In this article, we'll debunk that myth and will help you find the best Photoshop alternative to suit your needs. Want to know what other softwares are worth your attention? Then let's get rolling!
Best Photoshop Alternatives the Industry Has to Offer
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What is the first software that comes to your mind when you think of photo editing? We bet it's Photoshop. No wonder. This Adobe juggernaut of image editing programs is so popular that sometimes it feels that this is the only software you can use to enhance your pics. But is it though? No, not by a long shot.
| Features |
PhotoWorks Download |
Luminar Download |
DxP PhotoLab Download |
GIMP Download |
Pixelmator Download |
Photoshop Elements Download |
Corel Paintshop Pro Download |
Darktable Download |
Krita Download |
Sketch Download |
Affinity Photo Download |
Raw Therapee Download |
Canva Sign Up |
PhotoLine Download |
Photopea Sign Up |
Photolemur Download |
Pixlr Sign Up |
Sumo Paint Sign Up |
Ashampoo Photo Optimizer Download |
Fotor Sign Up |
PicMonkey Sign Up |
Seashore Download |
Photo Pos Download |
BeFunky Sign Up |
PiZap Sign Up |
Acorn Download |
Paint.NET Download |
InPixio Download |
Apple Photos Download |
Microsoft Photos Download |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| License | Free trial | Free trial | Free trial | Free | Free trial | Free trial | Free trial | Free | Free | Free trial | Free trial | Free | Freemium | Free trial | Freemium | Free trial | Free | Free | Free trial | Free trial | Free trial | Free | Free | Freemium | Freemium | Free trial | Free | Free trial | Free | Free |
| Price | from $19.25 | $69 | $160 | $0 | $39.99 | $99.99 | $79.99 | $0 | $0 | $99 | $49.99 | $0 | $9.95/month | $65.44 | $9/month | $35 | $0 | $0 | $39.99 | $39.99/year | $7.99/month | $0 | $0 | $6.99/month | $5.99/month | $29.99 | $0 | $29.99 | $0 | $0 |
| User-friendly interface | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| RAW support | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Auto correction | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Background change | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Image overlay | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Noise reduction | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjusting and editing bruhes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Curves | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Built-in effects | 180+ | 60+ | 40+ | few | 150+ | 40+ | few | 60+ | few | none | 60+ | 30+ | 40+ | few | 40+ | few | 20+ | few | 20+ | 50+ | 50+ | 40+ | 40+ | 30+ | 20+ | 50+ | few | 60+ | 20+ | 70+ |
| Stickers | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Text options | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Painting tools | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Final verdict | 10 | 9.7 | 9.5 | 9.3 | 9.2 | 9 | 8.7 | 8.5 | 8.3 | 8 | 7.7 | 7.5 | 7.2 | 7 | 6.8 | 6.7 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.2 | 6 | 5.8 | 5.5 | 5.3 | 5 | 4.8 | 4.5 | 4 | 3.6 | 3.2 | 3 |
Top 30 Alternatives to Photoshop You Wish You Knew About Sooner
Photoshop is a highly versatile program that has efficient instruments for both photographers and graphic designers. But very few people need every tool the software offers. For our list, we'll be considering Photoshop replacements for different purposes - from RAW convertors, to photo editors and graphic design softwares. This way it'll be easier for you to pick an alternative based on your area of interest. Besides, we will be looking at programs of all price ranges and for different platforms so there will be some Photoshop substitute for everybody. So without any further ado, we present to you our list:
1
PhotoWorks VS Photoshop
PhotoWorks is smart software with easy workflow and rich functionality. This photo editing app for PC has all the essential features for image enhancing - tools for cropping, noise reduction, Curves, etc. It is equipped with a content-aware AI that can automatically enhance your images based on their genre. Besides, this software comes with high-end instruments that allow you to retouch your portraits in a click, change the picture background, overlay images, boost dull colors with 3D LUT presets, and many other features rarely found even in more advanced photo editors.
Pros:
- Content-aware editing
- One-click portrait retouch
- AI-powered face sculpting
- Background change and image overlay
- Сolor grading & 3D LUT presets
- 180+ artistic effects
- Undemanding in terms of resources
- Lifetime license
Cons:
- No Mac version
2
Luminar VS Photoshop
Luminar is often seen as one of the most efficient alternatives to Photoshop. It has a sleek customizable interface, as well as an abundance of effects and filters (referred to as LOOKs). The program heavily relies on AI technologies, offering its users one-click enhancement solutions. While automatic portrait retouching might be somewhat underwhelming, Luminar excels at landscapes enhancement, thanks to its top-notch sky enhancement and dehazing features. There is one major drawback however - the software eats up processing power of your PC.
