Photoshop is an incredibly valuable tool for professionals who need to do anything related to photography or graphic design. It has a vast range of features, including AI text-to-image capabilities, that make it hard for other platforms to compete. The only problem with Photoshop is the cost.

Thankfully, there is a vast range of editing platforms that you can use for free or at a lower rate to get the job done. Of the different options out there, these nine are among the best alternatives to Photoshop you can find. These platforms may not have the same capabilities as Photoshop, but most have stand-out features that make them an appealing alternative for specific project types.

1. Adobe Photoshop Elements

If you want to retain some of the capabilities of Photoshop without a high subscription, Adobe Photoshop Elements is a fantastic option. It has many of the same features, such as background removal and AI editing, but is available for a one-time purchase of $99. It even has guided edits and editing templates, making it a great choice if you’re a beginner looking for assistance to get started or simply want a streamlined program to use.

2. Canva

Canva is a multipurpose editor that allows you to edit photos and videos and create documents, flyers, and other project types. It has a huge selection of templates users can use, particularly those who may be new to graphic design, and many free elements that can be added to designs (such as graphics, GIFs,

photos, videos, and audio). It’s an excellent option for content creation tasks, but its photo-editing options are limited.

In general, Canva is known for being a user-friendly option for experienced professionals and novices alike. It’s available through a subscription service for $18.99 per month. There’s also a free option, although this version limits some features. Like some other free-to-download apps, you’ll be surprised by what this software allows you to do!

3. Adobe Express

Adobe Express is similar to Canva but is paired with the more precise capabilities of Adobe Photoshop or Adobe Photoshop Elements. It allows you to work on various project types, has a catalogue of templates and free videos and images you can use, and is an excellent resource for social media content creation (like editing videos for TikTok). It’s available as a free version but also has a paid version with more features that starts at $12.99 per month.

4. Pixelmator Pro

Pixelmator Pro is a great Photoshop alternative for Apple users, and it has many photo editing and retouching tools. It allows you to work in layers, like Adobe products, and incorporates AI into its editing features. It’s available for an extremely reasonable one-time fee of $49.99, and you can even take advantage of the free trial to test it out.

5. PaintShop Pro

PaintShop Pro, a Windows-only software by Corel, offers both graphics-building and photo-editing capabilities. It even allows you to import PSD (Photoshop) files, meaning you can easily collaborate with Photoshop users. And like Photoshop, it offers AI among its many features, allowing you to explore new creation methods. It’s available starting at $79.99 as a one-time purchase, and you can upgrade at a reduced price whenever new versions are released.

6. Capture One

Capture One is an excellent option for editing RAW photos. The program allows you to tether your camera to your computer to immediately review your work or share it with your clients and team for better collaboration. Its in-depth colour editing allows you to adjust the colours in your photos. Like other editing software options on this list, it incorporates AI to improve the editing experience and give you more creative fuel.

There’s a subscription model starting at $20.92 per month, or you can buy the current version outright and not worry about paying for it in the future.

7. Photopea

This online editor has many capabilities to edit photos and create graphics for a range of projects and has a selection of catalogue items to use, making it a great alternative to Photoshop. Photopea supports PSD files, so users can open and save files in this format. Like Photoshop, the program allows you to work in layers to edit photos or add graphics. It also allows you to work with RAW images.

You can use Photopea for free. The only catch is that you cannot use the AI capabilities through the free version. To access these, you must subscribe to the service, though it costs just $5 a month, making it an affordable option.

8. Affinity Photo

Affinity Photo is available for a one-time payment of $94.99 for the desktop version. That price comes with a huge range of capabilities, making this software comparable to Adobe Photoshop. It allows you to work in layers, perform high-quality photo edits, draw, add text, or add graphics. Affinity Photo is compatible with Windows and Mac operating systems and can even be used on an iPad.

9. Inkscape

If you enjoy editing photos or creating graphics as a hobby, Inkscape is a fun, free option, though it takes time to learn and master. It has many features for creating graphics and editing photos, giving you all the functionality you need if you’re willing to take the time to learn it. Inkscape is open-source software, meaning anyone can use or build on it. Like WordPress, another major open-source software you might be familiar with, Inkscape has earned a large fan base of people who love using it for their editing needs.

Conclusion

If you’re a creative looking for image- or graphics-editing software that’s more affordable but similar to Photoshop, these nine platforms offer precisely what you need.

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