10 Best Photoshop Alternatives for bloggers and designers (2024)

Are you looking for the best alternative to Adobe photoshop to create stunning graphics for your blog or client? Here is a list of the best free alternatives for Photoshop to choose from.

Adobe Photoshop has long been the industry standard. However, the high cost and complexity of Photoshop have led many creative professionals to seek out viable alternatives. Whether you’re a seasoned designer or a beginner looking for budget-friendly options, there are many powerful tools available that can meet your needs without breaking the bank.

Fortunately, the market is brimming with a plethora of Photoshop alternatives that cater to diverse needs and budgets. In 2024, these alternatives will have reached new heights, offering impressive features and capabilities that can rival or even surpass Photoshop in certain areas.

In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the best Photoshop alternatives that offer robust features, ease of use, and affordability.

Why Photoshop alternatives?

While Photoshop is undoubtedly a powerful tool, it comes with a steep learning curve and a subscription model that can be prohibitive for many users. Moreover, not everyone requires the full suite of features that Photoshop offers. By exploring alternatives, you can find software that is more tailored to your specific needs, whether it’s for photo editing, graphic design, or digital illustration.

Whether you’re a professional designer, photographer, or hobbyist, exploring these top-tier Photoshop alternatives can unlock new creative possibilities and streamline your workflow.

10 Best Free Photoshop alternatives

In 2024, there will be several remarkable best photoshop alternatives that offer powerful editing capabilities and user-friendly interfaces to cater to various creative needs.

When evaluating Photoshop alternatives, it’s essential to consider several factors. These include the range of features, user-friendliness, cost, and compatibility with various file formats. Additionally, the availability of tutorials and community support can be crucial for mastering new software.

By keeping these criteria in mind, you can make an informed decision and choose a tool that best suits your creative workflow.

1. Adobe Express

Adobe Express is an all-in-one AI content creation app that offers an affordable and user-friendly alternative to Adobe Photoshop. With its intuitive drag-and-drop interface and a vast collection of professionally designed templates, Adobe Express empowers users to create stunning social media posts, videos, logos, flyers, and more without the need for extensive design expertise.

Key Features:

• Powerful AI Tools: Adobe Express harnesses the power of generative AI, including Text to Image, Text to Template, and Generative Fill, allowing users to generate visually captivating content with just a few text prompts. These features make Adobe Express an excellent alternative photo editor to Photoshop, with the best AI features.
• Extensive Template Library: Users can access thousands of free, on-trend templates for various design projects, making it a top and affordable alternative to Adobe Photoshop for beginners and businesses alike.
• Brand Consistency: The Brand Kits feature ensures consistent branding across all your designs by keeping logos, colors, and fonts at your fingertips.
• Cross-Platform Compatibility: Adobe Express seamlessly syncs your projects across desktop and mobile devices, enabling you to create content anytime, anywhere.

Pricing:

• Free Plan: Offers 25 generative credits per month, access to basic features, and thousands of templates.
• Premium Plan: $4.99/month (billed annually), unlocks advanced features like 250 generative credits, brand kits, and access to Adobe Stock assets.
• Teams Plan: $4.99/user/month (billed annually), includes everything in the Premium plan, plus extras like 1TB storage, version history, and admin controls.

Try Adobe Express now

Overall, Adobe Express is a compelling “best Adobe Photoshop alternative for businesses 2024” and a top “recommended software instead of Adobe Photoshop,” offering a perfect balance between affordability, ease of use, and powerful AI-driven content creation capabilities.

2. Canva

Canva is a revolutionary design platform that offers an affordable and user-friendly alternative to Adobe Photoshop. With its intuitive interface and powerful features, Canva has become the go-to choice for businesses, individuals, and beginners alike seeking a Photoshop substitute.

One of the standout features of Canva is its AI-powered tools, such as Magic Write and Magic Edit, which provide users with an unparalleled design experience. Magic Write allows you to generate on-brand copy with just a few clicks. At the same time, Magic Edit enables you to transform your photos with advanced AI editing capabilities, making it one of the best alternatives to Photoshop with AI features.

