I don't use Photoshop, here are the 6 photo editors I use instead

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Photoshop is a great tool, but it is expensive, which can be a major barrier to entry for many. There are some fantastic alternative image editing tools on the market, some of which offer features not actually available in Photoshop. When my Adobe subscription expires, these are the image editors I prefer to use – sometimes I use them even if I'm still paying for Photoshop, as some are easier to access or offer quicker and more convenient solutions.



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6 Hypical

Image editing on the go with cross-platform access

This photo editing app was created by the owners of TikTok and CapCut video editing software, ByteDance. While it's available for some desktop applications, it shines best with the mobile app, offering plenty of on-the-go image editing options.

In addition to offering tons of free tools, Hypic also connects directly to CapCut mobile video editing software, so you can embed your edited photos directly into short videos and do all the editing seamlessly from your phone. This offers similar capabilities as if you were using Photoshop and passing your assets to Premiere Pro.


Hypic Pro starts at $7 per month to use certain AI tools and filters, with many of them also available for free. You can also get a 7-day free trial. Hypic's AI tools are comparable to Photoshop's, including the neural filters that allow, for example, adding a smile to a portrait photo.

Hypic app logo with black background and neon green blurred circle

5 Photopea

Free browser-based Photoshop imitation

Photopea browser editor in Safari browser

Considered one of the most similar Photoshop alternatives, Photopea is a free, open-source, browser-based tool. It has a very similar interface to Photoshop, which is a great option if you don't want to be overwhelmed with learning a new interface on your journey to ditching Photoshop.

While it offers a premium version, like many Photoshop alternatives, your image editing results don't require you to pay for Photopea Premium. You can import and edit Adobe file types such as .PSD and .AI as well as typical file types such as .JPEG, .PNG, .PDF .RAW and those of other software such as .FIG or .sketch.


There are no restrictions when using Photopea. You will feel like you are using Photoshop and your computer system will be happier because there is no need to install software that slows down the work.

A transparent rendering of the Photopea app

4 Snapseed

Free photo editing on the go

Google's Snapseed app is a great free mobile photo editing tool. Although it's closer to Adobe Lightroom than Photoshop itself, it allows you to edit photos in a similar way to how you would edit them in Photoshop.

My favorite Snapseed tool is the Double Exposure tool, which allows you to quickly and realistically create images with a double exposure effect, which if using Photoshop would require time, multiple layers, and too much fiddling with selection and blending modes.


The advantage of the Snapseed app is that it is available for both iOS and Android and you can connect your Google Photos account to it to get direct access to the library and photo management.

Snapseed app logo

3 Adobe Express

The best freemium editing tool from Adobe

Adobe Express AI tools

Adobe Express is of course still an Adobe app, but it is one of Adobe's free apps and you can use it without an Adobe subscription as long as you have an Adobe account. While there's a premium upgrade available for just $10 per month, the free version of Adobe Express still offers a lot.

Express has many similar tools to Photoshop – of course, since it comes from the same developer, they are exactly the same, so this program should feel very comfortable. It includes many Adobe Firefly AI tools such as: B. generative fill, text-to-image generation and 3D text effects.


If you're leaving Photoshop for the first time, Adobe Express is a great option for transitioning to new tools.

1024px-Adobe_Express_logo_RGB_1024px

Adobe Express

Adobe Express is a browser-based tool and mobile app with free and premium features for graphic design, creative AI, and video

2 Canva

Convenient and fun photo editing

Canva Magic Studio

Image: Canvas

When Canva first came out, I scoffed at it because it was trying to become a serious graphic design and image editing tool. But ten years later, it is now one of my favorite options and I continue to be impressed by the tools it offers.

Like Photoshop, Canva also includes a variety of AI tools in its Magic Media library. It also includes Canva apps to give you even more editing options, as well as other tools like photo management and sharing, scheduling apps, more AI features, and fun experimental editing tools.


Although Canva is slowly becoming like Adobe with its rising prices, the tools it offers are often worth the price for most users. Canva also often offers free trials for Canva Pro, and the Canva Free option still offers plenty if you never want to pay.

I use Canva for quick and convenient photo editing, such as creating social media posts or video thumbnails for YouTube. Canva is available across desktop, browser, mobile and tablet apps, and all files are accessible on any platform when you log in. It has great team features and sharing options, as well as a whole range of elements, text tools, etc. Media for all purposes.

In early 2024, Canva acquired Serif, the company that provides Affinity Suite. This will change things in the coming years, especially in terms of how Canva and Affinity software compare to Photoshop and Adobe overall.

A representation of the Canva logo


1 Affinity photo

The closest Photoshop alternative

A black and white portrait with threshold effect in Affinity Photo 2

Affinity Photo is the best alternative to Photoshop in terms of performance and available tools. The entire Affinity suite is a great alternative to Creative Cloud software, including the other programs: Affinity Designer, an Illustrator alternative, and Affinity Publisher, an alternative to Adobe InDesign.

Affinity Photo is available as a perpetual license starting at $70, which is significantly more cost-effective compared to Photoshop's ever-increasing subscription prices, which start at $20 per month. At the time of writing, you can try Affinity Photo 2 free for 120 days before you need to purchase a perpetual license to use it. However, you can usually still get a 30-day free trial, which is more than Photoshop's 7-day trial.


The image editing tools in Affinity Photo are very similar to Photoshop, but without AI tools. There are only a small handful of useful AI tools in Photoshop anyway, so you won't be missing out on much if you don't have one in Affinity Photo.

A representation of the Affinity Photo logo

Don't let Photoshop dictate your image editing journey

With plenty of image editing options at your disposal, you don't have to rely on Photoshop. Whether you've never subscribed to Photoshop or are looking for a way out of your Adobe contract, these six tools offer plenty of options. Many alternatives to Photoshop replicate a similar interface, so you don't have a steep learning curve. Some alternatives work hand-in-hand with other software, giving you the convenience of Photoshop's cross-platform availability. Overall, any of the above tools will allow you to enjoy the freedom of the Photoshop giant, and there are many more tools available if these are not enough for you.


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