Pros:
- Customizable interface
- Top-notch AI technology
- Support of many RAW formats
- Convenient photo organizing
Cons:
- Demanding hardware-wise
- Tends to be buggy
3
DxO PhotoLab VS Photoshop
DxO PhotoLab is RAW editing software with peerless processing. This editor analyzes the equipment used to shoot the picture, and makes the changes to the image accordingly. PhotoLab automatically corrects its exposure, color balance, any perspective flaws, chromatic aberration, removes haze and grain. Manual adjustment as well as local enhancement is also possible. Still, despite being able to work with tons of RAW formats, this software surprisingly does not support Fuji cameras.
Pros:
- Sleek minimalist interface
- Superb optical correction
- Excellent local adjustments tools
Cons:
- Lacks history panel
- Advanced editing require paid add-ons
4
GIMP VS Photoshop
GIMP is an open source photo editor beloved by many users. Its basic features include but are not limited to auto enhancement, color correction, noise reduction, cropping, and gradient tools. What's more, this free photo editor offers more advanced features like mask layers and tons of filters. It also allows batch picture enhancement and artwork creation. One of GIMP's biggest appeal is that is has versions for Windows, Mac, and Linux. There is one major drawback - the software can be buggy at times.
Pros:
- Free with no hidden costs
- Expandable through plugins
- Works on all major operating systems
- Supports nearly all formats
Cons:
- Underwhelming for professionals
- Requires prior photo editing skills
5
Pixelmator VS Photoshop
Pixelmator is a powerful photo editor for OS X. This software is what you get if you boil down Photoshop functionality to its most wide-used features. Pixelmator has a basic image editing tool kit similar to all Photoshop alternatives. With this software, you can crop your images, correct the exposure and color balance, fix a slanted horizon, remove odd objects, retouch portraits and much more. Pixelmator also supports layer editing and provides all the essential tools for graphic design. The program is quite cheap, but similar features can be found within free software.
Pros:
- Wide range of design tools
- Supports RAW and PSD files
- One-time payment for license
Cons:
- Confusing interface
- Only for Mac
6
Photoshop Elements VS Photoshop
Photoshop Elements is what many users call Photoshop's little brother. As its name suggests, this Adobe product takes the most popular Photoshop features and condenses them into separate software. This program serves as both an easy photo editor and a picture organizer. Photoshop Elements allows its users to enhance their pictures by correcting lighting and tone, color balance, and dynamic range. However, oftentimes your changes can be a bit stark, since the software mostly relies on automatic effects, leaving little space for fine-tuning.
Pros:
- Minimalistic interface
- Lots of automatic enhancement presets
- Convenient photo organizing tools
Cons:
- Limited number of filters
- No tone mapping
7
Corel Paintshop Pro VS Photoshop
Corel Paintshop Pro is software that openly claims to be a full-fledged Photoshop equivalent. This program shares most of the functionality with its competitor, but also provides some nuanced services like a file organization system or a library of collage and flyer templates. Paintshop Pro heavily relies on AI technologies when it comes to overall picture enhancement and portrait retouching. It also allows 360° panorama stitching, smart color grading, and layers editing. But if you want to use the software to its fullest potential, you’ll need some serious RAM power.
Pros:
- An extended free trial period
- Support of RAW formats
- Batch processing feature
Cons:
- Demanding hardware-wise
8
Darktable VS Photoshop
Darktable is a raster graphics editor with an open code. This software is used for RAW image editing and cataloguing. Darktable has lots of tools for color grading, shadows and highlights correction, noise removal, and cropping. The software allows you to apply vignettes, add grain to your photos, or jazz them up with filters. All the edits are done manually, since Darktable has no presets. However, you can easily create them to make RAW processing a one-click thing. Sadly, this software was designed for the Linux OS, so it has no official version for Windows.
Pros:
- Fast and fluid edits
- Support of 400+ RAW formats
- Non-destructive editing
Cons:
- Only for Linux
- Might be confusing for beginners
9
Krita VS Photoshop
Krita is free painting software aimed at users of all skills and aspirations. This software comes with many tools for rendering, layering, color mixing, blendering, mirroring and more. Krita offers its users an extensive set of brushes and instruments to create their own brushes. And this program is not only for painting, as it is also capable of enhancing photos and editing HDR images. But according to users, Krita can crash when you work with large projects.
