Comments for

Free Alternatives to Photoshop With All the Bells, Whistles, Filters, & Layers

2009-07-21T08:41:14Z

Let's face it: If cropping was all you needed to do, you'd just use MS Paint. Photoshop, Adobe's industry standard for image editing, costs a whopping, unforgivable $600; and because there's no affordable and equivalent option for non-pro users, we're willing to wager Photoshop places high in the rankings for the most illegally cracked warez of them all. But when you need tools such as layers, filters, and other effects, 101-level apps such as Picnik and Picasa just don't cut it. So we've rounded up and road-tested seven free resources that pack the punch of Photoshop's bells and whistles without the price. You just might find your dream freebie below.

]]> First, here's the test photo we used on all the image editing resources listed here:

1. Photofiltre is a desktop app with a UI reminiscent of Photoshop and a pared-down set of functions. This app eliminates layers and some user controls for certain tools but leaves plenty of room to play with color, saturation, and effects.

The toolbar allows for certain types of painting and selection, but basically, users are limited to making whole-image adjustments.

Has: Levels, lots of color correction and highlight/shadow options, clone stamp

Lacks: Layers, settings and controls for certain tools

If Photoshop Is a Ten: Photofiltre is a 5.

2. Paint.NET is a fascinating desktop app we just found out about through reader recommendations. And our readers were completely right. We found that this app, even though it required a multi-step download process, just might be able to replace Photoshop entirely for many users. We were able to adjust layer blend modes and opacities, create new gradient layers, apply and adjust a bevy of effects and filters, and just about everything an average, non-professional Photoshop user would do.

The toolbar and palettes were familiar, and although some of the breadth and scope of the features felt a little shallow, there's a lot that can be done with this tool.

Has: Layers, full toolbar, levels, curves

Lacks: Sophisticated color correction/alteration, paintbrush, and selection tools; adjustment layers

If Photoshop Is a Ten: Paint.NET is an 8.

3. The GIMP is touted by many as the be-all, end-all of image editing apps. This open-source, desktop-based piece of work has been part of amateur designers' stable of resources for a long time and retains a solid place among Photoshop's free competitors.

All things being equal, there's not a lot we can say to criticize GIMP. As an open source app, it is subject to continuous rounds of improvement; there is no free app that will duplicate the Photoshop experience as well as GIMP will.

Has: Lighting effects, a full paintbrush tool set, pen tool path selection, layer masks

Lacks: Adjustment layers, some effects previews, layer effects

If Photoshop Is a Ten: GIMP is an 11, because it gives users 90 percent of Photoshop's functionality at zero percent of its cost.

4. Aviary is the hot new kid on the block when it comes to image editors. The four-app suite is a web-based beauty that allows for separate functions for images, vector graphics, design work, and more. Photos can be imported from Flickr, Picasa, Facebook, and a number of other sites.

And although having separate apps for different levels of control and execution is the perfect way to scale the overall functionality for different user groups, we found having to switch back and forth between, for example, the Peacock effects editor and the Phoenix image editor, was disconcerting. And Peacock itself is a radical departure from current image editing paradigms, confusing in a way that is only rivaled by Yahoo! Pipes and tax documents. Instead of launching themselves and their work right into the UI, users will have to spend some time in tutorials and make an initial investment before they see a payoff in their results.

Has: Mask layers, layer blend modes, toolbar, selection modification, layer filters, keyboard shortcuts

Lacks: Previews of many filters/effects, controls for customizing effects, continuity and integration between apps

If Photoshop Is a Ten: Aviary Phoenix is a 7; with Aviary Peacock, it's a 2-9, just depending on how much time you want to spend on tutorials.

5. Splashup is just about as good as it gets. Although it lacks a few crucial tools, it makes up for it all by delivering a beautiful knockoff of the Photoshop interface. It actually looks - dare we say it? - a lot sexier than Photoshop. The app also allows for easy importing of photos stored on social sites such as Facebook, Flickr, and more.

Without so much as registering an account, users are taken immediately to a pared-down, in-browser PS with an abbreviated but adequate set of capabilities. This is the Photoshop Lite we've all been asking for all these years. The tools presented allow for just enough control and just enough subtlety to create professional-looking results:

Has: Layers with effects and blend mode/opacity options and a full, floating toolbar

Lacks: Curves, levels, vibrance, and a slew of the less-used Photoshop features

If Photoshop Is a Ten: Splashup is an 8.

6. Users must register accounts to use flauntR app suite. This Flash-based, in-browser app is definitely one of the best-looking of the bunch, but it lacks the all-important layers that take the amateurish edge off an edited image. Without layers, the final results will always look just a little bit ham-fisted. Nevertheless, flauntR gives users a quick, effective way to adjust images and apply effects.

Images from Flickr, Facebook, and other sites can be pulled into the editor, as well. In addition to offering print services through the printR app, the mobilR app also allows for creating background images for several mobile devices, a cool and unique offering. The profilR moreover allows for the automatic creation of appropriately dimensioned avatars for various social network profiles.

Our finished product isn't something we're terribly proud of, and we certainly wouldn't call the result "professional," but the app was quick and simple to use:

Has: Curves, a range of photo filters and effects, one-click palette adjustments, and a decent set of color adjustment tools

Lacks: The ability to change settings and strengths of many effects, and, as aforementioned, layers

If Photoshop Is a Ten: flauntR is a 4.

7. FotoFlexer is a convenient, quick, in-browser editor with lots of great features. It's also got an API, which we find fascinating.

