Top 10 Free Alternatives to Adobe Creative Cloud Express in 2025

As designers and creators continue to seek versatile and cost-effective tools, 2025 presents a rich array of free alternatives to Adobe Creative Cloud Express. Each of these tools offers unique features, catering to various design, photo editing, and video creation needs. Here's a comprehensive list of the top 10 free alternatives available this year.

Boost Your SEO by Getting Featured in Our Blogs and get a backlink.

We publish content about startups, education, tech, funding, etc. that ranks well not only in Google but also in Perplexity, ChatGPT, Grok and other AI tools.

👉 Get featured now!

1. Canva

Description: A popular online graphic design tool known for its user-friendly interface and extensive template library, perfect for both beginners and professionals.
Key Features:
Drag-and-drop interface for easy design.
Thousands of professionally designed templates.
A vast library of free stock photos, icons, and illustrations.
Real-time collaboration features for team projects.
Available on web, iOS, and Android.
Pros: Very user-friendly, extensive free resources, good for collaboration, versatile for many types of designs.
Cons: Limited customization compared to more advanced tools, some high-quality content is behind a paywall, can be slow with large designs.
Pricing: Free version available; paid plans offer more features and content.
Learn more about Canva

2. Figma

Description: A web-based design and prototyping tool, widely favored by UI/UX designers, known for its powerful design capabilities.
Key Features:
Real-time collaboration for teams.
Robust vector editing tools.
Prototyping capabilities to create interactive designs.
Cloud-based, accessible from any device with internet.
Extensive plugin ecosystem to extend functionality.
Pros: Powerful design capabilities, excellent for team collaboration, platform agnostic, great for UI/UX.
Cons: Steeper learning curve compared to Canva, requires an internet connection.
Pricing: Free plan available; paid plans offer more features and team collaboration.
Explore Figma

Get your FREE Landing Page Analysis!

Insert your landing page link and get a super useful analysis and easy fixes to get more clicks!

👉 Get Your Analysis Here!

3. DaVinci Resolve

Description: A professional-grade video editing software known for its advanced color grading, visual effects, and audio post-production capabilities.
Key Features:
Advanced color correction and grading tools.
Visual effects (VFX) and motion graphics with Fusion.
High-end audio editing with Fairlight.
Support for 8K editing and multicam workflows.
Available on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Pros: Incredibly powerful free version, broadcast-quality video output, excellent for color grading and VFX, cross-platform.
Cons: High learning curve, requires powerful hardware, can have slow render times.
Pricing: Free version available; paid Studio version offers additional features.
Discover DaVinci Resolve

4. GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program)

Description: A free and open-source raster graphics editor, often seen as a strong alternative to Adobe Photoshop.
Key Features:
Full suite of image editing tools.
Supports layers, masks, and filters.
Customizable interface and plugins.
Compatible with various file formats, including PSD.
Cross-platform compatibility (Windows, macOS, Linux).
Pros: Free and open-source, powerful for photo editing and manipulation, highly customizable, large community support.
Cons: Steeper learning curve, interface may not be as intuitive as some commercial options.
Pricing: Free
Learn more about GIMP

5. Photopea

Description: A free, advanced online photo editor that closely resembles Adobe Photoshop with a very similar interface and functionality.
Key Features:
Browser-based, no software installation required.
Supports various file formats, including PSD.
Advanced editing tools like layers, masks, and filters.
Offers a template library and plugin support.
Built-in cloud storage.
Pros: Free and accessible online, very similar interface to Photoshop, robust features, can save files as PSD.
Cons: Requires a stable internet connection, some AI features limited in the free version, only available online.
Pricing: Free, with a premium option to remove ads.
Explore Photopea

Validate your startup idea with the unique borrowed authority approach: we publish articles about your product in our blog and you get traffic and testers for your MVP

Prove Market Demand: See real organic traffic and waitlist conversions

Unlock High-Potential Keywords: Receive a curated list of top-performing keywords directly from Google Search Console data.

Estimate Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC): Gain financial foresight with an estimated CAC based on real keyword performance data.

🔗 Start validating your startup now

6. Inkscape

Description: A free and open-source vector graphics editor, suitable for creating vector graphics, logos, and illustrations.
Key Features:
Versatile vector drawing tools and shape manipulation.
Supports various file formats, including SVG.
Customizable interface with powerful editing features.
Available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Active community and a variety of learning resources available.
Pros: Free and open-source, strong vector editing tools, good for creating logos and illustrations.
Cons: Interface can be less intuitive for beginners, does not support raster images as well.
Pricing: Free
Learn more about Inkscape

