Free Photoshop Alternatives

If, for whatever reason, you edit your photos, then you are probably aware of the plethora of photo editing apps that exist. I’m pretty sure you’re also familiar with Adobe Photoshop, which has completely ruled the industry to the point that the word photoshop has become a verb. However, if you want to have access to Adobe Photoshop, you have to be ready to pay at least $10 a month. For those of you who have other priorities financially, don’t worry! We’ve got great Photoshop alternatives that won’t cost you a dime.

Adobe Photoshop Express

Technically, this is still Photoshop. The only difference is that this only offers the basic features, which is why it’s free. It contains basic photo editing features such as crop, resize, rotate, brightness and contrast, and background removal.  You can use the app in your browser, or you can download the app for iOS or Android. The only downside is that the browser version gives you more options than the mobile versions.

GIMP

If you’re looking for something that’s not from Adobe, then GIMP (Gnu Image Manipulation Program) is your next best bet. It doesn’t contain all of the feature that Photoshop offers, but it’s still got some of the more advanced tools that Photoshop has, nonetheless. For first time users, it may be a bit confusing, but you should get the hang of it in no time. GIMP is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Pixlr

Pixlr is your best alternative if you don’t really vibe with desktop software anymore. It’s free and you can access it from anywhere. But, if you want access to more features, filters, and effects, you need to pay a monthly fee. The interface looks similar to Photoshop and offers a lot of tools that are similar to the Adobe version, too, so this is great for a lot of advanced users.

Paint.NET

Paint.NET was initially made to be a more upgraded version of the Windows Paint program, but it has now been developed and has come a long way since. It has become a favorite for several Windows users. It’s a lot less complicated than GIMP, but is definitely more user-friendly, especially for beginners. It comes with all the basic editing tools that all apps offer, but it also comes with layers, effects, support for other file types, and a few more. You can get the app for free directly from Paint.NET. Alternatively, you can purchase it from the Microsoft Store for $7.

Polarr

Polarr is rather alike with Pixlr when it comes to costs, but the free option is still good enough for you to use in photo editing. Although Polarr is a more simplified version of Photoshop, you still have the tools you need if you want to get into more detailed edits. The software has crop, sharpen, distort, curves, border, spot removal, and automatic enhancements. There is a web version for Polarr, but you can also download it on iOS and Android and is also available for Windows and MacOS.