Typically when I'm getting work done, I'm using quite an array of programs ranging from Photoshop to Microsoft Word, and everything in-between.

But what if you can't afford the monthly subscription to Photoshop? Or if you need to edit a document in a pinch and can't be bothered to commit to something like a Microsoft 365 subscription?

That’s why I’ve decided to make this post, to showcase some free alternatives to programs you would typically pay for.

I’ll also be offering my pros and cons of each product, as well as links to where to download everything mentioned.

Photoshop

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Photoshop is by far the most recognizable program, and has even lended itself to the term “photoshopped”, meaning photos that have been manipulated to a certain degree, though the term doesn’t have to apply to only photos edited in Photoshop, like it would imply.

It’s also multifunctional, meaning not only is it great for photo manipulation, but many creatives from digital artists to graphic designers all come together to use this program for their works.

There are quite a few programs that set out to try and replicate the editing capabilities that Photoshop is known for, but today I’ll be recommending 2 programs for you to check out.

GIMP

Windows - Mac

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Standing for GNU Image Manipulation Program, GIMP has been well known as “The Photoshop Alternative”, and is probably the most commonly known Photoshop alternative.

Like it's competitor, Photoshop, GIMP can be used for an array of tasks ranging from art and photo manipulation, to graphic design.

It has a vast majority of the tools that Photoshop is known for, and you can even download a "Dark Mode" version of the program to get the full "Photoshop aesthetic" (or if you just prefer a "Dark Mode" look)

You can also use GIMP offline and even save your files as .PSDs as well as open existing .PSDs from your native device (AKA on your computer or external drive).

This is great for when you make something in Photoshop and want to take it to different computer that may not carry the program, like at home.

Or it could be vice versa, and a project you make at home can be opened at say, a school computer, that may have Photoshop.

You also get full range to use any and all fonts installed on your computer, even custom ones that didn't come pre-installed.

Not only this, but you can also download and install plugins!

Though there are some drawbacks, it is really hard to use this program if you've been using Photoshop for quite some time. I remember using this program to whip up a quick fanfiction cover, and it took me forever to figure out how to do something that would typically take me not long at all in Photoshop. This is mainly because while GIMP tries to be like Photoshop, they are not 1-1, thus, there's a bit of a learning curve for those like me who have used Photoshop for quite a while.

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But in my opinion, you get what you pay for, and that also is the same reasoning for the unattractive UI.

Even with a "Dark Mode" I would argue Photoshop is much more aesthetically pleasing, and also easier to navigate around since it's not as clunky design-wise as GIMP.

There is also a problem I've had in the past (which I'm not sure if it's been fixed or not) where after installing GIMP and opening it for the first time, it crashes trying to load my fonts.

This could just be a me thing since I have a LOT of fonts on my mac, but I thought I would mention it just to be thorough with my pros and cons

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Download GIMP Here!

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Pixlr

Online Only - Mobile

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I have quite a soft spot for Pixlr, mainly because it's the site that got me into graphic design and, also made the transition to Photoshop much easier.

The biggest appeal of this program, is the fact that no download is required to use the program, as Pixlr is just a website.

This is great for those who in a pinch need to edit something, or find not needing to download a program to be the most convenient.

It has a vast majority of the common Photoshop features and tools and can do things in a similar manner to Photoshop, meaning there's a significantly less learning curve compared to GIMP, and you're even allowed to use any and all installed fonts on your computer, even ones not pre-installed.

And, unlike most free programs, actually has a fairly decent UI, with its "Dark Mode" look the only theme available.

There is also (according to Pixlr's website) an app available to download for both Apple and Android.

Though, the website does have some draw backs.

For starters, though the program is similar to Photoshop, it still, like GIMP, isn't a 1-1 comparison, mainly because it's not as robust. In fact, I would argue that though GIMP is much harder to use, it is more robust. This could probably be just because Pixlr is website only, so I'll give them that.

You also can't save or open .PSD files, but you can save files as PNG and JPEG.

There is also no offline features, meaning you couldn't open the site on the go to do work, that is, if you're not connected to wifi.

And finally, if you don't have an AD blocker, you may see some intrusive and annoying ADs. I never dealt with this when I used it as I stopped using it coincidentally right before Pixlr was bought out by Autodesk, and thus is now AD ridden, though a simple install of a an AD block extension should have the UI looking like it does in the photo provided by myself that I took today for the purpose of this blog post.

