7 Best Free Adobe Photoshop Alternatives (2023)

Before you download a Photoshop alternative, plan out your specific needs. For example, not all free Photoshop alternatives are compatible with Adobe's default application PSD format. However, some layered Photoshop files cannot be recognized by others. If you need an important Photoshop feature, filtering by features can make it easier to narrow down your search list.

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GIMP (short for GNU Image Manipulation Program) is one of the most comprehensive Photoshop alternatives and offers such a wide range of features that even the most complex tasks can be accomplished without breaking the bank. They say you get what you pay for, but in the case of GIMP, that expression doesn't necessarily ring true. With a very active developer community that has listened to past user requests and feedback, this free option continues to evolve as raster editor technology expands.

While it's not always as intuitive as Photoshop in terms of functionality and design, GIMP makes up for some of its clumsiness with severaldetailed tutorialsfor beginners and intermediate users, which will help you to use most of its components with little or no prior knowledge of the open source application. However, if you're just looking for the basics in a raster-based graphics editor, GIMP may be too much and you may benefit from one of the simpler alternatives on our list.

Available in nearly twenty languages ​​for Linux, Mac, and Windows platforms, GIMP recognizes almost every file format you'd expect from a paid editor like Photoshop, including GIF, JPEG, PNG, and TIFF, as well as partial support for PSD. files (not all layers may be readable).

Like Photoshop, a large number of external plugins are available to further enhance the functionality of GIMP. As always, download at your own risk when working with non-Adobe repositories.

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pixlr

Owned by renowned software developers Autodesk, Pixlr, a browser-based alternative to Photoshop, is quite robust when it comes to available features and allows for progressive editing and enhancement as well as original image design.

The Pixlr Express and Pixlr Editor web applications run in most modern browsers as long as you have Flash 10 or higher installed; They offer a significant number of built-in filters along with limited layer support. Pixlr recognizes major graphic file formats, such as JPEG, GIF, and PNG, and also allows you to view some PSD files, although larger or more complex files may not be able to be opened.

The web-based Pixlr even has a handy webcam feature built right into its dash, allowing you to take and edit photos in real time.

In addition to the browser version, Pixlr also offers free apps for Android and iOS devices that allow you to perform a variety of editing functions from your smartphone or tablet. In fact, the Android app is so popular that it has been installed on more than 50 million devices.

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Paint.NET

The Paint.NET interface is an absolutely free Photoshop alternative for Windows versions 7 to 10 and is reminiscent of the operating system's Paint application. the integrated image editing tool for PC users all over the world. The similarities are not accidental as the original developer's intention was to replace MS Paint with something better.

That was a long time ago, and Paint.NET has grown by leaps and bounds since then, to the point where it is, in some ways, comparable to the most advanced editing software out there, both free and paid. This includes the ability to use multiple layers and blends while maintaining a fairly simple interface that is suitable for even the most novice user. If you get stuck, the Paint.NET forums are an invaluable source of help, where questions are sometimes answered in a matter of minutes. Combine this with the tutorials on the same site and this Windows-only graphics editor offers an easy-to-use experience.

While Paint.NET doesn't offer some of the advanced features of Photoshop or even GIMP, its functionality can be extended through the use of external plugins. For example, the app doesn't have built-in support for PSD files, but you can open Photoshop documents after installing the PSD plugin.

Paint.NET is the self-proclaimed fastest image editor available and runs in nearly two dozen languages ​​and is free for unrestricted business and commercial use.

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PicMonkey

Another web-based and platform-independent design and editing tool that has a lot to offer is PicMonkey, which seems to be designed for beginners, but is also suitable for those looking for more advanced features. Accessible on virtually any platform, as long as you have a Flash-enabled browser, PicMonkey lets you start your creation from scratch or edit an existing image file in less than a minute.

PicMonkey won't replace Photoshop's advanced features and you won't have much luck with PSD files, but it's great for working with filters and even creating collages in your favorite browser. The free version offers many features, but you'll need to shell out some money if you want access to some of the app's unique effects, fonts, and tools, as well as an ad-free experience.

PicMonkey Premium Personalization offers a seven-day free trial that can be activated by providing your email address and payment information. However, if you want to use the advanced features in the long term, a monthly fee of $7.99 or $47.88 for an annual subscription is required.

With an up-to-date blog full of tips and tutorials, you should be able to find out whether or not PicMonkey is right for your needs during the one-week trial period.

Smartphone and tablet users can also try the free PicMonkey Photo Editor app available for Android and iOS platforms.

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sumopaint

One of our personal favorites, SumoPaint's interface will look familiar if you have previous experience with Photoshop. The similarities are more than skin deep, as its layering functionality and wide range of editing tools, including different types of brushes and pens, make it a formidable alternative.

The free version of SumoPaint runs on most Flash-enabled browsers and relies primarily on on-page advertising. There is also a Chrome web app forChromebooksas well as users running Google's browser on other desktop operating systems.

More complex projects may not be appropriate for SumoPaint, and file support is somewhat limited and does not include Photoshop's standard PSD format. You can open files with traditional image extensions like GIF, JPEG, and PNG, while edits can be saved in the app's SUMO format, as well as JPEG or PNG.

If you're trying out the free version and feel like SumoPaint is what you're looking for, you might want to try Sumo Pro. The paid version allows for an ad-free experience and access to additional features and tools for around $4 per month when you pay for a year. in advance. Sumo Pro also offers a downloadable version of its software that can be used offline, as well as access to a dedicated technical support team and cloud storage.

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it fell

Krita is an interesting painting and editing tool and is an open source application that has significantly expanded its functionality in recent years. With a nifty palette and a seemingly endless number of brush settings that can be stabilized to soften even the shakiest of hands, this Photoshop alternative is compatible with most PSD files and offers advanced layer management.

Regularly updated and free to download, the desktop app also uses OpenGL and allows you to create and edit HDR images, among many other benefits. Krita is available for Linux, Mac, and Windows and has a very active forum with sample charts created by members of its user community.

There is another version of Krita optimized for Ultrabooks and other touchscreen PCs called Gemini available on Valve's Steam platform.

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Adobe Photoshop Express

While Adobe charges a fee to use its flagship Photoshop software, the company offers free image-editing tools in the form of the Photoshop Express app. With this surprisingly powerful app, available for Android, iOS, and Windows phones and tablets, you can enhance and personalize your photos in so many ways.

Photoshop Express not only fixes problems like red-eye with the swipe of a finger, but it also makes it easy to apply unique effects and embed custom frames and borders before sharing your photos on social media or anywhere else within the app itself. .

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