Fe/male Switch: Your Startup Facilitator & Incubator for Women

Top 10 Open Source Alternatives to BeFunky in 2025

As image editing continues to evolve, 2025 has brought forth a range of open-source alternatives to BeFunky, catering to diverse needs from photo retouching to digital art creation. Below are the top 10 open-source software options for your image editing needs. Each option is detailed with its features, data points, and links to learn more.

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1. GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program)

Description: GIMP is a powerful, free, and open-source raster graphics editor, often cited as the closest free alternative to Adobe Photoshop. It's suitable for a wide range of tasks, from photo retouching to creating digital art.
Key Features:
Layers and Masks: Supports advanced layer management for complex edits.
Extensive Toolset: Offers a comprehensive set of tools for painting, retouching, and color correction.
Customizable Interface: Allows users to tailor the workspace to their needs.
Plugin Support: A vast library of plugins extends its functionality. You can even use some Photoshop plugins.
File Format Support: Supports various formats, including JPEG, TIFF, PNG, GIF, and PSD.
Data Points:
Cost: Free and open-source
Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux
User Level: Suitable for beginners to advanced users
Primary Use: Photo editing, graphic design, digital art
Community Support: Large and active community
Learn more about GIMP

2. Krita

Description: Krita is a free and open-source painting program primarily designed for digital artists, illustrators, and animators, but it can also be used for photo editing tasks. It excels in brush emulation and has an interface designed for artists.
Key Features:
Brush Engine: Advanced and highly customizable brush engine, including realistic pencils, watercolors, unique textures, and effects.
Layers and Masks: Supports layers, masks, and filters for advanced editing.
Color Management: Comprehensive color management tools.
PSD Support: Compatible with Photoshop PSD files.
Vector Graphics Support: Offers some vector graphics capabilities.
Data Points:
Cost: Free and open-source
Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux
User Level: Intermediate to advanced (particularly for artists)
Primary Use: Digital painting, illustration, photo editing
Focus: Artists and illustrators creating their own artwork
Explore Krita

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3. Darktable

Description: Darktable is an open-source photography workflow application and RAW image processor, often considered a free alternative to Adobe Lightroom. It's designed for serious photo editing and RAW file processing.
Key Features:
RAW Processing: Excellent handling of RAW files with precise control over image details and color accuracy.
Non-Destructive Editing: All edits are stored as instructions, not directly applied to the image.
Extensive Adjustments: Includes exposure, tone, noise reduction, lens correction, and local adjustments with masks.
Media Management: Basic media management with keywords and tags.
Customizable Interface: Offers options to tweak the interface.
Data Points:
Cost: Free and open-source
Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux
User Level: Intermediate to advanced (especially for photographers)
Primary Use: RAW image processing and photo editing
Focus: Photographers working with RAW files
Discover Darktable

4. RawTherapee

Description: RawTherapee is another powerful open-source RAW image processing application. It focuses on extracting the best possible image quality from RAW files, offering advanced tools for noise reduction and color management.
Key Features:
RAW Processing: Advanced tools for noise reduction, sharpening, color management, and more.
Dual Panel Layout: Allows for before-and-after comparisons.
Fine-Grained Control: Provides detailed control over image processing.
Non-Destructive Editing: Like Darktable, edits are non-destructive.
Customizable: Offers various customization options
Data Points:
Cost: Free and open-source
Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux
User Level: Intermediate to advanced (for photographers)
Primary Use: RAW image processing
Focus: Users wanting meticulous control over RAW files
Learn more about RawTherapee

5. Paint.NET

Description: Paint.NET is a free image and photo editing software for Windows. It's designed to be intuitive and easy to use, yet it offers a range of powerful features, including layer support and a variety of effects.
Key Features:
User-Friendly Interface: Easy to learn and use.
Layer Support: Supports layers for more advanced editing.
Customizable Brushes: Includes a range of customizable brush presets.
Digital Effects: Offers various digital effects.
Batch Processing: Has batch processing capabilities.
Data Points:
Cost: Free and open-source
Platform: Windows
User Level: Beginner to intermediate
Primary Use: Image editing, photo manipulation
Focus: Ease of use and functionality
Check out Paint.NET

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6. Photopea

Description: Photopea is a free online photo editor that runs in your browser. It has an interface and functionality very similar to Adobe Photoshop, making it a good option for those who are familiar with Photoshop.
Key Features:
Photoshop-like Interface: Similar layout and tools to Photoshop.
PSD Support: Can open and save PSD files.
Basic and Advanced tools: Offers both basic and advanced photo editing tools like cropping, resizing, layers, masks, and brushes.
Custom Brush Support: Allows use of custom Photoshop brushes.
No Installation Required: Runs directly in the browser.
Data Points:
Cost: Free (ad-supported)
Platform: Web-based (runs in any browser)
User Level: Beginner to advanced
Primary Use: Online photo editing
Focus: A free Photoshop-like experience online
Explore Photopea

