I've been slowly replacing the creative tools I relied on with free and open-source alternatives. It was mainly out of exploration at first, but then canceling all my Adobe subscriptions also forced me to find better options. Now, I've finally overhauled my graphics workflow and haven't looked back.

From photo editing to digital painting, these apps don't just compete with their proprietary counterparts; they've actually improved how I work. Here are the tools I stuck with, and why they've earned a place in my setup.

Krita

For creating detailed illustrations

Krita is the kind of tool that makes you forget that you're using "open source". It's built for real artists who care about things like brush feel and pressure curves. Under the hood, it uses OpenGL acceleration for smooth zooming, panning, and brushing, and the brush engine is very impressive. I also like all the brush types it provides; there are over 100 to choose from.

I mainly use Krita for line art and small illustrations, but its usage extends far beyond that. It supports CMYK and has a non-destructive layering system, which includes masks and filter layers. You can even animate with it; there's a proper timeline and onion skinning. Krita isn't trying to be like any other program; it just focuses on providing you with the best graphics tools possible.

Scribus

For assembling multi-page projects

I use Krita and other design tools to create digital assets and illustrations, and then Scribus to put them all together. It's a free and open-source desktop publishing software (DTP) designed for the creation and management of documents. The interface looks like it hasn't heard of CSS, but don't let that deter you; it's a very powerful program. I've been using it for the visual layout of a novel I'm working on, but it's widely applicable to all sorts of multi-page projects like brochures, PDFs, magazines, posters, and so on.

It exports PDF/X for printing presses (the kind we use for actual paper) and handles spot colors, CMYK, and ICC color profiles. The text styling is precise, and it uses any fonts installed on your device. You can also script part of your workflow with Python if that's your thing. Scribus isn't slick, but it is solid, and I don't see the need to use proprietary DTP software any time soon.

MyPaint

Perfect for quick drawing

This is more of a painting tool than graphic design software, but it has its place in my kit. Whereas Krita is best for intricate and specific illustrations, I like using MyPaint for painting abstract colors and shapes, and then using those designs as backgrounds (whether for a page in my novel or on social media).

This is the app I recommend if you're tired of menus and just want to create something quickly. The UI is very clean and simple, which makes it easy and fast to navigate. It also comes with some simple customizations, such as dockable panels. There's no layer overload, although it does support multi-layer and blending modes. If we consider Krita a digital studio, then MyPaint would be the back-pocket sketchpad you reach for as inspiration strikes.

Colorpicker

Ideal for getting precise HEX values

Colorpicker by Toinane is one of those tools that quietly becomes indispensable once you install it. At its core, Colorpicker provides a simple interface to grab and manage colors from anywhere on your screen. The Picker lets you sample any pixel and instantly displays its HEX and RGB values. You can also save, organize, and retrieve colors from the Colorsboook feature. Additionally, the Shading toggle has hue and lightness scales that help you find the perfect tint from your selection.

It's not a complex tool at all and only does one thing, but that's why I use it and recommend adding it to your toolkit. If you work with specific hex values, it's a must-have.

Upscayl

An efficient image upscaler

Upscayl is a free and open-source image upscaler that uses AI models like ESRGAN to enhance low-res images. I've yet to find a perfect image upscaler, but this one comes close — it doesn't turn your image into a smeary mess. It also runs locally, which means your images don't get sent to a server somewhere.

The interface is dead simple; drop in your file, pick one of the seven AI models depending on the image you're working with, set your output, and hit the button. The results look suspiciously good for something that doesn't cost money. It's the perfect hidden gem for designers and artists who need to scale assets or clean up old scans.

GIMP

Tried and true open-source image and design app

Of course, I couldn't close this off without mentioning GIMP. It's become a staple in my workflow because it does what it's supposed to. I can easily retouch a photo or smash together a 12-layer thumbnail — it can handle pretty much any raster-based work I throw at it. The GIMP 3 upgrade also modernized the interface, so it doesn't have an outdated feel anymore.

GIMP supports most file formats, has solid plugin support, and lets you edit with layer masks, blend modes, filters, and more. It's not perfect, but it's very dependable and it keeps improving year after year.

Open-source isn't second-best anymore

Swapping out my old tools for open-source alternatives improved my workflow. There are no subscriptions to keep track of and no bloat on my system—just focused and capable software that respects my workflow needs. These apps might not have the marketing, but they get the job done, and that's why I don't regret making the switch.