The best Photoshop alternatives

Adobe Photoshop is one of the major software for graphic designers. Beginners using Adobe Photoshop software will have many difficulties getting used to and using it. Mastering these features is not easy at all. Requires you to have a certain in-depth knowledge, time and high cost.

However, it is not that there is no way to perform photo editing, effects, etc. that Adobe Photoshop provides. Instead, you can use supporting software like Adobe Photoshop, but much faster and more effective. Below are software that are said to be able to replace Adobe Photoshop in most image processing tasks, completely free, and lighter than Adobe Photoshop.

1. GIMP

1. Supported file formats : PNG, JPEG, BMP, TIF and many other formats.
2. Platform : Windows, macOS, Linux
3. Price : Free

When it comes to free alternatives to Photoshop, GIMP is one of the top choices. GIMP is a feature-rich photo editing software that can do many things that Photoshop can do. However, it is not at the top of this list due to some problems such as many pre-installed brushes with the same settings, making it annoying for users to constantly switch between brushes. In addition, GIMP does not have drawing capabilities like Photoshop, however it is free and is one of the options worth considering when wanting to replace Photoshop.

 

Advantage

1. Comprehensive layer support with blending mode.
2. Supports ruler tools (Ruler and Guide).
3. Support cropping images.
4. Undo toolbar.

Defect

1. Old user interface.
2. The text tool is strange and unintuitive.
3. There is no Camera RAW filter.
4. Difficulty finding tools.

2. Pixelr X

1. Platform : Web
2. Price : Free

Pixlr is one of the best free Photoshop alternatives online - so it's available as a web app. This software has many features, helping to save a significant amount of money for desktop applications.

Pixlr's interface is simpler than Photoshop or GIMP, but that's not a bad thing. Streamlined and intuitive workflow: You can drag and drop photos from your computer or add URLs, then start adjusting images with filters and sliders with a familiar click belong.

 

Despite being a web app, Pixlr has surprisingly strong layer support - why it's considered one of the best Photoshop alternatives. However, important features are still missing. For example, custom brushes are planned for the future but are not available yet.

Overall, Pixlr gives you a super clean and intuitive interface for basic to complex photo editing.

Advantage

1. Layer support
2. Web-app, available on all browsers
3. Clean design
4. Experience intuitive workflows

Defect

1. Missing some features (for example, custom brushes)
2. Limited file type compatibility (no PSD)
3. Available online only

3. Luminar AI

1. Platforms : Windows, macOS, as plug-in
2. Price : Paid, 30-day money-back guarantee

One of the best Adobe Photoshop alternatives without a subscription is Luminar AI. It's not the cheapest option out there, but it's a powerful photo editing software that leverages artificial intelligence and machine learning to help artists create amazing photos with just a few clicks.

Luminar AI is a great new option for photographers whose images would benefit from some editing, but don't have the time or knowledge to make them happen.

Luminar is available as a standalone editor or plug-in for Adobe products, so it's an alternative that you can actually use in tandem with Photoshop.

Its impressive features include instant AI sky replacement, AI skin and portrait enhancement, sun rays, advanced AI texture and light filters, smart contrast engine to keep color and texture as well as object deletion.

The layout is clean and intuitive, with most functions available in the sidebar. Clicking on one will display sliders for customizing the effect, with advanced settings available. From start to finish, the photo editing process on Luminar is smooth and fast.

As for price, there's no subscription, just a one-time payment of around $40/£35/AU$60 for one PC.

 

Advantage

1. Leverage AI for impressive features
2. Available as Adobe/Apple or standalone plug-in
3. Synchronize AI editing on photos
4. Download new skies or upload your own

Defect

1. Can be heavy on system resources
2. There is no mobile version or web app

4. ACDSee Photo Studio Ultimate

ACDSee Photo Studio Ultimate 2023 is an image processing tool that lets you perform many of the functions you'll find in giants like Adobe Photoshop, but at a fraction of the cost.

This software is a flexible alternative to Photoshop. It may not be able to match every powerful feature in Adobe's flagship tool, but it offers most of the tools that every photo editor has.

The latest features include AI-based tools like AI Actions that help you perform potentially time-consuming tasks, like blurring the background or selecting objects with the click of a button. AI Face Edit is interesting because it allows you to change your subject's face and the end result is quite impressive.

Monthly and annual subscriptions available, Photo Studio Ultimate bundles with Gemstone Photo Editor, Luxea Video Editor, Video Converter Pro and Photo Studio for Mac for $9/£8/$15AUD a month or $89/£79/$142 AUD one year. You'll get free updates and upgrades as long as your subscription is active, up to 5 users per product, get 100GB of cloud storage, and like having access to tutorials and discussion groups.

Alternatively, ACDSee Photo Studio Ultimate can be yours outright for a one-time price of $150/£132/$239AUD. This includes 1 year of free updates and technical support.

Overall, this is a great Photoshop alternative for creating professional content while being budget-friendly.

Advantage

1. Updates provide great new features
2. Artificial intelligence tools
3. Stable software

Defect

1. PC only
2. Can be difficult for beginners

5. Photos Pos Pro

1. Platform : Web
2. Price : Free

Ranked as one of the best Adobe Photoshop alternatives because it is so feature-rich, Photo Pos Pro comes with tools for image editing, web design, and document creation.

 

In fact, while it's certainly a powerful tool, it's a bit quirky and takes a little getting used to, partly because it offers interfaces specifically for 2 types of objects: One for beginners, one for experts.

This customizable interface allows you to choose a Novice or Pro layout. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, but essentially, the beginner layout sacrifices power for usability, while the pro layout is feature-rich, albeit at a loss. Time to get acquainted. Even if it's not done perfectly, this flexibility is commendable and practical.

Although it lacks the in-depth customization capabilities that professional photographers rely on, it is still one of the best Adobe Photoshop alternatives for editing photos for presentations, marketing campaigns or entertainment purposes. individual.

With layers, masks, brushes, scripts, and batch editing, Photos Pos Pro is a feature-rich alternative to Photoshop.

Advantage

1. Customizable interface
2. Supports scripting, batch editing, and one-click editing tools
3. RAW and PSD compatible

Defect

1. Restriction filter
2. Limited keyboard shortcuts

6. Krita

1. Supported file formats : PNG, BMP, GIMP, TIF, TGA, JPEG, WEBP and many more.
2. Platform : Windows, ,
3. Price : Free; Paid version is available to support developers.

Krita is a free image editing tool and has many of the same features and options as Photoshop, giving it the look and feel of using real Photoshop. Its toolbar is arranged in a similar way and also has a dark theme by default (you can configure it to a different theme if you want). In addition, it has support tools such as Slice Tool, the ability to open multiple images like Photoshop and is completely free. However, it also has a paid version for developers.

Advantage

1. Supports tablets and brushes.
2. There are templates for different projects.
3. Supports ruler tools (Ruler and Guide).
4. There are many effects.

Defect

1. There is no undo editing tool.
2. The Patch tool lags when used on larger images.
3. Text tools are not as rich as Photoshop.
4. There is no Camera RAW filter.

There are countless options and features in Photoshop that aren't for everyone. Many users just need something simple that offers one-click options to get those tasks done well.

Above are TipsMake.com's suggestions on the best tools to replace Photoshop. If you know of any other tools that this article has not mentioned, please leave your comments in the comments section below!

Hope you find the right choice!