12 Best Adobe Photoshop Alternatives in 2024
Adobe Photoshop is a well-known software used for graphic design and photo editing. It has tools for retouching, and manipulating images, and even uses artificial intelligence for assistance. It’s available on both Windows and Mac OS.
However, Photoshop’s subscription model can be a barrier for some users, especially beginners who only need basic editing or those seeking a more budget-friendly option.There are lots of options, free and paid. This guide will show you 12 Best Adobe Photoshop Alternatives in 2024.
In this guide, we’ll talk about different options that might be better for you, depending on what you need and how good you are at using these kinds of programs. But before we talk about those, let’s see how much Photoshop costs.
Table of Content
- 1. GIMP – Free
- 2. PIXLR
- 3. CANVA
- 4. KRITA – Free
- 5. INKSCAPE – Free
- 6. AFFINITY
- 7. LUMINAR
- 8. FOTOR
- 9. ON1 PHOTO RAW
- 10. COREL PAINTSHOP PRO
- 11. PHOTOROOM
- 12. ACDSEE PHOTOSTUDIO ULTIMATE
- Comparison – 12 Best Adobe Photoshop Alternatives
- Free vs Paid Adobe Photoshop Alternatives in 2024
- Which Adobe Photoshop Alternative is Best?
How much does Adobe Photoshop Cost?
Adobe Photoshop isn’t available for a one-time purchase; it’s only offered through a Creative Cloud subscription. Here’s a simple breakdown of the pricing:
For Individuals:
- Photography Plan (20GB): $9.99/month
- Photography Plan (1TB): $19.99/month
- All Apps Plan: $54.99/month (monthly) or $49.99/month (with yearly commitment)
For Businesses:
- Photoshop Single App: $35.99/month per license
- All Apps Plan: $84.99/month per license (includes 1TB cloud storage)
12 Best Adobe Photoshop Alternatives in 2024
Whether you’re a beginner or looking for budget-friendly options, there are the best Adobe Photoshop alternatives available. Let’s explore twelve top contenders. We have also provided features, pricing, links, pros, and cons for each option to help you make an informed decision.
1. GIMP – Free
GIMP is one of the leading free alternatives to Photoshop in 2024. It can be used by photographers, graphic designers, and illustrators alike.
FEATURES:
- Has a customizable interface to achieve a personalized toolbar
- You can fix the perspective distortion through the corrective mode
- You can get rid of unrequired details using the clone tool or touch up on finer details using the healing tool.
PRICE: FREE
PROS:
- Supports various Operating Systems such as Mac, Windows, and Linux
- Completely Free to use
- Supports HDR in many formats including JPG,JPEG, PNG, SVG, and GIF
CONS:
- Not beginner friendly and can be overwhelming to use at first
- Does not provide technical assistance
- The bugs are solved very slowly.
VISIT SITE: https://www.gimp.org/
2. PIXLR
Pixlr is a photo editing software and it is often regarded as one of the top photo editing software to replace PhotoShop. It has all of the regular features of photo editing but also has AI powered tools for the same.
FEATURES:
- Can create custom graphics by using pre-made templates and elements
- Text to image AI generator forms desired image using a prompt within seconds.
- Allows to store file editing history to go back to previous versions and correct any mistakes
- Enables integration of software with social media
PRICE:
- FREE access to certain features
- $1.99/month for the Plus tier
- $7.99/month for the Premium tier
- $12.99/month for the Team tier
PROS:
- Keeps updating features at regular intervals
- Great for beginners
- Value for money
CONS:
- The free version has a lot of ads
- Good only for basic image editing
- Pixlr Web can lag during peak hours.
VISIT SITE: https://pixlr.com/
3. CANVA
Canva has some of the best graphic tools besides Photoshop. It has mostly been regarded as a one stop shop for graphic designers and it also expands its forte over to image and video editing.
FEATURES:
- You can collaborate and work on a project with your team.
- Magic Studio is their AI tool which helps in copywriting and image generation
- You can get your designs printed and delivered directly with Canva
- Create and Publish content on social media directly through Canva
PRICE:
- FREE access to certain features
- ₹499/month for Canva Pro
- ₹998/month for Canva Teams
PROS:
- Offers a huge library of free to access templates
- User-friendly
- Gives a professional look for minimum price
CONS:
- Unable to move one project design to another project
- The Intellectual Property belongs to Canva
- Export settings are limited
VISIT SITE: https://www.canva.com/
4. KRITA – Free
Krita is a professional open source painting software which helps artists excel at illustrations and comics. It is the best free Photoshop substitute for those who use Photoshop only for digital art.
FEATURES:
- Comes with over 100 preloaded professional looking brushes
- Provides a stabilizer to your brush so you can smooth out lines.
- Built in vector tools help with creating comic panels
- You can customize your brushes with over 9 brush engines.
PRICE: FREE
PROS:
- Expansive brush selection
- Easy interface for beginners
- Good animation tools
CONS:
- Crashes frequently on older computer models
- Struggle with keyboard shortcuts
- Lesser tutorials and resources available.