Pros:
- Completely free
- Customizable interface
- Constant updates and bug fixes
Cons:
- Lags with larger projects
- Smudge brush is difficult to control
10
Sketch VS Photoshop
Sketch is graphic design software some people claim to be better than Photoshop. This is a vector-based tool for creating mockups, interactive interface designs, and prototypes. Sketch is exceptionally easy-to-use, and is accessible even for beginners. It boasts 2 million+ templates that are fully customizable. But Sketch can be buggy at time, since it is a relatively new product.
Pros:
- Intuitive interface
- Easy to master
- Myriads of templates
Cons:
- Allows one device per license
11
Affinity Photo VS Photoshop
Affinity Photo is an image editor initially developed for Mac, but later expanded to Windows 10. The software features all the necessary tools for picture enhancement, as well as lots of filters, layer and mask instruments, panorama stitching, HDR merging, and RAW editing tools. Affinity Photo clearly has a lot in common with Photoshop functionality-wise, but it is considerably cheaper and operates without subscription. The software has a sleek interface that is split into 5 workspaces (a.k.a. Personas) that are sadly not customizable and might be confusing for newcomers.
Pros:
- Low price
- RAW files support
- Support of raster & vector images
- Batch processing
Cons:
- No lens-profile correction
- Uncustomizable interface
12
Raw Therapee VS Photoshop
Raw Therapee is open-source software for RAW picture editing. Your RAW files can either be processed in 32 profiles, or you can make it manually. Raw Therapee allows deep color correction, exposition fine-tuning, HDR tone mapping, correction of chromatic aberration, noise reduction, and damaged pixels removal. As feature-rich as this software is, its workflow might be confusing for beginners, and sadly there are very few tutorials available.
Pros:
- Completely free
- Tons of advanced features
- Integrated file manager
Cons:
- Can lag at times
- Confusing workflow
13
Canva VS Photoshop
Canva is a freemium graphic design tool. This is a web-based application that allows users to create a myriad of graphics presentations, from Instagram posts to flyers or even CVs. Canva is amazingly easy to use and to navigate and boasts a tremendous range of templates. Moreover, you can create designs of your own with customizable texts, pictures and backgrounds. However, before you are able to use your picture in a project, you have to upload it to the website first. And this might mean a potential privacy breach hazard.
Pros:
- Very easy-to-use
- Tons of templates
- Customizable graphics
Cons:
- Best designs come in paid version
- Limited sharing options
14
PhotoLine VS Photoshop
PhotoLine is a powerful program capable of image editing, batch converting, pictures browsing, and Web editing. Hailing from Germany, this software is as robust and convenient as all the German things. PhotoLine works both with raster and vector graphics, allows users to enhance photos, work with layers and 3D objects. Its major drawback is an outdated and somewhat overwhelming interface.
Pros:
- Fast and bugless performance
- Support of PSD, SVG files
- Support of both vector and raster
Cons:
- Questionable filter efficiency
15
Photopea VS Photoshop
Photopea is a freemium browser-based image editor. This program is almost identical to Photoshop, although minus the most hardcore editing and designing tools. With Photopea, you can crop, resize, color grade your pictures, as well as fix exposure, contrast, saturation, blur or sharpen your shots. There is a library of filters and tools for easy layer editing. Photopea is quite intuitive and feature-rich for a web-based application, but it has some difficulties processing larger files.
Pros:
- Does not require downloading or browser plugin
- Support of many formats including PSD
- Majority of tools available within the free version
Cons:
- No tools for vector image editing
- Subpar RAW support
16
Photolemur VS Photoshop
Photolemur is a photo editor that resorts to automatic enhancement. All you have to do is to open your image in Photolemur and the program's advanced AI engine will fix the color balance, exposure, dynamic range, any optic distortions, and other issues your picture might have. However, the program offers almost no manual adjustment apart from the effect amount control. Besides, some users consider the software to be too pricey for such functionality.
Pros:
- Simple interface
- Batch processing
- RAW format support
Cons:
- No detail enhancement
- Poor portrait retouching
17
Pixlr VS Photoshop
Pixlr is a free web-based photo editor. It is basically a Photoshop clone, albeit simplified. With this editor, you can easily crop, blur or sharpen your picture, as well as fix exposure, color balance, highlights and shadows. Pixlr comes with a set of brushes, a number of portrait retouching tools, and a huge library of filters. It even allows you to work with layers to create simple photo montages. But remember that web-based workflow implies uploading your pictures to the net, which may subject them to a privacy breach.
Pros:
- Completely free
- Clear and customizable interface
- Tools for working with layers
- Huge library of filters
Cons:
- Lots of distracting ads
- Requires stable Internet connection
- Support of few formats (no TIFF or RAW)
18
Sumo Paint VS Photoshop
Sumo Paint is a free online photo editor. It possesses all the necessary tools for picture enhancement, but it is a much more drawing-oriented program. And this is where it truly shines. Sumo Paint is filled to the brim with instruments that every graphic designer could only wish for, from gradient features, to smudge and various shape tools, to a massive set of impressively looking brushes. However, there is one huge drawback to all the tools and possibilities - Sumo Paint tends to be a bit slow.
