Best Adobe Alternatives to Use in 2024 [Free & Paid]

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Best Adobe Alternatives to Use in 2024 [Free & Paid]

February 19, 2024

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When it comes to design, documentation, and development, Adobe reigns supreme in the professional world. But its high cost can naturally lead to ask if there’s an Adobe alternative that’s available for free or for a lower cost.

Quick summary

An alternative to Adobe^® Premiere^® Pro: Movavi Video Editor

A user-friendly editing software for effortlessly making professional-looking content.

An alternative to Adobe^® Photoshop^®: GIMP

A free and open-source image editor that offers almost the same functionality as Photoshop.

An alternative to Adobe^® Illustrator^®: InkScape

A convenient tool for creating vector images from basic geometric shapes and other pictures.

We’ve found several powerful paid and free Adobe alternatives that are feature-packed and ready to help you maximize your creative expression. Let’s take a closer look at popular alternatives to Adobe software!

At Movavi, we’re committed to providing you with verified information only. Here’s what we do to ensure this:

When selecting products to include in our reviews, we research both demand and popularity.
All products mentioned in this article have been tested by Movavi Content Team.
When testing, we aim to highlight the best features of a product and what it’s best suited for.
We study user reviews from popular review platforms and make use of this information when writing our product reviews.
We collect feedback from our users and analyze their opinions of Movavi software as well as products from other companies.

Alternatives to Adobe^® Premiere^® Pro

Movavi Video Editor

Best for:
overall ease of use and lots of editing tools
Price:
free trial, HK$309/year, HK$389/lifetime

Movavi Video Editor is a powerful and user-friendly multimedia application designed to make it easy for both beginners and experienced users to edit videos. It offers lots of features, such as cutting, trimming, merging, applying visual effects and transitions, and many more.

In addition, this software also includes tools for audio editing, such as adding background music, removing noise, and adjusting the volume of different tracks independently.

Main features:

Wide range of editing tools: cut, trim, merge, split, and more.
Numerous effects and transitions: seamlessly add filters, stickers, titles, and transitions.
Chroma key: easily remove the background from your video and replace it with an image or another video.
Rich media library: the program comes with a rich media library, including intros and outros, stickers, and audio tracks.

Pros:

Movavi Video Editor features a user-friendly interface that makes it easy to navigate and create stunning videos.
Includes a comprehensive set of editing tools: easily apply professional effects, add seamless transitions, and use artistic filters to create polished videos in just a few simple clicks.
The program offers a built-in media library.

Cons:

The trial version watermarks your exported video, however, the watermark is removed upon purchasing the full version.

Lightworks

Best for:
keyboard-based editing workflows
Price:
free version, paid versions start from $9.99

Lightworks is ideal for professionals who prefer a keyboard-based workflow yet also need access to more advanced tools. Lightworks has been successfully used to create everything from simple commercials to full-blown documentaries and films.

Main features:

Non-linear editing: edit your movie seamlessly with Lightworks’ simple user interface.
Multiple camera angles editing: Lightworks’ multi-camera angles and synchronization add professional flair to your movies.
Advanced color correcting: professionals get access to tools that allow more precise color manipulation and grading.

Pros:

Lightworks has been specially designed for keyboard-based workflows, making it easy and efficient to do video edits.
It works on Windows, macOS, and Linux operating systems.
With Lightworks, you can easily add real-time effects and transitions for a professional and polished touch.

Cons:

The free version of Lightworks limits resolution exports to 720p.
Lightworks has a higher learning curve compared to more user-friendly video-editing software.
In order to unlock more advanced functionality, users will need to purchase the Pro or subscription version.

DaVinci Resolve

Best for:
color correction and grading
Price:
free version, Studio version for $295

DaVinci Resolve is a video-editing program with a comprehensive set of powerful professional-grade features. It was developed by Blackmagic Design, the company behind many professional-grade innovations in the video production world.

