What are some free open-source photo editing software out there?
Often heralded as the best free alternative to Photoshop, GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is an open-source application that relies on a community of volunteer developers who maintain. Photoshop is also used for image editing, manipulation and retouching, and offers similar tools to any other software in this realm, but to the nth degree – there are often several ways for performing the same function in Photoshop, be it changing a background colour, cloning elements, frequency separation, or any of the myriad other photo. Canva’s online photo editor is completely free and simple to use! Resize images, add customizable filters, text and more. No watermarks & unlimited use.
The Free & Open Source Image Editor This is the official website of the GNU Image Manipulation Program (GIMP). GIMP is a cross-platform image editor available for GNU/Linux, OS X, Windows and more operating systems. It is free software, you can change its source code and distribute your changes. GIMP (the GNU Image Manipulation Program) is the best free photo editor around. It's packed with the kind of image-enhancing tools you'd find in premium software, and more are being added every.
For pro-level editing, Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom are the best option.
Using these two image editing software, you can do all sorts of image editing from basic to advanced.
But the only downfall is you need to pay Adobe every month for using it that is difficult for many starters like me.
In the beginning, I didn’t have much money to use Photoshop for doing all types of image retouching.
So, I looked for free photo editing software that let me perform basic to advanced retouching.
Fortunately, I found a lot of free options that let me do color correction, crop & resizing, change orientation, correct light, cutout objects, organize photos, and much more.
Even I can edit SVG files, perform non-destructive editing workflows using those free photo editing apps.
In this guide, I have included 7 best free photo editing software for the newbie like me.
You may ask- what I do as a newbie or hobbyist if I have the budget to use Photoshop and Lightroom?
Well, it doesn’t make sense to pay Adobe per month for using it as a hobbyist or a newbie. You can change your plan like me after mastering on editing.
And these free photo editing software I have listed let you be a master on editing.
So, let’s dive in.
Contents
7 Best Open Source Photo Editing Software in 2020
Here is the complete list of free photo editing software.
- GIMP
- Darktable
- Inkscape
- Digikam
- Raw Therapee
- Paint.Net
- Krita
01.GIMP – Best free open-source photo editing software
GIMP is an acronym of the GNU Image Manipulation Program. It has packed with advanced image editing tools and has a Photoshop-like interface.
With GIMP, you can do every type of editing including color correction, retouching, fix distortion, and so on.
To remove background from photos, it has an advanced pen tool, Fuzzy Selection tool, and Free selection tool.
Plus, it has an advanced layer mask tool like Photoshop has. Using this tool, you can precisely erase the background from a complex photo.
For doing advanced retouching, it has come with the Clone Stamp tool, Blemish Remover tool, and Healing brush.
With these tools, you can make your portrait photo stunning.
Moreover, it has a lot of tools to correct perspective distortion, photo color correction, and much more.
Indeed, you can do everything using GIMP as the users of Photoshop do.
So, if you are a pro editor and don’t have much money to use Photoshop, then GIMP is the best option to do advanced retouching.
Features
- Advanced image editing tools
- Include layer system
- Upgraded masking tool
- Advanced color management tool
- Upgraded transform tools
- Retouching tools
- Support all types of file format
Pros
- Customizable interface
- Completely free to use
- Best for professional photo editors
Cons
- Steep learning curve
- Doesn’t offer non-destructive editing workflow
- Don’t let you organize photos
Solution of the cons
If you are a beginner, then you find GIMP a little bit complex. However, there are a lot of websites that offer tutorials to be master on using GIMP.
Check out this article that includes a list of websites that make tutorials on GIMP. Also, you can join on these GIMP forums including GIMP-Forum.Net, Gimpusers.com, GIMP Chat, Gimper.Net, and Reddit.
As GIMP doesn’t let you organize photos, you can use Darktable instead of it.
02.Darktable- Best free Lightroom alternative
Darktable is a free photo editor app for mac.
For those who want to do basic editing, organize photos, correct photo color and so on, then Darktable is the best selection.
Like Lightroom, it also offers non-destructive editing workflows. Besides, it has a lot of presets and filters to enhance photos with a few clicks.
The interface of Darktable is similar to Lightroom. At the same time, it has packed with a lot of editing tools like Lr has.
That’s why Darktable is considered as the best free Lightroom alternative app.
On Darktable, you can organize photos using tag, location, name, rating, and stars.
It helps you to get the file immediately when you want to edit the photos.
Therefore, it has slider-based image editing tools like LR offers to make the retouching work fast and simple.
