No one can deny all the power that Photoshop has for the edition of photographs and the creation of all kinds of images with different purposes, such as flyers, banners or graphics posts for social networks.
But another thing well known is the cost of using this software: $ 9.99 per month. Which means that we do not buy the license, but only pay monthly for the right to use the program that we have downloaded to our computer. And if we stop spending, we are merely denied that right.
Next, we will recommend three free applications that are excellent alternatives to Photoshop regarding functions. We will also mention others that, although they are for a fee, the price that is set is for the license and not for a kind of lease.
GIMP
Free software users know that GIMP is one of the applications that come preloaded in many of the operating systems based on Linux. The functions that it has are very similar to Photoshop since it uses layers, different brushes and other characteristics identical to those of the Adobe program.
On the graphical interface, we can say that the creators of GIMP have been adapting it to the standard to which Adobe has accustomed us.
One of the few disadvantages that GIMP has concerning Photoshop is that with this program we cannot manage images in RAW format. That is something that, for example, photographers usually do.
To obtain this program, you can click here.
Adobe Photoshop Express
That is, say, a somewhat incomplete version of Photoshop. While the free of cost version has slightly limited functions compared to the version we already know. Adobe Photoshop Express is ideal in those moments when we need to make a quick correction to a photograph. Such as removing red eyes, crop the image, resize it or make all the necessary corrections of color or elimination of spots.
Unlike GIMP, this program does use RAW as a format for the images. But it is not possible to work with layers, so the complexity of the editing is not the strength of this program.
Download it on your web page.
Pixlr
That is a web application, so it is not necessary that we have space on our computer to store and use it. Also, it is something that sets it apart from Photoshop, whose weight is considerable.
Apparently, the set of functions presented by Pixlr is limited but perfect. Here we can cut out an image, remove the background to make it transparent, apply photographic filters, correct and clone aspects of photography and much more.
As for disadvantages, we can mention two crucial problems. As it is mandatory to have Flash to use this website, and it is not possible to edit in batch.
Check the rest of the functions in Pixlr.
Payment options
If you have the budget to acquire a professional photo editing tool, these are much cheaper alternatives than Photoshop:
- Photo Pos Pro 3 (Free / Premium $ 30)
- Affinity Photo ($ 50)
- Pixelmator ($ 30)