But the mightiest of swords is not wielded by everyone. The same is the case with Adobe Photoshop. Not everyone knows how to use or simply, can’t purchase at such a high monthly price. So they start searching for Adobe Photoshop alternatives for their daily image editing needs. And, I can bet that you are among the ones who are battling with questions like –
What is the best alternative to Adobe Photoshop? Or,What can I use if I don’t have Photoshop?
Don’t worry, I have heard your silent cry and came up with the list of 10 best Adobe Photoshop alternatives. But before we go any further, let’s discuss –
What Is Adobe Photoshop? And, Is Adobe Photoshop Beginner-Friendly?
Adobe Photoshop is a downloadable graphics designing and image editing software developed by Adobe. The software was first released in 1990 and since then it is compatible with common operating systems like Microsoft and macOS. Because of such a huge experience in the field of graphics designing, Adobe Photoshop has been the reigning top image editing tool of the world. The popularity of Adobe Photoshop can be seen by the catch-phrase, “I will photoshop this image” (rather than edit it). But to create such graphical masterpieces, you must learn how to use Photoshop. And, I must tell you, it is definitely not easy. Hence, coming to the query of Adobe Photoshop being beginner-friendly, I could agree that it is not. So the wise option is to look for Adobe Photoshop alternatives (luckily, you have already started). Let’s explore the best alternatives to adobe photoshop in detail –
1. Canva
This list of Adobe Photoshop alternatives would be incomplete if we do not mention Canva. I am quite sure you may have heard about Canva. But if not then you’d be amazed to know that it has become the best graphic designing and photo editing tool. All the students, marketers, vloggers, bloggers, businesses across the world have been addicted to Canva. “Why” – you ask? Due to its simple to use nature, freemium designing tools, assets, color palette generator, photo editor and more…
Canva Pricing Structure
Canva is available to use with 3 different plans. One of these 3 plans is a forever free plan.
Pro – $9.95/user/month (charged yearly) for all the advanced features, resources & assets and 1 Brand Kit.Enterprise – $30.00/user/month (charged yearly) for everything in Pro plan with multiple Brand Kits and cloud storage.
Canva Platform Compatibility
Following the trend of online graphic designing tools, Canva is accessible across all the devices that have an internet connection. Moreover, Canva also offers an Android and iOS app.
2. PicMonkey
Cometh the hour, cometh the man! This phrase works well with PicMonkey as it has risen to be the best Adobe Photoshop alternative. From creating stunning graphics for social media or literally anything else, PicMonkey has all the necessary resources to furnish your requirements. The set of features includes photo editing module, graphics designing with assets like fonts, textures, etc. and also a cloud storage space. And, if you’re new to the world of graphics designing or editing, PicMonkey provides all the training and tutorials to help you get started.
PicMonkey Pricing Structure
PicMonkey has 3 inexpensive pricing plans that can be billed monthly or annually.
Basic – $7.99/month for basic photo designing and editing with 1 GB cloud storage space.Pro – $12.99/month for unlimited storage, brand kits and other advanced features.Team – $33.99/month with unlimited everything and team management.
PicMonkey Platform Compatibility
The stuff that makes PicMonkey one of the best alternatives for Adobe Photoshop is its platform independence. PicMonkey is an online application that also offers a mobile app for iOS and Android devices.
3. Corel Photo Paint
Among all the other products of Corel, the Corel Photo Paint is deemed to be one of the deserving Adobe Photoshop alternatives. As the name “Photo Paint” suggests, this application is purely for professional image editing and improvements. Some of the most used features of Corel Photo Paint includes AI-powered image editing, effects, fonts, retouch, etc. Trust me, if you are desperately looking for the photoshop alternative then Corel Photo Paint won’t disappoint you a single bit.
Corel Photo Paint Pricing Structure
The Corel Photo Paint comes with the complete CorelDRAW Graphics Suite as an annual subscription software or a one-time payable software. However, before you buy it, there’s a 15 days free trial period.
