The best Photoshop alternative is Affinity, which Canva made free for individuals on Windows, Mac and iPad: it opens PSD files and covers photo, vector and layout work, and only its AI tools need a paid Canva plan. Photopea is the best free option in a browser and the closest to Photoshop's interface, Canva is best for quick marketing edits without design training, and Adobe Express is the cheaper way to keep Adobe's Firefly AI.
Best Photoshop alternatives in 2026
Affinity
Free pixel, vector and layout studios with PSD import; Generative Fill and Expand need Canva Pro ($18 a month).
Photopea
Opens and saves PSD with layers, masks and smart objects on any computer, including Chromebooks; free with ads.
Canva
Templates, background removal and brand kits for social and marketing images, no Photoshop skills needed.
Adobe Express
Firefly generative fill, background removal and Adobe Stock from $9.99 a month on Premium.
Questions buyers ask
What is the best free alternative to Photoshop?
Affinity on Windows, Mac and iPad: every editing tool is free with a Canva account. Photopea if you want to edit in a browser without installing anything, and GIMP if you need open source or Linux.
Is Affinity really free now?
Yes, for individuals. Since Canva's late-2025 relaunch, Affinity's photo, vector and layout tools are free with a free Canva account, including updates. Only the Canva AI tools inside it, such as Generative Fill and Expand, need a Canva premium plan, Pro being $18 a month or about $144 a year in the US.
Is GIMP a good Photoshop alternative?
For free, open-source editing on Linux, Windows or Mac, yes. GIMP 3.2 added non-destructive and vector layers and improved PSD import, but it has no built-in generative AI (only third-party plugins), no CMYK working mode, and its interface differs more from Photoshop than Affinity's or Photopea's.