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Compared · October 2026

Free Photoshop alternatives.

You do not need a Creative Cloud subscription to edit photos well. These free editors cover everything from quick fixes to layered PSD work, and one of them, PhotoCraft, is a brand-new open-source rebuild of Photoshop itself.

Quick comparison

EditorPrice and licensePlatformsPSD filesBest for
PhotoCraftFree, open source (MIT or Apache-2.0)Windows, macOS, Linux, FreeBSD, webOpens and saves layered PSDPhotoshop users who want the same menus and shortcuts
GIMPFree, open source (GPL)Windows, macOS, LinuxOpens PSD, some effects lostStable, all-round photo editing with plug-ins
KritaFree, open source (GPL)Windows, macOS, Linux, Android tabletsOpens PSD, basic layersDigital painting and illustration
PhotopeaFree with ads, optional paid planAny web browserOpens and saves layered PSDQuick Photoshop-style edits with nothing to install
Affinity (by Canva)Free app; some AI features need Canva ProWindows, macOSImports PSDProfessional photo, vector and layout work in one app
Paint.NETFree (paid Store version optional)WindowsWith a free plug-inFast, simple edits on Windows

The editors in detail

Why PhotoCraft is getting attention

PhotoCraft went public at the end of September 2026 from the ArtCraft team and collected tens of thousands of GitHub stars within weeks. It copies Photoshop's menus, panels and shortcuts, renders on the GPU, and reads and writes real PSD files with adjustment layers and layer styles intact. It is free, offline and open source. See PhotoCraft download for official links and install steps, and ArtCraft download for its sister apps for Lightroom, Illustrator and Premiere.

PhotoCraft interface with layers, type and adjustment layers open
PhotoCraft. Screenshot from the official repository; artwork: The Great Wave off Kanagawa, Hokusai (public domain).

Need a quick fix instead of a full editor?

For one-off jobs you can skip installing anything:

Questions

Good to know.

What is the best free Photoshop alternative?

For the closest Photoshop feel and PSD support on the desktop, try PhotoCraft or Affinity. For a mature, stable editor, GIMP. For painting, Krita. For quick edits in a browser without installing anything, Photopea.

Which free editor opens PSD files?

PhotoCraft and Photopea both open layered PSD files and keep most layers editable. GIMP and Krita can open PSDs too, but some layer styles and adjustment layers are flattened or lost.

Is there a free open-source Photoshop clone?

PhotoCraft is an open-source, clean-room reimplementation of Photoshop written in Rust, made public in September 2026 and still early alpha. GIMP is the long-established open-source option with a different interface.

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