Annual Subscription – $198 per year for all the graphics designing and image editing tools.Lifetime Access – A one-time fee of $699 for everything.
Corel Photo Paint Platform Compatibility
This software is downloadable and perfectly for devices with Windows operating systems only.
4. Fotor
Fotor has managed to win the heart of many professional graphics designers who were looking for reliable Adobe Photoshop alternatives. In spite of being launched in 2012, Fotor has grown to become one of the best online photo editing and graphic designing software. Features like photo retouching, effects, image shapes and hundreds of fonts are only going to help you create more professional photos. And, on top of this, you can also create a different type of graphics like logo, business card, infographics, etc. with ease.
Fotor Pricing Structure
The Fotor Pro version comes with a monthly or an annual subscription.
Monthly – $8.99/month for advanced features, premium effects, cloud storage, etc.Yearly – $3.33/month (charged $39.99/year) for all the above-mentioned & more features.
Fotor Platform Compatibility
Being one of the top alternatives to Adobe Photoshop, Fotor can be used online, on Windows or macOS devices. In addition to this, a mobile application for Android and iOS is also available.
5. Desygner
A graphic tool for Non-Designers, with easy to use and drag and drop builder. The software has offered features like Online Graphic Design Tool, Resize Online Image, Branded Templates and with Royalty Free Images with over 120 million images to choose from, and more.
Desygner Pricing Structure
Free – Free Features, and Free Images$4.95– Including free features and access to added features$9.95– Access to PRO+ features, and more
Platform Compatibility
Desygner is available on Windows, Mac OS, and Android.
6. Photolemur
If you are just like me who wants to automatically optimize and edit photos then Photolemur is the way to go. This Adobe Photoshop alternative uses AI technology to make your photos stand out and also adds a professional touch to it. All you have to do is drag & drop your images in bulk to the Photolemur application. The rest will be automatically taken care of by the software. You’d be relieved to know that 190,000+ customers actively use Photolemur instead of Adobe Photoshop. It’s that easy to use.
Photolemur Pricing Structure
The team behind Photolemur believes in the simple pricing structure. Hence, they offer only a single pricing plan with a one-time fee for forever use.
Single License – $35 for lifetime use with a single device license.Family License – $55 for 5 device license and lifetime usage.
Photolemur Platform Compatibility
Photolemur is a downloadable Adobe Photoshop alternative that works on Windows, as well as macOS devices.
7. Luminar
If you are an avid photographer who is looking for the best alternatives to Adobe Photoshop then your search may end at Luminar. It has been already awarded tons of photography awards and hence, deemed perfect for your photo editing needs. The features that make it different from others are sky replacement tool, skin & portrait enhancer, sunrays tool, eraser tool and much more. While you may need a good alternative to Adobe Photoshop, it also functions as a plugin for photoshop.
Luminar Pricing Structure
Just like other photo editing applications, Luminar is available to use with a one-time payment. However, there are 3 different packages of Luminar.
Inspiration Edition – $89 for Luminar (2 device license) and Inspiration Looks.Plus Edition – $99 for everything in Inspiration edition and California Sunsets.Max Edition – $169 for all features and modules with Aurora HDR photo editor.
Luminar Platform Compatibility
Luminar is also a downloadable software with macOS and Windows operating system compatibility.
8. PaintShop Pro
In contrast to other Adobe Photoshop alternatives, Paintshop Pro brings something unique to the table. The latest version of Paintshop Pro contains SmartClone, photography workspace, and other accelerated tools and power to edit photos. Not to forget that this software also allows you to create photo animation as well. Trust me, not many software offer this feature. Lastly, it comes with a collection of other tools like creative effects, photo-painting, raw photo editing, and other utilities.