While we weren't able to experience the levels of magic we would have liked (we couldn't create new layers not based on existing images, for example), we did get to jerry rig a few cool effects and create an image that looks 'Shopped enough.

Users can register accounts to store their edited images on the site, and they can also pull photos in from Flickr, Facebook, and similar social sites.

Has: Equivalents of Curves, Pen selection, Magic Wand, Layers, Liquify, and a ton of easy-to-use filters

Lacks: Full-featured opacity settings and blend modes, a Paintbrush equivalent

If Photoshop Is a Ten: FotoFlexer is a 5.

There are quite a few apps we left out of this list; which ones are your favorites to use? If we missed anything crucial, please be sure to let us know in the comments.

Comment from Grace on 2011-04-14

2011-04-15T00:04:38Z

I know some people who don't want to spend a lot of money to retouch their photos and use Microsoft Office Picture Manager..I've always wondered what it does to the picture quality. I'm assuming that program is only good enough to save photos for the web...

So what about Corel Draw's Graphic Suite X5? It's $499 for the whole thing. Not too bad price-wise comparing with Adobe but do you think it performs just as well?

Thanks!
Grace.

Comment from casino games on 2011-03-20

2011-03-21T03:57:15Z

article Jolie although personally i will always use photoshop some of these tools are of an excellent quality and great entry level applications for anyone wanting to get into design or digital photography editing.

Comment from dental website design on 2011-03-20

2011-03-21T03:56:45Z

i will always use photoshop some of these tools are of an excellent quality and great entry level applications for anyone wanting to get into design or digital photography editing.

Comment from discount furniture on 2010-11-30

2010-11-30T23:44:24Z

You did well on putting this together. I did not expect this to find this today. This is a great story.

Comment from RobertK on 2010-11-28

2010-11-28T16:18:19Z

I really love Sumo Paint. It is flexible enough for most editing and is cross-platform compatible since it is web based. Who knows, maybe all our software will be web apps someday?

Comment from Shahid on 2010-11-22

2010-11-22T14:24:35Z

Introducing www.Fatpaint.com, a free, full featured, online graphic design software for doing layered painting, vector drawing, photo editing and page layout. It's the first Flash based painting program with full support for pressure sensitive Pen Tablets.

Fatpaint has more drawing and painting features than any other online graphics application, and it has built-in thousands of graphical resources.

We have worked very hard developing Fatpaint and therefore we are interested in your feedback.
So any suggestions or/and ideas for improving the software would be highly appreciated.

Thanks.

Comment from Brett Widmann on 2010-10-22

2010-10-22T22:54:04Z

These are great cool effects to make a plain photo look so cool. Thanks!

Comment from kansapa on 2010-08-10

2010-08-10T10:52:43Z

Hornil StylePix is another one.
http://hornil.com/en/products/stylepix/

Comment from stan8331 on 2010-08-03

2010-08-04T00:18:32Z

For most professional photographers and graphics designers, there's no real choice other than Photoshop because those industries are built around Photoshop as a standard. It has nothing to do with the question of whether equally high quality images can in many cases be produced with other graphics applications. Photoshop is the standard because it's the most complete tool, but being the most complete tool does not guarantee that Photoshop will always produce superior images. Some images simply need less editing than others for a specific intended purpose, and others may benefit from the strengths of a specific editing application versus its competitors.

It's important to keep in mind that while not mutually exclusive, art and business are two very different things. A talented photographic artist could produce beautiful, brilliant images with a cheap toy film camera, a scanner and any basic image editor. A professional photographer commissioned to do a major magazine cover would probably be summarily fired if attempting such a thing.

Comment from Shay on 2010-07-23

2010-07-23T19:11:58Z

Nice list, thanks for taking the time to compile it. Its helped me out in a pinch as I needed an editor today while I'm waiting for my new job to order a PS license for me. .

So what if you gave GIMP an 11. Give it a 12 if you want, there are far more harmful things for people to focus distaste on than a harmless web article. And people who DARE not familiarize wtih alternative software or OS are the same ones who swear allegiance to one game console or one pizza topping. Skilled artists understand variety and can work with a plethora of media and resources. Adobe's creative suite just makes production comfortable and easy. Nothing wrong with that as long as you're willing to pay for it. ;)

Comment from imran14826 on 2010-06-28

2010-06-28T12:27:59Z

I am a huge fan of Aviary, both from a management team perspective, and from a functionality perspective.

I use photoshop like a blind man drives a car. For me, I cant see shelling out more than $50 for an app (I do use pixelmator, which I really like, and have paid the $25 for Aviary Pro). I do basic things, and will never be a designer nor a PS professional.

Imran14826
http://www.livetv.pk

Comment from zayıflama on 2010-04-20

2010-04-20T11:41:49Z

Adobe's industry standard for image editing, costs a whopping, unforgivable $600; and because there's no affordable and equivalent option for non-pro users, we're willing to wager Photoshop places high in the rankings for the most

Comment from mayckoll on 2009-12-16

2009-12-17T04:22:03Z

check out this image editor i thinks it's nice. http://www.photopos.com/Photo-Pos-Pro-Image-Editor.asp

Comment from Sandy on 2009-11-21

2009-11-21T21:01:05Z

Do any of the above mentioned programs have 1-click adjustments? I have a disability and can do much fine-tuning stuff. Currently I use Picnik

Comment from nicholassimon on 2009-11-10

2009-11-11T02:06:54Z

If you are looking for some good, free alternatives for image editing or graphics creation then check out this list. These are NOT web-based though they represent real alternatives to Photoshop for offline graphics work from novice to advanced user. Read more here:
http://ninjarabbits.blogspot.com/2009/11/free-adobe-photoshop-alternatives-to.html

Comment from Chris on 2009-10-15

2009-10-15T18:30:22Z

For the one talking about plugins for GIMP to make up for lacking features... lets take that over to Photoshop SHALL WE. WIth all the photoshop Plugins available, Photoshop should be a 20/10 because it can do just about anything. Thousands more features than Gimp plugins.