Canva offers a wide range of design templates for various purposes, including social media posts, presentations, logos, and more, making it an excellent, affordable alternative to Adobe Photoshop for businesses in 2024. Its drag-and-drop interface and vast library of stock images, graphics, and fonts make it easy for anyone to create professional-looking designs without the need for extensive design expertise.

Pricing:

Canva offers a free plan with limited features, as well as paid plans for individuals and teams:

• Canva Free: Access to basic design tools and templates.
• Canva Pro ($9.99/month or $119.99/year): Unlimited access to premium features, templates, and assets.
• Canva Teams ($14.99/user/month): Designed for teams with advanced collaboration and branding tools.

Try Canva now

Overall, Canva is a top-rated Photoshop alternative that offers a comprehensive design suite with AI-powered tools, making it an excellent choice for businesses, individuals, and beginners seeking an affordable and professional photo editing software option besides Photoshop.

3. Pixlr

Pixlr is a web-based platform offering a comprehensive suite of photo editing, design, and AI-powered image generation tools. Catering to both casual users and design professionals, Pixlr boasts a freemium model with features suitable for various creative needs.

Features:

• Photo Editing:Equipped with a vast library of editing tools, Pixlr allows users to crop, resize, adjust exposure and color, apply filters and effects, and perform basic photo retouching.
• AI-Powered Tools:Pixlr integrates cutting-edge AI features like AI Image Generator, AI Background Removal, AI Face Swap, and AI Super Sharp to automate complex edits and enhance image quality.
• Design Tools:Pixlr offers design functionalities like photo grid creation and an AI-powered product shot creator for crafting professional-looking product images in seconds.
• Batch Editing:Pixlr’s batch editor allows users to edit multiple photos simultaneously, saving time and effort.

Pricing:

Pixlr offers a free plan with basic editing tools and paid plans with additional features, including:

• Ad-free editing
• Unlimited saves
• AI-powered features(object removal, background replacement, etc.)
• Larger library of fonts, templates, and elements

Here’s a quick breakdown of their paid plans:

• Plus ($1.99/month): Perfect for basic needs, with ad-free editing, unlimited saves, and 80 monthly AI credits.
• Premium ($7.99/month): The most popular plan, offering full access to all premium features across all platforms (web, desktop, and mobile). This includes ad-free editing, unlimited saves, 1000 monthly AI credits, private mode for AI generations, and a large library of creative assets.
• Teams ($12.99/month): Ideal for collaboration, with five premium seats included. This plan provides ad-free editing, unlimited saves, 1000 monthly AI credits per user, and the ability to manage team members.

Additional Options:

• AI Credit Pack:Top up your account with additional credits for more AI-powered editing.
• Gift Card: Give the gift of creativity with a Plus or Premium subscription.
• Enterprise: Contact Pixlr for custom solutions for large teams or API access.

Free Pixlr for Education

Pixlr offers a free education plan for schools and institutions. This plan provides access to premium features for students, educators, and lifelong learners.

Try it Free!

All Pixlr subscriptions come with a 7-day free trial, so you can try before you buy.

Try PIXLR now

With its extensive feature set, affordable pricing, and AI capabilities, Pixlr stands out as a top alternative to Adobe Photoshop for Businesses 2024 and a recommended software instead of Adobe Photoshop for those seeking a professional photo editing experience without breaking the bank.

4. Photopea

Photopea is a powerful online image editor that offers a feature set comparable to Adobe Photoshop but entirely within your web browser. With no software downloads required, Photopea allows you to edit photos, create illustrations, design web graphics, and more—all for free.

Photopea, a web-based editor that closely mimics the Adobe Photoshop interface and supports PSD files, has emerged as a compelling, best free alternative to Photoshop for those seeking a seamless transition from the industry-standard software.

Features:

• Extensive Editing Tools: Edit photos with a wide range of tools, including cropping, resizing, adjustments, filters, and effects. Create vector graphics with shapes, paths, and text layers.
• Broad File Compatibility: Open and edit PSD (Photoshop), XCF (GIMP), Sketch, XD, CDR (CorelDraw), and more. Export your work in various formats like JPG, PNG, GIF, PDF, and SVG.
• Cloud Storage Integration: Connect your Photopea account with cloud storage services like Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive to access and save your projects seamlessly.
• Collaborative Editing (Pro Plan): The Pro Plan allows real-time collaboration on projects with other users.

