Adobe Photoshop, the industry-leading image manipulation program, is no longer the only player in the game. As we move into 2023, a host of Photoshop alternatives have emerged, offering a similar suite of features and tools for photo editing. These alternatives are not just mere imitations of Photoshop but have evolved into sophisticated platforms, some even offering unique features, particularly for iPad software.
In this guide, we have handpicked the best Photoshop alternatives based on our hands-on reviews, evaluating them for features, ease of use, and value for money. Unlike Photoshop, which is only available on a subscription basis, most of these alternatives can be purchased for a one-off fee, and some are even free.
1. GIMP
GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is a popular open-source image editor that closely mirrors Photoshop in terms of its range of features. Aimed at professional photographers and designers, it’s fully compatible with Photoshop and other file formats. It’s less demanding on hardware than Photoshop, and it offers a host of sophisticated tools and effects for free.
Key features:
- Layers and masks
- Selection tools
- Transform tools
- Advanced filters and effects
- Plugin support for more features
- Available on Windows, Mac, and Linux
2. Paint.NET
Paint.NET is a free image and photo editing app for Windows. It offers an intuitive and user-friendly interface with support for layers, unlimited undo, special effects, and a wide array of useful tools. It’s great for basic to intermediate photo editing.
Key features:
- Layers
- Adjustment tools
- Filters and effects
- Selection tools
- Text and shape tools
- Supports plugins
3. Pixlr
Pixlr offers free web-based photo editing right in your browser. Their editor Pixlr X has tons of tools and effects for editing photos without needing to download any software. You can do all the basics like cropping, resizing, and color adjustments. There’s also layers, filters, and more advanced features.
Key features:
- Layers and masks
- Selection tools
- Image adjustments
- Filters and effects
- Drawing tools
- Content-aware fill
- Text tools
4. PhotoPea
PhotoPea is an advanced online photo editor modeled after Photoshop. The interface is almost identical, making it easy to jump in and start editing. All the tools work right in your browser for free. If you’re looking for a Photoshop clone, PhotoPea is the closest you’ll get.
Key features:
- Photoshop-style interface
- Layers and masks
- Adjustment tools
- Filters and effects
- Text and shape tools
- Raw photo editing
5. Krita
If it’s a painting app for iPad you’re looking for, we highly rate Krita. What started out as a basic drawing app back in 2010 has transformed over the years into a highly professional tool. The easy-to-use layout is packed with features artists will love, from true-to-life pencils and inks to advanced layer compositing and unique digital tools.
Key features:
- Drawing and painting tools
- Layers and masks
- Customizable brushes
- HDR and RAW support
- Color management
- Animation tools
6. Canva
Canva simplifies graphic design with their free online design tools. While not a full-featured editor like Photoshop, Canva makes it easy to resize, filter, and tweak photos for social media, print, and the web. They offer templates, fonts, icons, and stock photos for free.
Key features:
- Photo filters and adjustments
- Resize and crop images
- Templates for social media and print
- Library of fonts, graphics, and images
- Drag and drop design
- Collaborate in real-time
7. Inkscape
Inkscape is a free vector graphics editor great for creating illustrations, logos, icons, and more. You can open and edit photos in Inkscape too. While not as full-featured as GIMP, it’s a great free tool for working with vectors, text, and some basic photo editing tasks.
Key features:
- Vector tools
- Layers and groups
- Path editing
- Text tools
- Bitmap tracing
- Color management
8. Darktable
Darktable is an open-source photography workflow app and RAW developer. While not a raster image editor like Photoshop, it’s great for managing photos and developing RAW images. The non-destructive editing workflow is similar to Lightroom. Great for photographers looking for free software.
Key features:
- RAW photo development
- Digital asset management
- Non-destructive editing
- Tethered shooting
- Filters, curves, masks, etc.
9. Photopea
Photopea is a free browser-based graphic design and photo editing tool. It has many advanced features similar to Photoshop like layers, selection tools, filters, and more. The interface is very similar to Photoshop making it easy to jump in and start editing.
Key features:
- Photoshop-like interface
- Layers and masks
- Selection and drawing tools
- Filters, adjustments, and effects
- Typography and vector tools
- RAW photo editing
10. Pixlr X
Pixlr X is a free online photo editor that works right in your web browser. It has an array of photo editing tools and effects including layers, masks, filters, and more. Easy to use for quick edits and adjustments to photos without needing to install any software.
Key features:
- Layers and masks
- Adjustment tools
- Filters and effects
- Stickers and overlays
- Drawing tools
- Content-aware fill
These are the top 10 free alternatives to Photoshop for editing your photos in 2023. While they may not all have the depth of tools and features as Photoshop, they provide plenty of capabilities for the price. Try out a few to see which free photo editor fits your needs and style best! If you decide that you need the rich, industry-standard features offered by Photoshop, make sure you see our guide on how to download Photoshop or click on the link below to start a free trial.