Something that I like about Darktable is its automatic repetitive tasks. It helps to make my editing workflows fast that save time.
Features
- A lot of adjustment tools
- Includes a lot of presets
- Advanced color correction tools
- Raw photo processor
- Basic photo editing tools
Pros
- Offer non-destructive editing
- Easy to use
- Perfect for organizing photos
- Free to use
Cons
- Not perfect for advanced retouching
Solution of the cons
Use GIMP open source photo editor that lets you perform advanced retouching workflows.
03.Inkscape- Best free vector design software
Inkscape is a free vector design creation software.
If you are an amateur vector artist and want to create logos, text effects, rendering, and much for free, then Inkscape is for you.
Even you can edit the SVG file precisely on Inkscape.
Indeed, it is solely designed for vector designers to create stunning designs.
The plus of Inkscape is it enables you to convert raster file to vector. Even it lets you open and edit PDF and AI files.
Also, you can convert bitmap files to vector using Inkscape. Therefore, you can create your social media content using this free photo editing software.
Though it is a robust vector graphic design software, the interface of Inkscape is intuitive.
There is no steep learning curve. That means you can easily be a master in using Inkscape.
Those who don’t have enough money to use Adobe Illustrator can use Inkscape as an alternative.
The best part is it is free and lets you do almost everything as Adobe Illustrator does.
Features
- Advanced objection creation tools including drawing tool, shape tool, and text tool
- Include a lot of object manipulation tools
- Upgraded Fill & Stroke
- Rendering
- Supports multiple file-formats including SVG, PDF, PNG, DXF, EPS, SK1
Pros
- Easy to use
- No learning curve
- Adaptable layout and interface
Cons
- Keyboard shortcuts do not perform well
- Occur unexpected crush
Solution of the cons
The keyboard shortcuts of Inkscape don’t perform well. So, it is better to use each of the tools manually or selecting from the toolbar.
Crush happened when you add a lot of paths to a project.
So, stop adding multiple paths to a single project. If possible, try to use Adobe Illustrator to avoid these problems.
04.Digikam- Free photo organizing software
DigiKam is a free photo management software. It is solely created for organizing and managing software.
However, I have included this software both for editing and organizing photos.
Besides organizing photos, it also lets you edit photos as it has come with a lot of advanced image editing tools.
With DigiKam, you can process raw photos, correct photo color, adjust brightness & exposure, and much more.
Nonetheless, you can also apply batch photo processing using DigiKam.
Digikam has an advanced module named Light Table for sorting images smartly. Using this module, you can compare each of the photos you shoot.
Furthermore, you can organize photos using meta-tags, stars, ratings, and locations.
The exciting part of Digikam is you can also process raw photos and share them on different social channels.
To get the insight view of DigiKam, you can check out this article by Fix The Photo.
Features
- Support multiple cameras
- Smart photo organizing tools
- Raw processor
- Batch photo processing
- A lot of image editing tools
Pros
- Perfect for photo organization
- Easy to navigate
- Offer batch photo processing
Cons
- Lack of advanced photo editing tools
- Darktable photo organizing system performs better than DigiKam
Solution of the cons
Try to use GIMP instead of DigiKam for advanced image retouching. For organizing photos smartly, use Darktable.
05.Raw Therapee- Best free raw development app
Download software studio music free. Raw Therapee is an open-source photo editor app for developing raw files.
With Raw Therapee, you can edit raw images in a non-destructive way.
Apart from that, you can edit, correct photo color, organize photos, and perform some retouching workflows.
Though the interface of Raw Therapee is the same as Lightroom, Raw Therapee goes deep in case of color correction.
There are a plethora of options to enhance and correct photo colors. Besides, it lets you process raw photos with depth. You can fix chromatic aberration, noise reduction of your raw files.
However, if we judge Raw Therapee by the intuitiveness of the interface, then Lightroom is superior to it.
Even so, the photo organizing system of Raw Therapee is not as intuitive as LR.
Aside from these, if you find software for developing raw files, then Raw Therapee is the best selection.
To get an in-depth look at Raw Therapee features, check out this article of Expert Photography.
Features
- Advanced color correction tools
- Raw image processor
- Photo organization option
- Basic editing tools
- Adjustment tools
Pros
- Completely free
- Enables to convert files in various formats
- Perfect for raw development
Cons
- Unintuitive interface
- Little bit complex
- The performance rate is low comparing to Lightroom
Solution of the cons
Most of the beginner find the interface of Raw Therapee complex. As a solution, you can use Darktable that is another free alternative to Lightroom.
