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Admin · 2026-10-08 09:29 · edited
Photoshop, Lightroom, and Premiere for free? We compare 23 Adobe alternatives and evaluate which ones are actually usable
Artificial intelligence has helped create seven free alternatives to Adobe software. But are they better than the free programs we already know? We compare 23 solutions, their pros and cons, and rate them on a 10-point scale.
Photographers, videographers, and designers have been looking for ways to work without expensive software subscriptions for years. Adobe Creative Cloud offers a wide range of professional capabilities, but not everyone needs all of its features to justify the regular subscription fee.
In October 2026, ArtCraft caught our attention—a project that used artificial intelligence to create seven free alternatives to the most popular Adobe programs.
However, upon examining these programs and comparing them to existing free solutions, an interesting situation emerges. Some free alternatives are already sufficiently developed for serious professional work, while the new ArtCraft programs are mostly still in the experimental stage.
We reviewed 23 programs, examining their functionality, stage of development, public user reviews, and potential to replace Adobe products.
We assigned each solution a rating on a 10-point scale.
Evaluation criteria: Functionality, the program’s readiness for practical use, stability, file compatibility, and suitability for professional tasks. The ratings are editorial assessments based on publicly available information, not on practical tests conducted by ProPortfolio.lv. The ratings reflect the situation as of October 2026.
Seven New Adobe Alternatives Created with the Help of AI
Software engineer Brandon Thomas, with the help of Anthropic’s Claude AI, has created seven programs whose interfaces and functionality mimic well-known Adobe products.
All programs were developed in the Rust programming language, and their source code is publicly available on GitHub.
The ArtCraft suite includes:
Program | Adobe Alternative | Rating
PhotoCraft getartcraft.com/apps/photocraft?utm_sourc… | Photoshop | 4/10
LightCraft getartcraft.com/apps/lightcraft?utm_sourc… | Lightroom | 4/10
FilmCraft getartcraft.com/apps/filmcraft?utm_source… | Premiere Pro | 3/10
VectorCraft getartcraft.com/apps/vectorcraft?utm_sour… | Illustrator | 4/10
EffectCraft getartcraft.com/apps/effectcraft?utm_sour… | After Effects | 4/10
DesignCraft getartcraft.com/apps/designcraft?utm_sour… | InDesign | 4/10
PdfCraft getartcraft.com/apps/pdfcraft?utm_source=… | Acrobat | 5/10
The name PrintCraft also appears in earlier materials and release files related to the PdfCraft project.
The relatively low ratings do not mean that the programs are unsuccessful. They reflect their current readiness for professional use, not the project’s future potential.
The developers promise rapid development, but at present, several programs have not yet reached a stable version.
Photoshop Alternatives—Which One to Choose?
Photoshop remains one of the main tools for professional retouching, photomontages, and commercial image processing.
However, there is no shortage of free alternatives in this category.
PhotoCraft — 4/10
The new PhotoCraft offers support for layers, masks, filters, adjustments, and PSD files. The interface is very similar to Photoshop’s, so it should feel familiar to experienced users.
However, initial reviews point to various issues. GitHub users have reported errors with image transformations, tool functionality, and pressure sensitivity on graphics tablets.
For example, one user reported that the program on Mac does not recognize the pressure sensitivity of Wacom and XP-Pen tablets. For professional retouchers, this is a significant problem.
PhotoCraft is still in the early stages of development, so for now, it’s best suited for experimentation.
PhotoCraft website: getartcraft.com/apps/photocraft?utm_sourc…
Affinity — 9/10
Perhaps the most interesting free alternative to Photoshop in 2026 is Affinity.
After Canva acquired Affinity, the company introduced a new, completely free version of Affinity.
It combines three previously separate products—Affinity Photo, Affinity Designer, and Affinity Publisher—into a single application.
Affinity offers professional photo editing tools, layers, masks, RAW processing, retouching options, color corrections, and vector graphics.
The program is also suitable for preparing advertising materials and print layouts.
Unlike GIMP, its interface is in many ways closer to the traditional work environment of professional graphics programs.
Importantly, professional editing tools are available in the free version. A paid Canva subscription is required for additional AI features, such as generative image processing.
A free Canva account is required to use the program.
Our rating: 9/10. One of the most compelling free solutions for photographers and designers who want to ditch their Photoshop subscription. Be aware that the user interface is different and compatibility with certain Photoshop features is limited. Affinity affinity.studio/get-affinity?utm_source=c…
Affinity website affinity.studio/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
GIMP — 8/10
GIMP is one of the oldest and best-known alternatives to Photoshop.
The program is completely free, open-source, and available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Version 3.2 of GIMP features improved non-destructive image editing, layer functionality, and PSD file compatibility.
The program offers extensive retouching, color correction, and photomontage capabilities.
