2 paid programs and their free alternatives
-
Free alternatives to Photoshop
Top pick Photopea. A browser editor that opens and saves PSD files with nothing to install.
What GIMP looks like. Screenshot: The creators of the GNU Image Manipulation Program · GPLv3 · resized -
Free alternatives to Lightroom
Top pick darktable. Non-destructive RAW development and professional colour management.
What darktable looks like. Screenshot: สาริศ ธนาโสภณ · CC BY-SA 4.0 · resized
Every free alternative for photo editing at a glance
| Alternative | Price | Platforms | Replaces |
|---|---|---|---|
| ART | Open Source | WindowsmacOSLinux | Lightroom |
| darktable | Open Source | WindowsmacOSLinux | Lightroom |
| digiKam | Open Source | WindowsmacOSLinux | Lightroom |
| GIMP | Open Source | WindowsmacOSLinux | Photoshop |
| Krita | Open Source | WindowsmacOSLinux | Photoshop |
| RawTherapee | Open Source | WindowsmacOSLinux | Lightroom |
| Google Photos | 100% Free | WebAndroidiOS | Lightroom |
| Paint.NET | 100% Free | Windows | Photoshop |
| Photopea | Freemium | Web | Photoshop |
| Pixlr | Freemium | WebAndroidiOS | Photoshop |
Frequently asked questions: free software for photo editing
What is the best free software for photo editing?
It depends on the paid program you want to replace: instead of Photoshop, Photopea; instead of Lightroom, darktable.
Is there open source software for photo editing?
Yes: ART, darktable, digiKam, GIMP, Krita and RawTherapee are open source and free.
Which ones work without installing anything?
Google Photos, Photopea and Pixlr run in the browser.
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