Adobe Photoshop is a very popular image editing software. Professional photographers and photo editors always use this software regularly for editing photos. However, it is not the only one editing software. In the market, we can find lots of Photoshop alternative tools which are pretty good.

The software has amazing features for photo editing and more affordable pricing than Adobe Photoshop. You can easily create attractive photos without breaking the bank.

In this article, I will cover the 6 best alternatives of Adobe Photoshop tools that you should try at least once. I will also cover each software’s pros and cons, and features so you may choose the right one for your project.

So, let’s find out the best Photoshop alternative tools

6 Best Photoshop Alternatives You Should Check

GIMP

When we think about the best alternatives to Photoshop, the first name that come to mind is GIMP software. It is free and open-source based editing software. It means you can customize it according to your necessity. The software has a wide range of features and tools and you will get access completely free.

Though you will get advanced features for editing, it can be still effective for beginners. Most importantly, you will use it for free.

The best features of GIMP are cross-platform availability, original artwork creation, easy background removal opportunities, and high-quality image manipulation support which is important for any editor. There are some other features also

  • Full suite of painting tools
  • Several layers and channel
  • Advanced scripting abilities
  • Full alpha channel support.
  • Transformation capabilities like rotate, scale, shear, and flip
  • Easy to add new file formats and filters
  • Multiple und/redo
  • Advanced path tool
  • Powerful gradient editor
  • Blend tool

Finally, the software is a great option for newbies who want to edit photos without paying for it. If you want to know more about this software, you can read our GIMP review guide.

Affinity Photo

Affinity Photo is a very powerful image editing software and a great alternative to Adobe Photoshop. The tool has everything you need to create attractive images like raster paintings, multi-layer composition, massive image import, instant load of huge files, zoom at maximum refresh rate, and more.

For retouching images, the software has some great retouching tools like dodge and burn tools, clone, patch, and blemish removal tools. These are amazing features for image editors
Here are some other features of affinity photos

  • Dedicated liquify workspace
  • Raw development capabilities (32-bit experience)
  • Enormous library of brushes (custom-made opportunities also)
  • Combining opportunities of multiple brushes with a single-stroke
  • Compositions capabilities with layers.
  • Precise selections
  • No subscription

Its features included non-destructive editing, focus staking, and batch processing which is much necessary for professional photographers and image editors. However, it is not free software. You need to pay a one-time fee for purchasing this software

Pricing

  • Windows $69.99
  • macOS $96.99
  • iPad $18.49

Pixelmator Pro

If you edit photos using Mac, then you must try this software. It is an amazing photo editing and retouching software specially designed for Mac users. And, you will be able to enjoy its full support and technology including a universal app, iCloud drive, photos extension, light and dark appearance, apple pencil, script, and more.

Along with basic features, Pixelmator Pro has some more advanced features that will help to edit photos more smoothly and create stunning photos. Their advanced features include:

  • color management
  • soft proofing
  • export for web/optimize for web
  • layer-based editing opportunities
  • over 60 versatile effects
  • remove the color from images and videos
  • powerful selective clarity
  • texture adjustment
  • customizing strokes

The software has very positive feedback that ensures it is worth using at least once in editing photos. The software also includes machine learning tools that can help automate tasks like object removal and sky replacement.

Pricing: $49.99

Pixlr

Pixlr is a great free photo editing, ai image generator, and graphic design software. You can create stunning designs for social media; and edit photos for professional and personal uses using your smartphone, desktop, or browser.

From cropping images to removing background, and retouching photos everything is possible with Pixlr. However, if you need advanced filters, you may not get this in Pixlr. Moreover, if you use tiff files, then you should avoid them as they don’t support it.

Though you won’t be able to use it in Photoshop [advanced features], it is still worth using for editing and designing purposes. Templates will help to complete the project more easily and the AI image generator will solve image issues very fast.

Krita

Krita is another best Photoshop alternative tool perfect for digital painting. The software is launched by an artist who knows pretty well an artist’s demand. The main beauty of Krita is its brushes. Krita has 100 types of brushes with 9 brush engines and 1 stabilizer. It allows you to create unique and expressive digital art.

The key features of Krita

  • color management
  • layer management
  • animated art
  • HDR images
  • concept art
  • texture and matte painters
  • illustrations and comics

If you love drawing, then you may try this free open-source software. However, if you need software for editing photos, then it is not for you.

Skylum Luminar

Do you prefer to use AI software for editing photos? If yes, Skylum Luminar could be the best option for your project. It is one of the best Photoshop alternatives that can bring out great outcomes. The software has various editing tools, filters, and presets that make it a competitor of Adobe Photoshop
The key features of Skylum Luminar

  • RAW file editing
  • Non-destructive editing
  • Color enhancement
  • Batch processing
  • Cropping and resizing
  • AI-based editing

Pricing Plan of Luminar NEO
• Explore:$9.95/mo
• Pro:$9.92/mo
• Lifetime:$149/one-time fee
If you choose the yearly plan, you will get a discount also. Luminar is an excellent option for those who want robust, easy-to-use photo editing software with advanced features

Conclusion

There are many Photoshop alternative tools available in the market. All of the tools come with a wide range of features, filters, and effects for digital artists, photographers, and editors.
However, the best Photoshop alternative for you will depend on your specific needs, budget, and level of expertise. But with these top alternatives, there are plenty of options for you.