What is the best alternative to Adobe Photoshop?

Answered by Robert Flynn

When it comes to finding the best alternative to Adobe Photoshop, there are several options available in 2022. These alternatives offer powerful features and tools that can rival Photoshop’s capabilities, making them suitable for various image editing needs. Here are some of the top alternatives:

1. Affinity Photo: Affinity Photo is often considered the best overall alternative to Photoshop. It offers a wide range of professional-grade tools and features, including advanced retouching, image editing, and compositing capabilities. Affinity Photo also supports non-destructive editing, making it easy to experiment and make changes without affecting the original image.

2. Procreate: If you prefer digital painting and have an iPad, Procreate is an excellent alternative to Photoshop. It offers a wide variety of brushes, painting tools, and layer options, allowing artists to create stunning artwork directly on their iPad. Procreate also has a user-friendly interface and supports custom brushes and effects.

3. Photopea: If you need a browser-based alternative to Photoshop, Photopea is a fantastic option. It is a free online image editor that closely resembles the Photoshop interface and offers many similar features. Photopea supports various file formats, layers, and advanced editing tools, making it a convenient option for quick edits or when you don’t have access to Photoshop.

4. Rebelle: For digital painting with a focus on natural media and realistic effects, Rebelle is an excellent choice. It simulates traditional painting techniques like watercolor, acrylic, and ink, providing a unique and immersive painting experience. Rebelle’s dynamic fluid simulation adds an extra level of realism to your artwork.

5. ArtRage: Another alternative for digital painting is ArtRage, which aims to replicate traditional artistic tools and techniques. It offers a realistic painting experience with features like oil paints, watercolors, and textured brushes. ArtRage also provides various canvas textures and customizable tools to suit different artistic styles.

6. Krita: Krita is a powerful and free open-source alternative that is widely popular among digital artists and illustrators. It offers an extensive set of brushes, customizable workspaces, and advanced layer management. Krita’s intuitive interface and frequent updates make it a reliable choice for both beginners and professionals.

7. Sketch: If you primarily work with user interface and web design, Sketch is a popular alternative to Photoshop. It provides an intuitive interface, vector-based editing, and robust design tools specifically tailored for creating web and mobile interfaces. Sketch also supports plugins, allowing users to extend its functionality further.

8. GIMP: GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is a free and open-source alternative that has been around for a long time. It offers a wide range of features similar to Photoshop, including photo retouching, image composition, and format conversion. While GIMP may not have the same polished interface as Photoshop, it is constantly improving and remains a powerful option for many users.

These are just a few of the top alternatives to Adobe Photoshop in 2022. The best choice for you ultimately depends on your specific needs, preferences, and budget. It’s always a good idea to try out different software and see which one aligns best with your workflow and desired outcomes.