Main features:

Advanced color correction: DaVinci Resolve is well-known for its legendary color correction capabilities.
Rich collaboration tools: editors, colorists, and post-production managers can all work together simultaneously on the same project thanks to DaVinci’s detailed multi-user workflows.
Full media management capabilities: DaVinci Resolve connects to a variety of cloud-based storage management systems, making it easy for you to manage your media assets wherever they are.

Pros:

DaVinci Resolve offers a variety of professional-level video-editing features, including post-production options, motion graphics, visual effects, and audio editing.
DaVinci Resolve’s advanced color correction capabilities are second to none, setting the standard for the industry.
A free, feature-packed version is available, which includes basic editing, color correction, and audio tools.

Cons:

It’s a feature-rich program and requires considerable time to learn and understand.
As a high-end production system, DaVinci Resolve requires a high-end computer with considerable processing speed and RAM.
Although DaVinci Resolve has a considerable number of plugins and effects, it offers fewer options than comparable video-editing software.

Alternatives to Adobe^® Photoshop^®

GIMP

Best for:
multi-platform functionality
Price:
free

GIMP is a free, open-source editor for raster (non-vector) graphics. It is one of the most well-known alternatives to Adobe^® Photoshop^®.

Main features:

Photo retouching: GIMP provides various tools for easy photo retouching, including removing blemishes, red-eye, color adjustments, and more.
Image editing: artists can freely draw and paint with GIMP’s variety of tools. The software also includes a number of built-in filters and special effects.
Layers and blending: seamlessly blend multiple images together through the use of layers, which let you work independently on each element of your design.

Pros:

You can customize the interface with panels, tools, and docking.
Since GIMP is open-source, it is designed to work with a large number of file formats, including Adobe^® Photoshop^® PSDs.
GIMP’s comprehensive suite of features is comparable to commercial-grade software without the high price tag.

Cons:

Although GIMP offers a number of advanced features, it lacks some of the features found in paid image-editing programs.
As an Adobe alternative, GIMP does not have as extensive of a plugin library as its main competitor.
The editor has a steeper learning curve, and its interface may take some getting used to even for experienced users.

Affinity Photo

Best for:
advanced image editing
Price:
$49.99

Affinity Photo is a professional-level photo editor that is a highly popular Adobe alternative. It works on macOS, Windows, and iPad.

Main features:

Professional photo-editing tools: from RAW editing and retouching to compositing and other photo-editing tools, Affinity Photo is highly regarded by professional photographers and photo editors alike.
Digital illustration and painting: with a number of brushes, blending modes, and painting tools, Affinity Photo lets users seamlessly draw, paint, or retouch images in minutes.
Detailed graphic design tools: like Adobe^® Photoshop^® and other photo editors, Affinity Photo supports layers, masks, and other advanced graphic design options.

Pros:

Affinity Photo offers a number of professional-level features and advanced image-editing tools, making it an excellent alternative to Adobe.
Make edits to your image without permanently modifying the original image through the use of non-destructive layers and live filters.
Affinity Photo works on a PC, Mac, and iPad, allowing you greater flexibility to create and retouch your designs on your preferred device.

Cons:

The program uses a significantly different process for image editing than tools you might be used to, and it can take time to learn its processes and workflows.
Affinity Photo uses its own proprietary file format – AFP, which may not be supported by other programs and can create compatibility issues.
Although there is a growing library of brushes and plugins, Affinity Photo does not have the same extensive resource ecosystem as other image editors.

PaintShop Pro

Best for:
beginners
Price:
free trial, $79.99/lifetime

Developed by Corel, the company behind CorelDRAW, WordPerfect, and other well-known software programs, PaintShop Pro is a highly popular Adobe alternative suitable for beginners.

Main features:

Editing and retouching tools: PaintShop Pro comes with a variety of photo-editing and retouching tools, including RAW editing, color correction, exposure correction, and more.
Graphic design features: unlike other alternatives to Adobe, PaintShop Pro includes vector tools as well as graphic editing must-haves, like text tools, layers, and brushes.
Creative filters: PaintShop Pro comes bundled with a variety of artistic filters and creative effects to add a touch of style and uniqueness to every design.

