7 Free Alternatives to Photoshop
I still remember the day I needed to edit a simple photo for my college project. Just wanted to remove the background and add some text. Easy job, right? Wrong. When I searched for “how to edit photos,” everyone said the same thing: “Use Photoshop!”
So I went to Adobe’s website, clicked the download button, and then… boom. Twenty dollars per month. Every single month. Forever.
My wallet cried that day.
But good news: you don’t need to pay Adobe a single penny to edit great photos. I’ve spent the last few weeks testing every free photo editor I could find, and some of them are seriously good. Like, “why am I even paying for Photoshop” good.
Let me show you the best free alternatives that actually work.
Why Are People Running Away From Photoshop?
Before we jump into the free options, let’s talk about the elephant in the room. Why is everyone suddenly looking for Photoshop alternatives?
The money problem is real. Back in January 2026, Adobe did something that upset a lot of people. They removed their cheapest plan that cost just $9.99 per month. Now, the lowest price is $19.99 per month. That’s $240 every year!
Think about what else you could buy with $240:
- New headphones
- A nice pair of shoes
- Twenty pizzas (yes, I counted)
- Or… you could get free photo editing software that does the same job
But it’s not just about money. Photoshop has another problem: it’s really complicated. Have you ever opened Photoshop for the first time? It looks like you’re trying to fly a spaceship. There are a million buttons, tools, and panels everywhere. You just wanted to crop a photo, but now you need a YouTube tutorial just to find the crop tool.
That’s why smart people are switching to simpler, free options.
What You Actually Need From a Photo Editor
Let’s be honest. Most of us aren’t professional photographers. We’re just normal people who need to:
- Remove backgrounds from photos for Instagram
- Fix the lighting in a selfie
- Add text to create a simple poster
- Crop and resize images for social media
- Make a birthday card or invitation
- Touch up product photos for an online store
You don’t need fifty fancy tools. You need something that works fast and doesn’t confuse you.
The free alternatives I’m about to show you are perfect for these everyday tasks. Some of them can even handle professional work if you learn them well.
The 7 Best Free Alternatives to Photoshop
I tested over 15 different photo editors. Spent hours with each one. Made mistakes. Got frustrated. Deleted some because they were terrible. But I found 7 great tools that actually deserve your time.
1. Photopea: The Browser Magic Tool
Best for: People who want something that looks exactly like Photoshop
Remember how I said Photoshop looks confusing? Well, Photopea looks exactly the same… but it’s actually easier to use. Sounds weird, right?
The magic part: Photopea runs completely in your web browser. No download. No installation. No “sorry, your computer is too old” messages. You just open a website and start editing.
What makes it special:
- Opens the same PSD files that Photoshop uses
- Works on any computer, even old ones
- Supports layers, masks, and all the fancy stuff
- You can import Photoshop brushes
- Connects to your Google Drive or Dropbox
The honest truth:
- The free version has ads (but they’re not annoying)
- Internet connection required
- Sometimes slower than desktop software
I use Photopea when I’m at school or using my friend’s computer. It saved my life when my laptop died and I had a deadline.
Who should use it: Students, freelancers, anyone who switches between different computers.
2. GIMP: The Free Powerhouse
Best for: People who need professional features without paying
GIMP is like that smart kid in class who doesn’t show off but knows everything. It’s been around since 1995, and it’s completely free. Not “free trial for 7 days” free. Real free. Forever free.
What makes it special:
- Does almost everything Photoshop can do
- Supports plugins to add more features
- Opens PSD files
- Completely free with no ads
- Works on Windows, Mac, and Linux
The honest truth:
- The interface looks a bit old
- Takes time to learn (but so does Photoshop)
- Slower than paid software sometimes
My friend uses GIMP to edit all his YouTube thumbnails. He’s never paid a cent, and his thumbnails look professional.
Who should use it: People serious about photo editing but can’t afford subscriptions.
3. Pixlr: Two Apps in One
Best for: Beginners who want options
Pixlr is interesting because they actually give you two different tools:
- Pixlr E: Looks like Photoshop (for people with experience)
- Pixlr X: Simple and beginner-friendly with AI tools
Both are free. Both work in your browser. You choose which one fits your skill level.
What makes it special:
- Works anywhere (it’s browser-based)
- AI background remover (seriously cool)
- Both simple and fancy versions available
- Layer support in Pixlr E
The honest truth:
- The free version limits some AI features
- Ads can be distracting
- Not as powerful as GIMP or Photopea
I recommend starting with Pixlr X if you’re new to editing. Once you feel comfortable, switch to Pixlr E for more power.
Who should use it: Total beginners who want to learn gradually.