Please. Lets try to keep to the core programs and not plugins. And if your not, at least try to not be biased toward GIMP.

Comment from Chris on 2009-10-15

2009-10-15T18:25:10Z

By giving GIMP an 11 out of 10 you have stated that GIMP is better than Photoshop, and that is no where near the truth. GIMP can't even match Photoshop when it comes to compression algorithms, features, integration, tools, and more. I think your "good experience" with GIMP is a little biased and very unfair to Photoshop. Photoshop is the leader for a reason, and to give GIMP higher markings than Photoshop is false and wrong. I think you need to put things into perspective and come to terms with what is realistic in terms of ratings.

Comment from Big E on 2009-10-07

2009-10-08T00:22:28Z

This is a great resource. For the haters out there - get real. I am a professional designer and marketer who for over 15 years has always appreciated someone who is willing to take their own time to write an unbiased review.

The fact that I now have global responsibilities- and resources - does not make it any less rewarding when I find alternatives to what can be $1000 of software. Sure Adobe deserves kudos - and it's also true that not everyone who needs to drive to work can afford the engineering of a BMW. Great reviews.

Comment from David Gerbino on 2009-08-22

2009-08-22T15:42:58Z

I enjoyed your reviews of all the free photo/image editing tools. To all who said Gimp does not do CYMK - Google indxed this wiki: http://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/CMYK_support_in_The_GIMP Others said Gimp did CYMK with plugins and here it is

Comment from bob stepno on 2009-08-21

2009-08-21T16:18:38Z

Belated thanks for this... stumbled on just as I start a new semester facing budget-challenged students. Now all we need is a cheap/free substitute for FinalCut.

Comment from tachyon on 2009-08-21

2009-08-21T07:28:10Z

I agree, we need platform information. The executables here seem mostly Windows based.
If you are a mac user you should check out LiveQuartz.

Comment from tachyon on 2009-08-20

2009-08-20T11:20:22Z

I agree, we need platform information. The executables here seem mostly Windows based.
If you are a mac user you should check out LiveQuartz.

Comment from Stuart Duff on 2009-08-12

2009-08-12T15:22:08Z

Awesome article Jolie although personally i will always use photoshop some of these tools are of an excellent quality and great entry level applications for anyone wanting to get into design or digital photography editing.

Comment from Kepreq on 2009-08-10

2009-08-10T17:26:21Z

I agree that the gimp is an excellent free alternative to Photoshop but I don't think it deserves an 11 either. My biggest beef with the gimp is the interface. I despise the fact that it opens seperate windows for each component that is opened ie. history, layers, etc. If the Gimp were to adjust this so it all opened together in the same window as others like paint.net have done it would be the perfect alternative IMO.

Comment from Jennie on 2009-08-09

2009-08-09T22:34:38Z

Been using GIMP occasionally for two years and on a daily basis for months now and I have to agree with it being excellent.
I can understand people who don't like it especially when they have tried it in the past. With version 2.6 it has improved immensely. The utility windows make it so that it doesn't open several windows on start up, just two free floating docks and one window to work in. And the new menu is a lot more logic to me then PS.

Sure, if you take away the price PS is better. But not in everything. One of the great new features in PS CS4 is content aware scaling. I wonder how many people who bash GIMP know about the free plug-in called liquid rescale which has been around much longer then Photoshop CS4 and does exactly the same.
If Photoshop is a 10, GIMP is a 9.8. If you add layer styles by default (It's a plug in now), adjustment layers and CMYK I honestly don't know who will win out of the two.

The program you forgot and really should be in this list is Artweaver. I just found it and only had a quick glance at it so far but it seems to be in the league of Paint.NET but just a little bit better.

Comment from Rick on 2009-08-07

2009-08-07T17:37:00Z

I've been using GIMP for a few years now, and have no plans to change, but it would be worth checking some of these others out. I'm especially looking at Paint.net and Splashup. Thanks for the rundown here!

Comment from EARL on 2009-08-06

2009-08-07T01:13:04Z

I don't understand why any of these are necessary. Don't most scanners come with a free copy of PhotoDeluxe or Photoshop LE?

Comment from Mike on 2009-08-06

2009-08-06T20:07:12Z

@ Eric

I used to use Gimp for Linux/Windows. I've tried using Gimp for Mac, and I hate to say it, but its terrible. I have a feeling its because of the X11 emulator that it uses - but at any rate, Gimp still has staggering limitations to Photoshop.
The article fails to mention it doesn't FULLY support 8-bit per channel color ( although its beginning to ). It also has a bad brush engine.
If all you want to do is crop a photo and run a simple filter, your best bet is use iPhoto.

Comment from Janine Gregor on 2009-07-31

2009-07-31T21:25:01Z

Jolie,

I thought this post was outstanding...one that I have bookmarked and will tweet. I own PS (and a book about how to use it) but I have found it to be overwhelming at times so I have avoided its use. In the meantime, I need to make a banner and logo so your reviews of each free program has rekindled my interest in these projects with or without PS. Thank you.