VISIT SITE: https://krita.org/en/
5. INKSCAPE – Free
Inkscape is a free and open-source vector graphics editor, making it a strong contender among free alternatives of Photoshop in the design world. This software caters to illustrators, designers, and web designers, offering tools specifically suited for creating vector graphics and illustrations.
FEATURES:
- Offers a decent variety of pencil, pen and calligraphy tools.
- A gradient tool capable of multi-stop gradients
- Supports multi-line texts and fonts imported from other sites
PRICE: FREE
PROS:
- Art can be exported in HD Quality for printing
- Supports cross platform exports
- Great vectors for people on a budget
CONS:
- No option to see if the colours are compatible with printing or on-screen viewing
- Harder to use especially for beginners.
VISIT SITE: https://inkscape.org/
6. AFFINITY
Affinity is a leading software for Photoshop replacement in 2024. It offers pretty much the same features as photoshop but on a budget.
FEATURES:
- Scale option to resize by using percentages
- Export password protected PDFs to allow content editing and printing
- Pixel grid can be switched on and off
- Crop to any pixel selection
PRICE:
- ₹17,900 one-time payment for the universal V2 license for individual subscription
- ₹17,005 one-time payment per license for the universal V2 license for the business tier
PROS:
- Has a rich interface
- Easy to use layers and tools
- Reliable output delivery
CONS:
- Unresponsive Tech Support
- No image organizing tools
VISIT SITE: https://affinity.serif.com/en-us/
7. LUMINAR
Luminar is a photo editing software created by the company Skylum. It is considered to be one of the top photo editing software like Photoshop in 2024.
FEATURES:
- The Face AI targets the face to smooth out the eyes, mouth and skin
- Store, Browse and Organize your photos in the catalog
- Use Supersharp AI to recover minute discrepancies caused by motion blur
- You can enhance real estate and landscape photos by adding a golden hour effect.
PRICE:
- FREE trial for 7 days
- ₹499 for 1 month subscription
- ₹291.58 per month for 1 year subscription
- ₹208.29 per month for 2 year subscription
- ₹19,999 one time payment for a lifetime license
CONS:
- No mobile app available
- No export presets are available
- No keyword tagging
PROS:
- Importing photos is very easy
- Clear user interface
- Powerful AI Engine
VISIT SITE: https://skylum.com/luminar
8. FOTOR
Fotor is a photoshop alternative that offers everything you need for photo editing in one place. It creates a realistic image and provides editing of the next level.
FEATURES:
- The AI photo enhancer automatically adjusts the image for blurs and enhances them
- Create AI art from text input
- Circle crops images for logos and profile pictures
- Allows efficient overlay and superimposing of images
PRICE:
- Fotor basic is for free
- Fotor Pro is $3.33/month (billed annually)
- Fotor Pro+ is $7.49/month (billed annually)
PROS:
- Fewer learning curves
- Can edit photos in bulk
- Pre-made templates make photo-editing less time consuming
CONS:
- Picture resolution after export is not satisfactory
- Can lag sometimes
VISIT SITE: https://www.fotor.com/
9. ON1 PHOTO RAW
ON1 photo raw is a software application which has all the best features from Lightroom and Photoshop and can be a perfect alternative for an inexpensive photo editing software.
FEATURES:
- RAW processing power ensures clear image colour and perfect tone
- Create masks by clicking on regions and applying filters and adjustments
- No Noise AI removes all noise from the image and produces a sharp image
PRICE:
- Base features are free for lifetime whereas other more advanced features have a 30 day free trial.
- ON1 Everything Subscription is ₹775.26/month (billed annually)
- ON1 Everything Plus Subscription is ₹1292.16/month (billed annually)
PROS:
- High Quality Filters
- Great HDR tool for producing sharp photos
- You can install any Photoshop plugins you own
CONS:
- UI/UX is confusing and many tools are hard to locate
- The blemish remover tool creates huge blurs
- No bokeh tools
VISIT SITE: https://www.on1.com/
10. COREL PAINTSHOP PRO
It is a photo editing software specifically made for Windows OS. It has photo-editing and graphic designing tools along with AI powered ones.
FEATURES:
- Versatile range of professional tools
- Easily crop photos according to the Golden Ratio and Rule of Thirds
- AfterShot Lab for pro features in Photo editing
- Reduce repetitive editing actions with script.
PRICE:
- FREE 30 day trial
- Paintshop Pro for ₹6899 one time payment
- Paintshop ProUltimate for ₹8599 one time payment
PROS:
- Supports a wide range of Export formats
- Photoshop like features at a lower price
- Automatic noise removal
CONS:
- Inconsistent interface which lags a lot
- No version for MacOS/ Linux OS
VISIT SITE: https://www.paintshoppro.com/en/
11. PHOTOROOM
PhotoRoom is a great option for product photos and e-commerce. It creates professional looking photos for free using AI.
