The Best Free Alternatives to Photoshop
Photoshop is the industry-leading image-editing program — but at $20+/month, it's not always the right fit for every Creative Solopreneur. The good news: there are excellent free and affordable alternatives that handle the vast majority of image-editing tasks just as well.
Here are my top picks, ranging from fully free to low one-time cost.
GIMP
GIMP has been around for decades and remains one of the most powerful free image editors available. It runs on Mac, Windows, and Linux, has a large and active user community, and can handle nearly everything Photoshop can — layers, masks, filters, color correction, and more. The interface takes a little getting used to, but the learning resources are extensive.
Get GIMP →Photopea
Photopea is a browser-based image editor that looks and works almost identically to Photoshop — right down to the keyboard shortcuts. No download needed. It supports PSD files, layers, masks, and most Photoshop features. If you need something that feels immediately familiar, this is the closest free alternative available today.
Try Photopea →Pixlr
Pixlr is a popular online image editor that has evolved significantly over the years. It offers two modes — Pixlr E (advanced, closer to Photoshop) and Pixlr X (simplified, great for quick edits). Handles layers, filters, effects, and basic retouching. Good for quick web-based work without any installation.
Try Pixlr →Canva
Canva has grown into far more than a design tool — it now includes a solid photo editor with filters, brightness/contrast/saturation adjustments, cropping, resizing, and background removal. It's especially strong for social media graphics, presentations, and marketing materials. The free tier is generous. If you're already using Canva for design work, the photo editing tools are worth exploring.
Try Canva →Affinity Photo
If you want professional-grade Photoshop-level power without a subscription, Affinity Photo is the standout choice. It's a one-time purchase (around $70) with no ongoing fees. It handles RAW editing, layers, masking, retouching, and HDR merging beautifully. For anyone doing serious photo work who doesn't want to pay Adobe monthly, this is the best investment available.
Explore Affinity Photo →Which One Is Right for You?
If you just need occasional photo editing and want zero cost: Photopea or GIMP. If you're already design-forward and use Canva: lean into its photo editor. If you do serious photography work and want a Photoshop replacement: Affinity Photo is worth every cent of that one-time price.
Also see: Video overviews of GIMP, Paint.NET, and Pixlr for a side-by-side look at three of these tools in action.