Free alternatives to Adobe Photoshop for Windows

Photoshop does many jobs at once, so the right free replacement depends on which job you use it for.

The closest all-round match: layers, masks, selections, curves and retouching tools.

The better choice for digital painting, comics and concept art.

The lightest option for quick crops, resizes and simple layered edits.

What you give up

Generative AI features, Adobe Camera Raw and full PSD compatibility. Complex PSD files with smart objects may not open exactly as they were saved.

Adobe Photoshop is a trademark of its owner. SoftNest is not connected to it. Check each publisher's licence and pricing before you switch.