles that of Adobe Photoshop, making the transition simple for both beginners and experienced users. But it lacks Photoshop's sophisticated capabilities.

Advantages:

• Several filters are available to enhance any photograph rapidly, and the interface is clear and simple.
• Other photo editing programs have a different number of digital painting tools than Pixelmator does.

Disadvantages:

• Only Mac users may use Pixelmator.
• After the free 30-day trial, you'll have to pay a one-time $30 cost.
• The price of a more recent version, Pixelmator Pro, is $40.
• Users of Pixelmator may only work on one project at once, and RAW files are not supported.

The Conclusion:

Choose a free editor like Photoshop in the end. Although Photoshop is a fantastic application, many people find the high cost unjustifiable. Several free Photoshop alternatives are available, whether you require a basic picture editor or more sophisticated features. You will undoubtedly get the tools you need to perfect your art from one of these 17 Free Alternatives to Photoshop.