Raster Image Editors

Designer-side image editing — different from the developer-pipeline tools in Image Editing (sharp, react-easy-crop, etc.). For photography raw workflows, see the dedicated section below.

Photoshop-class desktop apps

• ★ GIMP 3.x — the OSS Photoshop. GPL, Win/macOS/Linux. The 3.0 release (2025) finally landed non-destructive editing, better text, and a refreshed UI; viable for serious work in 2026.
• ★ Krita — primarily a digital painting app (illustrators, concept artists), but a competent raster editor. GPL, free, fast, excellent brush engine.
• Photopea — browser-based Photoshop clone; freemium (ads on free tier, no account needed). Reads and writes PSD natively. The single best "open this PSD a client sent me" tool.
• Pixlr E / Pixlr X — browser editors; freemium with ads. Lighter than Photopea.
• Affinity Photo 2 — closed-source, one-time purchase (Canva-owned). Photoshop alternative without the subscription.
• Pixelmator Pro — macOS-only, paid; ML-assisted edits.

Photo / RAW workflows

• ★ darktable — OSS RAW developer (Lightroom alternative). GPL. Excellent on Linux and macOS; non-destructive, scene-referred workflow.
• RawTherapee — long-running OSS RAW tool; GPL; powerful processing pipeline.
• ART — RawTherapee fork with a simpler UI.
• digiKam — photo library + RAW editing + tagging; GPL.
• Capture One — closed source, paid; the pro photographer pick. No free tier worth mentioning.

In-browser quick edits

• Photopea — see above; the workhorse.
• Polarr — closed source, freemium; filter / tone focus.
• Photoshop Web (free tier) — Adobe's free in-browser stripped-down Photoshop; closed source, account required.

Pick this if…

• Default OSS replacement for Photoshop on desktop: GIMP 3.
• Open a PSD the client sent, in any browser: Photopea.
• Digital painting / illustration: Krita.
• RAW photo workflow, OSS: darktable.
• One-time-purchase Photoshop alternative: Affinity Photo 2.