Top 10 Open Source Alternatives to Affinity Photo in 2025

Here are some of the top open-source alternatives to Affinity Photo, offering a range of features for different needs.

Boost Your SEO by Getting Featured in Our Blogs and get a backlink.

We publish content about startups, education, tech, funding, etc. that ranks well not only in Google but also in Perplexity, ChatGPT, Grok and other AI tools.

👉 Get featured now!

1. GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program)

Description: GIMP is a powerful, free, and open-source raster graphics editor used for image retouching, composition, and authoring. It is a feature-rich program suitable for various tasks, from basic photo edits to complex manipulations and digital painting. GIMP is often cited as the most direct open-source alternative to Photoshop.
Key Features:
Advanced photo editing tools including retouching, restoring, and creative composites.
Layer management for complex image manipulations.
Customizable interface with scripting capabilities for automation.
Extensive format support, including RAW files.
Active development and community support with many plugins.
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux
Link: Learn more about GIMP

2. Krita

Description: Krita is a free and open-source painting program designed for digital artists, illustrators, and concept artists. While primarily focused on painting, it also offers good photo editing capabilities, making it a versatile alternative for users who need both.
Key Features:
Large variety of brush engines and customization options.
Supports layers, masks, filters, and special effects.
Tools for vector graphics and text handling.
Excellent noise reduction filters.
Customizable interface for painting, animation, and VFX.
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux
Link: Discover Krita

Get your FREE Landing Page Analysis!

Insert your landing page link and get a super useful analysis and easy fixes to get more clicks!

👉 Get Your Analysis Here!

3. Darktable

Description: Darktable is an open-source photography workflow application and RAW developer. It focuses on the post-processing of raw images with non-destructive editing. It's geared more towards photo processing than manipulation.
Key Features:
Non-destructive editing workflow.
Professional color management and tone controls.
Extensive format support for RAW files.
Supports a wide range of camera types.
Module-based editing environment.
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux
Link: Explore Darktable

4. RawTherapee

Description: RawTherapee is another powerful open-source RAW image processing program. It focuses on high-quality raw conversion and editing with many parameters to fine-tune images. It's known for its advanced processing algorithms.
Key Features:
Non-destructive editing with a focus on raw development.
Advanced color and detail adjustment tools.
Supports a wide variety of raw formats.
Highly customizable processing pipeline.
Batch processing capabilities.
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux
Link: Learn more about RawTherapee

5. Photopea

Description: Photopea is a free online image editor that supports raster and vector graphics. It has an interface and features similar to Photoshop, making it easy for users of Adobe products to transition.
Key Features:
Browser-based, no installation required.
Supports PSD, XCF, and other formats.
Layers, masks, and adjustment layers.
Tools for drawing, painting, and retouching.
Can use custom Photoshop brushes.
Platforms: Web browser (accessible on any OS)
Link: Explore Photopea

Validate your startup idea with the unique borrowed authority approach: we publish articles about your product in our blog and you get traffic and testers for your MVP

Prove Market Demand: See real organic traffic and waitlist conversions

Unlock High-Potential Keywords: Receive a curated list of top-performing keywords directly from Google Search Console data.

Estimate Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC): Gain financial foresight with an estimated CAC based on real keyword performance data.

🔗 Start validating your startup now

6. Paint.NET

Description: Paint.NET is a free image and photo editing software for Windows. It was designed as a simpler alternative to the built-in Microsoft Paint but has evolved into a quite powerful editor. It is easier to learn than GIMP but is less powerful.
Key Features:
Simple, intuitive, and easy-to-use interface.
Supports layers, special effects, and plugins.
Growing collection of plugins available.
Active user community.
Good for basic to intermediate editing.
Platforms: Windows
Link: Discover Paint.NET

7. Inkscape

Description: Inkscape is a professional-quality vector graphics editor. It's an excellent tool for creating and editing scalable vector graphics. While not a direct replacement for raster-based editors, it is powerful for graphic design and illustrations.
Key Features:
Object creation and manipulation tools.
Supports SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics).
Text support and typography tools.
Fill and stroke functionality.
Open-source and extensible via extensions.
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux
Link: Learn more about Inkscape

