The 6 Best Photoshop Alternatives: Free and Affordable

Adobe Photoshop has long been the industry standard for photo editing and graphic design. However, with a subscription costing up to $239.88 per year, Photoshop is out of reach for many casual users, students, and budget-conscious creative professionals. Thankfully, many free and low-cost Photoshop alternatives offer similar functionality and features.

According to one survey, nearly 40% of graphic designers use Photoshop alternatives due to lower cost. And it's not just amateurs making the switch – even professionals are turning to more affordable photo editing and compositing options.

This article will explore some of the best free and inexpensive Photoshop alternatives in 2023. Whether you're looking for advanced photo editing capabilities, simple touch-up tools, or multi-purpose creative software, powerful Photoshop alternatives meet your needs and budget. We'll compare features, advantages, disadvantages, and pricing to help you find the right fit for your creative toolkit. With the top Photoshop alternatives, you can achieve professional-level results without spending hundreds of dollars a year.

1: GIMP: A Powerful Open-Source Alternative

With the high cost of Adobe's industry-standard Photoshop software, many graphic designers and photographers have turned to open-source alternatives like GIMP for their image editing needs. As a long-time user of Photoshop and GIMP, I wanted to provide an in-depth look at how GIMP stacks up against Photoshop, especially for those looking to save money without sacrificing quality.

Overview: GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is a free, open-source raster graphics editor that can be used for image retouching, editing, and composition. It was launched in 1996 and is maintained by volunteer developers.

GIMP offers many of the same capabilities as Photoshop, such as layers, masks, filters, levels, advanced brushes, and more. It can work with various file formats, though Photoshop has broader support. The interface is highly customisable.

Pricing: The most obvious pro of GIMP is its price – free! Photoshop retails for $10-$20 monthly for a Creative Cloud subscription. The free price tag makes GIMP accessible to casual users, students, and budget-conscious creative professionals.

Pros:

• Completely free and open-source software
• Similar features and tools to Photoshop
• Supports plugins and has a thriving community of add-on developers
• Customisable interface
• Available on Windows, Mac, and Linux

Cons:

• Less intuitive workflow and steeper learning curve
• Limited native CMYK support
• There are fewer filters and effects options compared to Photoshop
• No built-in non-destructive editing like Photoshop's Smart Objects
• No cloud storage or collaboration features

Overall, GIMP provides immense image editing power considering its free price point. It can do the job of basic photo retouching, graphic design, and meme creation. However, Photoshop still holds superiority regarding advanced features, non-destructive workflows, typography, and high-end production needs. GIMP is best suited for beginners, casual users, and budget-conscious professionals not requiring cutting-edge tools.

2: Affinity Photo: The Closest Alternative to Photoshop

Affinity Photo has emerged as a powerful alternative to Photoshop for photo editing and graphic design in recent years. With its affordable one-time price and lack of subscription fees, Affinity Photo appeals to hobbyists, photographers, and design professionals looking to cut costs.

Initial impressions of Affinity Photo are very positive. The user interface, while different from Photoshop, is clean and intuitive. Essential photo editing tools like cropping, exposure adjustments, and colour corrections are straightforward. More advanced features like layer masking, filters, and adjustments rival what's available in Photoshop.

Here's a concise rundown of some pros and cons for Affinity Photo:

Pros:

• Inexpensive one-time cost of $49.99, no subscriptions
• Compatible with Photoshop file formats like PSD and TIFF
• Great selection of photo editing and retouching tools
• Support for layers, masks, and non-destructive adjustments
• Can work with huge images without slowdowns

Cons:

• Less third-party support from plugins, brushes, etc.
• Limited automation and batch processing features
• The steep learning curve for long-time Photoshop users
• No built-in HDR or panorama merging
• Mobile and web versions are still in development

Photoshop may still be worth the subscription cost for professional photographers or designers manipulating heavy photos. But for light graphics work, Affinity Photo provides tremendous value and can handle most image editing needs at a one-time price comparable to just a few months of Photoshop. For serious hobbyists or budget-conscious creatives, Affinity Photo is a superb option that can finally match Photoshop feature-for-feature.

3: Corel PaintShop Pro: A Professional-Grade Alternative

Corel's PaintShop Pro has been around for over 25 years as an affordable image editing alternative to Adobe Photoshop. While it may not have quite the extensive features and name recognition of Photoshop, PaintShop Pro has evolved over the years into a capable and powerful photo editing tool in its own right.

With its most recent 2023 version, PaintShop Pro continues to improve and add new features that close the gap with Photoshop's functionality. The interface looks crisp and modern, providing an intuitive workspace for editing photos. Overall, PaintShop Pro provides a full-featured photo editing solution at a significantly lower price than Photoshop.

Pros:

• More affordable than Photoshop at $79.99 for a perpetual license
• Includes AI-powered tools like auto selection/masking, style transfer, and upsampling
• Robust tools for layers, selections, retouching, text, painting, etc.
• Support for RAW formats, 16-bit colour, ICC profiles
• Plugin support extends functionality
• Helpful guided edits walk users through complex processes
• Integrated learning resources help users skill up

Cons:

• It is not as widely used as Photoshop, so fewer tutorials/resources are available
• Less extensive library of filters and effects
• Fewer cutting-edge features compared to the latest Photoshop
• Exporting to other formats can require more steps
• Some tools are not quite as refined as Photoshop equivalents

There are often discounts available on either option. This makes PaintShop Pro significantly more affordable than Photoshop, which now requires a $239.88/year subscription for Photoshop alone or $599.88/year for the entire Creative Cloud suite.

