6 Photoshop Alternative Tools to Edit Photos

Photoshop is definitely the complete photo editing tool we have access to. But it's not the only one. The problem is that there are hundreds of photo editing tools on the market. With so many options, it's hard to know which one can help complete all your editing tasks.

Testing each one on your own and exploring features takes too much time. How do you know, then, what is the perfect Photoshop alternative? Well, we've found a few of them. You decide which one to give a try.

1. Pixteller

   

   Pixteller is an online image editor and animation tool. It's designed to be easy to use. Besides the obvious convenience, Pixteller offers a great many perks. You have access to dozens of templates to speed up your workflow.

   The suite comes with the following easy to customize templates like: animations, social media posts, marketing materials, invitations, banner design, animated ads, covers, headers, and many more.

   When it comes to photo settings, Pixteller offers all the usual suspects like predefined filters, HUE settings, saturation, brightness, and more.

2. GIMP

   

   The GIMP is an image editor that was previously reserved for Linux users. Today, it's available on Windows and OS X platforms. It's a complete software suite that resembles Photoshop. If you are an avid Photoshop user, getting up to speed with GIMP should not be a problem. GIMP is definitely an option worth considering before you give in to investing in Photoshop services.

   The basic features are easy to learn. But, novice image editors will have to watch a tutorial or two to master the advanced techniques. We will not list all the features here as there are way too many. You can find them all here.

   It doesn't support the RAW files, but you can easily overcome this inconvenience by using a plugin. There are dozens of plugins available online. With the help of plugins, you will be able to unlock the full potential of GIMP. Your deliverables will look the same as if they were edited in Photoshop.

3. Affinity Photo

   

   Affinity Photo is a redesigned Serif's PhotoPlus X6. It is available on Windows. Affinity Photo is the most popular alternative among people new to image editing.

   Nevertheless, it can still be a great support tool for more experienced users. Onboarding shouldn't be a problem if you decide to stick with this alternative. The community is excellent, and there are plenty of online guides and video tutorials.

   What's interesting is that professional photographers played an essential role in this software development. While it is beautiful and easy to use, Affinity Photo packs a potent engine under the hood.

   You will be able to customize the interface to achieve efficient workflow, apply filters, create layers, and deliver high-quality images. With Live Filters and multi GPU support, Affinity Photo is definitely a viable Photoshop alternative, even for the most experienced users.

4. Canva

   

   Canva is another online tool on our list. It's a go-to image editor for people starting out in the image editing waters. Since it caters to the beginners' needs, Canva is very simple to use. The dashboard is intuitive and features all the settings and tools you need to get the job done in a matter of minutes.

   It may not be well-suited for people looking for a Photoshop alternative that offers the same amount of features. On the other hand, its a high starting point for people who want to learn the best practices in image editing and graphic design.

   Canva has a beneficial community. The official blog features all the information you need to go from zero to hero. Once you feel confident with image editing and creating compelling visuals from scratch, you can make a switch to a more advanced tool.

5. Acorn

   

   Acorn is an image editor exclusively available for Mac users. It ended up on our list because it is feature reach and easy to use. The minimalist design will guide your attention when it has to be. Even though it comes with Photoshop-like settings and image editing options, Acorn is easy to learn.

   Despite being a Mac-only image editor, Acorn comes with hundreds of video tutorials and guides. The software includes image editing tools, non-destructive filters, vector tools, photo effects, and a state-of-the-art clone tool.

   It is the only tool on our list that enables layer manipulation as Photoshop. The clone tool also works on layers, including shape layers. The smart layer export will help you export your layers easily while being able to choose export sizes on the go.

   Newly updated batch edit supports batch processing for when you need to watermarks, trim, crop, or scale images.

6. Pixlr Editor

   

   Pixlr Editor is an online-based photo editor that looks a lot like Photoshop. The left toolbar is where you will find all the necessary image manipulation tools. On the left side of the screen, you have access to Navigator, Layers, and History. If you have some experience working in Photoshop, making a switch to Pixlr shouldn't be a problem.

   Developers are continuously working on improving this tool. At the moment, Pixlr Editor 2020 Beta is up and running. It looks modern and even more promotes easy image editing. This image editor is more likely going to be a favorite pick of more experienced users.

   The access to tutorials and guides is limited, which can keep novice image editors away from Pixlr Editor. In any case, it is a viable Photoshop alternative. The upcoming Pixlr Editor 2020 looks even better and offers more tools and settings.