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

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

Pixlr X is a fast, free, and browser-based photo editor that resembles Photoshop in appearance and functionality, 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.

Krita

Krita is focused more on drawing and illustration. It was built for artists who work with drawing tablets, and it shows. The brush engine is incredible, and the tools are optimized for digital painting.
Ideal for concept artists, illustrators, and comic creators

• Tons of professional-grade brushes
  • Krita includes a wide range of high-quality brushes for sketching, inking, and coloring. They’re fully customizable, and you can add more from the community.

• Supports PSD files
  • You can open and edit PSD files easily, making it simple to switch from Photoshop or work with others who use it.

• Completely free and open-source
  • No fees, no subscriptions — Krita is 100% free. It’s open-source, with a passionate community always working to improve it.

If your work leans heavily toward digital art and painting, Krita could easily replace Photoshop for your needs.

“Krita doesn’t just give you tools — it gives you freedom. The freedom to create without limits, and the power to bring imagination to life.

Canva

Canva is not as advanced as Photoshop, but it’s incredibly user-friendly. With drag-and-drop simplicity, you can create posters, social media posts, videos, and more in minutes.
Perfect for teams, marketers, and casual users

– Thousands of templates and stock assets

Canva offers a massive library of ready-made templates, images, icons, and fonts. Whether you’re designing an Instagram story or a business flyer, there’s something for every project — no design experience needed.

– Real-time collaboration

You can invite teammates to edit a design with you, leave comments, and make changes together in real time. It’s ideal for remote teams and fast-paced projects.

– Free version available, Pro adds more power

The free plan covers all the basics, while the Pro version unlocks premium assets, brand kits, and powerful tools like background remover and content planner.

If you’re creating content regularly and don’t need advanced tools like layer masks or smart objects, Canva is a fantastic choice.

“Canva makes design feel effortless — it turns ideas into visuals without the learning curve.”

Affinity Photo

Affinity Photo is arguably the closest alternative to Photoshop. It’s fast, professional, and incredibly capable — without locking you into a monthly subscription. It even supports most PSD files and advanced editing features.
A top-tier choice for serious photographers and designers

– One-time payment, no subscription

You pay once, and it’s yours forever — no recurring fees. This makes Affinity Photo a cost-effective option for professionals who don’t want to commit to Adobe’s pricing model.

– Non-destructive editing

Edits are applied in a way that preserves the original image, giving you full flexibility to tweak or reverse any changes later. Perfect for complex, layered projects.

– Works on Windows, macOS, and iPad

Whether you’re on desktop or tablet, Affinity Photo offers a consistent and powerful experience across all major platforms. It even runs smoothly on iPad, giving you professional tools on the go.

If you want something that can truly rival Photoshop without giving up ownership or freedom, Affinity Photo is your best bet.

“Affinity Photo delivers Photoshop-level power — without the strings attached.”

Photopea

And finally, number one is… Photopea.
This might be the most impressive free Photoshop alternative out there. It runs directly in your browser, supports PSD files, and looks and feels almost exactly like Photoshop — no installs, no cost, no compromise.
Perfect for students, freelancers, and anyone on a budget

– Full Photoshop-style interface

If you’ve used Photoshop before, you’ll feel right at home. Photopea mimics Photoshop’s layout, menus, and tools, making it easy to switch without any learning curve.

– Works with PSD, XCF, Sketch, and more

You can open and edit files from Photoshop, GIMP, and Sketch, which makes it incredibly versatile for handling different formats — great for collaboration or switching between apps.

– Completely free to use

No hidden fees, no trial period — Photopea is 100% free. It’s supported by ads, but you can remove them with a low-cost premium plan if you choose.

If you want a Photoshop-like experience without the cost or giving away your content rights, Photopea is your go-to tool.

“Photopea gives you Photoshop power in your browser — fast, free, and no strings attached.”

Surprise

I know you’ve read the article or watched the video to find an alternative to Photoshop, so here I will NOT give a way to use Photoshop for free without even installing it

YOU CAN USE IT FROM HERE