Adobe Photoshop costs $22.99/mo.
These cost $0.
2 free alternatives to Adobe Photoshop, checked for license, recent activity and real adoption. Each one tells you the catch, so you can switch with your eyes open.
Adobe Photoshop vs Free Alternatives Matrix
Quick side-by-side comparison · $0/mo vs $22.99/mo
| Alternative | Type | License | Where It Runs | Stars | Head-to-Head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GIMP | open source | Open Source | Self-host | ★ 6.6k | Adobe Photoshop vs GIMP → |
| Krita | open source | cm0zfiowb00pj94snnh6jzvs0 | Self-host | ★ 10.7k | Adobe Photoshop vs Krita → |
The picks
2 open source · ranked by fit
- 01
GIMP
open sourceOpen SourceSelf-host6.6knov 2026GIMP: Advanced open-source image editor.
The catch vs Adobe PhotoshopRequires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Adobe Photoshop.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- webself-hosteddocker to self-host
- install
- Clone https://github.com/GNOME/gimp or deploy with Docker Compose
- setup
- Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables.
- your data
- All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database.
- checked
- 2026-11-04
- 02
Krita
open sourcecm0zfiowb00pj94snnh6jzvs0Self-host10.7knov 2026Krita is a free, open-source digital painting program made by artists for artists.
The catch vs Adobe PhotoshopRequires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Adobe Photoshop.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- webself-hosteddocker to self-host
- install
- Clone https://github.com/KDE/krita or deploy with Docker Compose
- setup
- Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables.
- your data
- All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database.
- checked
- 2026-11-04
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers · Adobe Photoshop open-source replacements
What is the best free alternative to Adobe Photoshop?+
The top free alternative to Adobe Photoshop is GIMP (open source, Open Source). GIMP: Advanced open-source image editor. Other popular Adobe Photoshop replacements include Krita.
Can I self-host a free replacement for Adobe Photoshop?+
Yes. Of the 2 free alternatives to Adobe Photoshop, 2 can be self-hosted on your own server or local machine: GIMP (Open Source), Krita (cm0zfiowb00pj94snnh6jzvs0).
How much does switching from Adobe Photoshop to a free alternative save?+
Adobe Photoshop starts at $22.99/month per seat ($276/year). Switching a 5-person team to a free alternative like GIMP saves $1,379 per year in software subscription fees.
Should I vibe-code or build my own Adobe Photoshop clone from scratch?+
Our build verdict for Adobe Photoshop is NOT REALLY (use a free alternative, save the tokens). Instead of paying recurring SaaS fees for Adobe Photoshop or rebuilding it from scratch, deploy one of the 2 battle-tested open-source alternatives like GIMP or Krita.
What is the catch when switching from Adobe Photoshop to GIMP?+
Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Adobe Photoshop.
