Top 10 Open-Source Alternatives to RelayThat in 2025

As open-source graphic design software continues to evolve and improve, several options have emerged as viable alternatives to RelayThat. This article explores the top 10 open-source tools available in 2025, highlighting their features, use cases, and community support.

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1. GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program)

Licensing: Open-source and completely free to use, modify, and distribute.
Features: Layer support, masks, filters, color management, customizable brushes, and scripting.
Use Cases: Photo manipulation, graphic design, creating website mockups, digital painting.
Community: Large community of users and contributors, active development.
File Formats: Supports most image file formats including JPG, PNG, GIF, TIFF, and PSD.
Learn more about GIMP

2. Inkscape

Licensing: Open-source and free to use.
Features: Path editing, node manipulation, text tools, object grouping, gradients, and color management, supports SVG.
Use Cases: Logo design, creating vector illustrations, web graphics, technical diagrams.
Community: Active community of users and developers.
File Formats: Supports many vector formats including SVG, PDF, AI, EPS, and others
Explore Inkscape

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3. Blender

Licensing: Open-source and completely free to use, modify, and distribute.
Features: 3D modeling, animation, sculpting, VFX, and 2D capabilities include image compositing, texture creation, and basic drawing.
Use Cases: 3D modeling and animation, game design, video editing, and image manipulation.
Community: Large active community of users and contributors.
Customization: Highly customizable with a Python API.
Discover Blender

4. Krita

Licensing: Open-source and free to use.
Features: Robust brush engine, layer management, color management, and animation tools.
Use Cases: Digital painting, illustrations, comic book art, concept art.
Community: Strong community, constantly evolving based on user needs.
File Formats: Supports most raster formats including JPG, PNG, GIF, TIFF, and PSD.
Learn more about Krita

5. LibreOffice Draw

Licensing: Open-source and free to use as part of the LibreOffice suite.
Features: Vector graphics editor, supports shapes, text, images, charts, and more.
Use Cases: Creating diagrams, flowcharts, logos, marketing materials.
Community: Part of the larger LibreOffice community.
File Formats: Supports many vector formats including SVG, PDF, and many others.
Explore LibreOffice Draw

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6. Gravit Designer

Licensing: Offers both a free and paid version, however the free version is sufficient for most users.
Features: Intuitive user interface, vector editing tools, and it supports a variety of file formats.
Use Cases: UI design, logo design, illustration, and print design.
Community: Active user community, learning resources and templates.
File Formats: Supports most vector formats including SVG, PDF, AI, EPS, and others.
Learn more about Gravit Designer

7. Pencil2D

Licensing: Open-source and free to use.
Features: Bitmap and vector drawing capabilities, multiple layers, frame-by-frame animation, simple and intuitive interface.
Use Cases: Creating 2D animations, cartoon-style animations, and basic storyboarding.
Community: Small and dedicated community.
File Formats: Supports various formats for export such as AVI, GIF, MP4, and more.
Discover Pencil2D

8. Photopea

Licensing: Free for personal use with ads, paid plans available for commercial use.
Features: Supports layers, masks, brushes, selections, filters and more. It supports many file formats including PSD.
Use Cases: Image editing, creating graphics, mockups, web design and more.
Community: Online community, active development and updates.
File Formats: Supports most image file formats including JPG, PNG, GIF, TIFF, PSD and many more.
Explore Photopea

9. Calligra Gemini

Licensing: Open-source and free to use as part of the Calligra suite.
Features: Vector drawing tools, shapes, text, images and more. Supports various file formats.
Use Cases: Creating diagrams, flowcharts, posters, marketing materials and more.
Community: Part of the larger Calligra suite and KDE community.
File Formats: Supports various vector file formats including SVG, PDF and many others.

10. Synfig Studio

Licensing: Open-source and free to use.
Features: Vector based animation tools, bone system for character rigging, powerful control of animation parameters.
Use Cases: Creating 2D animations, cartoon-style animations, and motion graphics.
Community: Active user and developer community.
File Formats: Exports to various formats such as AVI, GIF, and more.
Learn more about Synfig Studio

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FAQ

1. What is GIMP, and what features does it offer?

GIMP is a free and open-source raster graphics editor used for image retouching and editing, free-form drawing, converting between different image formats, and more specialized tasks. It offers features such as layer support, masks, filters, color management, customizable brushes, and scripting. Learn more about GIMP

2. What is Inkscape used for, and what file formats does it support?

Inkscape is a free and open-source vector graphics editor used for creating illustrations, diagrams, logos, charts, and other scalable graphics. It supports many vector formats including SVG, PDF, AI, EPS, and others. Discover Inkscape

3. What functionalities does Blender provide, and who is its typical user?

Blender is a free and open-source 3D creation suite that supports modeling, animation, rendering, video editing, and visual effects. It offers functionalities such as 3D modeling, animation, sculpting, VFX, and 2D capabilities. It is typically used by 3D modelers, animators, game designers, and video editors. Explore Blender

4. Who would benefit most from using Krita, and what are its key features?

Krita is a free and open-source painting program designed for digital artists, illustrators, and concept artists. It offers a robust brush engine, layer management, color management, and animation tools. It is ideal for digital painting, illustrations, comic book art, and concept art. Discover Krita

5. What is LibreOffice Draw, and what types of projects is it suitable for?

LibreOffice Draw is a free, open-source vector graphics editor which is part of the LibreOffice suite. It is suitable for creating diagrams, flowcharts, logos, marketing materials, and technical illustrations. Learn more about LibreOffice Draw

6. What does Gravit Designer offer, and what file formats can it handle?

Gravit Designer is a full-featured free vector graphic design app. It offers an intuitive user interface, vector editing tools, and supports various file formats. It is used for UI design, logo design, illustration, and print design. Explore Gravit Designer

7. What are the key features of Pencil2D, and who should use it?

Pencil2D is a free and open-source 2D animation software focused on creating hand-drawn animations. It offers bitmap and vector drawing capabilities, multiple layers, frame-by-frame animation, and a simple and intuitive interface. It is ideal for creating 2D animations and cartoon-style animations. Discover Pencil2D

8. How can Photopea be used, and what type of files does it support?

Photopea is a free online image editor that can be used as a free alternative to Adobe Photoshop. It supports layers, masks, brushes, selections, filters, and many file formats including PSD. It is used for image editing, creating graphics, mockups, web design, and more. Explore Photopea

9. What is Calligra Gemini, and what graphic design tasks is it suitable for?

Calligra Gemini is part of the free and open source Calligra office suite, which includes a vector graphics application called Calligra Karbon. It is suitable for creating diagrams, flowcharts, posters, and marketing materials. Learn more about Calligra Gemini

10. What makes Synfig Studio a good tool for 2D animation?

Synfig Studio is a free and open-source 2D animation software based on vector graphics. It provides vector-based animation tools, a bone system for character rigging, and powerful control of animation parameters. It is used for creating professional quality 2D animations and motion graphics. Discover Synfig Studio

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.