Pros:

Corel PaintShop Pro includes the option to purchase a lifetime license, meaning no subscription is required. This makes it a cost-effective alternative.
Features, such as HDR and panorama stitching, batch processing, and other high-end features, set PaintShop Pro apart from its less feature-rich counterparts.
The software’s user-friendly interface is easy to learn, even for beginners who may have limited graphic design experience.

Cons:

Currently, PaintShop Pro is only available for Windows.
Although there are a number of plugins and brushes, you may not find the same extensive plugin or tool library as you would with other image editors.

Alternative to Adobe^® Illustrator^®

InkScape

Best for:
creating vector graphics
Price:
free

InkScape is a free, open-source graphics editor that creates vector images. It works with Windows, macOS, and Linux devices, making it a versatile competitor to Adobe^® Illustrator^®.

Main features:

SVG support: InkScape supports Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) by default, allowing for compatibility between other applications that also support this common format. This allows users to create vector graphics that scale to any size without any loss of quality.
Object manipulation: users can easily manipulate objects through the use of layers, including rotating, flipping, skewing, and scaling, making the editing process more seamless and efficient.
Path editing: through the use of powerful path editing capabilities, users can efficiently create precision paths that allow for effects, Bézier curves, and much more.

Pros:

InkScape is available for several popular operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux, allowing users to use an operating system they prefer along with a versatile vector graphics editor.
The app comes with a rich collection of vector editing tools, comparable to pricier Adobe alternatives.
InkScape is free and open-source, meaning developers and graphic artists alike can tine-tune it to work with them through the use of intelligent workflows and processes.

Cons:

Although InkScape is primarily a vector graphic software, it does offer limited support for raster graphics, although not to the extent that full raster graphics software does.
InkScape struggles with editing some large and complex files if you’re running them on lower-end PCs. Be aware that it may take longer to make edits and work with the file if this is the case.
Compared to other vector graphics software, InkScape has a bit of a learning curve, and it may take some time to fully master its features.

A cheaper version of Adobe^® Acrobat^® Pro with almost the same features

Foxit PDF Editor

TechRadar rating:

An AI-powered alternative to Adobe^® Lightroom^®

Skylum Luminar Neo

PCMag rating:

An alternative to Adobe^® XD focused on collaboration

Figma

TechRadar rating:

4.5

Foxit PDF Editor

Best for:
creating PDF files from a variety of document formats
Price:
free trial, $79/year

Formerly known as Foxit Phantom PDF, Foxit PDF Editor is a powerful program that gives users excellent flexibility and features in a compact software program. It works on Windows, macOS, Linux, and mobile platforms.

Main features:

Creating PDFs: the core feature of Foxit PDF Editor is the ability to create PDF files from a variety of different document formats, including Microsoft Office products, images, and web pages.
Editing PDFs: users can edit PDFs directly in Foxit PDF Editor, including editing text, revising images, and managing pages.
Security features: Foxit PDF Editor allows users to securely encrypt and password-protect their documents, adding a layer of protection to sensitive information.

Pros:

This editor is well known for its fast-loading and small file sizes, making it an adaptable, agile software program for those looking for an Adobe alternative.
Foxit PDF Editor offers a variety of editing tools without the need to use third-party software to edit images, text, or pages.
The app allows collaborative editing that is normally only found in office-style programs, making it easy for users to add comments, track changes, and more.

Cons:

Although the basic edition of Foxit PDF Editor is free, the paid version, which includes advanced editing tools, OCR, and more, requires a paid subscription.
For users unfamiliar with PDF editing and manipulation, there is a bit of a learning curve involved.
The mobile versions of Foxit PDF Editor have fewer features compared to their desktop counterparts.

Alternative to Adobe^® After Effects^®

Natron

Best for:
creating visual effects
Price:
free

Natron is a powerful option for those looking for alternatives to Adobe^® After Effects^®. It creates both visual effects and motion graphics and works with Windows, macOS, and Linux operating systems.