I'm with Dan Ward on commenting to posters who need to 'lighten up' about the rating of 11 for GIMP. I understood what you meant...On the free software scale, comparible to PS, GIMP is 11.

I'm off to try GIMP and the others you have mentioned. Thank you for posting this entry. I'll pop back and let you know how I do.

Regards,

Janine Gregor
Virtual Assistant

Comment from Rin on 2009-07-31

2009-07-31T15:42:26Z

I use Photofiltre, http://pixlr.com and http://www.sumopaint.com when I need to edit something minor.
I highly suggest those who might want to learn Photoshop to start on Pixlr or Sumopaint, because those webapps copied the Photoshop interface almost exactly.

Comment from Filiberto on 2009-07-28

2009-07-29T06:00:09Z

Comment from Wallraven on 2009-07-28

2009-07-29T03:14:09Z

Good list.

While I mostly use GIMP or Paint.NET, Serif PhotoPlus is another good alternative. http://www.freeserifsoftware.com/

For those that don't like GIMP... when I started using it, I found the interface a little complex, but after a while you learn the "tricks" and it's not a problem.
I'd probably say the same if I started using Photoshop... ;)

Comment from Simon G. on 2009-07-28

2009-07-28T22:06:11Z

I use Photoshop CS3 (haven't yet justified the expense to go to CS4) and love the functionality. However, I use other computers and am not allowed to install my Adobe programs on multiple machines so the free alternatives are really welcome on my lesser editing machines.

Thanks for the list.

Comment from Al on 2009-07-27

2009-07-27T14:22:12Z

First, thanks for such a good and useful comparison of free alternatives to Photoshop.

My only complaint is that you didn't cite whether any of these alternative photo editing packages worked with RAW camera files, and if so, how wide a range of camera specific RAW formats are supported by these programs. That's a huge considderation for anyone wanting to get great final results.

One size doesn't fit all. Sure, some people might need PhotoShop because the pricey Adobe product has certain qualities and features which surpass those of the free comptetitors cited here. Just like some photographers need a camera like a Nikon D3 to give them the results which they are looking for. But again, most people who dabble with adjusting their JPEGs not only don't need all the bells and whistles of PS, but are better off without being overwhelmed by myriad of choices. What is important is that there are many good alternatives out there which don't cost an arm or a leg (and let's not forget the free photo editing software that comes packaged with many cameras), and the list is growing. I'd say "Adobe beware," except that I guess that their recent foray into web based services will evolve into a cost effective, pay-as-you-go, alternative to the pricey professional packaged product currently on the shelves.

Comment from Mike on 2009-07-26

2009-07-27T04:37:28Z

Well, Jolie, I found your article interesting and useful. I just can't believe many of the people (I was gong to use a derogatory term...) who made comments ... er complaints? rants? No where did you trash PS, you just listed some FREE alternatives and commented on them. Technology, especially with the alternatives available today is a personal choice, what one person likes, another may not - that's life! You gave some alternatives and just maybe helped someone who was looking for an alternative to do what THEY need to do - thanks!

Comment from Dan Ward on 2009-07-26

2009-07-26T13:01:45Z

Great post - and I have to laugh at the objections to giving GIMP an 11. Um, lighten up, guys.

Personally, I think 11 sounds like the right score - if it does 90% of what PS offers and it's free, that's gotta be good for some bonus points.

As a military technologist, I take the same perspective in developing weapon systems. I'm not impressed with the hugely expensive, gold-plated systems that do way more than anyone really needs it to do (and really, does anyone use ALL of PS's functions?). In my experience, it's far better to have a system that does a bit less and costs MUCH less...

So Jolie, keep on giving out 11's anytime you want to!

Comment from John Vasko on 2009-07-24

2009-07-25T02:31:22Z

Jolie,

What a really well put together post. I had only heard of Aviary, which I saw presented during Internet Week New York. But it's great to get them all here to compare. Thanks!

Comment from Mike H. on 2009-07-24

2009-07-24T14:43:27Z

Jolie:

While I understand the merits of the free image editors you've reviewed (I've actually never heard of some of these and plan to check them out now), I want to bring up something about the "no cheap alternative" statement that no one has caught up to this point...

Corel has the Paint Shop Pro X2 product out there, which a few other folks mentioned, but what about Corel Photo Paint X4? While I don't expect this to be featured in the "free" space, it is a product that can be had at most retail locations as part of the CorelDraw Graphics Suite for less than $200, and rivals PS almost feature-to-feature, with even the ability to arrange menus and toolbars to impersonate a PS/CS Suite experience, and there's also the venerable CorelDraw included for a complete design experience (which also has the ability to "impersonate" illustrator)

Not a Corel employee, but a big fan of their product and feeling like an abandoned customer, since there is no 3rd party support for Corels products or literature these days, mostly because their marketing has practically given up on a really low-cost, full featured offering (at least here in the US). I use this as my alternative to CS suite, since money doesn't grow on trees where I'm from in the midwest.

Comment from marcjam on 2009-07-24

2009-07-24T10:00:23Z

Seems like Adobe is getting the same pressure as Microsoft is getting with the developments in Cloud Computing. More and more applications are delivered as SaaS. Microsoft's response to Google Docs is to make a cheap version of Office 2010 available as an online version. Wonder what Adobe's response is going to be.

Comment from Moss on 2009-07-23

2009-07-23T18:27:00Z

If Jolie says night is noon and yellow is white then GIMP is clearly an "11" and no one here can effectively overule her flaming red haired mind, which has the final word!

Jolie-Red rules the day...sigh...