Pricing:

Photopea is free to use and has basic features. A premium plan with additional features, a 5GB Pea Drive, ad-free, and 3000 AI credits starts at $5 per month.

Try Photopea now

5. Sumopaint

Sumopaint is a web-based graphic design and photo editing tool that caters to both beginners and experienced artists. This user-friendly platform allows you to create illustrations, edit photos, and design graphics—all within your web browser.

Feature-Rich and Functional

Sumopaint boasts a robust set of features, including:

• Extensive Brush Library: Over 300 unique brushes that mimic traditional media like pencils, watercolors, and oil paints. You can even create custom brushes for a personalized touch.
• Layer System: Work with multiple layers for non-destructive editing, allowing you to easily make changes without affecting underlying elements.
• Photo Editing Tools:Enhance your photos with a variety of tools like brightness/contrast adjustments, filters, and blemish removal.
• Text and Shape Tools: Integrate text elements and various shapes into your designs.
• Special Effects: Experiment with features like perspective mapping, 3D brushes, and lighting effects to add depth and dimension to your artwork.
• Active Online Community: Share your creations and get feedback from a vibrant community of Sumopaint users.

Freemium Pricing Model

Sumopaint offers a free-mium pricing model. The free version provides access to a good range of features, making it ideal for casual users or those new to digital art. Upgrading to Sumo Pro unlocks additional benefits, such as unlimited layers, advanced tools, and cloud storage.

For a lifetime, you can pay $89 for the Pro plan to keep forever.

Try SumoPaint now

Sumopaint is a versatile and accessible creative platform that caters to a broad range of users. With its intuitive interface, comprehensive features, and freemium model, Sumopaint is an excellent choice for anyone looking to explore their artistic side or enhance their digital design workflow.

6. LunaPic

LunaPic is a groundbreaking online photo editor that offers a comprehensive suite of powerful editing tools, all accessible through your web browser. With no need for downloads or installations, LunaPic provides a seamless and user-friendly experience, empowering you to unleash your creativity and transform your images like never before.

Key Features:

• Intuitive Interface: LunaPic boasts an intuitive and modern interface, making it easy for users of all skill levels to navigate and utilize its extensive array of editing tools.
• Powerful Editing Tools: From basic adjustments like cropping, resizing, and color correction to advanced features like object removal, background removal, and artistic effects, LunaPic equips you with everything you need to elevate your images.
• AI-Powered Enhancements: Leveraging cutting-edge AI technology, LunaPic offers intelligent tools like colorizing black and white photos, creating ink portraits, and removing unwanted objects with precision.
• Creative Filters and Effects: Explore a vast library of innovative filters, artistic effects, and stylized presets to give your images a unique and captivating look.
• Drawing and Text Tools: Unleash your artistic side with LunaPic’s drawing tools, allowing you to create custom designs, add text, and personalize your images.

Pricing:

LunaPic is completely free to use, with no subscription fees or hidden costs. This makes it an accessible and affordable solution for individuals, professionals, and businesses alike.

Try LunaPic now

With its powerful yet easy-to-use tools, LunaPic is revolutionizing the world of online photo editing, empowering users to unleash their creativity and elevate their visual content to new heights, all without the need for expensive software or subscriptions.

7. PhotoRoom

Photoroom is a powerful AI photo editing app that allows you to remove backgrounds, create realistic new backgrounds, retouch images, and more – all from your mobile device or desktop. It’s the perfect tool for e-commerce sellers, content creators, and anyone who needs professional-looking product shots or portraits.

Key features of the Photo room include:

• AI Background Remover (remove background from image online for free): Automatically remove and cut out backgrounds with high accuracy
• Instant AI Backgrounds (AI background generator for product photos): Generate studio-quality, realistic new backgrounds for products in seconds
• AI Image Expand (AI expand and enlarge image tool): Expand images beyond their original borders realistically with AI
• Object Removal (magic retouch tool to remove people and objects): Swipe away unwanted objects and imperfections, filled by AI
• Batch Mode: Edit hundreds of photos simultaneously to streamline your workflow

Pricing for Photoroom

Pricing is free for basic features or $12.99/month for Photoroom Pro with advanced capabilities like batch editing, higher resolution, smart resizing, and more. There are also affordable one-time purchase options. You can pick the yearly plan at $89.99.

