Free Alternatives to Photoshop With All the Bells, Whistles, Filters, & Layers
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.
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"because there's no affordable and equivalent option for non-pro users"
Photoshop Elements?
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.
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.
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.
@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.
Nice collection. I use the GIMP extensively and I don't think I would ever go back to photoshop as it's so expensive.
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...
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?
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.
"GIMP is an 11, because it gives users 90 percent of Photoshop's functionality at zero percent of its cost."
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?
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.
http://www.pixlr.com/
Editor (more photoshop like)
Express (just that...)
Both free online editors.
Do any of the free apps convert RGB images to CMYK?
The Gimp doesn't, as far as I know.
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.
How did you miss http://pixlr.com? That's the largest advanced editor online .. and best imo ..
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.
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?
What about Photoshop.com? The official web based version of Photoshop is a great tool.
"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.
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
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)
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.
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.
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.
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
I'm another fan of pixlr. I'll have to try gimp to see if it's really an 11.
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.
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...)
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.
I'd like to recommend SumoPaint from http://www.sumopaint.com
Browser based, free, and fun yet powerful.
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.
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)
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.
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?
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.
=)
Gimp is more like a 6, it could be good but its interface and usability is horrible. Its like using Windows.
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?
Posted by: Eric Montgomery
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July 21, 2009 2:22 PM
Photoshop is professional software. Period. And compared to other professional software, it comes with a fair pricetag.
Which one is ideal for beginners?
@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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
@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?
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.
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
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