4. Canva: The Social Media Champion
Best for: Creating social media posts, posters, and simple designs
Wait, isn’t Canva for making Instagram posts? Yes! But it’s also secretly a pretty good photo editor.
Canva is different from the others. Instead of giving you blank space, it gives you thousands of templates. Want to make a birthday invitation? They have templates. Need a YouTube thumbnail? Templates. Business card? Templates everywhere.
What makes it special:
- Super easy to use (seriously, my grandma uses it)
- Thousands of free templates
- Drag and drop everything
- Works great on phones too
- Stock photos and graphics included
The honest truth:
- Not for serious photo retouching
- Limited without the paid version
- More of a design tool than a photo editor
My sister runs a small bakery, and she makes all her social media posts with Canva. Never touched Photoshop. Her posts look great.
Who should use it: Small business owners, social media managers, people who hate complicated software.
5. Krita: The Artist’s Dream
Best for: Digital painting and drawing
If you want to paint or draw digitally, stop reading and go download Krita right now.
Krita is made by artists, for artists. It’s completely free, and it’s better than many paid drawing programs. Professional digital artists use this.
What makes it special:
- Hundreds of realistic brushes
- Perfect for drawing tablets
- Supports layers and blend modes
- Active community sharing tips and brushes
- Works great for comic books and manga
The honest truth:
- Not ideal for photo editing
- Uses more computer power
- Focused on painting, not photography
Who should use it: Artists, illustrators, manga creators, anyone who wants to draw digitally.
6. Paint.NET: Windows Users’ Best Friend
Best for: Windows users who want something simple and fast
Paint.NET is what Microsoft Paint should have become. It’s simple, fast, and gets the job done without drama.
What makes it special:
- Opens instantly (no waiting)
- Easy to understand interface
- Supports layers and effects
- Plugin system to add features
- Free and no ads
The honest truth:
- Windows only (sorry Mac users)
- Not as powerful as GIMP
- Limited fancy features
My dad uses Paint.NET to edit his fishing photos. He’s 55 and learned it in one afternoon. That’s how simple it is.
Who should use it: Windows users who want basic editing without complexity.
7. Photoshop Express: Adobe’s Free Gift
Best for: Quick edits on your phone
Yes, Adobe actually has a free mobile app. Surprising, right?
Photoshop Express is perfect for quick edits when you’re not at your computer. It’s not as powerful as desktop Photoshop, but for phone editing, it’s really good.
What makes it special:
- Made by Adobe (the Photoshop company)
- Works on phones and tablets
- Quick filters and adjustments
- One-tap fixes
- Syncs with Adobe cloud
The honest truth:
- Mobile only (no desktop version)
- Pushes you to upgrade to paid features
- Limited compared to desktop editors
Who should use it: People who edit photos on their phones.
Quick Comparison: Which One Should You Choose?
Still confused? Let me make this super simple.
Choose Photopea if:
- You need something exactly like Photoshop
- You work on different computers
- You want browser-based editing
Choose GIMP if:
- You need professional features
- You’re willing to spend time learning
- You want desktop software with no ads
Choose Pixlr if:
- You’re a complete beginner
- You want AI-powered tools
- You prefer working in a browser
Choose Canva if:
- You make social media content
- You love templates
- You hate complicated tools
Choose Krita if:
- You want to draw or paint
- You have a drawing tablet
- You’re an artist, not a photographer
Choose Paint.NET if:
- You use Windows
- You want something simple and fast
- You do basic edits
Choose Photoshop Express if:
- You mostly edit on your phone
- You need quick fixes
- You want Adobe’s name
How to Start: Your First Steps
Okay, you’ve picked a free alternative. Now what? Follow these steps to actually start using it without feeling lost.
Step 1: Don’t download everything at once. Pick ONE tool from the list above. Seriously, just one. Using too many tools at once will confuse you.
Step 2: Start with a simple project. Don’t try to create a masterpiece on day one. Start with something easy like:
- Cropping a photo
- Adjusting brightness
- Adding text
- Removing a simple background
Step 3: Watch ONE tutorial. Go to YouTube and search for “[tool name] beginner tutorial.” Watch it. Follow along. Don’t watch ten tutorials. Just one.
Step 4: Practice with your own photos. Use photos from your phone. Edit pictures of your friends, your pets, your food. Real photos are more fun to edit than random stock images.
Step 5: Join the community. Most of these tools have Reddit communities or Facebook groups. Join them. Ask questions when you’re stuck. People are usually helpful.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
I made all these mistakes when I started. Learn from my pain.
