6 paid programs and their free alternatives
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Free alternatives to Photoshop
★ Top pick Photopea. A browser editor that opens and saves PSD files with nothing to install.
See all 5 alternatives -
Free alternatives to Illustrator
★ Top pick Inkscape. SVG vector graphics with pen, node and trace tools.
See all 5 alternatives -
Free alternatives to Lightroom
★ Top pick darktable. Non-destructive RAW development and professional colour management.
See all 5 alternatives -
Free alternatives to AutoCAD
★ Top pick FreeCAD. Parametric 3D modelling for engineering and architecture.
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Free alternatives to Figma
★ Top pick Penpot. Browser-based design and prototyping, open source with real-time collaboration.
See all 5 alternatives -
Free alternatives to InDesign
★ Top pick Scribus. Professional layout for brochures and magazines, with print-ready PDF.
See all 5 alternatives
Every free design alternative at a glance
| Alternative | Price | Platforms | Replaces |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inkscape | Open Source | 🪟 Windows🍎 macOS🐧 Linux | Illustrator, Figma |
| Penpot | Open Source | 🌐 Web | Illustrator, Figma |
| Affinity | Freemium | 🪟 Windows🍎 macOS | Illustrator, InDesign |
| ART | Open Source | 🪟 Windows🍎 macOS🐧 Linux | Lightroom |
| darktable | Open Source | 🪟 Windows🍎 macOS🐧 Linux | Lightroom |
| digiKam | Open Source | 🪟 Windows🍎 macOS🐧 Linux | Lightroom |
| Excalidraw | Open Source | 🌐 Web | Figma |
| FreeCAD | Open Source | 🪟 Windows🍎 macOS🐧 Linux | AutoCAD |
| GIMP | Open Source | 🪟 Windows🍎 macOS🐧 Linux | Photoshop |
| Krita | Open Source | 🪟 Windows🍎 macOS🐧 Linux | Photoshop |
| LibreCAD | Open Source | 🪟 Windows🍎 macOS🐧 Linux | AutoCAD |
| QCAD | Open Source | 🪟 Windows🍎 macOS🐧 Linux | AutoCAD |
| RawTherapee | Open Source | 🪟 Windows🍎 macOS🐧 Linux | Lightroom |
| Scribus | Open Source | 🪟 Windows🍎 macOS🐧 Linux | InDesign |
| Google Fotos | 100% Free | 🌐 Web🤖 Android📱 iOS | Lightroom |
| Paint.NET | 100% Free | 🪟 Windows | Photoshop |
| Adobe Express | Freemium | 🌐 Web🤖 Android📱 iOS | InDesign |
| Boxy SVG | Freemium | 🌐 Web🪟 Windows🍎 macOS🐧 Linux | Illustrator |
| Canva | Freemium | 🌐 Web🪟 Windows🍎 macOS🤖 Android📱 iOS | InDesign |
| Framer | Freemium | 🌐 Web🪟 Windows🍎 macOS | Figma |
| Lunacy | Freemium | 🪟 Windows🍎 macOS🐧 Linux | Figma |
| Onshape | Freemium | 🌐 Web🤖 Android📱 iOS | AutoCAD |
| Photopea | Freemium | 🌐 Web | Photoshop |
| Pixlr | Freemium | 🌐 Web🤖 Android📱 iOS | Photoshop |
| SketchUp Free | Freemium | 🌐 Web | AutoCAD |
| Typst | Freemium | 🌐 Web🪟 Windows🍎 macOS🐧 Linux | InDesign |
| Vectorpea | Freemium | 🌐 Web | Illustrator |
Frequently asked questions: free design software
What is the best free alternative to each design program?
Our pick for Photoshop is Photopea; for Illustrator, Inkscape; for Lightroom, darktable; for AutoCAD, FreeCAD; for Figma, Penpot; for InDesign, Scribus.
Which free design alternative replaces the most programs?
Inkscape is a free alternative to Illustrator and Figma. Penpot also replaces Illustrator and Figma.
Which open source design programs are there?
Inkscape, Penpot, ART, darktable, digiKam, Excalidraw, FreeCAD and others are open source and free.
Which design alternatives work without installing anything?
Penpot, Excalidraw, Google Fotos, Adobe Express, Boxy SVG, Canva, Framer and others run in the browser.