In summary, Corel PaintShop Pro remains an excellent option for photographers and graphic designers looking for robust image editing tools at a fraction of the cost of Photoshop. It may not have every bell and whistle, but PaintShop Pro can handle most image editing needs at a budget-friendly price.

4: Pixlr: Versatile Browser-Based Editing Suite

Many graphic designers and photographers seek more affordable options that can still provide professional-level editing capabilities. One such alternative gaining popularity is Pixlr, a free web-based image editing tool.

Initially released in 2008 by Pixlr.com, Pixlr has continued improving and expanding its features while keeping the product 100% free. My initial thoughts were sceptical – could a free online program compare to Photoshop? After spending some time with Pixlr, I was pleasantly surprised by its performance and array of editing tools.

Here is an overview of the pros and cons of using Pixlr as an alternative to Photoshop:

Pros:

• Completely free to use, with no subscription required
• Intuitive and easy-to-learn interface
• Layers and masking functions
• Wide selection of filters and effects
• Ability to work with layers and masks
• Tools for selections, cropping, cloning, paintbrush, text, shapes, etc.
• Support for most major file types
• Option to open/save PXD Pixlr documents

Cons:

• Limited to web browser use, no desktop application
• Fewer overall features compared to Photoshop
• No CMYK colour or commercial printing capabilities
• No automation or batch processing
• It cannot handle larger high-res images as well

At the end of the day, while Pixlr lacks some of the advanced capabilities of Photoshop, it provides an excellent free alternative for basic to intermediate photo editing and graphic design work. For $0, it's hard to beat everything Pixlr can provide. Even advanced users may find it useful for quick edits or trying out ideas before moving to Photoshop. It's worth checking out for any graphic design project, especially on a budget.

5: Canva: Graphic Design with Photo Editing Capabilities

Canva has emerged as a leading option, offering a web-based graphic design platform that simplifies creating stunning graphics and visual content, even for non-designers.

Initially launched in 2012 in Australia, Canva has grown rapidly to serve millions of users worldwide. The premise is appealing – provide easy-to-use graphic design tools for creating social media posts, presentations, posters, logos, and more without extensive or expensive design software.

After testing Canva myself, here is an overview of the pros and cons:

Pros:

• Intuitive and easy-to-use interface – perfect for beginners
• Massive library of templates, photos, illustrations and design elements
• Drag and drop functionality for quickly customising templates
• Ability to create various graphics like logos, posters, cards, infographics, etc.
• Handy photo editor with filters and basic editing tools
• Numerous fonts, shapes, icons and stock images are available
• Team collaboration features
• Free basic account with 2GB storage
• Affordable premium plans (Pro is $12.95/month)

Cons:

• More limited functionality vs Photoshop
• Less control over detailed design elements
• No access to source files
• Smaller maximum image size
• Fewer integrations compared to Adobe apps

Overall, Canva provides outstanding capabilities for simple graphic design work, especially for non-designers and small business owners. The easy learning curve, elegantly designed interface, and budget-friendly pricing make it a fantastic alternative to Photoshop for many users. Those needing advanced design features may still prefer Photoshop, but Canva more than holds its own as a Photoshop alternative for its target user base.

6: Adobe Photoshop Express: Basic Editing on the Go

Adobe Photoshop Express is a stripped-down, browser-based version of Adobe's industry-standard photo editing software. Released in 2008, Photoshop Express provides essential image editing tools and filters for quick fixes and photo adjustments. As a free web and mobile app, it aims to offer Photoshop-quality results in an easy-to-use interface.

Photoshop Express delivers on being a fast and convenient photo editor for basic edits, though power users will be frustrated by its limitations. It's best suited for hobbyists who want a taste of Photoshop tools without the learning curve or price tag. As an alternative to the full desktop Photoshop app, Express has advantages in accessibility but lacks robust features.

Pros:

• Intuitive and easy-to-use interface
• Includes essential image adjustment tools like crop, brightness, colour, and exposure
• Built-in filters like vignette, tilt-shift, and black-and-white
• The auto-enhancement feature quickly improves photos with one click
• Completely free web and mobile app
• Syncs edits across devices with an Adobe account
• Provides good results for basic photo corrections

Cons:

• A minimal selection of editing tools compared to full Photoshop
• No support for working with layers
• No advanced features like complex selections or compositing
• Limited output size and resolution
• Requires internet connection to use
• Must view irritating ads or pay for premium features
• Lacks integration with other Adobe CC apps

The basic Photoshop Express app is free to use. Optional premium features like more filters, unlimited exports, and ads-free viewing cost $7.99 per month with an Adobe Creative Cloud plan. This makes it one of the most affordable entry points for accessing Photoshop-style tools.

Photoshop Express is best for casual hobbyists who want to enhance their photos on the go quickly. Power users will be frustrated by its restrictions, but it remains a handy free editor for basic projects. It can be a temporary solution before committing to the whole Photoshop ecosystem.

Choosing the Best Photoshop Alternatives

In conclusion, numerous Photoshop alternatives cater to different needs and preferences. GIMP, Affinity Photo, Corel PaintShop Pro, Pixlr, Canva, and Adobe Photoshop Express are top alternatives. When choosing a suitable alternative, it is essential to consider factors such as desired features, budget, and level of expertise.

By exploring these Photoshop alternatives, users can find the software that best suits their editing requirements and enhances their creative workflow. Whether it's the powerful open-source capabilities of GIMP, the affordability and compatibility of Affinity Photo, or the professional-grade features of Corel PaintShop Pro, there is a Photoshop alternative out there for everyone.

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