Top 10 Alternatives to Corel PaintShop Pro in 2025: A Comprehensive Comparison

As Corel PaintShop Pro remains a popular choice for photo editing and graphic design, 2025 has introduced several powerful alternatives, each offering unique features and capabilities. Whether you're looking for specialized tools, better pricing, or enhanced integration, this article explores the top 10 alternatives to Corel PaintShop Pro, comparing them on key data points like pricing, ease of use, and key features.

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1. Adobe Photoshop

Pricing: Subscription-based, varying tiers depending on needs.
Ease of Use: Standard for professional graphic designers and photographers.
Key Features:
Extensive toolset for image manipulation, retouching, and compositing.
Advanced AI-powered features like content-aware fill and neural filters.
Layer-based editing for complex projects.
Integration with other Adobe Creative Cloud apps.
Support for a wide range of file formats and plugins.
Learn more about Adobe Photoshop

2. Adobe Photoshop Lightroom

Pricing: Subscription-based, often bundled with Photoshop.
Ease of Use: User-friendly interface tailored for photographers.
Key Features:
Powerful cataloging and organization tools.
Non-destructive editing ensures original images remain untouched.
Excellent RAW processing capabilities.
Intuitive masking and color grading tools.
Cloud synchronization across devices.
Discover Adobe Lightroom

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3. Affinity Photo

Pricing: One-time purchase, budget-friendly.
Ease of Use: Accessible for both beginners and professionals.
Key Features:
Full suite of editing tools with support for layers, masks, and filters.
RAW processing and HDR support.
Focus on performance and speed.
One-time purchase model, no subscription.
Compatible with both Windows and macOS.
Explore Affinity Photo

4. GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program)

Pricing: Free.
Ease of Use: Steep learning curve but highly customizable.
Key Features:
Cross-platform compatibility (Windows, macOS, Linux).
Comprehensive toolset for photo editing and graphic design.
Support for layers, masks, and filters.
Customizable interface with plugins and extensions.
Active community for support and resources.
Check out GIMP

5. Luminar Neo

Pricing: One-time purchase or subscription.
Ease of Use: User-friendly interface suitable for all skill levels.
Key Features:
AI-driven tools for sky replacement, portrait enhancements, and scene adjustments.
One-click editing for efficiency.
Regular updates with new features and enhancements.
Focus on efficiency.
Extensive resources for learning and support.
Learn about Luminar Neo

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6. Capture One Pro

Pricing: Subscription or one-time purchase options.
Ease of Use: Designed for professional photographers.
Key Features:
Superior RAW processing engine for high image quality.
Advanced color editing and masking tools.
Tethered shooting capabilities for studio work.
Customizable interface to suit different workflows.
Collaboration features for professional teams.
Discover Capture One Pro

7. PhotoDirector 365

Pricing: Subscription-based.
Ease of Use: Intuitive interface for users of all experience levels.
Key Features:
AI-powered tools for object removal, sky replacement, and style transfer.
Layer-based editing with advanced blending modes.
Frequent feature updates.
Support for multiple file formats.
Efficient workflow management.
Explore PhotoDirector 365

8. Pixlr

Pricing: Free and paid subscription options.
Ease of Use: User-friendly interface suitable for quick edits.
Key Features:
Browser-based editing, no software installation required.
Layer-based editing, support for filters, and adjustments.
AI-powered tools for background removal and image enhancement.
Free version available with basic functionality.
Integration with cloud storage.
Check out Pixlr

9. Canva

Pricing: Free and paid subscription options.
Ease of Use: User-friendly drag-and-drop interface.
Key Features:
Drag-and-drop interface with a large library of templates.
Basic photo editing features like cropping, filters, and adjustments.
Collaboration tools for teams.
Free version available for basic use.
Ideal for social media content and marketing materials.
Learn more about Canva

10. DxO PhotoLab

Pricing: One-time purchase.
Ease of Use: Designed for professional photographers focusing on high-quality edits.
Key Features:
Advanced noise reduction and lens correction tools.
Precise color management and editing capabilities.
User-friendly interface with workflow options.
Effective RAW processing with local adjustments.
Support for various camera and lens profiles.
Discover DxO PhotoLab

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FAQ

1. What is Adobe Photoshop most known for?

Adobe Photoshop is the industry-standard software for professional photo editing and graphic design, offering extensive tools for image manipulation, AI-powered features, and layer-based editing. Learn more about Adobe Photoshop

2. How is Adobe Lightroom different from Photoshop?

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom focuses on photo management and non-destructive editing, featuring powerful cataloging tools, excellent RAW processing, and cloud synchronization across devices. Explore Adobe Lightroom

3. What are the key advantages of Affinity Photo?

Affinity Photo offers a full suite of editing tools with a one-time purchase model, making it a budget-friendly alternative to Photoshop. It supports layers, RAW processing, and is known for its performance and speed. Discover Affinity Photo

4. Is there a free alternative to Corel PaintShop Pro?

Yes, GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is a free and open-source software offering a comprehensive toolset for photo editing and graphic design, compatible with multiple platforms. Check out GIMP

5. What makes Luminar Neo unique?

Luminar Neo is known for its AI-driven tools, user-friendly interface, and efficient one-click editing options, making it suitable for all skill levels. Learn more about Luminar Neo

6. Which software is best for tethered shooting in a studio?

Capture One Pro stands out for its tethered shooting capabilities, advanced RAW processing, and customizable interface, making it ideal for professional studio work. Explore Capture One Pro

7. What features does PhotoDirector 365 offer?

PhotoDirector 365 comes with AI-powered tools for object removal, sky replacement, and style transfer, along with layer-based editing and an intuitive interface. Discover PhotoDirector 365

8. Can I use a powerful photo editor online without installation?

Yes, Pixlr offers a browser-based photo editing experience with layer-based editing and AI-powered tools, available in both free and paid versions. Check out Pixlr

9. Which platform is ideal for creating social media content?

Canva is a user-friendly platform with a drag-and-drop interface and a large library of templates, ideal for creating social media content and marketing materials. Explore Canva

10. What is the focus of DxO PhotoLab?

DxO PhotoLab focuses on high-quality image corrections and RAW processing, featuring advanced noise reduction, lens correction tools, and precise color management. Learn more about DxO PhotoLab

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.