Pros:
- User-friendly interface
- A huge set of brushes
- Masks and layers tools
Cons:
- Requires Flash
- Certain tools may lag
19
Ashampoo Photo Optimizer VS Photoshop
Ashampoo Photo Optimizer is an automatic picture enhancer. It relies on an extensive image analysis that finds all the weak spots of the picture (exposure, color balance, noise, tilt, etc.) and fixes them to a fairly decent looking result. The software also allows manual adjustments. It comes with a collection of effects, filters, and frames - perfect for those who strive for an artistic touch. Despite being accessible and easy-to-use, sometimes Photo Optimizer demonstrates slow performance.
Pros:
- Batch processing
- One-click optimization
- RAW formats support
Cons:
- Cluttered interface
- Can't rival some freeware
20
Fotor VS Photoshop
Fotor is both a cloud-based service and a desktop image editor. This is a program for those who prefer their photo editing process to be quick, as most of enhancing edits are performed with one-click effects. With Fotor, you can correct the color balance, brightness, and saturation of your pics, stylize them with filters, and easily edit your portraits. Fotor also comes with tools for simple design as well as easy collage creation. However, its interface isn't really thought through and tends to be confusing.
Pros:
- Intuitive and easy to grasp
- Support of RAW formats
- Batch processing feature
Cons:
- Lacks advanced tools
- The web version can crush at times
21
PicMonkey VS Photoshop
PicMonkey is a browser-based photo editor created for a less-demanding audience. It has all the necessary features for easy picture enhancement. Users can crop, rotate, resize, sharpen, or blur their pictures, as well as adjust colors, saturation, and brightness. Besides, this application has a lot of in-built effects that can spice up pictures for social media, namely a set of frames, cliparts, and textures. But be advised - some users find this service to be a bit limiting in terms of tools and cloud storage capacity.
Pros:
- Quite cheap
- Easy-to-use
- Huge library of effects & filters
Cons:
- Can sometimes crash
- Requires Internet connection
22
Seashore VS Photoshop
Seashore is a free open-source photo editor for Mac. It features all the essential tools for brightness, contrast, saturations, hues correction, instruments for basic painting, and layer support. What it does not have is any kind of one-click automatic enhancement. Seashore is based off GIMP and has a similarly sleek-looking interface. The software supports a wide range of graphic formats, including GIMP's own XCF. However, unlike many programs similar to Photoshop, Seashore does not support PSD.
Pros:
- User-friendly interface
- Tools for working with layers
- Support of alpha channel editing
Cons:
- Only for Mac
- No built-in effects
23
Photo Pos VS Photoshop
Photo Pos is a picture editor that used to be a paid product, but now is also available for free. Similar to other programs like Photoshop, this software offers a comprehensible kit of image enhancing features and graphic design instruments. Besides, it comes with a set of frames, business cards and collage templates. Photo Pos has an outdated interface that, coupled with a lack of consistency, might make the software slightly confusing for newcomers.
Pros:
- Wide selection of effects and filters
- A lot of customizable brushes
- Layer editing tools
Cons:
- Destructive editing
- Steep learning curve
24
BeFunky VS Photoshop
BeFunky is yet another free online photo editor. Apart from basic picture enhancement, this app allows you to create collages and banners, flyers, and other visual media. BeFunky is exceptionally good at color correction. It also comes with portrait retouching tools, an array of artistic filters, and a library of subtle frames. Sadly, the most advanced and impressive features are only available in the paid version.
Pros:
- Very easy-to-use
- No registration required
- Tons of collage templates
Cons:
- Annoying ads
- Some features aren't free
25
PiZap VS Photoshop
PiZap is a free online service for photo editing and collage creating. Designed for social media users, this application allows you to perform basic photo enhancement, portrait retouching (including virtual makeup), and to craft silly memes, bright collages with stickers and captions. PiZap comes with an array of templates, backgrounds, and stickers, so that you could turn your pictures into a bright artwork to boast on Twitter, Facebook, etc. As you can guess, this service is mostly for fun, so don’t expect any advanced editing tools.
Pros:
- Lots of templates for collages, flyers, etc.