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Link to Pixlr

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Illustrator

While I don't use this program often, in fact, not much at all. I can definitely see the appeal!

Illustrator is used to make vector shapes and images, which essentially are shapes and images created with mathematical equations that give it the ability to be scaled to any size and not loose quality.

Vector art is a common asset when it comes to making flat design styled work, and is also great for making logos, since the logo could then be used at any size due to it's lossless properties.

I will only be recommending 1 program as an alternative, since programs like Illustrator aren't really within my expertise or experience.

Inkscape

Windows - Mac only for prior versions of program

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While maybe not as widely known like GIMP, Inkscape is the closest alternative to Adobe Illustrator.

Like Illustrator, the program is used to make vector graphics for a wide array of reasons from illustrations to logos.

This also means the program is able to save and open .AI and SVG files.

And, like GIMP, you can not only download and install plugins and extensions, but also a "Dark Mode" theme.

You can also use any and all fonts on your computer, even ones that weren't preinstalled.

There is also quite a community backing the program, with Inkscape's website even having a section for tutorials.

There's also a Youtuber called "Logos By Nick" Who makes videos exclusively about Inkscape and GIMP, offering tutorials, such as how to download the "Dark Mode" theme for inkscape.

Though, there are some cons against the program.

For starters, the program is quite confusing to use, my fanfic co-author, Kaitlyn who is actually Adobe certified tells me that compared to Illustrator (which is already a confusing program) Inkscape is just as, if not more, confusing.

The UI also isn't that great, but that lends itself to the "you get what you pay for" ideology.

It is also surprisingly hard to download on Mac, as the current version isn't available for download, so you have to look into either downloading an older version, or "Build Inkscape on your Mac with MacPorts" (as stated VIA Inkscape's website)

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Download Inkscape

Tutorial on how to download the dark theme

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Microsoft Office

Probably the most well-known text, slideshow, and spreadsheet editor, there are actually quite an amount of programs that can be counted as alternatives, but for today, I'll be showing you 2.

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Google Suite

Online Only - Mobile

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Google Suite consists of programs ranging from Docs to Sheets and even Gmail and Drive (which can be comparable to Outlook and OneDrive).

All that's needed to use any of these programs, is a Google account and, like Pixlr, it's appeal comes from not needing to download anything in order to use the programs.

It's also one of the few programs that have realtime collaborative features, meaning if you share your document with someone else's Google account, you both can (in realtime) edit a single document together no matter where the two of you are.

I use this a lot when I'm working with Kaitlyn, since she lives in a different state than me, so we're able to work together on the same fanfic.

There is also an app for both Apple and Android for most, if not all, of the programs that Google Suite has.

And, if you download the Google Offline extension, you can view and edit your files offline on both your computer, and on the app– just be sure when creating a new document to enable it for offline use– otherwise you won't be able to view or edit it!

You also have access to Google's entire font library, which can make things easier when attempting to showcase or open this file on different computers that may not all have the same fonts.

But that brings me to the cons.

Though you do have Google font access, you can't use any personal fonts you have on your computer, even ones that aren't pre-installed.

Also, pertaining to Google Docs specifically, it's hard to view word counts compared to Microsoft Word. In Word, you would just look down at the footer of the program, which is quite convenient, whereas in Google Docs, you have to go up to the toolbar at the top and find it under tools.

And while you can collaborate with others and edit documents offline, doing so may cause confusion since none of the changes you make will be uploaded and updated until you reconnect to wifi. Meaning your collaborators won't see what changes you're making and, this could get even worse if they decide to edit something you're also editing. The only work-around would be to maybe alert your collaborators of your situation, so they know to either work on a different part of the document, or not work on the document at all.

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Link to Google Doc with links to entire Google Suite

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Apache Open Office

Windows - Mac

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Open Office is probably the most closest to Microsoft Word, apart from Google Suite.

I was actually recommended this program back in middle school by my World History teacher for a project where PowerPoint was required.

The biggest appeal I would argue is it's 1 software, many programs feature. On the left, you can see what Open Office looks like when you open it, and as you can see, you can not only access "Word", but also "PowerPoint" and "Excel".

Compared to programs like Microsoft, Adobe, and even Google Suites, Apache Open Office really takes the cake for convenience, hands down.

Some other pros are that you can use any of the programs offline, and unlike Google Suite, have access to all fonts either pre-installed or downloaded on your computer.

