While Photoshop and Lightroom have become synonymous with photo editing, you’ll find plenty of free software if you aren’t a professional and don’t want to spend money. Photo editing doesn’t have to cost a fortune.

GIMP is easily considered one of the best Photoshop alternatives out there, and it’s also an ideal way to open a PSD file without Photoshop. It’s free to download and also comes with a portable version. You can customize its interface to fit your needs, personalize your brushes, and even install additional plug-ins. Gimp is open-source software, which means it’s constantly evolving to meet the needs of its users.

GIMP also has some more advanced features, like face swapping, intelligent scissors for easy selection, layer masks, and even gives you the ability to create GIFs.

Even if you’re just a beginner, you can still enjoy cropping, applying photo enhancements, and experimenting with GIMP’s many filters. Just keep in mind that GIMP’s interface is not the most intuitive and will take a while to figure out.

Pixlr E has an interface reminiscent of Photoshop. It’s much easier to use if you’re already familiar with Photoshop, but that’s just a bonus—Photoshop experience is not necessary to enjoy Pixlr E.

The software offers levels and exposure adjustments, as well as layers and masks. However, it has several features that make it even more extensive. For one, you can open pictures directly from a URL. It also has a library of royalty-free images and recommended templates if you’re creating a design.

Picsart is one of the best AI photo editors, with tools like expand, style transfer, and replace available without a paid subscription. The app also has a handful of useful editing sliders, like changing your picture’s hue and white balance.

You can also adjust the light in your picture by altering the contrast, shadows, brightness, and highlights. I really like Picsart’s light filters, too, and its color-toning options are also pretty cool. Moreover, you can add a vintage effect to your pictures with different stenciler options.

While HSL and background removal are paid features, you should have enough free tools to create an excellent edit.

Many people view Photopea as a great replacement for Photoshop. It offers a lot of the same features, such as an assortment of filters, layers, quick selection tools, and the ability to work on several pictures at the same time. It even lets you edit PSD files.

Since it’s web-based, you don’t have to download anything, and can open it on any computer. It doesn’t even require you to sign up. However, since the tool is online, you may encounter glitches, especially when you have to make heavy edits.

Additionally, some features are a bit more tricky to use in this app. For example, if you want to make a background transparent, it’s a more involved process that doesn’t always generate the best results.

Canva is less of a free picture editor, and more of a design tool. Canva is a web-based software that requires registration, and also offers a paid version. However, the free version is more than enough if your main focus is to create digital designs—and you can use Canva for several things as a photographer.

There are endless templates for anything from an Instagram post to an animated presentation or even company logos. The app has a simple drag-and-drop interface, with basic photo-editing tools to help you fine-tune an existing image. For example, you can add numerous filters and adjust the brightness and shadows.

You can also add a variety of effects like blur. I suggest using the app alongside another editing tool if possible, but if not, you should have enough to make simple adjustments.

Adobe Express is primarily for graphic design and is very similar to Canva. However, while photo editing isn’t its primary use, the app still has several useful features to help you in this area. For example, you can easily increase or decrease the saturation.

When using Adobe Express, you also have the option to sharpen and blur your image. Moreover, you’ll have access to tools like cropping and object removal.

Adobe Express has a handful of effects, too, but I have to admit that I’m not the hugest fan of these. The free version is great, but I think Adobe Express Premium is worth the money.

Photo editing apps don’t need to be expensive to have excellent features. You’ll find many fantastic tools available for free, many of which don’t require a download. Sometimes, you don’t even need to sign up for an account.