PaintShop Pro Pricing Structure
If you want to create and edit highly professional photos then you must get the 2020 edition of this software. And, this 2020 edition of PaintShop Pro has two different versions, each available after a one-time payment.
Standard – $79.99 for advanced photo editing tools but without Corel modules or applications.Ultimate – $99.99 for all the features and modules like GRFX Studio, Parallels Toolbox, PhotoMirage Express, Corel AfterShot 3, and more.
PaintShop Pro Platform Compatibility
Unlike other decent Adobe Photoshop alternatives, PaintShop Pro (both versions) is restricted for use on Windows devices only.
9. Placeit
It is sensible to include a platform of Envato group i.e. Placeit in this list of best alternatives to Adobe Photoshop. Placeit is a marketplace and also a graphics designing app. Instead of starting from scratch, Placeit offers unlimited pre-built templates of graphics. Now coming to these graphics, Placeit has the biggest array of readymade templates for logos, social media, mockups, designs, gaming, videos and literally everything else. All you have to do is browse the marketplace, find the required graphics and start editing with the drag & drop editor. Easy-peasy!
Placeit Pricing Structure
Since Placeit is an online marketplace of all sorts of graphics, the pricing plan is based on monthly and annual subscriptions. And, the good thing about these subscriptions is that you get unlimited resources.
Monthly Subscription – $14.95 per month.Annual Subscription – $99.95 per month (charged at a rate of $8.33/month).
Placeit Platform Compatibility
One of the greatest benefits of an online application is that it works on all kinds of devices. All you need is an internet connection and a bit of creativity.
10. Visme
Now since we have discussed all the photo editing software in the top spots, it would be unfair if we neglect some of the best Adobe Photoshop alternatives that offer great graphics creation opportunities. Speaking of one such graphic designing app, Visme is known to offer the best graphic designing possibilities. It is stacked with readymade templates for presentations, infographics, social media, and other important assets. If you in any way think that Visme is not efficient then allow me to tell you that it has over 4.5 million customers. And, all of them are quite satisfied with it.
Visme Pricing Structure
It is an online application so it offers a free plan and monthly or yearly subscription plans. But these plans are separate for individual, business, and education.
Individual – Any individual can start using Visme for free but with limited features. To extend these limits, you can subscribe to a $14/month or $25/month plan.Business – if you represent a business then the single plan would cost you $25/month and for a team, it will be charged at $75/month.Education – If you are a student then you can use Visme by paying $30/semester. Similarly, if you are a tutor then you’d be charged $60/semester.
Visme Platform Compatibility
Visme is an online application that will work on all the devices with an internet connection.
11. Stencil
If you want to be a social media rockstar then you must be handy with attention-grabbing graphics. Keeping this thought in mind, Stencil has risen to the occasion to be one of the top alternatives of Adobe Photoshop. Despite being a new entry to the world of online graphics designing suite, Stencil has managed to attract over 230,000 customers. And, because of this, it has been rated 5 stars in most of the review-based directory sites.
Stencil Pricing Structure
The Stencil team believes in offering too much at a negligible price. Hence, there’s a forever free plan with a couple of subscription plans.
Pro – $9/month (when paid annually) for accessing the majority of features and assets.Unlimited – $12/month (when paid annually) for all the features, resources and premium support.
Stencil Platform Compatibility
Keeping the norm of usability of online graphic designing software, Stencil too works on all the platforms and devices that are connected with the internet.
Wrapping Up
Well, there you have it… Now that you have 10 best Adobe Photoshop alternatives right in front of your eyes, its time to pick one that suits your requirements. Most of these photoshop alternatives come with a forever free plan. So you’d have ample time to test them out. And, even if they don’t have a free plan, each of the premium software comes with a 7-30 days free trial. After that, you can upgrade to its very reasonable plans. Lastly, if you think that I may have missed any deserving software then feel free to drop them in the comments. If you want to create and sell online courses then, you can check our complete guide on How to Create and Sell Online Courses You may also like:
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