06.Paint.Net- Awesome tool for painting & editing
Paint.Net is another full-featured free photo editing software for Windows.
Intuitive interface, layer system, effects, plugins, and a plethora of editing tools are available on Paint.Net.
Helpful community, tutorials, and plugins make photo editing easy and enjoyable on Paint.Net.
With Paint.Net, you can do basic editing with precision.
Though it doesn’t let you do creative editing or advanced retouching, you can give a clean look to your photo free from any visible imperfections.
For making adjustments, it has come with Hue, Saturation, and Curves tools.
Moreover, it includes a lot of art effects to create stunning painting photos including oil, ink, and pencil.
The drawback of this tool is it has come with limited brush workflows.
At the same time, the text tool doesn’t perform well when you apply any effects.
Disregarding these drawbacks, it is a great tool for beginners.
Features
- A lot of effects included to remove red-eye, blemishes, and fix distortions
- Powerful editing tools
- Intuitive & customizable interface
- Plethora of History panels
Pros
- Easy to use
- Completely free
- Third-party plugins make editing workflow smooth
- Growing online helpful community
- Tutorials available
Cons
- Lack of advanced retouching tools
- Doesn’t come with Dodge & Burn tool
- Unupgraded brush tool
Solution of the cons
Gimp is a better solution to do all types of retouching workflows. Or, you can choose Photoshop to enjoy advanced retouching.
07. Krita- Best free digital painting software
Krita is a free painting photo editing software. The interface of Krita is intuitive and has everything at your fingertips.
With Krita, you can create stunning drawing & painting arts. Even a child can use it to draw paintings.
This digital painting tool has come with a lot of brushes for drawing arts. The best part is you can customize each of the brush tools.
For a newbie, you don’t need to make changes into any brushes as it has come with everything you need.
The pencil tool of Krita is by far so advanced than its other counterparts. The softness of this tool is great and its stroke is straight.
Freeware Photo Editing Software
To sum up, it is a great digital painting tool for the newbie.
Even those who don’t have any painting experience before can create digital drawings using this free photo editor.
Features
- Plethora of brush tools
- Selection tools
- Transform tools
- Layer system
- HDR support
- Drawing assistance
- Color palette
- Advanced pencil tools
Pros
- Completely free to use
- No experience needed to use it
- User-friendly interface
- Support plugins
- Compatible on Linux, Windows, and macOS
Cons
- Crush happened frequently
- Lack of keyboard shortcuts
Solution of the cons
The problem of Krita is there occur crushes often. As a result, you can lose your work.
To get rid of this problem, it is better to save the working file often.
I also noticed that Krita has a lack of keyboard shortcuts and layers. For solving this problem, you can switch your plan Krita to Photoshop.
Conclusion
To enhance photo quality, we must take help from photo editing software, either beginner or professionals.
And the list of open-source photo editing software I have included above help you enhance photos without spending a single buck.
But the question is- which is the best free photo editing software on this list?
Well, it depends on what you are going to do and what you are capable of doing.
To me, Gimp is the best free open-source photo editor on this list. It lets you do almost everything as Photoshop and Lightroom do.
For professionals who don’t have enough money to use Photoshop, they can take advantage of this free photo editor.
On the other hand, if you are looking for a free Lightroom alternative, then Darktable is one that you expect.
For your convenience, I have listed those free photo editing software here again.
- Gimp- Best free Photoshop alternative
- Darktable- Best free Lightroom alternative
- Inkscape- Best free vector design app
- Digicam- Best for photo organization
- Raw Therapee- Best raw development app
- Paint.Net- Perfect for painting and basic editing
- Krita- Best free digital painting software
Have you tried out any of the software on this list? Which software are you going to try out?
Have I missed any software that should include?
Let me know by leaving a comment below.
General FAQ
What is the best free photo editing software?
Which free photo editing software is best for beginners?
Darktable, Krita, DigiKam, Inkscape, and Raw Therapee are the best free photo editing software for beginners.
Is there any free photo editing software?
All of the apps I included on this list are free.
Is there an open source version of Photoshop?
Yes, Gimp is the open source version of Photoshop.
Is there an open source version of Lightroom?
Darktable is the open source version of Lightroom.
Sohel Rana
Sohel Rana is the founder, content crafter, and SEO's at Pic Editor Review. He has grown his passion over years about writing on software, how-to guide, and product description.
