# Open Source Alternative to Photoshop

Open source alternatives · Design

Photoshop costs US$22.99 every month. GIMP does the core job, layers, masks, retouching, for free, forever.

**What the paid app costs:** US$22.99/mo

## Why switch?

Most people use a fraction of Photoshop: cropping, layers, color tweaks, removing backgrounds. The free alternatives cover all of that, open your old PSD files, and never ask for a subscription. The money you save in one year buys a decent drawing tablet.

## Compare the alternatives

AlternativeLicensePlatformsBest for[GIMP](https://www.gimp.org/)GPL-3.0Windows, macOS, LinuxBest all-round free Photoshop replacement[Krita](https://krita.org/)GPL-3.0Windows, macOS, LinuxBest for digital painting and illustration[Pinta](https://www.pinta-project.com/)MITWindows, macOS, LinuxBest lightweight pick for quick edits

### [GIMP](https://www.gimp.org/)

Free forever GPL-3.0 · Windows, macOS, Linux

- Layers, masks, and channels
- Opens and edits PSD files
- Scriptable with Python

**Best all-round free Photoshop replacement**

[Official site →](https://www.gimp.org/)

### [Krita](https://krita.org/)

Free forever GPL-3.0 · Windows, macOS, Linux

- Pro-grade brush engines
- Built for digital painting
- Animation timeline included

**Best for digital painting and illustration**

[Official site →](https://krita.org/)

### [Pinta](https://www.pinta-project.com/)

Free forever MIT · Windows, macOS, Linux

- Simple Paint.NET-style interface
- Layers and unlimited undo
- Lightweight and fast

**Best lightweight pick for quick edits**

[Official site →](https://www.pinta-project.com/)

## Which one should you pick?

- **GIMP:** Best all-round free Photoshop replacement
- **Krita:** Best for digital painting and illustration
- **Pinta:** Best lightweight pick for quick edits

## Frequently asked questions

### Is GIMP really free?

Yes. GIMP is GPL-licensed open source: free to download, free to use, free for commercial work, forever.

### Can GIMP open PSD files?

Yes, GIMP opens and edits most PSD files. Very complex files with smart objects or proprietary effects may need small manual fixes.

### Is Krita better than GIMP?

For painting and illustration, yes, Krita's brush engines beat both GIMP and Photoshop. For photo retouching and compositing, GIMP is the stronger pick.

## More open source alternatives

- [Illustrator](/open-source-alternative-to-illustrator/)
- [Lightroom](/open-source-alternative-to-lightroom/)
- [Figma](/open-source-alternative-to-figma/)
- [InDesign](/open-source-alternative-to-indesign/)
- [After Effects](/open-source-alternative-to-after-effects/)

[← All open source alternatives](/open-source-alternatives/)