You can also open and save Microsoft documents, though I've always been told for compatibility reasons, to open your Open Office files in Microsoft to make sure they work before going to do something like present a powerpoint.

Though, like Google Docs, word counts in Open Office's program "Writer" (which is comparable to "Word" and "Google Docs") can't be viewed at the footer and instead, can be found by going to "Tools" in the top bar of the program.

Open Office also does not have it's own version of "Outlook" or "OneDrive" and does not have an app. And Unlike Google Suites, no realtime collaborative abilities are obtainable.

Open Office is also not compatible with my favorite editor, Grammarly. Grammarly acts like a "spell check", but also helps out with grammar too, I use it all the time to proofread my fanfics, especially now since it's Chrome extension works with Google Docs. The program is also available for download, but so far, it seems it's only for Microsoft programs, and not Open Office.

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Link to download Apache Open Office

Paint Tool SAI. + Clip Studio Paint

Even though these programs are somewhat different, they both fall under the category of digital drawing programs.

While some may prefer to use a program like Photoshop (or any of it's alternatives), others might like a dedicated program just for art.

There are actually quite an amount of programs out there meant for this purpose, but today I'll be sharing just 1 that's actually a sister/improved version of a program I used for quite a while when I started out doing digital art

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MediBang Paint Pro

Windows - Mac - Mobile

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If you've ever heard of the program "Fire Alpaca", then it may come as a surprise to you that the same people behind that program are behind this one too

Like Fire Alpaca, you can use this program offline, and also use any and all fonts on your computer (again, pre-installed or not).

And with the "dark mode" being the only theme, I'd say like Pixlr, this program has a pretty decent UI.

You also can save/open .PSD files.

Weirdly enough, though, this program also has it's own app for both Apple and Android, where through uploading to a "cloud" you're able to work on projects across multiple devices, which shocked me a bit, since I'm not sure what other art-only programs out there have this feature.

You also, like Fire Alpaca, have the ability to create, save, and even import custom brushes.

But that brings me to the cons, because you are not able to import custom brushes from say Paint Tool SAI. or Photoshop, your best option is to see where you can find the settings for the brushes (sometimes these are provided by the user who is showcasing the brushes) and try to recreate them in MediBang.

There are also no collaborative features, and because this program is a step-up from Fire Alpaca, you may find it to be a bit confusing at first.

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Link to download MediBang Paint Pro

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Adobe Premiere Pro

Apart from say, Final Cut Pro, and maybe even Vegas Pro, Premiere Pro is probably the most well known multi-track video editor. It's also the one I personally use to edit all of my YouTube videos, and so far, has been my favorite.

There isn't really all that much in terms of "alternatives" when it comes to multi-track editors like Premiere Pro, most, if not all, are very bare bones and have no multi-track features (such as Windows Live Movie Maker and iMovie) but there is 1 program I've found that holds up quite a bit.

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HitFilm Express

Windows - Mac

HitFilm Express is the free (and I guess "Lite") version fo the paid program HitFilm.

To start off with the pros, it's the only program I've found so fat that's free, and also has multi-track features.

Multi-track editing gives you the ability to have your videos as you would a Photoshop document, with many layers. You can have things like a video on top of a video/ image, text on top of an image/video, or background music to go behind your voiceover.

The program itself also has a great UI, though this could be because It's just a Lite version of HitFilm, thus keeping the similar UI that HitFilm has.

You can also export videos made in HitFilm Express to common file formats like .MP4.

The cons though, start with the fact that the program is a bit cumbersome to download, as from what I've seen, there are certain things you have to do before you're sent the download link.

The program itself, is also not as robust as it's paid counterpart, as some research as led me to find out that Express lacks a lot of video effects found in the paid version, but again, you get what you pay for.

There also, compared to Premiere Pro, doesn't seem to be that big of a community, probably because Premiere Pro's popularity definitely triumphs more than any of it's competitors.

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Link to download HitFilm Express

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I hope you buds enjoyed this post, and that you also got some recommendations you'd be willing to check out.

Overall, I'd argue that all programs mentioned are great if you can't afford the paid counterparts to what I recommended, if you are in a pinch and don't wanna commit to a full on subscription of sorts, or, if you just wanna try out stuff to either start, or work on a hobby.

If you have any other alternatives, or if there's a paid program out there you'd like me to find alternatives for, feel free to message me and I might make a part 2 to this posts with even more stuff for you buds to check out.

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Thanks for reading, see ya!