Try PhotoRoom now

8. Krita

Krita is a powerful and feature-rich digital painting software that offers a seamless and intuitive experience for artists of all levels. Krita, created by a dedicated team of artists and developers, is a free and open-source solution that provides professional-grade tools without the high cost of proprietary software. It is a professional-grade, free, and open-source digital painting program.

Key Features:

• Versatile Brush Engine: Krita boasts a robust brush engine that offers a wide range of realistic and customizable brushes, including oil, watercolor, and airbrush brushes. This allows artists to replicate various traditional painting techniques digitally.
• Advanced Layer Management: With Krita’s layer management system, artists can create complex compositions by organizing their work into multiple layers, enabling them to work on different elements separately and non-destructively.
• Animation Tools: In addition to its painting capabilities, Krita offers a comprehensive set of animation tools, allowing artists to bring their creations to life with frame-by-frame animation or keyframing techniques.
• Resource Management: Krita provides access to a vast library of brushes, patterns, gradients, and other resources, making it easy for artists to expand their creative arsenal and experiment with new styles and techniques.
• Tablet Support: Krita is optimized for use with graphics tablets, providing a natural and responsive drawing experience that mimics traditional painting techniques.

Pricing:

As free and open-source software, Krita is available for download at no cost, making it an accessible and budget-friendly option for artists of all levels.

Try Krita now

Krita, a powerful open-source digital painting and illustration program, has become a popular best photoshop alternative free for artists and designers seeking a specialized solution.

With its robust features, active community, and commitment to accessibility, Krita stands out as a compelling choice for artists seeking a powerful and versatile digital painting solution without the financial constraints of proprietary software.

9. Affinity Photo

Affinity Photo is powerful photo editing software designed for professional photographers, artists, and creatives. It boasts impressive speed and precision and a comprehensive feature set for editing, retouching, and creating multi-layered compositions. Available for Mac, Windows, and iPad, Affinity Photo is a full-fledged alternative to subscription-based editing programs.

Affinity Photo continues to establish itself as the best alternative to Photoshop, providing a powerful and affordable solution for professionals and enthusiasts alike, with frequent updates and a dedicated user community.

Features

• Non-destructive Editing:Edit photos without altering the original image.
• RAW Editing:Process RAW images for maximum detail and control.
• Advanced Selection Tools:Make precise selections using the Selection Brush and Pen Tool.
• Liquify Workspace:Sculpt and refine facial features or other image elements.
• Inpainting Brush:Remove unwanted objects seamlessly with AI-powered inpainting.
• Extensive Brush Library:Choose from a vast library of brushes or create your own.
• Layer and Effects:Work with unlimited layers and explore various adjustments, effects, and live filters.
• Cross-Platform Compatibility:Work seamlessly on Mac, Windows, or iPad with complete file format compatibility.
• Other Features:Assets Panel, Blend Modes, Compound Masks, Live Masks, OCIO colour profile support, and more.

Pricing

Affinity Photo has consistently been hailed as the photoshop best alternative, offering a robust set of tools, non-destructive editing capabilities, and an intuitive interface at an affordable price point.

Affinity Photo offers a one-time purchase for each platform (Mac/Windows) at $34.99 or a Universal License for all platforms (including iPad) at $82.99 (currently 50% off). There are no monthly subscription fees.

Try Affinity Photo now

Affinity Photo is a compelling choice for photographers and creatives seeking a powerful and affordable photo editing solution. It offers a comprehensive feature set, one-time purchase pricing, and cross-platform compatibility. While it might have a steeper learning curve than more straightforward tools, Affinity Photo’s capabilities and affordability make it a serious contender in the professional photo editing market.

10. Capture One

Capture One is a powerful and professional photo editing software designed for photographers who demand precision, control, and advanced editing capabilities. It offers seamless RAW image handling, comprehensive color editing tools, and efficient workflow management features.