Looking for the best photo editing software for your business?
You’ve probably read dozens of listicles, but they’re all geared toward photographers with years of experience.
Talk about an editing overkill. Not everyone needs a pricey, state-of-the-art tool!
What’s a business owner to do? Fortunately, that’s what this guide is for.
Today, I’ll share some of the best great photo editing software tools along with their key features, pricing, potential drawbacks, and best use cases.
Whether you want to retouch your LinkedIn profile headshot or erase a photo-bombing person in the background, this list will come in handy.
Best Photo Manipulation Software
Let’s get started.
1. Pixlr
Desktop/Mobile App: Both.
Pixlr, a browser-based editing software, offers user-friendly tools to turn mediocre photos into scroll-stopping pictures.
One of the most impressive features is its AI design tool. Pick any unwanted object or background, and Pixlr erases it in a single click.
Key Features:
- AI design tool
- Library (stickers, icons, decorative text, etc.)
- Sleek editing tools (e.g., liquify, color replace)
Potential Drawbacks:
- Pixlr doesn’t save your images on its server. You need to use the same computer and browser to access the files you saved in your account.
Best For: Removing the background and unwanted objects.
Pricing: Free. Paid plans start at $4.90/month, billed annually. Grab the Pixlr lifetime deal on AppSumo today for $49.
2. Adobe Photoshop
Source: YouTube
Desktop/Mobile App: Both.
Ah, the gold standard of photo editing.
Adobe Photoshop may have a bad rep for its pricing (it went from a one-time purchase to a subscription model), but you can’t deny it’s a powerful tool for extensive editing.
Key Features:
- Photo effects (e.g., liquify filters for image retouching and effects)
- Content-aware fill
- Preset and custom drawing brushes
- Huge variety of plugins
Potential Drawbacks:
- Steep learning curve. You need a few years to grasp the tool. Some experienced users still discover new features despite using it for ten years.
- Buggy user experience whenever there’s a new update (e.g., inability to close color picker box).
Best For: Extensive photo editing.
Pricing: 7-day free trial. Paid plans start at $20.99/month (100GB of storage). Adobe offers a bundle deal (Photoshop + Lightroom) that costs $9.99/month, but it only offers 20GB of storage.
3. Snapseed
Desktop/Mobile App: Mobile app.
100 million app downloads. That means something, right?
It’s amazing what you can do with Snapseed. Just position the points on any part of your photo, pinch and drag to adjust, and let the free mobile app do the rest.
Key Features:
- Advanced editing tools (e.g, head pose to change angle, selective tool to adjust brightness or ambiance on specific parts of photos).
- Filters effects (e.g., faded glow, silhouette)
- View edit history
Potential Drawbacks:
- Slow loading when exporting photos, especially when it involved significant editing.
Best For: Quick editing of specific parts of your photos.
Pricing: Free.
4. Mextures Photo Editor
Source: YouTube
Desktop/Mobile App: Mobile app.
Spot a gorgeous picture and want to replicate that effect? You can do that with Mextures. Click the iPhone app’s formula manager, import it, and use it on your own!
Key Features:
- Vibrant community. You can share formulas and even import them (by using their unique IDs) from fellow Mextures users.
- Layers for blending effects
- Textures and editing tools (e.g., Exposure, Contrast)
Potential Drawbacks:
- Buggy interface. Mextures occasionally crashes when accessing formulas.
- Slow loading (e.g., the app takes at least a minute to import or export photos)
- Lack of customer support
- Only on iPhone
Best For: Speedy editing of photos on iPhone.
Pricing: $1.99.
5. Sumopaint
Heads-up! Sumopaint and AppSumo aren’t related companies. We just happen to share similar names.
Desktop/Mobile App: Desktop.
Sumopaint may not be as comprehensive as Adobe Photoshop, but it does the job well enough in terms of simple editing.
If you’re looking for a beginner-friendly online image editor with the bells and whistles, this is worth a look.
Key Features:
- Basic photo editing tools (e.g., gradient fill, blur, clone)
Potential Drawbacks:
- Slow interface. The display text under the cursor takes a while to show when hovering the buttons. This is not a big deal for experienced users, but if you’re new to the software, it may take you longer as you get familiar with it.
Best For: Simple photo enhancements for beginners.
Pricing: Free. Paid plans start at $9 per user, significant discount for students.
6. Inkscape
Source: YouTube
Desktop/Mobile App: Desktop.
OK, this isn’t your typical photo editing software, but if you’re looking to create a vector tracing or cartoon image of your photos, look no further than Inkscape.
