If you’re looking for a solid alternative to Photoshop, this list will help. People choose non-Adobe photo editors for different reasons, but the high subscription cost is usually the biggest one. We’ve rounded up several options that offer similar features without the steep price. Some are easier to use, others are more affordable—and all of them can be downloaded and used from day one.
Table of Contents
The Best Photoshop Alternatives in 2021
We have reviewed below listed apps and sorted them here in a random order. Before using any of these apps check through the features and functions of the app. It will help you find one that suits your needs.
1. Affinity Photo
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Affinity Photo is the first Photoshop alternative on our list, and it comes packed with almost all the same features. It’s a great choice for both photographers and designers, and it works with Photoshop files along with other common formats. The best part? You only pay once—no monthly fees like Photoshop. We’ve tested it and found it to be one of the best alternatives out there. It works on both Mac and Windows, and there’s a separate version available for iPad. However, it’s not available on Android. If you want something close to Photoshop without a subscription, Affinity Photo is a strong option.
2. Procreate
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This app works as a solid Photoshop alternative and is built as a painting tool for iPad. When Procreate first came out, it was a pretty basic drawing app. But over time, it’s grown into a full-featured painting platform that can easily take the place of Photoshop.
The layout is fresh and easy to use, and the app comes loaded with a bunch of helpful features made for artists—like realistic pencils, smooth inks, and a wide mix of brushes. It also has smart layer tools and creative digital extras that help you work without limits.
One of its biggest highlights is its massive brush collection, which lets you bring more style and detail to your work. Procreate works perfectly with both versions of the Apple Pencil and includes a clean text tool as well.
3. GIMP
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Here’s another solid Photoshop alternative—it’s an open-source photo editing app. GIMP, short for GNU Image Manipulation Program, gives you a fully flexible interface and a bunch of handy photo features. It works smoothly on Linux, Windows, and macOS. What makes it special is how closely it mirrors Photoshop with its tools and setup.
And there’s more. A group of dedicated artists and developers keep adding plugins that expand what the app can do. Its layout is clean and simple, and you can change things around however you like. You can even work on several tasks at once, thanks to the multiple toolbars and windows.
4. Pixlr X
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Pixlr X is that online photo editor you can open in your browser and start using right away. No installs. No wait. It works on anything—from phones to desktops. The design is clean, nothing confusing or messy. It’s got all the tools you’d need—crop, resize, filters, cool effects, layers, and smart features powered by AI that cut down your editing time.
You can flip through different image formats and go from quick fixes to deeper edits without switching apps. There’s also a design spot where you can throw in fun stuff like text, stickers, and overlays. Whether you’re cleaning up a pic or making a vibe-heavy graphic for your feed, Pixlr X keeps it fun and easy. It’s built for beginners but feels good even if you’ve got some editing tricks up your sleeve.
5. Photos Pos Pro
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This Photoshop alternative is packed with editing tools and lets you create documents too. The only downside? It doesn’t give you much room to tweak the interface the way you want. Still, you’ll find all the essentials for sprucing up photos for slideshows or marketing work. What makes this app stand out is the clean layout that lets you pick how you want to start—either with a basic setup or a more advanced one. The Novice layout is simple, with just the key tools. The Pro layout opens up way more options. You get layers, masking, brushes, scripts, and even batch editing—all wrapped up in one neat space.
6. PicMonkey Image Editor
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PicMonkey keeps editing simple without stripping things down. It opens right in your browser and skips the need for installing software. The interface is clean, tools are easy to find, and you’ve got everything from crop and filters to layers, text, and touch-up features. A generous set of templates makes designing even faster. Whether you’re updating a profile pic or laying out a social media post, there’s no need to switch apps. It’s great for beginners but doesn’t get in the way of creativity. Just sign in, choose your project, and get started.
7. Canva
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Compared to a few simpler alternatives, Canva takes things further for design professionals. It’s packed with tools and assets like fonts, layouts, and stock photos. While a lot of features are free, some require a subscription. The good part is you can skip their stock images and use your own if you prefer. With Canva, putting together blog graphics, brochures, or catalogs becomes much easier and faster without losing that polished look.
8. Krita
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Krita is a free, open-source Photoshop alternative backed by a vibrant community of designers and artists who share their creations. It offers a comprehensive suite of tools, brushes, and supports both vector and text, making it ideal for comic strip creation. The wrap-around mode is particularly useful for designing seamless, repeating patterns. Its intuitive interface includes tooltips for user assistance. While it may lack some of Photoshop’s more advanced features, Krita’s tablet support with customizable sensitivity settings is a notable advantage.
9. Luminar
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This photo editing software runs with smart AI features. It uses machine learning to help artists and designers create eye-catching images in just a few clicks. Luminar is a strong Photoshop alternative that works both as a standalone app and as a plug-in for Adobe programs. So if you’re ready to try something other than Photoshop, this one fits well.
It brings powerful features like one-click sky replacement, tools to enhance portraits and smooth out skin, realistic sun rays, and smart filters for structure and lighting. What really makes Luminar stand out is its simple, clean layout.
You’ll find all the main tools neatly placed in the sidebar, making it easy to access everything without digging through menus. Just click on any feature and you’ll get quick options to adjust the effect the way you want. It keeps things clear and helps you focus on editing without distractions.
10. Acorn
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Acorn is a photoshop alternative designed exclusively for Mac devices. The tool is now available in its advanced version 4.0 with a slew of excellent photoshop like features. Some of the finest tools available with the Acorn include instant alpha, custom brushes, and PSD (Photoshop format) import and export etc. If you think that using the app requires technical acumen, Acorn’s comprehensive tutorials can help you.
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