10 Best Adobe Photoshop Alternatives for Founders [2026 Updated]

1. Affinity Photo

• Type: Paid
• URL: https://affinity.serif.com
• Overview: Affinity Photo is a professional photo editing and image compositing application from Serif, with support for layers, RAW editing, retouching, and non-destructive adjustments. It is sold under the Affinity brand, which Canva now owns, and is known for powerful features at a lower cost than subscription-based tools.

2. GIMP

• Type: Free
• URL: https://www.gimp.org
• Overview: GIMP is a free, open-source raster graphics editor for photo retouching, image composition, and image authoring. It offers layers, masks, filters, and a large plugin ecosystem on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

3. Corel PaintShop Pro

• Type: Paid
• URL: https://www.paintshoppro.com
• Overview: Corel PaintShop Pro is a Windows photo editing and graphic design application with layers, RAW support, and AI-powered tools. It is sold as a one-time purchase, which makes it a budget-friendly choice for enthusiasts and prosumers.

4. Pixelmator Pro

• Type: Paid
• URL: https://www.pixelmator.com/pro/
• Overview: Pixelmator Pro is a Mac-native image editor with non-destructive layer-based editing, machine-learning-powered enhancements, and vector tools. Its interface is designed to feel natural on macOS and works well with Apple technologies.

5. Photopea

• Type: Free
• URL: https://www.photopea.com
• Overview: Photopea is a browser-based image editor that closely mimics the Photoshop interface and opens PSD, XCF, Sketch, and other formats. It is free with ads, and a paid plan removes them.

6. Krita

• Type: Free
• URL: https://krita.org
• Overview: Krita is a free, open-source painting and illustration program with advanced brush engines, layers, and animation tools. It suits digital artists and concept designers who use Photoshop mainly for painting.

7. Canva

• Type: Paid
• URL: https://www.canva.com
• Overview: Canva is an online design platform with a photo editor, background remover, and AI image tools alongside a large template library. It has a free tier, and Pro plans unlock advanced editing features for non-designers and marketing teams.

8. Luminar Neo

• Type: Paid
• URL: https://skylum.com/luminar
• Overview: Luminar Neo from Skylum is an AI-driven photo editor with tools for sky replacement, portrait retouching, relighting, and object removal. It works as a standalone app or as a plugin for other editors.

9. Pixlr

• Type: Free
• URL: https://pixlr.com
• Overview: Pixlr is a browser-based photo editor with an advanced layer-based editor, a simpler editor for quick fixes, and AI-powered features. It has a free version with limits, and paid plans remove ads and add more AI credits.

10. Paint.NET

• Type: Free
• URL: https://www.getpaint.net
• Overview: Paint.NET is a free image and photo editing program for Windows that supports layers, effects, and plugins. It is lightweight and easy to learn, which suits users who want more than basic Paint without a complex interface.