Available in almost twenty languages for Linux, Mac, and Windows platforms, GIMP recognizes almost all file formats that you'd expect from a paid editor like Photoshop including GIF, JPEG, PNG and TIFF among others, as well as partial support for PSD files (not all layers may be readable). The best free open source photo best free open source photo editor software Mac PC. When we talk about photo editing than first things comes in mind Adobe Photoshop because of its most popular best photo editor app and software today.
- Free Photo Editor For Windows
- Adobe Photo Editor For Mac
- Free Photo Editing Like Photoshop For Mac
- Free Photo Editor For Mac Like Photoshop
Here are three great alternatives to Photoshop for Mac.
Adobe Photoshop may have been the presiding force in photo-editing on Mac for the best part of 30 years, but it’s no longer the only show in town. In fact, a quick Google Safari based search shows that there are tons of options available for image editing on Mac.
From the humble novice who simply wants to crop a photo, to the talented amateur who wants to do more, to the full flung professional photographers, artists and graphic designers who want it all, there’s an alternative for everyone.
It can be challenging to find photo editors that stand out from the crowd these days, but we’ve found three distinct photo editors that are all worthy Photoshop alternatives. Each of the alternatives we’ve chosen focus on a particular aspect of Photoshop and take it to the next level.
CyberlinkPhoto Director Ultra
CyberLink PhotoDirector Ultra – best for simply clever photo editing
PhotoDirector Ultra is an all in one photo editor and manager package and a really good option for both automatic and manual editing tools. The interface is beautifully crafted while retaining a simplicity of use that will appeal to photographers of all levels and abilities.
At first glance, PhotoDirector can seem somewhat intimidating to the novice editor, but the editing tools are intuitive to use, and a brief 10-minute whizz through some of the helpful guides and tutorials should have you editing away quickly like a pro in no time. Frequent fliers of photo editing apps will feel right at home and perhaps be surprised by the sheer array of extensive editing options.
Essentially, editing tools are split between basic and advanced. Like Photoshop, PhotoDirector Ultra includes layer editing, so you can get clever and really transform your photos. It also includes some really incredible features for video-to-photo editing, and 360° photo editing.
Not only does PhotoDirector let you edit, correct and transform photos with an extensive set of editing tools it also comes with a fantastic photo management system, letting you plough through thousands of photos and easily find the one you need.
Purists may dislike or scoff the ‘for the masses,’ approach of PhotoDirector, but we don’t think that’s a bad thing. As well as the above, PhotoDirector Ultra also lets you upload directly to the likes of Facebook, YouTube and other social media platforms, which is nice.
We also thought the uniquely easy to use Face Swap tool is a real selling point, allowing as it does, the easy moving of people from one photo to another.
Overall, PhotoDirector Ultra is a powerful photo editor that makes editing and sharing photos relatively simple and straightforward, while managing your photo collection becomes a breeze.
Luminar
Luminar photo editor for Mac is another powerful, all-in-one photo suite that is positively overflowing with useful tools and versatile filters that rivals, and in someways betters parts of both Photoshop and Adobe’s other main dog in the fight, Lightroom.
Again, like Photo Director, a ten-minute sojourn playing with the interface should have you editing with ease. But for the power Luminar seems to have under its belt, the interface is incredibly easy to use, with several one-click ‘automatic’ enhancers.
Luminar is a great choice for both beginners and professional users. The app lets you choose from dozens of presets that do a great job of quickly enhancing pictures but also has the depth and advanced tools available for use by professionals. There’s a Clone tool, Stamp tool, Fast Object Removal, and noise reduction.
While Luminar perhaps it is not quite as advanced as Photoshop (mainly due to its lack of advanced painting capabilities), it does put Lightroom to shame, and costs a lot less.
The sheer number of filters that come with Luminar is also staggering, and is worth the purchase price alone. It’s worth noting that it can also be used as a plug-in to improve Lightroom if that’s what you use already.
The Sun Rays filter though is something else. It is breathtaking at how well it works. Just move the sun wherever you want in your picture and the rays adjust magically around the trees or buildings foliage in your image. Breathtaking.
Corel Painter 2019
Corel Painter is the perfect photoshop alternative for digital artists who want to showcase their creativity. It is a fully equipped digital art studio that can help you turn your favorite images into amazing photo art.
Corel Painter is squarely aimed at professionals, but is still a lot of fun, if a bit advanced. It comes with over 600 different brushes and can create just about every type of natural media in existence.
With an extensive array of tools, you can get really creative with your edits and create some masterpieces. Essentially, if you are looking for a real alternative to Photoshop, then Corel Painter is probably what you consider looking for.
The 2019 edition of Corel Painter is a step above its previous edition, introducing an all-around more enjoyable user experience. It has an updated, dark UI, significant speed and perfromance improvements, and 36 additional brushes to use.
If you’re an aspiring photo artist, Corel Painter can help you to more easily transform your photos into spectacular works of art. With auto-painting and cloning tools, and one-of-a-kind image painting features, it gives you everything you need for advanced creative photo editing.
Final thoughts
While there’s no denying that Adobe Photoshop is truly magnificent beast of software used by professional graphic designers and photographers the world over there are other options that are just as good, if not better.
Earlier this week we took at look at some great free web based alternatives to Photoshop. Since we don’t always have web access (this can be especially true during our favorite photo editing time: while riding on a plane), we decided it was a good idea to look at some free photo editing options available for download.
Free Photo Editor For Windows
In this list we’ve broken our software down just like we had with our web based list. Basic applications will perform basic photo editing tasks like cropping and resizing, while the More Robust applications will be more akin to Photoshop with options such as working with layers. Applications built for the Mac will have an “M” at the end, Windows a “W,” Unix a “U.”
- iPhoto: Since iLife comes free on every Mac, it makes our cut for a decent free basic photo editor. Of course iPhoto also boasts great photo organization in addition to the simple editing. M
- PhotoFiltre: This simple editor is like a pared down Photoshop and would have made our More Robust category had it included layer support. W
- Picasa: Think of this software as Google’s answer to iPhoto mashed with flickr. M, W
- PhotoPlus: Yet another basic photo editor, bonus for the lay users, this one comes with a tooth whitener tool. W
- Photoscape: This basic photo editor allows for RAW conversions to JPEG and has a tool for creating animated GIFs. W
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- Gimp: Easily the most popular free robust Photoshop replacement, and it is easy to see why. With an amazing array of editing tools and thriving developer community, Gimp is a fantastic choice for a real Photoshop replacement and is the one we most frequently use here at Unplggd. M, U, W
- LiveQuartz: This easy to use editor has a surprising amount of tools including layer management and multi-touch support. M
- Seashore: Another open source editor, Seashore, features gradients, textures, and anti-aliasing for both text and brush strokes.
- Paint.Net: Originally intended as a free replacement to Microsoft Paint software, Paint.Net has grown over the years into a much more powerful tool that includes layer support and several editing tools. W
- Pixen: This open source editor is designed specifically for pixel artists and features elegant layer support and great animation tools. M
Adobe Photo Editor For Mac
Did we miss your favorite free photo editing application?
Free Photo Editing Like Photoshop For Mac
(Lead Image: flickr member William Brawley editing photos, licensed for use under Creative Commons)