Adobe Photoshop is a graphic editor software created by Thomas & John Knoll in 1988 and developed by Adobe Systems for mac OS and Windows. It can edit and compose images in multiple layers and supports masks, alpha composting and several color models including RGB, CMYK, spot color and duotone. Photoshop supports all graphic formats and also have its own format by name “PSD” & “PSB”. Photoshop’s features can be expanded by Photoshop plug-ins, and programs are developed & distributed independently by various enhanced features which has become so dominant among industry professionals and there are alternatives to suggest for the enhancement & development of the software. The tools in Photoshop play an important role in editing an image or a video. Let’s us look for various Photoshop Alternatives that are needed for the photo editing tasks.
Top 7 Photoshop Alternatives
The Photoshop Alternatives comprises of four different modules. They are furnished below:
Free Photoshop Alternatives
1. GIMP
GIMP is the best free alternative to Adobe Photoshop that the users will ever stumble across with a widely opened community with its compatibility over a range of operating systems. GIMP stands as the best alternative for Photoshop although it doesn’t offer quite features like Photoshop and possess ample features and let the users edit the photos in a breeze with a stint of professionalism to it.
- Supported Platforms: Windows, Mac OS, Linux, BSD, UNIX and Sky OS.
- Key Tools: Layers, Selection editing, HDR, Re-touching, Noise removal, Lens & Colour correction, Sharpening and Plugin Support etc.
- Supported File Formats: RAW formats, BMP, GIF, JPEG, PNG, TIFF, PSD etc.
- Price: Free
2. Seashore
Seashore is an image editing tool based on Mac’s Cocoa framework and it acts as an open source for the users who are based on Mac. This tool makes the use of same native file formatting as GIMP does and makes the case for the tool offerings of similar features that are offered on GIMP. This tool offers major editing features like brush strokes, gradients, multiple layers and all with good stuff. It is simple to use and easy on eye interface.
- Supported Platforms: Mac OS X
- Key Tools: Layers Alpha channel support, gradients, transparency, Anti-aliased brushes and Plugin support.
- Support File Format: JPEG, PNG, TIFF, XCF.
- Price: Free
Online Photoshop Alternatives
1. Pic Monkey
Pic Monkey is an image editing tool which lets the user to edit the user’s own images with the user’s browser. This tool offers some great Instagram like image editing filters and other nifty tools like blemish removal, wrinkle removers which tarnish the user’s image as worst when overdid. The user can add more flair to the images with sticky overlays like funny moustaches & party hats.
- Supported Platforms: Web – Based
- Key Tools: Shapes, Textures, Text, Effects, Filters and overlays etc.
- Supported File Format: BMP, JPEG, GIF, TIFF, and PNG.
- Price: Free
2. Sumo Paint
It is a web based image editing tool with features like Symmetry tool, gradients, brushes and various fun image editing tools. Party hats, funny moustaches and funny masks also found under this type of paint editing tool. This software is available for free and with a paid cost.
- Supported Platforms: Web – Based
- Key Tools: Brushes, Pencils, Gradients and other editing & formatting tools.
- Supported File Formats: BMP, JPEG, GIF, TIFF, PNG
- Price: It costs $4 per month for Pro version.
Linux & Open Source Photoshop Alternatives
1. Cine Paint
Cine Paint is not an ordinary running image editing tool, but it is a powerful image re-touching tool with support for high 32 bit colour fidelity. This tool has been used by Hollywood studios to design animated feature films in the past and is highly versatile and can be used to edit or retouch the user’s videos and not images.
- Supported Platforms: Linux, BSD, UNIX, Mac OS X
- Key Tools: 32-bit image editing tools and Re-touching frame manager etc.
- Supported File Formats: BMP, CIN, DPX, EXR, GIF, JPEG, Open EXR, PNG, TIFF and XCF.
- Price: Free
Paid Photoshop Alternatives
1. Serif Photoplus X7
This is a paid alternative for Photoshop and a cost efficient tool and is a tool by Serif that is closest to the user that the user can get Photoshop on budget. The use of learning curve of this tool is very high and is not advised to use by the beginners.
- Supported Platforms: Windows
- Key Tools: Crop, Photo Fix, Resize, Cloning and Studio editing effects etc.
- Supported File Formats: RAW formats, BMP, GIF, JPEG, PNG, TIFF and PSD etc.
- Price: £79.99
2. Pixelmator
It is a paid alternative of Photoshop based on Mac OS X and offers support for both latest Mac OS X Yosemite and iPad. This is a full featured image editing tool for Mac based system and the advanced technology used by this tool makes the entire image processes the system very faster than ever before. The fluid image editing tool is a pro designer that would be preferred at any given time.
- Supported Platform: Mac OS X
- Key Tools: Texts, Shapes, Sketching, Painting Tools, Colour adjustments & Retouching Effects etc.
- Supported File Formats: RAW formats, BMP, GIF, JPEG, PNG, TIFF and PSD etc.
- Price: $29.99
