Like many other people, I used to assume you needed a subscription to high-end software to create good edits. This is partly why I started subscribing to numerous Adobe plans (the other part was simply a passion for playing with graphics tools). I canceled my subscriptions a long time ago now, but my graphics stack only grew since then, and I didn’t have to compromise on quality, either.

If you’re new to the world of design and image editing, or only just canceled your Adobe subscription, then there's no need to fret about where to turn next. There’s a whole world of design and image editing tools that range from pro-level freemium apps to quirky open-source projects. It’s safe to say I’ve tried dozens by now, and I can confidently recommend a good number of them.

Replacing Photoshop isn’t just about finding the perfect alternative, though. You have to consider your editing needs, the type of creative work you do, the user flow and experiences you value, and your willingness to adapt to new tools.

Features I look for in a free editor

Not downgrading my editing experience

The first thing I look for in a free editor is a non-destructive system. This means that any edit you make doesn’t affect the original pixels, but rather sits on top of them. It pretty much guarantees that I’ll be able to find a specific effect exactly as I’d last left it on the layer, so I can go back and adjust it again. Non-destructive editors employ this flow usually through adjustment layers, smart filters, or history timelines.

The second thing I look for is a Lasso select tool or collection of Lasso tools. These enable me to make freehand, hand-drawn selections around irregular shapes. Many editors have had auto and AI selections for years now, but freehand is still better for detailed subject isolation, in my experience.

Another quite underrated tool I look for is a selection of blend modes. You’d be surprised how many editors don’t have this at all. Blend modes allow dynamic interactions between two or more layers, and they often cut back on the time I would have spent creating complex masks to achieve the same looks.

These are my non-negotiables as far as comprehensive editors go, at least. I don’t expect this level of control from, say, the Windows Photos app - the simple tools are meant for quick tweaks so I don’t have to load a full image editor multiple times a day.

The best free tools for Photoshop-level edits

We now have truly compatible alternatives

It used to be the case that it was Photoshop or nothing, but there are a couple of editors that leveled the playing field. Photopea had begun catching up in the early 2020s when it started getting more Photoshop functionalities. It’s always had PSD support, but in the past five years or so it also got smart objects, perspective warp, puppet warp, 32-bit per channel, CMYK support, better RAW support, and more. Not to mention, the interface is the closest to Photoshop’s you’ll find in any free editor - if you’re switching from PS, there’s practically zero learning curve.

Affinity Photo has always been a powerful editor, but never quite on Photoshop’s level. That also changed around the 2020s when it added smart object support for PSD files, live warping, non-destructive RAW editing, and loads of AI-powered tools. The biggest upgrade Affinity has had to date, however, is that it’s now free to use. I’d also rate the interface better than both Photopea and Photoshop.

Neither of these tools are open-source, so if you’re looking for an open-source equivalent, there’s always GIMP. However, it’s not my top recommendation for beginners or anyone who wants a smooth user experience. So I recommend PhotoDemon instead. It’s a free and open-source editor that’s not quite up to par with PS, but it does have non-destructive editing with adjustment layers, Lasso selection, blend modes, and more that puts it in the advanced editor category.

What I create with free Photoshop alternatives

They can handle anything I throw at them

I don’t really open a heavy editor like Photopea or Affinity unless it’s for a more complex edit or something I want to experiment with. The type of edit I do most is mockups, or more technically, smart object replacement. In Photopea, this involves the Transform controls, some perspective editing, a smidge of erasing, and a lot of blending. It’s the same in Affinity: I use Mesh Warp and transform controls to get my mockup aligned, and then blend modes and sometimes some effects to make it look more realistic.

The type of composite I like to edit the most, however, involves texture mapping, overlays, and some displacement. The example shown in these screenshots started with creating masks using Lasso select, turning them into smart objects, and attaching patterns to the objects. Then I simply experimented with Photopea’s advanced blending options to get the pattern to look like it’s part of the metal tube.

Every composite involves some variation of what I did here, depending on which parts you want to cut, replace, or overlay. And this isn’t something I realized could be done without Photoshop until I actually gave other editing tools a real shot.

Free editors can do it all

Making serious edits without paying for Photoshop might sound unrealistic, until you actually build a stack that covers the basics properly. Once I had non-destructive functionality and strong selection tools, it stopped feeling like a compromise. If you’re new to editing or just coming from Photoshop, I highly recommend checking out Photopea and Affinity first, since they’re advanced enough for complex composites but also intuitive enough for anyone to pick up.