Top 10 Alternatives to Adobe Photoshop in 2025

With the ever-evolving digital world and the increasing demand for versatile image editing tools, many alternatives to Adobe Photoshop have surfaced in 2025. These alternatives cater to a range of needs, from professional photo editing to simple graphic design tasks. Here’s a detailed look at the top 10 alternatives to Adobe Photoshop, compared on key data points.

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1. GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program)

Pricing: Free
Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux
Features: Layer support, advanced filters and effects, color adjustments, transformations, compatibility with various image formats, including PSD files.
Strengths: Highly customizable, large community support, versatile for various editing tasks.
Weaknesses: High learning curve and clunky interface for users accustomed to Photoshop. Learn more about GIMP

2. Canva

Pricing: Free plan available; Premium plans from $15/month for individuals or $10/month/user for teams.
Platform: Web, iOS, Android, Mac, Windows
Features: Template library, drag-and-drop interface, basic photo editing tools, AI-powered object removal.
Strengths: Excellent for social media content creation and graphic design, user-friendly, includes AI features.
Weaknesses: Not optimized for pure photo editing, more focused on graphic design. Explore Canva

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3. Pixlr

Pricing: Free plan available; Premium plans start from $2.49/month to $16.99/month for additional features.
Platform: Web, Android, iOS, Windows
Features: Beginner-friendly interface, AI-powered tools, text-to-image AI, background removal, smart filters, and quick fixes for lighting and color.
Strengths: Easy to use, strong AI capabilities, good for both beginners and advanced users.
Weaknesses: Preference for desktop apps over browser-based by some users. Discover Pixlr

4. Affinity Photo

Pricing: One-time purchase (around $70)
Platform: Windows, macOS, iPad
Features: Extensive toolkit, HDR merging, RAW editing, precision retouching.
Strengths: Powerful features rivaling Photoshop, professional design tools, one-time cost without the need for a subscription.
Weaknesses: No free version available. Learn more about Affinity Photo

5. Photopea

Pricing: Free, paid option available to remove ads for $8/month.
Platform: Web-based
Features: Supports custom Photoshop brushes, layer-based editing, supports PSD files, good for quick edits.
Strengths: Highly capable free alternative, very close to Photoshop in terms of functionality, cross-platform compatibility.
Weaknesses: Performance can depend on internet connection speed. Explore Photopea

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6. Fotor

Pricing: Free plan available; Premium plans ranging from $8.99 to $19.99/month.
Platform: Web, iOS, Android, Windows, Mac.
Features: AI object removal, generative AI for images and videos, video and presentation editing capabilities, easy-to-use interface.
Strengths: Excellent for quick edits, especially with AI object removal, user-friendly.
Weaknesses: Free version has limitations. Discover Fotor

7. Luminar Neo

Pricing: Free trial available, subscription or lifetime purchase.
Platform: Windows, macOS.
Features: AI sky replacement, portrait bokeh AI, AI-powered composition suggestions, RAW editing.
Strengths: User-friendly interface, advanced AI features simplify complex edits, professional-level edits on mobile devices.
Weaknesses: Some advanced features can slow down performance. Explore Luminar Neo

8. ON1 Photo RAW

Pricing: One-time purchase, no subscription required.
Platform: Windows, macOS.
Features: AI-powered features, non-destructive editing, precise color control, supports RAW files from over 800 cameras.
Strengths: Offers a complete set of editing tools, good for users seeking an alternative to subscription-based software.
Weaknesses: May not be as widely known as some other alternatives. Learn more about ON1 Photo RAW

9. PhotoScape X

Pricing: Free (additional features available for a one-time payment of $49.99)
Platform: Windows, Mac
Features: Robust professional-level photo editing, fast batch editing, supports RAW files.
Strengths: Good for users on a budget, offers professional-level tools, good for batch editing of multiple files.
Weaknesses: May not have all the most advanced features of premium software. Explore PhotoScape X

10. Krita

Pricing: Free
Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux
Features: Detailed digital reproduction of brushes, free noise reduction filter, supports layers and masks.
Strengths: Excellent for artists and illustrators, strong brush engine, fully free and open source.
Weaknesses: Photo editing workflow is clunkier than other applications, color options are somewhat hidden. Discover Krita

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FAQ

1. What are some free alternatives to Adobe Photoshop?

GIMP and Krita are free alternatives to Adobe Photoshop. GIMP offers robust features for advanced editing, while Krita is ideal for digital artists. Learn more about GIMP | Explore Krita

2. Which alternative is best for quick and easy photo editing?

Canva is excellent for quick and easy photo editing with its user-friendly interface and drag-and-drop functionality. Discover Canva

3. What is a good alternative for professional-grade photo editing?

Affinity Photo is a strong contender for professional-grade photo editing, offering extensive tools and features. Discover Affinity Photo

4. Are there browser-based alternatives to Adobe Photoshop?

Yes, Pixlr and Photopea are browser-based alternatives that offer powerful editing tools directly in your web browser. Explore Pixlr | Learn more about Photopea

5. Which alternative is best for RAW photo editing?

ON1 Photo RAW is highly recommended for RAW photo editing, providing precise color control and support for RAW files from over 800 cameras. Discover ON1 Photo RAW

6. Is there an alternative that merges photo editing with graphic design tools?

Canva is a great option as it merges photo editing with extensive graphic design tools, suitable for creating social media content and other designs. Discover Canva

7. Which alternative offers AI-powered editing tools?

Luminar Neo offers advanced AI-powered editing tools, including AI sky replacement and portrait bokeh AI. Explore Luminar Neo

8. What alternative provides both photo and video editing capabilities?

Fotor provides tools for both photo and video editing, making it suitable for users who need capabilities across both formats. Learn more about Fotor

9. What is a good budget-friendly alternative to Adobe Photoshop?

PhotoScape X is a budget-friendly option that offers robust professional-level photo editing and batch processing capabilities. Discover PhotoScape X

10. Which alternative is ideal for digital artists and illustrators?

Krita is designed for digital artists and illustrators, offering detailed brush engine and free noise reduction filter. Explore 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.