Did you know you can find photo editors like Photoshop for free?

These innovative solutions offer a blend of unique features, intuitive interfaces, and exceptional functionality, rivaling, and in some cases, even surpassing Photoshop’s capabilities.

In this article, you’ll find an expertly compiled list of the top 12 free alternatives to Photoshop.

12 Photo Editors Like Photoshop For FREE


Here are the 12 most powerful free Photoshop alternatives that you can use for photo editing today:

A Powerful Open-Source Editor

GIMP

GIMP: Official website of GIMP, the powerful open-source photo editor.

GIMP, which stands for GNU Image Manipulation Program, is a powerful open-source photo editor renowned for its extensive range of features. As a free software available for various operating systems, including Windows, Mac, and Linux, GIMP provides professional-grade editing tools such as layers, masks, selection tools, filters, and customizable interfaces.

GIMP’s support for multiple file formats, including RAW images, and the availability of plugins further enhance its capabilities. With GIMP, users have access to a robust editing environment that rivals commercial software, making it a go-to choice for photographers, graphic designers, and enthusiasts seeking a versatile and cost-effective solution.

A User-Friendly Web-Based Editor

Pixlr

Pixlr: Access Pixlr, the user-friendly web-based photo editor, directly from your browser.

Pixlr is a user-friendly web-based photo editor that offers a wide range of editing tools and features. With its intuitive interface and accessible online platform, Pixlr allows users to edit and enhance their images directly in their web browsers. It offers basic editing functions such as cropping, resizing, and adjusting brightness and contrast, as well as more advanced features like layers, filters, and effects.

Pixlr is a great option for those who need quick and easy editing capabilities without the need to download or install any software.

Find the list of the best 10 photo editing softwares (FREE, online)>>

 

An All-in-One Design Platform

Canva

Canva: Explore Canva, the all-in-one design platform offering photo editing and graphic design tools.

Canva

Canva is not only a photo editor but also an all-in-one design platform that caters to a variety of creative needs. While primarily known for its graphic design capabilities, Canva also offers powerful photo editing tools. Users can edit images, apply filters and effects, and make adjustments to enhance their visuals.

Canva provides a vast library of pre-designed templates, graphics, and elements, making it easy to create stunning designs for social media posts, presentations, posters, and more. Canva’s user-friendly interface and extensive collection of design resources make it a go-to choice for both beginners and professionals.

A Lightweight and Versatile Editor

Paint.NET

Paint.NET: Download Paint.NET, the lightweight and versatile photo editor for Windows.

Paint.NET

Paint.NET is a lightweight yet powerful photo editor that strikes a balance between simplicity and functionality. Initially developed as a replacement for Microsoft Paint, Paint.NET has evolved into a feature-rich editor with an easy-to-use interface. It offers a wide range of editing tools, including layers, special effects, adjustments, and a variety of plugins for further customization.

Paint.NET’s straightforward design and accessibility make it a popular choice for users seeking a capable photo editing software that is both lightweight and versatile.

A Browser-Based Photoshop Alternative

Photopea

Photopea: Try out Photopea, the browser-based Photoshop alternative with advanced editing features.

photopea

Photopea is a remarkable browser-based photo editor that serves as a viable alternative to Adobe Photoshop. With a user interface similar to Photoshop, Photopea provides a familiar editing experience while operating entirely within a web browser. It supports a wide range of file formats, including PSD files, and offers many of the advanced editing features found in Photoshop, such as layers, masks, filters, and blending modes.

Photopea’s ability to handle complex editing tasks without the need for software installation makes it an excellent choice for users seeking a flexible and accessible Photoshop alternative.

A Beginner-Friendly Editor with AI Tools

Fotor

Fotor: Discover Fotor, the beginner-friendly photo editor with AI tools and a range of editing features.

fotor

Fotor is a beginner-friendly photo editor that offers a range of intuitive tools and artificial intelligence (AI) features to enhance images effortlessly. Its user-friendly interface makes it easy for beginners to navigate and utilize its editing capabilities.

Fotor includes basic editing functions like cropping, rotating, and adjusting exposure, as well as AI-powered tools that automatically enhance photos, remove blemishes, and apply artistic filters. Whether you’re a novice or an experienced editor, Fotor’s combination of simplicity and AI technology makes it a handy tool for quick and effective photo enhancements.

Check out AI video editors: 7 Best AI Video Editor Online (Free & Paid).

A Feature-Rich Editor for Digital Artists

Krita

Krita: Visit the official website of Krita, the feature-rich photo editor tailored for digital artists.

Krita is a feature-rich photo editor specifically designed for digital artists and illustrators. With its extensive set of brushes and customizable brush engines, Krita provides artists with a powerful platform for creating digital artwork. It supports various color models, offers advanced layer management, and includes tools for sketching, painting, and blending.

Additionally, Krita supports animation features, making it a versatile choice for artists looking to bring their creations to life. Whether you’re a professional artist or an aspiring enthusiast, Krita’s comprehensive toolkit and focus on digital art make it an excellent software for unleashing your creativity.

