Adobe Photoshop alternatives
Killing $22.99/mo (~$276/yr) — here are 3 verified escapes, honest trade-offs included.
Full-featured raster editor covering most photo-editing workflows.
you stop paying $22.99/mo → keep ~$276/yr
head-to-head
| Adobe Photoshop | GIMP | |
|---|---|---|
| price | $22.99/mo | Free |
| self-hostable | no | no |
| license | proprietary | GPL-3.0 |
| verified | — | 2026-08 |
| migration | — | medium effort |
free & open source (1)
cheaper, but not open source (2)
Photoshop-like editor in the browser; opens PSD files natively.
trade-offs: Browser-only · Some advanced features behind paywall
Professional-grade editor with no subscription — pay once.
trade-offs: Closed source · Smaller plugin ecosystem than Adobe
migration guide
Escape Photoshop for Photopea + GIMP
⏱ ~1 hour- Inventory your work: which files are PSDs, which rely on Actions or plugins.
- Open photopea.com and drag in your most complex PSD — layer styles and smart objects usually survive.
- Install GIMP for offline/heavy work; it opens PSDs too.
- Rebuild your top 3 Actions as repeatable GIMP steps or Script-Fu snippets (Actions don't import).
- Export custom brushes/presets you're licensed to reuse.
- Work in Photopea/GIMP exclusively for one week.
- Cancel Photoshop in Adobe's plan management — keep the free Adobe account for font sync leftovers.
faq
What is the best free alternative to Adobe Photoshop?
GIMP is the top free option — Full-featured raster editor covering most photo-editing workflows.
How much can I save by switching from Adobe Photoshop?
Adobe Photoshop costs $22.99/mo, so switching to a free alternative saves roughly $276/year per seat.
Can Adobe Photoshop be self-hosted?
Adobe Photoshop itself cannot be self-hosted, but check each alternative's badges above for self-hosting support.