Comment from Francois on 2009-07-23

2009-07-23T15:23:19Z

First of all I would like to thank you for the list! Me not being able to afford Photoshop even if I did want to buy it makes this list even more like a bit of light in the tunnel...

Like some of the comments above pointed out especially this one:

"I find it funny when I hear Photoshoppers speak as if the true artist can't do without it. A real artist can make art with any tool. If you can't produce results with Gimp one has to question your talent as you rely on the tool rather than talent. That being said... if you need to pay $600 to appear talented or to express talent then it's worth the money. I suppose if no Photoshop existed then no professional digital images would ever exist?" (By Jojo)

I completely agree with Jojo, you see I am a serious hobbyist when it concerns photography, I've actually won a competition and done very well in others were I edited the photographs a little- on Picasa 3. As you may know Picasa is also a freeware program by Google, it originally started only as an photo-organizing program for your computer but later on like with v3 they brought in some editing options. Any pro will just laugh at you when you say that you use Picasa for anything, but like with the comment above it shows that 'they' have a sort of belief in Photoshop. Basically from my point of view they don't really think any other photo-editing program may be worth the time other than Photoshop, and if you don't have a primed-price SLR and Photoshop you will not be able to have taken any photos worth looking at.

I agree that Photoshop is the best all-in-one editing program there is able to perform almost all the tasks you want it to do (It can perform a lot of tasks like clip photos together to form landscapes, although the programs aimed only for that specific task may do it with more accuracy), but the alternatives is also good. Picasa for instance offers effects like B&W, Sepia and other, nothing new there but it also offers Focal B&W for that colour on B&W effect, Soft Blur around a chosen point, other shadow and brightness effects, a retouch tool for blemishes, text add, crop, red-eye editing and a useful tool to straighten a crooked photo- not even talking about the quick uploads to the Picasa web albums, Blogger, Youtube, and even the fancy collage or fade in (Merging 2 or more Photographs) effects.

Also it enables you to ad a watermark effect to your photos to avoid plagiarists from stealing them on the web, the very same feature that photoshop enables you to to at aprox. 10 min (Ref. Pix Photographic Mag) where Picasa enables you to do it at aprox. 15 seconds- Yes Photoshop is better.

Although I already use some other apps from this list that has more options and Photoshop-like features, I decided I would only comment about Picasa, not on your list.

Personally I think that Photoshop is the best of all of these looking at the overall quality, features and effectiveness, but the other programs can also be just as good. Also a photographer shouldn't actually have a good editing program- it would then force you not to rely on it to correct your faults, it would force you to take better photos, to create art with any tool- don't you think?

Comment from Chelsea K on 2009-07-22

2009-07-23T05:01:20Z

I really don’t see a problem with using GIMP. It’s an amazing program considering that it’s free. Even on a professional standard, it works very well, and it is comparable to Photoshop as a free alternative.

I don’t see why so many people run away from GIMP and just run into the clutches of the Photoshop cult, plagued by overpriced software and updates. As far as I see, the only major flaw in GIMP is the lack of CMYK support. Even then, I have found plug-ins for GIMP that allow you to convert RGB to CMYK. Anyways, the lack of CMYK really doesn’t present a problem for most users unless you are a DTP professional. GIMP works really well if you don’t plan on using anything for commercial printing. Home users and professionals alike can use GIMP as just about an equal to Photoshop.

Comment from Tim Baran on 2009-07-22

2009-07-22T21:40:56Z

Great list. Thanks for taking the time to put it together! One caveat: Any PS product comparison should include "layers"

You're spot-on in describing Adobe's pricing of PS as unforgivable. It's outrageous that anyone would defend that!

Tried Gimp, then tried it again, and, well, I won't try it again :)

I use Paint.net. For me, their glaring shortcoming is the ability to edit text. With that, it would be a close to perfect alternative.

Comment from Gary on 2009-07-22

2009-07-22T18:52:34Z

Thanks for this great review.

Do you know if any free alternatives able to read Illustrator (*.ai) files?

Comment from Adam G on 2009-07-22

2009-07-22T17:08:58Z

As a stand alone app, maybe you're right about the GIMP, but as an Illustrator user, I find it tough to beat the tight integration within the CS4 Suite

Comment from Eric Wirick on 2009-07-22

2009-07-22T13:22:00Z

I've experimented with non-professional uses of all of these applications and I absolutely agree with the ratings. I started using GIMP a few years ago, and every release since then has immensely improved the software. But the key point with both GIMP and Paint.NET is that they have large user/developer communities that take in feedback and improve the software based on user needs/wants. GIMP has done nothing but excel in my incredibly humble and personal opinion. So much so that I and a coworker have been experimenting with using GIMP (portable) in a public library setting, which has worked out fantastic since we are able to provide some quality photo software at the library standard of free.

Comment from Jolie O'Dell on 2009-07-22

2009-07-22T08:44:26Z

@S Simpson - Wow. I can "do." As an ad agency creative, print publisher, and professional designer, I "did" and made my living at graphic design and image editing for years. My portfolio is extensive, and I'm proud of many pieces in it.

Photoshop is an amazing resource. No one here is "bashing" Adobe Creative Suite in any way! It's just expensive, especially for non-pros, i.e., those who don't have agencies, creative departments, or clients footing the bill for their software. I absolutely adore PS and probably will never give it up. But for those who can't really afford it and - let's be frank - who don't know or need all the full uses of it, why not highlight a few alternatives?

Comment from Pallab De on 2009-07-21

2009-07-22T05:41:12Z

Nice list, although you people have been pretty generous with the ratings. There is a huge difference b/w Paint.NET and PS. It shouldn't really get an 8 when compared to PS.