8. Hugin

Description: Hugin is an open-source panorama stitching tool. It's used for creating high-quality panoramic images from overlapping photographs.
Key Features:
Stitches panoramic images automatically.
Supports various projections and corrections.
Can handle complex image alignments.
Open-source and highly extensible.
Good for creating 360-degree panoramas.
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux
Link: Discover Hugin

9. Luminance HDR

Description: Luminance HDR is an open-source software for creating High Dynamic Range (HDR) images. It combines multiple exposures of the same scene into a single image with a wider tonal range.
Key Features:
Creates HDR images from multiple exposures.
Supports various tone mapping operators.
Open-source and customizable.
Good for creating realistic HDR scenes.
Advanced options for tone mapping.
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux
Link: Explore Luminance HDR

10. Pixlr

Description: Pixlr is a cloud based photo editing platform with both a more beginner friendly (Pixlr X) and a more advanced (Pixlr E) interface. It is also available as a mobile app for Android and iOS.
Key Features:
AI-powered features for easy edits.
User interface similar to Adobe Photoshop.
Supports layers, masks, and filters.
Good for quick photo adjustments.
Available online or as an app.
Platforms: Web browser, Windows, Android, iOS
Link: Discover Pixlr

These open-source alternatives provide a wide range of features for photo editing, graphic design, and digital art. Depending on your needs, one of these tools will likely offer what you need without the cost of a subscription or expensive software.

Join ElonaHunt (like ProductHunt but for women) and explore the coolest women-focused startups out there!

Discover your next big inspiration and connect with like-minded female entrepreneurs!

👉 Join the Hunt Here

FAQ

1. What is GIMP and what makes it a great alternative to Affinity Photo?

GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is a powerful, free, and open-source raster graphics editor suitable for various photo editing tasks. It is known for its advanced editing tools, customizable interface, support for numerous formats including RAW files, and strong community support with many plugins. Discover more about GIMP

2. Can Krita be used for photo editing, despite being a painting program?

Yes, Krita is primarily designed for digital painting but also offers strong photo editing capabilities. It supports layers, masks, filters, noise reduction, and has a customizable interface making it quite versatile. Learn more about Krita

3. How does Darktable support non-destructive editing for photos?

Darktable provides a non-destructive editing workflow suitable for post-processing RAW images. It offers professional color management and tone controls to handle a wide range of camera types. Explore Darktable

4. What distinguishes RawTherapee from other photo editing software?

RawTherapee focuses on high-quality RAW image processing with advanced color and detail adjustment tools. It supports a wide variety of raw formats and allows for highly customizable editing pipelines. Discover RawTherapee

5. Is Photopea really comparable to Photoshop?

Photopea is a free online image editor that closely resembles Photoshop in terms of interface and feature set. It supports PSD, XCF, and other formats, offering layers, masks, and custom Photoshop brushes. Learn more about Photopea

6. How user-friendly is Paint.NET for beginners?

Paint.NET offers a simple, intuitive, and easy-to-use interface which makes it an excellent choice for beginners. It supports layers, special effects, and has a growing collection of plugins for enhanced functionality. Explore Paint.NET

7. What is Inkscape mainly used for?

Inkscape is primarily a vector graphics editor used for creating and editing scalable vector graphics. It is ideal for professional-quality graphic design and illustrations with robust object creation and manipulation tools. Discover Inkscape

8. How can Hugin be used to create panoramic images?

Hugin is an open-source tool designed for panorama stitching. It automatically stitches overlapping photographs into high-quality panoramic images, supporting various projections and complex image alignments. Learn more about Hugin

9. What does Luminance HDR specialize in?

Luminance HDR specializes in creating High Dynamic Range (HDR) images by combining multiple exposures of the same scene into one image with a broader tonal range. It offers various tone mapping operators for enhanced image realism. Explore Luminance HDR

10. Is Pixlr a good choice for quick photo adjustments?

Yes, Pixlr is a cloud-based photo editing platform that offers both beginner-friendly and advanced interfaces. It supports AI-powered features, layers, masks, and filters, making it efficient for quick photo adjustments. Discover Pixlr

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.