For the last 24 years, Photoshop has been the industry standard in photo editing software. Professionals across the globe—designers, photographers, marketers, and students—have relied on it to create stunning visuals. Its powerful features, versatility, and regular updates kept it far ahead of competitors.
It became a household name, synonymous with high-end creative work.
Adobe’s New Terms Shake the Creative Community
Recently, Adobe introduced a new policy that has sent shockwaves through the creative world. According to their updated terms, anything created using Adobe software can be accessed and used by the company in any manner it chooses.
Yes, you read that correctly.
You pay hefty subscription fees for the software, yet in return, you give up the rights to your creations. Adobe now reserves the right to exploit your work, even without your permission or compensation.
For that, I present you with a better replacement for Adobe Photoshop
GIMP
A Powerful, Free Alternative to Paid Photo Editors
GIMP is one of the most well-known and trusted free and open-source image editors available today. It has been under active development since the mid-1990s and has grown a strong global community of users and contributors. Whether you’re a photographer, designer, digital artist, or simply someone who wants to retouch photos, GIMP offers professional-grade tools without any cost.
- Open-source and free
- GIMP is completely free—no subscriptions, no hidden fees. You can use, modify, and share it however you like.
- Customizable interface
- You can tweak the layout, colors, and tools to fit your workflow. It’s flexible and user-friendly once you get used to it.
- Active community support
- There’s a big community behind GIMP. You’ll find tons of tutorials, plug-ins, and help online.
- Compatible with most image file formats
- GIMP supports popular formats such as JPEG, PNG, PSD, TIFF, and more. It’s great for editing all kinds of images.
If you don’t want to pay Adobe’s unreasonable monthly subscription fee, GIMP is an excellent alternative that gives you full control over your work.
Pixlr X
A Lightweight, Free Photoshop Alternative
Pixlr X is a fast, free, and browser-based photo editor that looks and feels a lot like Photoshop, without the price tag or steep learning curve. It’s perfect for quick edits, social media graphics, or simple design work. Whether you’re a student, content creator, or casual user, Pixlr X gives you essential tools in a clean, easy-to-use interface.
Web-based and hassle-free
Pixlr X runs directly in your browser. No downloads or installations needed. Just open the site and start editing instantly—on your laptop, tablet, or even your phone.
Familiar, intuitive layout
If you’re used to Photoshop, the transition to Pixlr X is seamless. It mimics Adobe’s interface but keeps things simpler, making it easier for beginners and faster for everyone.
Great for quick, everyday edits
Need to crop, resize, fix brightness, or add a filter? Pixlr X does it all in just a few clicks. It’s ideal for social media posts, quick photo touch-ups, and basic graphic design tasks.
Free and premium options
The free version includes most of what you’ll need. Upgrade to the premium plan for access to extra fonts, overlays, AI-powered tools, and an ad-free experience—all at a low monthly cost.
Works on any device
Since it’s browser-based, Pixlr X works on almost anything—Windows, macOS, Chromebook, Android, or iOS. No setup, no hassle.
Supports popular file formats
You can open and save images in JPG, PNG, WebP, and even PSD (Photoshop) formats. Exporting is fast and easy.
If you don’t want to pay Adobe’s high monthly subscription fees, Pixlr X is a smart, free alternative that gives you the freedom to edit your way—without breaking the bank.