Of all the photo editing programs, Adobe’s Photoshop is the best known. However, a subscription to the service is not cheap. The good news is that there are more than enough good alternatives that you don’t have to pay a dime for.
If you use these free Photoshop alternatives, you will have to do without Adobe’s innovative AI tools. The functionalities are somewhat less extensive, but the free photo editing programs are perfectly capable of turning your snapshots into masterpieces.
5 free Photoshop alternatives
Wondering which five alternatives to Photoshop cost absolutely nothing? Here they come.
#1 Gimp
The open-source Photoshop alternative Gimp lets you get started on your Windows PC, Mac or even Linux device with editing tools you would normally have to pay for. In addition, you don’t have to fear annoying ads or in-app purchases.
The photo-editing software is not mom’s finest in terms of interface, but it is full of filters and effects to turn any picture into a masterpiece. You can also use selection tools, layers and numerous transformation tools.
#2 Adobe Express
That Adobe is lord and master of photo editing software is no secret to anyone. Besides Photoshop and Lightroom, the company has another tool to take your photos to the next level, and it’s also (mostly) free to use.
Adobe Express (Image: Adobe)
Adobe Express, formerly known as Spark, lets you use a lot of handy photo editing tools through your Web browser. You can use various templates to create posts for your socials, but it is also possible to apply simple edits to your own photos.
#3 PhotoScape X
PhotoScape X takes a slightly different approach than Photoshop when it comes to the interface. Namely, the program uses a series of tabs instead of toolbars. Each of these tabs puts the focus on a specific task.
In addition to photo editing, it is also a good app for creating GIFs. Also, this Photoshop alternative features a handy comparison mode to compare the image before and after editing side by side. However, the free version is a bit less loaded with features than the Pro version.
#4 Apple Photos
If you have a Mac, you can get started with Apple’s free photo editing software. Within the Photos app, you can apply simple edits. For example, you can adjust brightness and color, apply filters, suppress any noise and remove red eyes.
The app comes standard on your Mac and is a great free alternative to Photoshop if you don’t want to make the most demanding changes. Plus, you can easily use iCloud storage to keep all your photos digitally.
#5 Google Photos al Photoshop alternative
Like Apple, Google also has its own solution for editing photos. With Google Photos, you can easily make simple adjustments to your images. You can use Photos on almost any device.
The functionalities are fairly limited in terms of photo editing, but it’s a great alternative to Photoshop if you don’t want to put a lot of time into your edits and want to play around with some filters and sliders to make your photos just a little prettier.