- Quite efficient portrait retouching
- Tons of stickers, frames, backgrounds and effects
Cons:
- Limited free version
26
Acorn VS Photoshop
Acorn is a robust image editor for Mac. It has a user-friendly interface and a very intuitive workflow. It is a simple yet effective tool for image enhancement and basic graphic design developed with a non tech savvy in mind. With this photo editor, you can easily crop, resize, and touch up your photos, as well as remove any background, add captions, apply non-destructive filters and effects. This software is perfect if you want to improve a couple of your vacation photos, but if you need a more hi-end approach, Acorn fails to be a worthy Photoshop competitor.
Pros:
- Clear minimalistic interface
- Layer editing tools
- Allows brush import from Photoshop
Cons:
- No RAW support
- Only for Mac
27
Paint.NET VS Photoshop
Paint.NET is a free photo editor for newbies and casual users. Having simplicity as its principle idea, this program is very easy to use and to navigate. Paint.NET comes with all the tools a user might need to enhance their pics (correct colors, dynamic range, brightness and saturation, crop, blur or sharpen) as well as tons of filters and decent instruments for layer editing. A useful perk - this program records every edit you make and lets you redo or undo any action. But despite all its merits, some users consider Paint.NET to be quite feature-poor.
Pros:
- Much easier than Photoshop
- Expandable through downloadable extensions
- Low system requirements
Cons:
- Few brush options
- Lacks advanced features
28
InPixio VS Photoshop
InPixio is a program for basic photo editing of your pictures. Aimed mostly at casual users, this photo editor lacks any advanced features, but it has enough functionality for color and exposure correction, cropping, portrait retouching and more. InPixio is widely praised for completely automatic background or unwanted objects removal. The software also comes with an impressive library of effects, but some users might find them weird-looking and underwhelming. Unfortunately, InPixio is slow and has a confusing and inconvenient interface.
Pros:
- Layering tools
- Top-notch auto correction
- Support of RAW files
Cons:
- Very slow and buggy
- Free version imposes a watermark
29
Apple Photos VS Photoshop
Apple Photos is a free photo editor and organizer that is built into the MacOS and iOS systems. It has a sleek minimalistic interface akin to most Apple products. Apple Photos' editing tools don't require any special skills to use and allow you to auto enhance your pics, stylize them with filters, and slightly retouch your portraits. Nonetheless, this software is a much more efficient photo manager and organizer than it is a full-fledged photo editor due to the lack of tools.
Pros:
- Intuitive interface
- Decent auto correction
- iCloud synchronization
Cons:
- Only for Apple products
- Few editing tools
30
Microsoft Photos VS Photoshop
Microsoft Photos is a free photo viewer and editor that comes with Windows 10. With this software, you can edit and enhance your pictures, create photo albums, and even make simple videos. Microsoft Photos allows you to crop and rotate your pictures, adjust lighting and colors, apply filters and effects, perform basic portrait retouching. Still, the tools are not particularly efficient and versatile.
Pros:
- Easy-to-use
- Comes embedded with the OS
- Impressive effects and filters
Cons:
- Few advanced tools
- No before/after view
Which Photoshop Alternative Takes the Cake?
Admittedly, Photoshop is the king-of-the-hill among graphics and photo editors, but should it really be your only choice? It is devilishly complex and it takes a lifetime to learn all its features. So don't go googling “how much is Photoshop”, but instead have a closer look at out comprehensive list of similar programs. These softwares have been developed by people who understand and appreciate the usefulness of Photoshop but want to create something more accessible (both in workflow and price). These softwares by no means want to dethrone the Adobe product, but instead strive to provide at least some kind of choice.
Not particularly interested in Photoshop-like programs? Looking for a robust photo editor that could suit your modest needs? Make sure to have a look at the list of the best photo editing software for PC that we've tested and ranked for your convenience.
We tried our best to make it easier for you to choose the best Photoshop alternative. In our list you'll find free or paid, simple or complex programs. Your choice depends on your skills as well as budget. If you are still not sure what software to choose, then we would gladly add our two cents on the matter. Go with the easy and creativity-fueling Krita if you are looking for a design editor. DxO PhotoLab is a perfect RAW convertor thanks to its ability to analyze the images and detect their weakest spots.
For those in search of a perfect photo editor, we suggest using PhotoWorks. This intelligent photo editor has pro-level tools that can help you enhance your images in no time. Unlike many other Photoshop alternatives, PhotoWorks runs smoothly on any kind of hardware. On hi-end PCs, the software uses GPU acceleration, while efficiently utilizing CPU on older and low-spec computers. Download the free trial of this software today to see it for yourself!
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Fully compatible with Windows 11, 10, 8, 7
So forget about Photoshop and the strain it puts on your skill and wallet, and explore other softwares that will give the Adobe giant a run for its money.