Key Features:

• best photo editing software for color accuracy and image quality
• Robust tethering for a streamlined studio photography workflow
• Comprehensive layers and masking tools for precise edits
• AI editing tools like AI Crop can speed up your workflow
• Customizable workspace for an optimized editing experience
• Plug-in compatibility to extend functionality

Pricing:

• Capture One All in one: $34 per month or $21.58 per month (for Yearly)
• Capture One Pro: $299 one-time purchase or $24/month subscription
• Capture One Pro for Sony/Fuji/Nikon: $219 one-time purchase

Try Inkscape now

Capture One, a professional-grade RAW image editor and photo management software, is widely regarded as one of the best alternatives for Photoshop, particularly for photographers seeking advanced image processing capabilities.

Capture One offers a comprehensive and high-performance solution for professional photographers seeking precise control over their image editing process, color accuracy, and efficient workflow management.

What makes the best free photo editor?

When it comes to choosing the best free photo editor, there are several factors to consider. Here are some key points that can help determine the most suitable option:

1. Feature set

The best free photo editor should offer a comprehensive set of tools and features that cater to your specific needs. This may include layers, selection tools, adjustment filters, color correction, brushes, and support for various file formats.

2. User interface

A user-friendly and intuitive interface can greatly enhance the editing experience, especially for beginners. Look for an editor with a clean layout, customizable workspace, and easy-to-navigate menus and tools.

3. Non-destructive editing

The ability to make non-destructive edits, which means modifying an image without permanently altering the original file, is a valuable feature. This allows for greater flexibility and the ability to undo or revise changes without losing quality.

4. RAW support

Suppose you work with RAW image files from DSLR or mirrorless cameras. In that case, it’s essential to have an editor who can process and edit these files effectively, taking full advantage of the extra image data.

5. Performance and stability

A reliable and efficient free photo editor should offer smooth performance, even when working with large or high-resolution images, and be stable to avoid crashes or data loss.

6. Frequent updates and community support

Regular updates and an active community can ensure that the software stays up-to-date with bug fixes, new features, and compatibility with the latest file formats and operating systems.

7. Cross-platform compatibility

If you work on multiple devices or operating systems, a cross-platform photo editor can provide a consistent editing experience across different environments.

In 2024, users will have access to a diverse range of best free alternatives to Photoshop, such as GIMP, Pixlr, and PhotoPea, offering powerful editing capabilities without the need for costly subscriptions or upfront payments.

Final words on Best Photoshop alternatives in 2024

In the ever-evolving landscape of digital creativity, the demand for accessible and powerful photo editing tools continues to soar. While Adobe Photoshop remains an industry titan, its premium pricing and steep learning curve have paved the way for a diverse array of free alternatives to Adobe Photoshop.

• As the demand for versatile editing solutions grows, a diverse range of best alternatives for Photoshop, such as Luminar, Paintshop Pro, and Photoline, have gained popularity for their unique strengths and user-friendly interfaces.
• For those seeking a cost-effective solution, GIMP stands out as one of the best freeware Photoshop alternatives, boasting a comprehensive toolset and an active community of developers.
• For those seeking the best free photoshop alternative, Pixlr stands out with its user-friendly interface, impressive array of editing tools, and the convenience of being a web-based platform accessible from any device.
• Pixlr and Photopea have emerged as two of the best free Photoshop alternatives, providing web-based editing platforms with impressive features and seamless integration with various file formats.

As we usher in 2024, these free photo editors have made remarkable strides, offering an impressive range of features and capabilities that cater to various skill levels and needs. From AI-powered free photo editors that leverage cutting-edge technology to free Photoshop-like software for Windows that replicates the familiar interface, the options are plentiful.

Whether you’re a student seeking free Photoshop alternatives for students, an artist in pursuit of the best free photo editing software for artists, or a graphic designer searching for free graphic design software like Photoshop, the alternatives mentioned in this article provide a wealth of possibilities.

Moreover, the integration of generative AI has opened new doors, with the best free photo editors with generative AI empowering users to harness the power of artificial intelligence for creative tasks like object removal, image synthesis, and style transfers.

As the world of photo editing continues to evolve, embracing these best free AI photo editing apps and exploring their unique strengths can unlock newfound creative potential and streamline your workflow. Bid farewell to the constraints of expensive software and embrace the freedom of these remarkable alternatives.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on best alternative for photoshop