Btw, there is another software you should take a look at. It is free, it is less than 1 MB and it supports layers, brushes, clone stamp etc.
Its called FotoGrafix

Comment from Jeremy Gordinier on 2009-07-21

2009-07-22T04:06:48Z

I am also think Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo X2 should have been included. Corel makes a great product at a reasonable price. Adobe is the industry standard and is taught at most design schools. But it has a price tag to match. Corel's products are excellent, well priced and deserve more recognition than they get.

Comment from Jeremy Gordinier on 2009-07-21

2009-07-22T03:55:19Z

Irfan View fills the gap for me between photoshop an paint. I can do 70% of the image editing I need in it. I only use photoshop for elaborate designs or logos.

Comment from S Simpson on 2009-07-21

2009-07-22T03:14:31Z

Those that can....do....Those that can't....write.

This is just another long line of journalistic bashing of photoshop. Not sure why so many take exception to its success. Adobe funds the research for many new functions and other programs that mysteriously show up in these "free" options months later.

I have tried many of these programs but at the end of the day I go back to the Adobe options. Sure I would like it if they were cheaper but they aren't. Many of these amateurs are willing to spend many thousands of dollars for their cameras but balk at a spending a fraction of that for a software package that they don't need in the first place. If you are talking about designers fine, but amateur photographers certainly don't need the full blown photoshop.

Comment from pcd2k on 2009-07-21

2009-07-22T01:49:02Z

I fully appreciate what you have done in this post but as a Mac user these kinds of stories are really annoying when the writer neglects the all important criteria, ie The platform compatibilities.

Although to some this may not seem important, but I never intend to splash out on a copy of Windows !

This would be a benefit to all concerned since I will often send a story like this on to people in my community, if it meets satisfactory criteria.

Comment from Jenjen on 2009-07-21

2009-07-22T00:45:20Z

I'm not sure what other tools have this, but both GIMP and Paint.Net have active user/developer communities and have plugins available for extending functionality. Paint.Net in particular has some excellent plugin filters available via http://paintdotnet.forumer.com/index.php

I'm not aware of a free tool that uses Photoshop plugins and actions, but the cheapware PaintShop Pro mentioned by a few commenters does work with those. There are a lot of free and not-free plugin filters and actions for creativity and productivity, and it would be very cool if a freeware app could use these. Does anyone here know if one of these - or other - freeware tool can use them?

Comment from Richard Testani on 2009-07-21

2009-07-21T23:11:31Z

Tried Aviari and didn't care for it - seemed really cheap.
Picnik on the other-hand is an incredible tool - free to use - register if you want some pro and community features.

Acorn and Pixelmator are very good cheap alternatives for desktop Mac apps.

Comment from Andrew on 2009-07-21

2009-07-21T23:04:34Z

The effects tool on Aviary.com is a node-based approach to image editing and manipulation. It's a genius approach. After working with production programs like Maya and Fusion, I wish Photoshop would implement a node-based application to their layers. It would make working with layer masks and filters so much easier (ie. no need to convert a layer to a smart object just to alter the filter with a mask). The filter paradigm in Maya is outdated and with a nodal system, would be invigorated.

Comment from Jenjen on 2009-07-21

2009-07-21T23:03:22Z

Another worthy web-based, non-registration-requiring image editor is SumoPaint,
http://www.sumopaint.com/web/

It does layers, has reasonable selection tools, filters and adjustments. It does not do CMYK. It also has some really FUN tools for painting like automatic symmetry painting, loads of brushes. You can start with an image from your computer or from the web, and you can get a Sumo account for storage if you want. It's really good for a quick job and is a good way to lose several hours if you're bored.

Comment from Jolie O'Dell on 2009-07-21

2009-07-21T22:10:45Z

@Erin: For beginners, I'd say go with the app that has the largest community, video tutorials, support, etc. So, maybe Aviary or GIMP - choose GIMP if you want to be able to transition to Photoshop later, as the UIs are quite similar. And choose Aviary if you're pretty sure you're not going to make the switch at some point, because Peacock is WILDLY different - very cool, very unlike Adobe products.

Also, I just now realized whose advertising has appeared on this post. If you can afford it, Adobe's software really is the industry standard for a reason.

Comment from Erin on 2009-07-21

2009-07-21T21:49:00Z

Which one is ideal for beginners?

Comment from Kim on 2009-07-21

2009-07-21T21:25:48Z

Photoshop is professional software. Period. And compared to other professional software, it comes with a fair pricetag.

Comment from Eric Montgomery on 2009-07-21

2009-07-21T21:22:39Z

I have Pixelmator - I believe I got it along with the MacHeist bundle a while back... It's better than nothing, so I'm glad to have it. But using it is consistently frustrating, and I would never recommend it to anyone.

I've used GIMP before on Linux and have been reasonably happy with it... Anyone have experience running GIMP on Mac?

Comment from EN on 2009-07-21

2009-07-21T21:00:22Z

Gimp is more like a 6, it could be good but its interface and usability is horrible. Its like using Windows.

Comment from Jolie O'Dell on 2009-07-21

2009-07-21T20:45:10Z

Ok, just to clear up one point: I, the reviewer, just really, really liked and had a great experience with GIMP. It's a program I've used whenever PS wasn't available for about the past 2-3 years, and I've found my experience with it improves all the time.

As noted before, the reason the rating was so high is specifically and *only* because it's completely free, and it's unusual to find such high-quality free software.

