Top 10 Free Alternatives to Corel PaintShop Pro in 2025

As technology continues to evolve, the landscape of digital image editing has blossomed with numerous powerful and free tools. Whether you're a professional photographer, a graphic designer, or simply a hobbyist, these alternatives to Corel PaintShop Pro can meet a wide range of editing and design needs. Here are the top 10 free alternatives you should consider in 2025:

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1. GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program)

Description: A powerful, open-source image editor, often cited as a direct free alternative to Photoshop, offering a wide array of professional-grade tools.
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux
Key Features:
Advanced tools for retouching, image composition, and authoring
Highly customizable interface
Supports a variety of file formats
Extensive plugin ecosystem
Cross-platform compatibility
Learn more about GIMP
Price: Free

2. Canva

Description: A user-friendly, online graphic design tool with robust photo editing capabilities suitable for both beginners and professionals.
Platforms: Web-based, iOS, Android
Key Features:
Drag-and-drop interface for ease of use
Vast library of templates, photos, and design elements
Collaboration features for teams
AI-powered design tools
Brand kit for maintaining consistency
Learn more about Canva
Price: Free (with paid subscription options for advanced features)

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3. Pixlr (E & X)

Description: A suite of online photo editors that mimic the look and feel of Photoshop, with Pixlr X being for quick edits and Pixlr E for more complex work.
Platforms: Web-based
Key Features:
Layer-based editing
Wide range of filters and effects
AI-powered tools for background removal, object removal, etc.
Browser-based, so no downloads or installs needed
User-friendly interface
Learn more about Pixlr
Price: Free (with paid subscription options for advanced features)

4. Photopea

Description: A free, web-based image editor that strongly resembles Photoshop and supports a variety of file formats, including PSD.
Platforms: Web-based
Key Features:
Layer support with blending modes and masks
Supports custom Photoshop brushes
Tools for selection, retouching, and drawing
Directly supports working with PSD files
Highly customizable interface
Learn more about Photopea
Price: Free

5. Fotor

Description: An online photo editor offering a wide range of editing tools and features including AI-powered tools.
Platforms: Web-based, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
Key Features:
AI object removal capabilities
Batch photo editing
HDR effect creation
Extensive range of filters and effects
User-friendly interface
Learn more about Fotor
Price: Free (with paid subscription options for advanced features)

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6. PhotoScape X

Description: A versatile photo editor with a focus on user-friendly features for both basic and advanced photo editing.
Platforms: Windows, macOS
Key Features:
RAW image processing
Batch editing
Collage creation
GIF creation
Screen capture capabilities
Learn more about PhotoScape X
Price: Free (with paid "Pro" version available)

7. Krita

Description: A free and open-source painting program designed for digital artists, illustrators, and concept artists, but also useful for photo manipulation.
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux
Key Features:
Brush engines, with many customizable options
Layer support with blending modes and masks
Extensive range of filters and effects
Vector drawing tools
User-friendly, customizable interface
Learn more about Krita
Price: Free

8. Paint.NET

Description: A free, simple image and photo editing software for Windows with a focus on ease of use.
Platforms: Windows
Key Features:
User-friendly interface
Layer-based editing
Plugins for advanced functionalities
Supports many file formats
Active community support
Learn more about Paint.NET
Price: Free

9. Adobe Photoshop Express

Description: A free, basic photo editing tool provided by Adobe, which offers simple photo enhancements and filters.
Platforms: Windows, iOS, Android
Key Features:
Easy to use interface
Basic photo enhancements (cropping, adjusting lighting)
Wide range of filters and effects
Available on mobile devices
Integration with Adobe Creative Cloud
Learn more about Adobe Photoshop Express
Price: Free

10. MyEdit

Description: An online photo and audio editing tool with a focus on AI-powered effects.
Platforms: Web-based
Key Features:
AI-powered effects
Object removal
Background removal and replacement
Image enhancement
Available online and as a desktop app
Learn more about MyEdit
Price: Free (with paid options)

These are some of the most notable free alternatives to Corel PaintShop Pro in 2025. Each option has unique strengths and might appeal to different users. Remember to explore the tools and try them out to find the perfect fit for your photo editing and design needs!

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FAQ

1. What is the best free alternative to Corel PaintShop Pro for advanced image editing?

GIMP is a powerful, open-source image editor offering professional-grade tools for retouching, image composition, and authoring. Learn more about GIMP

2. Which alternative is best for easy and quick graphic design?

Canva offers a user-friendly, drag-and-drop interface along with a vast library of templates, photos, and design elements. Discover Canva

3. Are there any browser-based alternatives similar to Photoshop?

Photopea is a web-based image editor that strongly resembles Photoshop and supports various file formats, including PSD. Explore Photopea

4. What is a good tool for AI-powered photo editing?

Fotor provides a range of AI-powered tools, making it easier to remove objects, enhance images, and add effects. Check out Fotor

5. Which free tool is best for digital artists and illustrators?

Krita is designed for digital artists, offering customizable brush engines, vector drawing tools, and extensive filters. Learn more about Krita

6. What alternative is focused on user-friendliness and accessibility?

Paint.NET offers a simple and easy-to-use interface along with layer-based editing and support for many file formats. Discover Paint.NET

7. Are there alternatives that offer collaboration features?

Canva includes collaboration features that allow teams to work together on graphic design projects. Explore Canva

8. What is a good option for batch photo editing?

PhotoScape X supports batch editing and offers RAW image processing, collage creation, and GIF creation. Learn more about PhotoScape X

9. What tool is recommended for simple, mobile-friendly photo editing?

Adobe Photoshop Express is a basic photo editing tool that provides easy photo enhancements and a wide range of filters, available on mobile devices. Check out Adobe Photoshop Express

10. Are there any online tools with both photo and audio editing capabilities?

MyEdit is an online tool that offers both photo and audio editing with a focus on AI-powered effects. Discover MyEdit

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.