Top 10 Free Alternatives to Corel Photo-Paint in 2025

As digital art and photo editing continue to flourish, the need for robust yet free alternatives to Corel Photo-Paint has never been greater. Here, we explore the top 10 free alternatives available in 2025, each offering unique features and capabilities to suit a variety of artistic needs.

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1. GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program)

Cost: Free and open-source.
Features: Layer management, extensive tools, advanced filters and effects, color adjustments, transformations, and compatibility with popular image formats including PSD files.
User Interface: Customizable single-window mode and floating window options.
Platform: Available for Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Strengths: Often cited as the leading free alternative to Photoshop with a wide range of features comparable to paid software. Learn more about GIMP

2. Canva

Cost: Offers a free version with basic features; paid subscriptions available for more advanced options.
Primary Use: Known for its graphic design platform but also provides photo editing tools.
Features: Good for creating marketing materials, social media posts, and offers basic photo editing features, including templates and collaborative tools.
Platform: Web-based, accessible on any platform with a browser.
Strengths: User-friendly and great for maintaining brand consistency across teams. Explore Canva

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3. Photopea

Cost: Free (browser-based).
Features: Similar to Photoshop in terms of tools and features, including the ability to save projects as PSD files and supports custom Photoshop brushes.
Platform: Web-based, no installable software.
User Interface: Resembles Photoshop, making it easy to transition for users familiar with Adobe's software.
Limitations: Requires an internet connection, cannot be used offline. Discover Photopea

4. Pixlr (E and X)

Cost: Free version available; paid options for more features.
Versions: Offers two primary web apps: Pixlr X (for quick edits) and Pixlr E (for more advanced users).
Features: Pixlr X has basic editing tools, while Pixlr E provides a more comprehensive set of features, including layered editing. AI powered tools, background removal, and creative brushes.
Platform: Browser based.
File Formats: Can open many image formats, including PSD files. Check out Pixlr

5. Krita

Cost: Free and open source.
Primary Use: Geared towards digital painting and illustration but includes image editing tools.
Features: Includes a large number of brushes, support for layers, vector templates, masking, and special effects filters.
Platform: Available on Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Strengths: Created by artists, with an intuitive user interface designed to stay out of the way. Learn more about Krita

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6. Fotor

Cost: Free version available, with paid upgrades.
Platform: Available on Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, and Web.
Features: Offers one-click enhancements and AI object removal comparable to Photoshop.
Use Cases: Good for basic touch-ups, with a decent number of editing tools.
Strengths: Impressive array of photo and video editing tools in one app. Explore Fotor

7. PhotoScape X

Cost: Free.
Platform: Available on Windows and Mac.
Features: Robust photo editing for all formats, including RAW, as well as fast batch editing.
Use Cases: Ideal for RAW image conversion and batch processing.
Strengths: Considered to offer professional-level photo editing features. Check out PhotoScape X

8. Adobe Photoshop Express

Cost: Free.
Platform: Available on Windows, iOS, and Android.
Features: Good for quick edits with a decent amount of themes, effects, and filters.
Use Cases: Best for those who need a simple and quick way to edit photos.
Limitations: Not available for Mac OS or Linux. Discover Adobe Photoshop Express

9. Paint.NET

Cost: Free.
Features: Fully featured photo editor.
Strengths: Good for those looking for a free and comprehensive editing tool.
Platform: Windows only.
Use Cases: It provides a simpler interface for users who want something less complex than GIMP. Explore Paint.NET

10. MyEdit

Cost: Free.
Features: Pro-level AI effects.
Use Cases: Good for users interested in the latest AI advancements in photo editing.
Platform: Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, Web.
Strengths: It offers the latest AI advancements to speed up your workflow.

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FAQ

1. What is the best free alternative to Corel Photo-Paint?

GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is often cited as the leading free and open-source alternative to Corel Photo-Paint. It offers extensive tools and features comparable to paid software. Learn more about GIMP

2. Which photo editing software is best for collaboration and design templates?

Canva is known for its user-friendly interface and offers basic photo editing tools alongside design templates and collaborative tools. Explore Canva

3. Are there web-based alternatives to Corel Photo-Paint?

Photopea and Pixlr are excellent web-based alternatives. Photopea closely resembles Photoshop, while Pixlr offers both Pixlr X for quick edits and Pixlr E for more advanced users. Discover Photopea | Explore Pixlr

4. Which free photo editor is ideal for digital painting and illustration?

Krita is specifically geared towards digital painting and illustration and comes with features like a large number of brushes, layers, and vector templates. Learn more about Krita

5. What is a good free photo editor for quick and basic touch-ups?

Fotor offers one-click enhancements and a decent number of editing tools, making it ideal for basic touch-ups. Check out Fotor

6. Is there a free photo editor available on multiple platforms including mobile?

MyEdit is available on Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, and Web, and includes pro-level AI effects for photo editing.

7. Which free software is good for batch processing and RAW image conversion?

PhotoScape X is excellent for RAW image conversion and batch processing, offering robust photo editing features for all formats. Explore PhotoScape X

8. Is there a simple and quick photo editor provided by Adobe for free?

Adobe Photoshop Express is a free tool available on Windows, iOS, and Android, perfect for users needing a simple way to edit photos. Discover Adobe Photoshop Express

9. What is a comprehensive free photo editor for Windows users?

Paint.NET is a thorough photo editor that's free to use and provides a simpler interface for users who find tools like GIMP too complex. Learn more about Paint.NET

10. Which free photo editor offers the latest AI advancements?

MyEdit utilizes the latest AI advancements to speed up the editing workflow and is available across several platforms.

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.