Honest to goodness, folks, we didn't get so much as an email from whoever is in charge of GIMP asking for a writeup. They don't advertise on the site, as far as I know. And there was no kind of incentive presented. I just really enjoy the app.

Comment from Jojo on 2009-07-21

2009-07-21T19:37:30Z

I find it funny when I hear Photoshoppers speak as if the true artist can't do with it. A real artist can make art with any tool. If you can't produce results with Gimp one has to question your talent as you rely on the tool rather than talent. That being said... if you need to pay $600 to appear talented or to express talent then it's worth the money. I suppose if no photoshop existed then no professional digital images would ever exist?

Comment from Jake G on 2009-07-21

2009-07-21T19:04:54Z

Serif Software's ( http://www.serif.com ) PhotoPlus is a free or cheap alternative to Photoshop. They give away older versions of all their software to introduce you to their products, but as you note most of the world doesn't need all the capability of Photoshop (or of the Gimp for that matter). Even Serif's current version is only about $80, they pitch the one from about three versions back for $10, and the one before that is free at http://www.freeserifsoftware.com . Even the freebie is good stuff: layers, filters, add shapes & text. Saturation, contrast and red-eye correction, too.

I upgraded to one of the in-between versions when some features showed up I thought I could use. I can't directly compare with Photoshop since neither my wallet nor my ethics will stretch to get a copy.

Comment from Avatar X on 2009-07-21

2009-07-21T17:53:38Z

I also think that these scores should be corrected:

Gimp = 10 (if using gimpshop that is since the point is to replace photoshop) because if you give it 11, then what the point was in having a 1 to 10 scale Jolie?

PainT.NET = 9 (since there is companion software for it if you know where to look)

Comment from Shannon on 2009-07-21

2009-07-21T17:19:07Z

For filtering, a software called Tiffen Digital Filter Suite which is very, very useful and I recommend highly. As for photo manipulation, I use Photoshop Elements 4.0, which works perfectly. I may not have all of the tools and resources of a complete photoshop program, but after using Elements for about three years, I have learned how to achieve effects that are "non-translatable" from a regular photoshop program.

Elements can be used as a professional software, you just have to learn to use it properly.

Comment from Andrew Z Carpenter on 2009-07-21

2009-07-21T17:01:41Z

I'd like to recommend SumoPaint from http://www.sumopaint.com

Browser based, free, and fun yet powerful.

Comment from Trinae A. Ross on 2009-07-21

2009-07-21T16:54:50Z

I too have to question Gimp's padded rating. All of the apps here are free. Now, if you are giving it extra points because it is cross-platform Photoshop alternative, then...maybe. However, to use the "free" angle does make me question if the other apps are receiving a fair rating.

Comment from Micah on 2009-07-21

2009-07-21T16:05:51Z

I am a huge fan of Aviary, both from a management team perspective, and from a functionality perspective.

For us (the majority of the world) non-designers, most of these apps work great. Personally, I like the simplicity of Aviary. (By the way, they have a great screen cap tool - just add http://aviary.com/ in front of any URL, and its pulled into Aviary for editing...)

Comment from Greg Mayer on 2009-07-21

2009-07-21T15:09:28Z

I'm another fan of pixlr. I'll have to try gimp to see if it's really an 11.

Comment from NMN on 2009-07-21

2009-07-21T15:05:51Z

As someone who has taken advantage of sites like these, I strongly approve of your promotion of them. Man, to think you have to shell out $600. Great as it is, it's still pretty steep.

http://AppUseful.com

Comment from Fernando on 2009-07-21

2009-07-21T14:48:23Z

Yeah, I started by enjoying this article, but that 11 on GIMP told me the article wasn't that good... Nothing can beat the benchmark, otherwise the benchmark would shift. And, as some already said, the others are also free, so no extra points there.

And, I've also tried and tried and just can't get used to it... the interface and all the logic around it is made by engineers, not designers, and it shows.

And have you ever tried some serious resizing in both PS and GIMP? - no comparison on the final result...
All algotithms in PS are top notch and that really makes a difference, even if you're just "developing" your kid's photos!

Why do you think Adobe has been able to keep that price tag on PS? I'll tell you: because it's worth it.

Comment from smick on 2009-07-21

2009-07-21T14:35:41Z

Why would you write that "because there's no affordable and equivalent option for non-pro users" when the internet is crawling with applications like that. I've used plenty of them myself. As I recall, Dogwaffle was a fun favorite, mostly because of the particle effects. Elements, already mentioned is exactly an affordable consumer level app. In fact, if you didn't know Photoshop ever, you'd have a hard time explaining what Elements is missing.
Then you have your paintshop pro. You also have the free web-based photoshop express.

Free is great, but don't lie.

Comment from The Critic on 2009-07-21

2009-07-21T14:27:50Z

As Michael said, Gimp's only real flaw is the lack of CMYK. Everything is RGB, which is fine for anyone without commercial use, as printers tend to heavily favor CMYK.

Comment from Lowen Wrainger on 2009-07-21

2009-07-21T14:04:43Z

Over the years, I've tried a lot of Free and not so Free image apps. Some are good and sufficient for the task at hand, but I keep on coming back to Photoshop because of the depth (Ouch, you got to have deep pockets to constantly upgrade), the plethora of plugins and the interface. I'm not trashing the others, but PS is it for now. (Gimp is not 11, unless of course your thinking pre-teen)

Comment from Caleb on 2009-07-21

2009-07-21T13:51:42Z

As a professional designer, HEAVY PS user and also a hobby nixxer, I think another point worth mentioning here is that these tools are invaluable to a Linux user, for whom there is no photoshop (although I can't imagine why Adobe wouldn't release a *nix version now that OS X is based on Darwin, but that's another issue).