7. CapCut

Description: A popular free video editor, developed by ByteDance (TikTok), known for its user-friendly interface and special effects.
Key Features:
User-friendly interface designed for short-form videos.
Offers a variety of templates and effects.
AI-powered tools for auto-captioning, background removal, and suggested effects.
Direct export options for social media platforms.
Available on iOS, Android, Windows, and Mac.
Pros: Easy to use, great for social media content, offers many creative templates, AI-powered tools.
Cons: Limited for more complex video editing projects, primarily designed for mobile, can be a bit too geared towards social media for some users.
Pricing: Free
Explore CapCut

8. Pixlr

Description: A suite of online photo editing and design tools, offering both simple and advanced options for users.
Key Features:
Offers both Pixlr X (quick edits) and Pixlr E (advanced editor).
AI-powered tools for background removal and more.
Template library for various designs.
Browser-based, no software download necessary.
Batch editing and other useful features available.
Pros: Accessible via browser, offers both basic and advanced editing options, AI-powered tools.
Cons: Free version contains ads, online only.
Pricing: Free version available; premium plans offer additional features.
Discover Pixlr

9. Lightworks

Description: A professional-grade video editing software, used in film and television, offering a robust free version for personal use.
Key Features:
Advanced timeline editing.
Multi-cam editing features.
Supports various video formats.
Available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Pros: Powerful editing capabilities, great balance of features and ease of use, professional-level software.
Cons: Free version is limited to 720p export, steeper learning curve than basic editors.
Pricing: Free version available; paid plans offer more features and export options.
Explore Lightworks

10. Krita

Description: A free and open-source painting program for artists, though it has strong photo editing tools, with a focus on digital painting and illustration.
Key Features:
Robust set of brushes and painting tools for digital artists.
Layer support and vector capabilities.
Large community and a variety of learning resources.
Good for digital painting and illustration with customizable tools.
Available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Pros: Free and open-source, powerful for painting and illustration, great for creating digital artwork.
Cons: Steeper learning curve for beginners, primarily focused on drawing rather than photo editing, not as intuitive as other options.
Pricing: Free
Learn more about Krita

These tools provide a wide array of options for graphic design, photo editing, and video creation, catering to different needs and skill levels. Each offers a free version or plan that is robust enough for many projects, making them excellent alternatives to Adobe Creative Cloud Express.

Join ElonaHunt (like ProductHunt but for women) and explore the coolest women-focused startups out there!

Discover your next big inspiration and connect with like-minded female entrepreneurs!

👉 Join the Hunt Here

FAQ

1. What are the key features of Canva?

Canva is known for its drag-and-drop interface, thousands of professionally designed templates, a vast library of free stock photos, icons, and illustrations, real-time collaboration features for team projects, and availability on web, iOS, and Android. Learn more about Canva

2. How does Figma support collaboration among design teams?

Figma offers real-time collaboration, robust vector editing tools, prototyping capabilities, cloud-based accessibility, and an extensive plugin ecosystem, making it ideal for team projects. Discover Figma

3. What makes DaVinci Resolve popular among professional video editors?

DaVinci Resolve provides advanced color correction and grading tools, visual effects (VFX) and motion graphics, high-end audio editing, support for 8K editing, and is available on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Explore DaVinci Resolve

4. Why is GIMP considered a strong alternative to Adobe Photoshop?

GIMP offers a full suite of image editing tools, supports layers, masks, and filters, is customizable with plugins, compatible with various file formats (including PSD), and is cross-platform. Learn more about GIMP

5. How does Photopea compare to Adobe Photoshop?

Photopea is a free, browser-based photo editor with a similar interface to Photoshop, supports various file formats (including PSD), offers advanced editing tools like layers, masks, and filters, and includes built-in cloud storage. Discover Photopea

6. What are the primary uses of Inkscape?

Inkscape is used for creating vector graphics, logos, and illustrations, offering versatile vector drawing tools, support for various file formats (including SVG), a customizable interface, and cross-platform availability. Explore Inkscape

7. What makes CapCut suitable for creating social media content?

CapCut features a user-friendly interface for short-form videos, a variety of templates and effects, AI-powered tools, direct export options for social media platforms, and is available on iOS, Android, Windows, and Mac. Learn more about CapCut

8. How does Pixlr cater to different photo editing needs?

Pixlr offers both Pixlr X (for quick edits) and Pixlr E (for advanced editing), AI-powered tools, a template library, browser-based accessibility, and batch editing features. Discover Pixlr

9. What advanced features does Lightworks offer for video editing?

Lightworks includes advanced timeline editing, multi-cam editing features, support for various video formats, and is available on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Learn more about Lightworks

10. What distinguishes Krita as a tool for digital artists?

Krita provides a robust set of brushes and painting tools, layer support, vector capabilities, a large community, and is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it ideal for digital painting and illustration. Discover Krita

References

About the Author

Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.

Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).

She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond and launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks.

For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.

About the Publication

Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.

Mission and Purpose

Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.

Key Features

The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:

Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials

Impact and Growth

Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:

3,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
100+ startup tools built
5,000+ pieces of articles and news written

Partnerships

Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.

Recognition

Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.