Main features:

Keyframe animation: Natron makes use of keyframe animations, allowing users to define motion paths for a variety of elements, including opacity, rotation, position, and scale.
A variety of effects and filters: the software includes built-in effects and filters that can be applied to individual layers or compositions to create a wide range of unique styles.
3D compositing: users can import and manipulate 3D models and combine them with 2D elements, creating seamless motion graphics with depth and dimensionality.

Pros:

Natron’s node-based workflow allows for non-destructive editing of layers and original graphics.
Natron supports a variety of image and video formats, adding to its inter-compatibility between devices and media formats.

Cons:

The app includes a wide range of built-in image processing systems, but compared to Adobe^® After Effects^®, its selections may be more limited.
Working with Natron’s node-based workflow takes some time getting used to compared to other software.
Natron has a small but dedicated user community which, although it provides comprehensive support and direction, there are admittedly fewer tutorials and guidance available compared to After Effects^®.

Alternative to Adobe^® Lightroom^®

Skylum Luminar Neo

Best for:
AI editing
Price:
$99/year, $149/lifetime

Skylum Luminar is a versatile alternative to Adobe^® Lightroom^® and is designed for professional and amateur photographers alike.

Main features:

AI-powered editing: Luminar uses artificial intelligence to automate editing workflows, such as AI Sky Enhancer, AI Accent, and AI Structure, that allow for greater image enhancement in just one click.
Customizable workspaces: Pro and beginning photographers alike will find Luminar’s customizable workspaces a huge time-saver by creating workflows and setting up the software to suit their unique needs and preferences.
Creative filters and presets: from film looks to color grading, Luminar offers a wide range of professional-grade tools to add unique artistic effects to photos.

Pros:

Luminar offers a wide range of professional editing tools, including creative filters, one-click edits, and much more, comparable to higher-end photography tools.
With its intuitive controls and customizable workspace, Luminar is easy to work with for both beginners and pros.
Users can make adjustments to photos without permanently altering the original image, preserving quality and allowing greater flexibility in editing.

Cons:

Luminar offers basic digital asset management but does not have the same level of dedicated organization as other programs.
Some users report performance issues when working with large images or applying multiple adjustments.
Compared to other editing programs, Luminar has a more limited selection of third-party plugins.

Alternative to Adobe^® XD

Figma

Best for:
collaborative design
Price:
free version, paid plans from $12/month

Figma is a web-based design tool that’s used for a wide range of designing tasks, including UX and UI designs and prototypes.

Main features:

Collaborative design: Figma lets multiple users work together in real-time, creating greater collaboration between teams.
Interactive prototyping: Figma’s interactive prototyping lets users add animations and transitions, helping give interactivity to the final version.
Reusable design assets: Figma allows designers to create and reuse assets that can be carried across projects, allowing for greater consistency and efficiency.

Pros:

Since it’s web-based, Figma allows greater versatility across devices.
Figma’s real-time collaboration lets multiple designers and team members work together in real-time, providing instant feedback and comments.
Built-in tools allow designers to inspect assets, create code snippets, and export design assets for development, which speeds up the handoff process considerably.

Cons:

Although Figma is available in both free and paid versions, the advanced features, like team collaboration and design components, are only available in the paid plans.
There is some learning curve, especially for users who may be familiar with other prototyping software, like Adobe^® XD.
It requires a stable internet connection, which may be difficult in areas with limited connections.

Choosing the right alternatives to Adobe

As you can see, whether you’re making video content or retouching graphics, these free and paid programs can help you handle it all, from simple edits to full-blown movie masterpieces. The good news is that many of them offer a free trial or free download, so you can try them out to the fullest to find the one that’s right for you.

Movavi Video Editor

Сreate awesome videos easily

About the Windows version

About the Mac version

*The free version of Movavi Video Editor may have the following restrictions depending on the build: watermark on exported clips, 60-second video or 1/2 audio length limit, and/or some advanced features unavailable when exporting videos.