Great list, good work.

-Caleb

Comment from maurice hilarius on 2009-07-21

2009-07-21T13:49:55Z

"If Photoshop Is a Ten: GIMP is an 11"
Exactly.

And, to "roryok", who said:
"If this was true, no-one would ever use Photoshop"
I reply: Nonsense!
Lots of people learn an app, then would NEVER learn another one, unless it worked EXACTLY the same way. Further, many people just do not believe that a "free" tool could be better.

That is why 95% of people still use Windows, 70% use Internet Explorer, 90% use M$ Office, etc.

However, the one point to be made is this article WAS a bit silly.
One could have spent the effort on a better GIMP writeup, and in a sidebar just mentioned the name and URLs of the other items.
Hard to sell adverts that way I suppose.

Comment from Hashim on 2009-07-21

2009-07-21T12:55:17Z

What about Photoshop.com? The official web based version of Photoshop is a great tool.

Comment from erotik shop on 2009-07-21

2009-07-21T12:51:37Z

Sure, its a worthy competitor to Photoshop, but 11? Really? If this was true, no-one would ever use Photoshop. Also, every other image editor on the page is free. Why does GIMP get an extra few points for that?

Comment from pz on 2009-07-21

2009-07-21T12:40:15Z

to me, the Gimp is the winner in this list. I know of a few college departments that train graphic and web designers that switched fro Ps to Gimp.

Comment from Jonas on 2009-07-21

2009-07-21T12:33:14Z

How did you miss http://pixlr.com? That's the largest advanced editor online .. and best imo ..

Comment from Eagle1 on 2009-07-21

2009-07-21T11:59:47Z

I agree with roryok. The 11 on GIMP stumped me too and did throw the rest of the objectivity of the article into question. Like other reviewers, I've tried very hard to like GIMP but could not. I'm a professional PSer, and it's hard to beat the software, even if it is expensive. Paintshop is nice, but lacks several critical features a pro needs to process images.

Comment from Michael on 2009-07-21

2009-07-21T11:58:12Z

Do any of the free apps convert RGB images to CMYK?

The Gimp doesn't, as far as I know.

Comment from Laura on 2009-07-21

2009-07-21T11:50:42Z

http://www.pixlr.com/
Editor (more photoshop like)
Express (just that...)

Both free online editors.

Comment from roryok on 2009-07-21

2009-07-21T11:13:59Z

"GIMP is an 11, because it gives users 90 percent of Photoshop's functionality at zero percent of its cost."

GIMP is by no means perfect, and it still can't fully replace photoshop - giving it a rating like 11 just makes me question the rest of the article.

Comment from Neil on 2009-07-21

2009-07-21T11:03:01Z

Not free but peanuts compared to Photoshop is Paint Shop Pro X2 (currently £35 - £50) for ultimate edition. More features than free ones listed here but sadly Windows only.

Comment from Pablo on 2009-07-21

2009-07-21T10:40:59Z

I've been looking for a post like this for some time! Cheers! Any chance of a similar post in the future about calendar apps?

Comment from Ashutosh D on 2009-07-21

2009-07-21T10:22:30Z

Ahh. Another listing of Photoshop alternatives. Good to see new ones -- most of which seem to be turning up as browser-based tools.
Paint .NET and GIMP have been around for years now. I heard of the former 5 years ago. Found it to be probably the closest to PS. Whereas GIMP always made me feel like a cripple. Pun intended.
I took to the PS interface rather well. Though I am not a pro, I found the UI much easier to understand and work with. None of the other two came close to that experience.
Since most users (I assume) have initially dabbled with PS, they will probably want a similar experience on an alternative. If not similar, one with a less steep learning curve...unless I'm dumber than I make myself out to be...

Comment from Donagh mc Sweeney on 2009-07-21

2009-07-21T10:21:14Z

Nice collection. I use the GIMP extensively and I don't think I would ever go back to photoshop as it's so expensive.

Comment from Jolie O'Dell on 2009-07-21

2009-07-21T10:16:51Z

@Ben - Pixelmator came to us highly recommended, as well. But we left it out of this review as we're only covering *free* apps in this post.

Comment from Ben Pujji on 2009-07-21

2009-07-21T10:13:21Z

For mac users, the best alternative for photo editing is Pixelmator : http://www.pixelmator.com/ Although they don't deal in the dark arts of Vector graphics.

Comment from Richard on 2009-07-21

2009-07-21T09:58:40Z

I'm not saying that Photoshop Elements is the ultimate image editor, but it is the non-pro version of Photoshop, and it does have a place. And it does have the layers, filters and effects you mention.

I use Photoshop Elements now and again, and yes, I have found some missing Photoshop features (most notably grouped layers) that I've needed. But I'm fairly sure it has more functionality than at least some of the alternatives you list.

As for Gimp, I've tried and I've tried, but I simply can't get on with it. I think this is a fairly typical problem.

Comment from Jolie O'Dell on 2009-07-21

2009-07-21T09:48:00Z

Richard, Photoshop Elements doesn't have the functionality a Photoshop user needs or to which he is accustomed. It seems to me to be more for casual users, and even then, it's still ridiculously overpriced. If we were to write a list of free, web-based replacements for Elements, it would go on for miles.

Comment from Richard on 2009-07-21

2009-07-21T09:44:08Z

"because there's no affordable and equivalent option for non-pro users"

Photoshop Elements?