Top 10 Alternatives to Corel Photo-Paint in 2025: A Comprehensive Comparison

In the evolving landscape of photo editing software, numerous alternatives to Corel Photo-Paint have emerged in 2025, offering a vast array of features tailored to meet different user needs. Whether you're seeking tools for professional photo editing, ease of use, or budget-friendly options, this article explores the top 10 alternatives to Corel Photo-Paint in 2025, comparing them on key data points like pricing, platform compatibility, features, and ease of use.

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1. Adobe Photoshop

Features: Comprehensive tools for professional editing, advanced AI features, layer-based editing, 3D capabilities, and extensive plugin support.
Ease of Use: Can have a steep learning curve for beginners, but offers a highly customizable interface.
Pricing: Subscription-based model, around $22.99 per month.
Platform: Windows, macOS, and iPad.
AI Capabilities: Content-aware fill, sky replacement, neural filters for real-time adjustments. Learn more about Adobe Photoshop

2. Adobe Photoshop Lightroom

Features: Excellent image repair and enhancement tools, precise and intuitive masking, easy batch editing.
Ease of Use: More beginner-friendly than Photoshop, with an intuitive interface.
Pricing: Subscription-based model, usually bundled with Photoshop or available separately.
Platform: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android.
Focus: Ideal for photographers managing and editing large quantities of photos. Learn more about Adobe Lightroom

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3. Affinity Photo 2

Features: Professional-grade editing tools, RAW editing, HDR merging, panorama stitching, frequency separation, 360° image modification.
Ease of Use: Fairly easy to use with a one-time purchase cost, no recurring fees.
Pricing: One-time purchase.
Platform: Windows, macOS, and iPad.
Image Support: Supports multiple image formats, including JPEG, PNG, and RAW. Learn more about Affinity Photo

4. GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program)

Features: Comprehensive editing tools, supports layers, filters, and has a customizable interface.
Ease of Use: Slightly steeper learning curve but highly powerful.
Pricing: Free and open-source.
Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux.
Customization: Highly customizable with plugins and extensions. Learn more about GIMP

5. Canva

Features: Drag-and-drop interface, many templates, millions of stock photos, videos, and audio. Includes some photo editing tools.
Ease of Use: Extremely user-friendly, designed for non-designers.
Pricing: Free version available, paid plans offering more features starting at around $12.99 per month.
Platform: Web-based, Android, iOS, iPad, macOS, and Windows.
Collaboration: Supports team collaboration and integrates with major platforms. Learn more about Canva

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6. Pixlr

Features: AI-powered tools, similar experience to Photoshop, various effects and filters. Versions Pixlr E (advanced) and Pixlr X (beginner).
Ease of Use: Pixlr X is very easy for beginners, while Pixlr E offers more advanced tools.
Pricing: Free version available, paid options for advanced features starting at $1.99 per month.
Platform: Web-based, Android, iOS, Windows.
Accessibility: Can be used online without downloading. Learn more about Pixlr

7. Luminar Neo

Features: AI sky replacement, portrait bokeh AI, AI-powered composition suggestions.
Ease of Use: User-friendly interface, suitable for all skill levels.
Pricing: One-time purchase or subscription options.
Platform: Windows and macOS.
Focus: Simplifies complex edits with AI, saving time for users. Learn more about Skylum Luminar Neo

8. Photopea

Features: Supports PSD files, custom Photoshop brushes, layers, masks, transforms, filters, and 3D graphics.
Ease of Use: Similar layout to Photoshop, making it familiar for users of that program.
Pricing: Free, web-based.
Platform: Web-based.
File Support: Compatible with multiple file formats and can use custom Photoshop brushes. Learn more about Photopea

9. Photoroom

Features: Excellent background removal, templates for product photos, batch editing, one-click edits.
Ease of Use: Very easy to use, focused on quick edits for small businesses.
Pricing: Free plan available, paid plans with more features starting at around $12.99/month.
Platform: Android, iOS, Web app.
Focus: Specifically designed for product photos for e-commerce. Learn more about Photoroom

10. Paint.NET

Features: Includes layer support, a variety of tools and effects, extensible with plugins.
Ease of Use: Designed to be simple and intuitive for users of all levels.
Pricing: Free.
Platform: Windows only.
Purpose: Aims to be a more powerful replacement for Microsoft Paint. Learn more about Paint.NET

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FAQ

1. What is a good professional alternative to Corel Photo-Paint?

Adobe Photoshop is an industry-standard professional photo editing software with comprehensive tools, advanced AI features and layer-based editing. Learn more about Adobe Photoshop

2. Which alternative to Corel Photo-Paint is best for photographers managing large quantities of photos?

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom is ideal for photographers, offering excellent image repair and enhancement tools, precise masking, and easy batch editing. Learn more about Adobe Lightroom

3. Is there an affordable one-time purchase alternative to Corel Photo-Paint?

Affinity Photo 2 offers a powerful and professional-grade editing experience with a one-time purchase cost. Discover Affinity Photo

4. What is a robust, free, open-source alternative to Corel Photo-Paint?

GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is a free and open-source image editing software with comprehensive editing tools and a customizable interface. Download GIMP

5. Which platform provides an easy-to-use photo editing tool for non-designers?

Canva is a user-friendly online design tool with photo editing capabilities, ideal for social media content creation. Explore Canva

6. What is a web-based photo editor that offers both beginner and advanced options?

Pixlr provides AI-powered tools and offers both Pixlr E (advanced) and Pixlr X (beginner) versions, available for free and with paid options. Try Pixlr

7. Which AI-powered photo editor simplifies complex edits and is suitable for all skill levels?

Luminar Neo is an AI-powered photo editor designed for ease of use and powerful results, suitable for all skill levels. Discover Luminar Neo

8. Is there a free online photo editor that feels like Photoshop?

Photopea is a free online photo editor with a similar look and feel to Photoshop, supporting PSD files and various formats. Use Photopea

9. What app is best for quickly editing product photos for e-commerce?

Photoroom is an AI-powered mobile app designed for quick edits, excellent background removal, and templates for product photos. Discover Photoroom

10. Is there a simple and powerful free image editing software for Windows?

Paint.NET is a free image and photo editing software for Windows, known for its simplicity and power, with layer support and a variety of tools. Download Paint.NET

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.