Top 10 Free Alternatives to Photoshop You Should Try

Adobe Photoshop is the gold standard in photo editing—but let’s be real, not everyone can afford its high subscription fee. Whether you’re a student, creator, designer, or casual editor, free tools can give you professional-level features without breaking the bank.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through the 10 best free Photoshop alternatives that are easy to use, powerful, and perfect for beginners as well as professionals.

Top Free Alternatives to Photoshop

1. GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program)

• Best for: Advanced users looking for Free Alternatives to Photoshop -like features
  
• Why it stands out: Open-source, free forever, supports advanced editing (layers, masks, plugins).
  
• Pros:
  
  • Highly customizable with plugins
  • Supports PSD files
  • Runs on Windows, macOS, Linux
    
• Cons: Steeper learning curve compared to Canva or Photopea

👉 If you want a true Photoshop alternative without paying a dime, GIMP is your best bet.

2. Photopea

• Best for: Quick online edits without installing software
  
• Why it stands out: Browser-based and works almost identical to Photoshop.
  
• Pros:
  
  • Free and instant (no download needed)
  • Works with PSD, XCF, Sketch files
  • Perfect for Chromebook users
    
• Cons: Ads on the free version

👉 Great choice if you’re a student or freelancer who needs Photoshop-like features on the go.

3. Krita

• Best for: Digital artists, illustrators, and animators
  
• Why it stands out: Designed specifically for drawing and painting.
  
• Pros:
  
  • Excellent brush engine
  • Animation support
  • Free and open-source
    
• Cons: Not ideal for photo manipulation

👉 If you’re into digital art or manga-style illustrations, Krita is unbeatable.

4. Pixlr

• Best for: Beginners & casual editors
  
• Why it stands out: User-friendly online tool with AI-powered features.
  
• Pros:
  
  • Easy drag-and-drop editing
  • AI background remover
  • Works directly in your browser
    
• Cons: Some advanced tools require a premium plan

👉 Think of it as a Photoshop + Canva hybrid, great for quick edits.

5. Canva

• Best for: Social media creators & marketers
  
• Why it stands out: Drag-and-drop simplicity + thousands of free templates.
  
• Pros:
  
  • Easy to create graphics for Instagram, YouTube, and blogs
  • Free stock images and fonts
  • Mobile app available
    
• Cons: Not a full photo manipulation tool like Photoshop

👉 Perfect if you want to design faster without technical skills.

6. Paint.NET

• Best for: Windows users who want simple yet powerful editing
  
• Why it stands out: Lightweight but feature-rich.
  
• Pros:
  
  • Easy to learn
  • Plugin support
  • Layers and blending modes available
    
• Cons: Windows only

👉 Great choice for students and beginners who want something in between MS Paint and Photoshop.

7. Inkscape

• Best for: Vector graphics & logo design
  
• Why it stands out: Free alternative to Adobe Illustrator, but also works as a Photoshop replacement for vector art.
  
• Pros:
  
  • Excellent for logos and scalable graphics
  • Open-source
  • Runs on all platforms
    
• Cons: Not ideal for photo editing

👉 If you design logos, posters, or infographics, Inkscape is a must-try.

8. Fotor

• Best for: Quick one-click edits
  
• Why it stands out: Online tool with strong AI editing tools.
  
• Pros:
  
  • AI retouching
  • Easy filters and effects
  • Batch editing available
    
• Cons: Limited free features

👉 Best for users who just want fast, no-fuss photo edits.

9. SumoPaint

• Best for: Browser-based editing with a Photoshop-like interface
  
• Why it stands out: Looks and feels like older Photoshop versions.
  
• Pros:
  
  • Works in browser or desktop app
  • Clean interface
  • Supports layers
    
• Cons: Lacks advanced tools
  

👉 If you’ve used Photoshop before, you’ll feel right at home with SumoPaint.

10. Darktable

• Best for: Photographers editing RAW images
  
• Why it stands out: Open-source Lightroom alternative with Photoshop overlap.
  
• Pros:
  
  • Non-destructive RAW editing
  • Advanced color correction
  • Open-source
    
• Cons: More for photography than design

👉 If you’re a photographer looking for free RAW editing, Darktable is perfect.

Quick Comparison Table

Conclusion

You don’t need Photoshop to create professional-quality work. Whether you’re a student, freelancer, or business owner, these free alternatives give you the tools to edit photos, create graphics, or design artwork without spending money.

👉 My recommendation:

• Best Photoshop-like tool: GIMP / Photopea
• Best for creators: Canva / Pixlr
• Best for artists: Krita

Try a couple of these and see which one fits your workflow the best!