Photoshop’s subscription-only pricing pushed a lot of people looking for a free alternative, and free image editors in 2025 are genuinely capable — some rival Photoshop feature-for-feature, others trade power for simplicity. Which one is “best” depends entirely on what you’re doing. Here’s the five worth knowing.
Quick Comparison
| Tool | Best for | Platform | Learning curve | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GIMP | Full photo editing/retouching | Windows, Mac, Linux (install) | Steep | Free, open source |
| Photopea | Photoshop-like editing, zero install | Any browser | Moderate | Free (ads), Premium removes ads |
| Canva | Templates, social graphics, quick designs | Browser, iOS, Android | Easiest | Free tier, Pro $12.99/mo |
| Paint.NET | Simple edits, layers, filters | Windows only | Easy | Free |
| Krita | Digital painting, illustration | Windows, Mac, Linux | Moderate | Free, open source |
GIMP: The Full Photoshop Alternative
GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is the closest thing to a complete, free Photoshop replacement — layers, masks, curves, channels, a full selection toolkit, filters, scripting support, and it can open PSD files with some limitations.
- Strengths: free forever, no feature gating, serious retouching tools, extensible with plugins/scripts, Windows/Mac/Linux
- Weaknesses: unfamiliar interface even for Photoshop users, requires install, non-destructive editing feels clunkier
Best for: serious photo retouching or compositing with zero ongoing cost and a tolerance for a learning curve.
Photopea: Photoshop in Your Browser
Photopea is a browser-based editor that deliberately mimics Photoshop’s interface almost exactly, and opens PSD, AI, XD, and Sketch files natively with layers intact.
- Strengths: zero install, near-identical UI to Photoshop, opens PSD/AI/XD/Sketch, fully functional free tier
- Weaknesses: ad-supported free tier, performance depends on device, no cloud save on free tier
Best for: anyone who already knows Photoshop and wants the same workflow for free, or needs to open a PSD without owning Photoshop.
Canva: Templates First, Editing Second
Canva isn’t a photo editor in the traditional sense — it’s a design tool built around templates, drag-and-drop layout, and stock assets. For social graphics, thumbnails, and marketing materials, it’s the fastest path from blank page to finished design.
- Strengths: huge free template library, drag-and-drop simplicity, built-in stock assets, Pro adds background remover and brand kits
- Weaknesses: not built for pixel-level retouching, best elements sit behind Pro, less precise control than GIMP/Photopea
Best for: non-designers who need a finished graphic fast. Canva is worth trying free first — the Pro upgrade is only necessary once you outgrow the free template and asset library.
Paint.NET: Simple, Fast, Windows-Only
Paint.NET started as a student project to replace MS Paint and has grown into a genuinely capable layer-based editor while staying lightweight and fast — a sweet spot between Paint’s simplicity and GIMP’s complexity.
- Strengths: fast, lightweight, layers and a solid plugin ecosystem, approachable interface, free (donation-supported)
- Weaknesses: Windows only, missing curves and non-destructive layer effects, plugin quality varies
Best for: Windows users who want more than MS Paint without GIMP’s full depth.
Krita: Built for Digital Painting and Illustration
Krita is a free, open-source painting application built for digital artists — brush engines, canvas rotation, animation timelines, and color management are all first-class features, unlike the photo-editing focus of the other tools here.
- Strengths: best-in-class brush engine, built-in 2D animation, excellent for illustration and comic work, free and open source
- Weaknesses: not built for photo retouching workflows, learning curve if coming from photo editing rather than painting
Best for: digital painters, illustrators, and comic artists — not the right tool if your primary need is editing photographs.
Where AllMediaTools Fits In
None of the five editors above are the fastest option for narrow, single-purpose tasks — running a full editor is overkill if all you need is one quick operation:
- Shrinking a file for upload or email — AllMediaTools Image Compressor does this in one drag-and-drop, no editor to open
- Switching formats (PNG to JPG, HEIC-converted images to WebP) — AllMediaTools Image Converter handles it instantly
- Generating a new image from scratch — AllMediaTools AI Image Generator produces one from a text description in under a minute, free. See our roundup of the best free AI image generators
A common workflow: design or edit in Canva/Photopea/GIMP, then compress and convert the final export with AllMediaTools before publishing.
Which One Should You Actually Pick?
- Want the closest thing to full Photoshop, free forever, and don’t mind installing software? GIMP.
- Already know Photoshop and want the same experience with zero install? Photopea.
- Need a finished social graphic or thumbnail fast, no design background? Canva.
- On Windows, want something simple and fast without GIMP’s depth? Paint.NET.
- Doing illustration or digital painting rather than photo editing? Krita.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is GIMP as good as Photoshop?
For most editing tasks, yes — GIMP covers layers, masks, curves, retouching, and filters that match or come close to Photoshop’s equivalents. It falls short on some advanced non-destructive workflows and Photoshop-specific plugins, but is a complete free replacement for most users.
Do I need to install anything?
No, if you use Photopea or Canva — both run entirely in a browser. GIMP and Krita require a desktop install (both free), and Paint.NET is a lightweight Windows install.
Which is best for beginners?
Canva, by a wide margin. Its template-first approach means customizing an already-designed layout rather than building one from a blank canvas, far more approachable than GIMP’s or Krita’s tool-heavy interfaces.
Can I remove backgrounds for free?
Yes. Canva’s free tier has a limited background remover (Pro unlocks the full version), Photopea supports manual removal with selection tools, and GIMP can do it manually with layer masks — none require paid software, though manual methods take more effort than a one-click Pro tool.