Mistake 1: Trying to learn everything at once. You don’t need to know every tool and feature. Get good at the basics first: crop, resize, adjust colors, add text. That covers 90% of what most people need.
Mistake 2: Comparing free tools to Photoshop. Stop expecting free software to do EXACTLY what $240/year software does. These tools are great for being free. Appreciate what they can do, not what they can’t.
Mistake 3: Not saving your work properly. Always save in the tool’s native format (PXD for Photopea, XCF for GIMP, etc.) This keeps your layers and lets you edit later. Export as JPG or PNG only for final images.
Mistake 4: Giving up too fast. Every tool feels weird at first. Give yourself at least a week before deciding it’s “too hard.” Your future self will thank you.
Mistake 5: Forgetting to back up. If you’re using browser-based tools, your work might disappear if you clear your cache. Always download important projects to your computer.
What These Free Tools Can’t Do
Let’s be real. Free tools have limits. What they typically can’t do as well as Photoshop:
New AI features. Photoshop’s new AI tools (like Generative Fill) are mind-blowing. Free tools are catching up, but they’re not there yet.
Professional color management. If you’re a professional photographer working with RAW files and need perfect color accuracy, you might still need Photoshop or a paid alternative.
3D editing features. Photoshop can handle 3D models. Most free tools can’t.
Easy integration. If your whole team uses Adobe products, switching to free tools might create compatibility headaches.
But thing is: most people don’t need these features. If you’re editing photos for Instagram, creating school projects, designing flyers for your small business, or just having fun with images, free tools work perfectly.
Real People, Real Stories
Sarah, College Student: “I was spending $20 every month on Photoshop just to make presentations look nice. Switched to Canva and Photopea. Saved $240 last year. Used that money to buy textbooks instead.”
Mike, Small Business Owner: “I run a local gym. Was paying a designer $50 per poster. Started using Canva. Now I make my own posters in 10 minutes. They look just as good.”
Emma, Digital Artist: “Couldn’t afford a drawing tablet AND Photoshop. Got a cheap tablet and used Krita. My art is now on three magazine covers. Never paid for software.”
These are real people (names changed) who I talked to while researching this article. Their stories prove that expensive software doesn’t automatically make you better. Your skills matter more than your tools.
The Bottom Line: You Really Don’t Need to Pay
What I learned after testing all these tools: Photoshop is great, but it’s overkill for most people. It’s like buying a Ferrari when all you need is a bike to go to the store.
Free alternatives like Photopea, GIMP, and Pixlr can handle 95% of what regular people need. They might not have every fancy feature, but they have the features that actually matter.
Start with Photopea if you want something familiar, or GIMP if you’re serious about learning. Try Canva if you just want quick results without the learning curve.
Give yourself two weeks with any tool before judging it. Watch tutorials. Practice. Make mistakes. That’s how everyone learns.
And remember: Adobe became huge because Photoshop was great, not because it was expensive. These free tools are following the same path. They’re great, they work, and they won’t send you a bill every month.
Your wallet will thank you. Your creativity won’t know the difference.
FAQs
Can free photo editors really replace Photoshop?
For most people, yes. If you’re editing photos for social media, school projects, small businesses, or personal use, free tools like GIMP, Photopea, and Pixlr work great. Professional photographers with specific needs might still want Photoshop, but casual users will be happy with free alternatives.
Will these free tools work on my old computer?
Browser-based tools like Photopea and Pixlr work on almost any computer because they run in your web browser. Desktop tools like GIMP and Paint.NET need a bit more power but still work on most computers from the last 5-7 years.
Are these free tools legal and safe?
Yes! All the tools mentioned are completely legal. GIMP, Krita, and Paint.NET are open-source software. Photopea, Pixlr, and Canva are free services from real companies. Just download from official websites, not random download sites.
Can I open Photoshop files in these free tools?
Some can! GIMP and Photopea both open PSD files (Photoshop’s format). They might not support every single Photoshop feature, but they handle basic PSD files well. Krita also opens PSD files but is better for drawing than photos.
Do I need to create an account to use these tools?
It depends. Photopea works without any account. GIMP, Krita, and Paint.NET are desktop software that needs no account. Pixlr and Canva ask you to create a free account but don’t require payment.
Which tool is best for complete beginners?
Start with Canva if you want the easiest option with templates. If you want to learn “real” photo editing, try Pixlr X first, then move to Pixlr E or Photopea when you feel comfortable.
Can I use these for my business?
Yes! All these tools allow commercial use in their free versions. You can edit product photos, create marketing materials, and design business graphics without paying. Just check each tool’s specific terms if you’re doing huge commercial projects.
Visit the rest of our site for more tech updates.