FEATURES:
- Remove and generate backgrounds for images in an instant
- Remove unwanted objects in your images with an instant
- Create shadows to provide a realistic look to your product
- Enhances and adjusts the photo
PRICE:
- FREE to use for 3 photos per day
- Custom Quote for Photoroom pro subscription
PROS:
- Offers a huge library of templates to customize photos
- The batch editor feature lets you edit hundreds of photos together
- The web version and mobile version of the software sync seamlessly
CONS:
- Trouble removing complex backgrounds or objects resembling the background
- Does not support all image formats
- Does not have many of the professional photo image editor tools
VISIT SITE: https://www.photoroom.com/
12. ACDSEE PHOTOSTUDIO ULTIMATE
One of the best photo editing and graphic tool alternatives in 2024 which offers efficient features for ultimate optimization of output and is recommended by many photographers.
FEATURES:
- AI powered File Management
- Search and find photos fast with their AI Keywords Feature
- Gives wide variety of options in controlling the flow and opacity of the brush
PRICE:
- $8.9/month for personal subscription plan
- $109.95 for lifetime license
PROS:
- Stable software
- Great organizational tools
- Capable RAW development
CONS:
- Can be difficult to use for beginners
- Needs more refined cropping features
VISIT SITE: https://www.acdsee.com/en/products/photo-studio-ultimate/
Comparison – 12 Best Adobe Photoshop Alternatives
S. No. |
Tool Name |
Standout Feature |
Free Version Available? |
---|---|---|---|
1 |
GIMP |
Customizable interface |
Yes |
2 |
Pixlr |
Text to image AI Generator |
Yes |
3 |
Canva |
Exporting projects for print and getting them home delivered |
Yes |
4 |
Krita |
Customizable Brush Options |
Yes |
5 |
Inkscape |
Offers a vast catalog of pens, pencils and calligraphy tools |
Yes |
6 |
Affinity |
Password protected sharing of files |
No |
7 |
Luminar |
Face Recognition AI to smooth out any discrepancies |
Free Trial |
8 |
Fotor |
Efficient Superimposing and Overlaying of images |
Yes |
9 |
ON1 Photo Raw |
Raw image processing produces clear images |
Yes |
10 |
Corel Paintshop Pro |
Reduce Repetitive Photo editing actions |
Free 30 days trial |
11 |
PhotoRoom |
AI tools to edit images for commercial use |
3 Free Users Per day |
12 |
ACDSEE PhotoStudio Ultimate |
AI powered file management |
Free Trial |
Free vs Paid Adobe Photoshop Alternatives in 2024
The above mentioned Adobe Photoshop Alternatives all have at least a free trial if not a free version of it. Opting for either the paid or free alternatives depends entirely on your intent to use it. If you are a small business or an individual creator who is just starting out, it is advised to use applications which offer a free or a freemium version of it such as Canva for Graphics, Gimp for illustrations and Pixlr for photo editing.
However, if you are an established business and have enough money to spare for a pocket friendly Adobe Photoshop alternative, you can opt for PhotoRoom or Affinity.
Which Adobe Photoshop Alternative is Best?
Adobe Photoshop offers many functions such as Image Editing, Graphic Designing and Illustrations. To find another alternative for Adobe Photoshop which excels at all three is a tough job.
To find out which Photoshop alternative is the best for you, you need to first figure out what you are going to use it the most for.
- If you are an Illustrator, Krita and GIMP can be good alternatives for you.
- For a Photoshop alternative for graphics, Inkscape and Canva are the best especially if you are a beginner/ intermediate.
- For photo editing alternatives, ACDSEE Photostudio and Corel Paintshop Pro are great and a cheaper option compared to Adobe Photoshop
Conclusion
Even though Photoshop is popular, it can be pricey, especially for beginners. That’s why it’s good to find other options. Our list of tools and software gives cheaper choices with similar features. While Photoshop does a lot, it might not have everything for everyone. These alternatives focus on specific things and get updates often. Read our article 12 Best Adobe Photoshop Alternatives in 2024 for ideas that fit your needs and budget
Best Adobe Photoshop Alternatives – FAQs
Which is the best Adobe Photoshop alternative?
GIMP is the best Photoshop alternative overall housing similar features for a much lesser price.
Which is the best graphic tool beside Photoshop in 2024?
Canva is one of the best alternatives for Photoshop in terms of graphic tools. It is also extremely beginner friendly.
Which is the best Photoshop alternative for free?
ON1Photo Raw is a top photo editing alternative in the market for free in 2024. It has a paid tier as well but has a vast library of free features.
What program is similar to Photoshop but cheaper?
Here are cheaper alternatives to Photoshop:
- GIMP (Free): Powerful, with a learning curve.
- Affinity Photo (Paid): Professional-grade, user-friendly.
- Krita (Free): Great for digital artists.
- Paint.NET (Free): Easy for basic tasks.
- Photopea (Free, web-based): Like Photoshop, online.
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