Professional-Grade Editing Software

Affinity Photo

Affinity Photo: Get Affinity Photo, the professional-grade editing software with a sleek interface.

Affinity Photo is a professional-grade editing software that rivals industry standards. With its advanced editing capabilities, Affinity Photo offers a wide range of features such as advanced retouching, frequency separation, and HDR merging. It supports non-destructive editing, allowing users to make adjustments without altering the original image data.

Affinity Photo also provides precise selection tools, comprehensive layer management, and advanced blending modes. Its focus on professional editing, combined with its sleek and user-friendly interface, makes it a top choice for photographers, graphic designers, and other creative professionals.

An Editor with Advanced Cutout Features

Pixomatic

Pixomatic: Explore Pixomatic, the photo editor known for its advanced cutout features.

Pixomatic is a photo editor known for its advanced cutout features, making it easier to extract objects or subjects from images. With its intelligent edge detection and intuitive selection tools, Pixomatic enables users to isolate and manipulate specific elements within an image seamlessly. It offers precise control over the cutout process, allowing for accurate fine-tuning and adjustments.

Additionally, Pixomatic provides various editing tools, including filters, effects, and blending options, to enhance the cutout and create stunning compositions. Whether you need to create compelling visual designs or remove backgrounds with precision, Pixomatic offers an efficient and user-friendly solution.

Powerful Editing and Organizational Tools

Lightroom

Lightroom: Access Lightroom, the powerful editing and organizational tool by Adobe.

lightroom

Lightroom is a comprehensive photo editing software that not only offers powerful editing capabilities but also provides robust organizational tools. It is widely used by professional photographers and enthusiasts for its ability to handle large collections of images efficiently. Lightroom allows users to make precise adjustments to exposure, color, and tone, as well as apply presets and filters to achieve desired effects. Its non-destructive editing workflow ensures that original image files remain intact.

Furthermore, Lightroom offers advanced features for batch editing, keyword tagging, and metadata management, making it an indispensable tool for streamlining and organizing photography workflows.

An Editor for Social Media Graphics

PicMonkey

PicMonkey: Discover PicMonkey, the editor designed specifically for creating graphics for social media.

PicMonkey is a user-friendly photo editor that specifically caters to the creation of graphics for social media platforms. With its array of templates, fonts, and design elements, PicMonkey makes it easy to craft eye-catching visuals for social media posts, banners, covers, and more. It provides tools for editing and enhancing photos, as well as features for adding text, graphics, and overlays.

Have you ever thought about what cameras do professional instagrammers use? Take a look at the best picks: 8 Best Cameras for Instagram (Used by Instagrammers).

PicMonkey’s intuitive interface, extensive library of design assets, and focus on social media graphics make it an ideal choice for individuals and businesses looking to create engaging and shareable content on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Find the correct size for your posts:

A Mobile Editor with Professional Features

Snapseed

Snapseed: Download Snapseed, the mobile editor with professional features available for iOS and Android.

snapseed

Snapseed is a mobile photo editor that offers professional-grade features and editing capabilities right at your fingertips. Developed by Google, Snapseed provides a wide range of tools for adjusting exposure, color, sharpness, and more. It offers precise control over editing parameters with its selective adjustment brushes and comprehensive filter options.

Snapseed also includes features like healing brushes for removing blemishes and curves adjustments for fine-tuning tones and contrast, which makes it an ideal choice for photo editing.

Sometimes you can run out of space on your iPhone. In this case I recommend you to read: How to (Permanently) Delete Photos from Your iPhone.

 

Criteria for Choosing a Photo Editor


When selecting a photo editor, it’s essential to consider various factors that align with your specific needs and requirements. Here are some key criteria to keep in mind:

Features and Tools

Evaluate the editing features and tools provided by the photo editor. Consider the range of adjustments available, such as exposure, color, cropping, and retouching. Look for additional features like filters, effects, and specialized tools that cater to your specific editing needs.

Platform Compatibility

Check the compatibility of the photo editor with your operating system. Ensure that the software is available for your preferred platform, such as Windows, Mac, or Linux. Additionally, consider whether the editor offers mobile versions for on-the-go editing.

In case of having iPad read carefully the following article before making the final decision: 10 FREE Photo Editing Apps For iPad.

If you want something that will work on all the operation systems opt for a online browser. Find the list of the best 10 photo editing softwares (FREE, online)>>

Price and Licensing

Assess the pricing structure and licensing options of the photo editor. Some editors may be available as free software, while others require a one-time purchase or subscription. Consider your budget and the value provided by the editor in relation to its cost.

 

 Which Photoshop Alternative Do You Like Most?


If you require professional-grade editing capabilities with a sleek interface, Affinity Photo may be the ideal choice.

On the other hand, if you value the flexibility of an open-source software and want a free alternative without compromising on features, GIMP is an excellent option.

Both editors offer powerful tools and are capable of delivering impressive results, so consider your workflow, editing requirements, and budget to make the best decision for your needs.

 

 

Thanks for reading!

I hope this guide helped you learn about some of the best alternatives to Photoshop, designed to ignite your creativity and empower your artistic endeavors 🙂

 

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