This open-source vector graphics editor makes a decent Illustrator alternative!
Key Features:
- Node editing (e.g., aligning, distributing)
- Object creation and manipulation (e.g., drawing tools, layers)
Potential Drawbacks:
- Medium learning curve due to overwhelming interface.
- Laggy user experience when working with high-res files.
Best For: Creating vector tracing or cartoons of photos.
Pricing: Free.
7. PicMonkey
Desktop/Mobile App: Both.
PicMonkey’s a photo editor and graphic design tool that’s absurdly easy to use.
Want to retouch your professional headshot? Tweak lightning for a photo before uploading it on social media? PicMonkey has the tools to make them happen.
Key Features:
- Textures (e.g., glitter, marbled ink)
- Photo effects (e.g., film grain, polaroid film)
- Beauty touch ups (e.g., brightening eyes, fixing blemishes)
- Template and graphic library
Potential Drawbacks:
- Lack of features on mobile app. Users report it’s easy to edit photos, but creating graphics is next to impossible.
Best For: Designing graphics and basic to medium editing for photos.
Pricing: 7-day free trial. Paid plans start at $6/month, billed annually.
8. Photopea
Desktop/Mobile App: Desktop.
Say hello to Photopea, an advanced browser-based image editor.
Features-wise, this is the closest to Photoshop. If you’re a fan of the latter, but you have a tight budget, try it. Photopea might be the tool you’re looking for.
Key Features:
- Advanced photo editing tools (e.g., refine edge, spot healing brush)
- Excellent customer support. Photopea is built by a solo developer who’s responsive to feedback.
Potential Drawbacks:
- Large banner ad on the right corner can be distracting. But given that it’s a free tool, this is a minor issue.
- Steep learning curve for new users, though Photoshop users will have no problem navigating it, as it has a similar interface.
Best For: Extensive photo editing for experienced users looking for a free Photoshop alternative.
Pricing: Free. Paid plans start at $40 a month, billed annually.
9. PhotoScape X
Desktop/Mobile App: Both. For mobile, only available for Apple products.
If you want a fuss-free way to polish your photos, you won’t be disappointed with PhotoScape X.
Whether it’s cropping an image or adding text to a screenshot, this lightweight software tool is your new best friend.
Key Features:
- Beginner-friendly editing tools (e.g., cropping, resizing)
Potential Drawbacks:
- Outdated interface
- Images tend to become blurry or pixelated after editing. Thankfully, there’s an easy way to overcome this mini limitation. Just configure the compression level before saving your image!
Best For: Cropping, resizing, and adding text to photos.
Pricing: Free. Paid plans cost $39.99 (one-time purchase).
10. Fotor
Desktop/Mobile App: Both.
Looking for a photo editing software with graphic design capabilities? You’re in luck. With Fotor, you can edit your photos, make collages, and create beautiful graphics on a single platform.
Key Features:
- Beauty retouching (e.g., removing wrinkles, fixing blemishes, teeth whitening)
- Photo effects
- Editing tools (e.g., 1-tap enhancing, cropping, removing background)
Potential Drawbacks:
- Distracting banner ads (for free plans)
- Slow loading (e.g., when using image cutout tool)
Best For: Designing graphics, creating photo collages, and basic to medium editing.
Pricing: Free. Paid plans start at $3.33/month when billed annually.
Which Photo Editing Software Will You Use Today?
These ten photo editing tools are great in their own way.
Remove background with a click? Try Pixlr.
Create vector tracings of your photos, Inkscape’s got you covered.
Edit certain areas of your photos on your mobile? Check out Snapseed.
I hope this guide helps you narrow down your choices!
To recap, here are their best use cases:
- Pixlr: Removing the background and unwanted objects. Grab the Pixlr lifetime deal on AppSumo today for $49.
- Adobe Photoshop: Extensive photo editing.
- Snapseed: Quick editing of specific parts of your photos.
- Mextures Photo Editor: Speedy editing of photos on iPhone.
- Sumopaint: Simple photo enhancements for beginners.
- Inkscape: Creating vector tracing or cartoons of photos.
- PicMonkey: Designing graphics and basic to medium editing for photos.
- Photopea: Extensive photo editing for experienced users looking for a free Photoshop alternative.
- PhotoScape X: Cropping, resizing, and adding text to photos.
- Fotor: Designing graphics, creating photo collages, and basic to medium editing.
Let us know how it turns out!
By Priscilla Tan