7. Pixlr

Description: Pixlr is a free online photo editor with both basic and advanced editing options. It offers an AI-powered editor (Pixlr X) and a more advanced editor (Pixlr E) that is closer to Photoshop, both available in the browser.
Key Features:
AI-Powered Editing: Uses AI for tasks such as background removal and object removal.
Advanced Editing (Pixlr E): Offers more sophisticated tools.
Template & Animation tools: Pixlr has a template and animation tool (Pixlr Designer)
Batch Editor: Bulk photo editing options.
Online Access: Runs directly in the browser.
Data Points:
Cost: Free (with paid options)
Platform: Web-based (runs in any browser)
User Level: Beginner to advanced
Primary Use: Online photo editing, AI-powered edits
Focus: Ease of use with AI and advanced features
Learn more about Pixlr

8. Inkscape

Description: While primarily a vector graphics editor, Inkscape can still be useful for some photo editing tasks, especially when combining photos with vector graphics, creating logos, or performing basic image manipulations. It is often compared to Adobe Illustrator.
Key Features:
Vector Graphics: Ideal for creating logos, illustrations, and web graphics.
SVG Format: Supports the open standard SVG file format.
Drawing Tools: Offers various drawing and object manipulation tools.
Text Support: Includes extensive text support and manipulation options
Object Manipulation: Includes fill and stroke capabilities
Data Points:
Cost: Free and open-source
Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux
User Level: Beginner to advanced
Primary Use: Vector graphics, combining photos with vectors
Focus: Graphic design and illustration
Discover Inkscape

9. PhotoScape X

Description: PhotoScape X is a free photo editing software with a variety of tools. It offers RAW photo editing, batch editing, collage creation and more.
Key Features:
RAW Photo Editing: Supports RAW photo editing
Batch Editor: Offers batch editing options
Collage Creation: Includes tools for creating collages
User-Friendly Interface: Easy to learn and use.
Data Points:
Cost: Free (with paid version options)
Platform: Windows, macOS
User Level: Beginner to intermediate
Primary Use: Photo editing and organizing
Focus: Easy to use with a variety of tools
Learn more about PhotoScape X
Microsoft Store
Mac App Store

10. Luminance HDR

Description: Luminance HDR is a free and open-source image processing software specializing in high dynamic range (HDR) imaging. It's designed to create and manipulate HDR images from multiple exposures.
Key Features:
HDR Image Creation: Combines multiple exposures into a single HDR image.
Tone Mapping: Offers various tone mapping operators to adjust the image's dynamic range.
Open Source: Open source and completely free
Cross-platform: Available on Windows, Mac OS, and Linux
Specialized Software: A free, but specialized tool for HDR photography
Data Points:
Cost: Free and open-source
Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux
User Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Primary Use: High Dynamic Range imaging
Focus: HDR Photography
Discover Luminance HDR

These 10 options provide a wide range of features and capabilities, making them suitable alternatives to BeFunky depending on your specific needs.

I hope this is exactly what you were looking for!

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FAQ

1. What is GIMP best used for?

GIMP is suitable for a wide range of tasks including photo retouching, graphic design, and digital art. It offers advanced layer management, a comprehensive set of painting tools, and supports various file formats. Explore GIMP

2. Who is Krita most suitable for?

Krita is ideal for digital artists, illustrators, and animators. It features an advanced brush engine, color management tools, and compatibility with Photoshop PSD files. Discover Krita

3. How does Darktable assist photographers?

Darktable is designed for serious photo editing and RAW file processing. It provides non-destructive editing, extensive adjustments, and RAW processing tools. Learn more about Darktable

4. What makes RawTherapee a good choice for RAW image processing?

RawTherapee offers advanced tools for noise reduction, color management, and non-destructive editing. It is ideal for photographers needing meticulous control over their RAW files. Find out more about RawTherapee

5. Is Paint.NET easy to use for beginners?

Yes, Paint.NET is designed to be intuitive and user-friendly, offering a range of powerful features such as layers, customizable brushes, and batch processing for beginners and intermediate users. Check out Paint.NET

6. Can Photopea be used without installation?

Yes, Photopea runs directly in your browser, making it convenient for users looking for a Photoshop-like experience online without any installation. Explore Photopea

7. What are Pixlr's standout features?

Pixlr offers both AI-powered editing tools and advanced photo editing functions, along with template and animation tools for creating engaging visual content. Learn more about Pixlr

8. How does Inkscape support vector graphic design?

Inkscape is great for creating logos, illustrations, and web graphics. It is compatible with the SVG file format and offers extensive drawing and text manipulation tools. Discover Inkscape

9. What are the basic features of PhotoScape X?

PhotoScape X provides tools for RAW photo editing, batch processing, and collage creation, all within a user-friendly interface suitable for beginners and intermediate users. Learn more about PhotoScape X

10. What type of photography benefits from Luminance HDR?

Luminance HDR is best for HDR imaging, providing tools to create and manipulate HDR images from multiple exposures, ideal for photographers working with high dynamic range images. Explore Luminance HDR

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.

Violetta Bonenkamp

2025-08-24 09:22 Top Alternatives