The main drawback remains the user interface and workflow, which differ significantly from Photoshop. Experienced Adobe users will need time to get used to the new environment.
Our rating: 8/10. A mature, free program that is also suitable for serious image editing, although it cannot replace Photoshop for all professional tasks. GIMP gimp.org/news/2026/03/14/gimp-3-2-release…
GIMP website gimp.org
Photopea — 8/10
Photopea is a particularly interesting alternative because it runs directly in a web browser.
The program’s interface is very similar to Photoshop’s, and it can open and edit PSD files while preserving layers and many other document elements.
Photopea offers masks, adjustment layers, filters, Smart Objects, and other popular tools.
The program does not require installation, and image processing takes place primarily on the user’s device.
The free version is ad-supported, while the paid plan offers additional features.
Our rating: 8/10. A very good solution for quick tasks, opening PSD files, and situations where Photoshop isn’t installed. For large professional projects, working in a browser won’t always be the most convenient option. Photopea photopea.com
Photopea website photopea.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Krita — 8/10
Krita is a free, open-source program primarily designed for digital drawing and illustration.
It offers a highly advanced brush system, graphics tablet support, layers, masks, and animation capabilities.
It isn’t as versatile as Photoshop or Affinity for photo retouching, but for artists, illustrators, and digital painters, Krita is one of the best free tools available.
Our rating: 8/10. A great program for digital illustration, but not the first choice for photographers.
Krita website: krita.org/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Lightroom Alternatives — RAW Processing Without a Subscription
For photographers, choosing a Lightroom alternative is more complicated than finding a replacement for Photoshop.
It’s not enough to just adjust exposure and white balance. Professional work requires precise RAW interpretation, color management, fast sorting of thousands of photos, catalog management, and reliable exporting.
LightCraft — 4/10
LightCraft is ArtCraft’s attempt to create an alternative to Lightroom.
The program offers RAW processing, exposure and color corrections, masks, noise reduction, albums, and photo rating.
The developers particularly emphasize speed and claim that on an Apple M4 Pro computer, individual 24-megapixel image adjustments can be processed in a matter of milliseconds.
However, the most significant issues relate to RAW file quality and support for various cameras.
A GitHub user reported that while a Nikon Z8 NEF file opens, some detail in the highlights is lost, and the colors appear duller than in the camera’s JPEG file.
There are also reports of issues with the colors in Sony RAW files.
This is particularly important for professional photographers who require accurate color reproduction and predictable results.
In October 2026, the developers themselves estimated LightCraft’s readiness to replace Lightroom at approximately 60–70%. They acknowledge that the biggest challenges are image quality, camera color calibration, and compatibility with certain RAW formats.
Our rating: 4/10. A promising project, but there are still too many limitations for professional RAW processing at this time. GitHub github.com/storytold/lightcraft/blob/main…
LightCraft website getartcraft.com/apps/lightcraft?utm_sourc…
darktable — 9/10
darktable is one of the most serious free alternatives to Lightroom.
The program offers RAW processing, a photo catalog, local adjustments, masks, color management, and non-destructive editing.
darktable provides a professional color processing system and supports RAW files from many manufacturers.
One of the program’s greatest advantages is its extensive capabilities for precisely controlling an image’s tonal range and colors.
However, its interface and processing philosophy differ significantly from Lightroom. At first, darktable may seem complicated, especially to photographers accustomed to Adobe.
Our rating: 9/10. One of the best free options for professional RAW processing. The main trade-offs are the learning curve and a different workflow. darktable.org
darktable website darktable.org/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
RawTherapee — 8/10
RawTherapee is a free RAW processing program that focuses specifically on image quality.
It offers advanced demosaicing algorithms, noise reduction, sharpening, precise color corrections, and extensive control over RAW file processing.
RawTherapee is suitable for photographers who want as much control as possible over the image processing workflow.
Unlike Lightroom, it isn’t as comprehensive a photo cataloging and large library management system.
Our rating: 8/10. A very powerful RAW processing program, but less suitable for those who need a unified environment for organizing large photo shoots.
RawTherapee website: rawtherapee.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
digiKam — 8/10
digiKam is a free program that specializes in organizing photo collections.
It offers metadata management, rating, searching, keywords, face recognition, and other features for working with large image libraries.
The program’s main strength lies in organizing catalogs and files, rather than RAW image processing itself.
Therefore, digiKam can be an excellent complement to darktable or RawTherapee.
Our rating: 8/10. A very good free alternative for managing photo archives.
digiKam website: digikam.org/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Premiere Pro Alternatives — Free Programs Here Are Already at a Professional Level
Adobe’s position in the video editing software market is no longer as dominant as it once was.
Some free programs already offer functionality suitable even for complex commercial projects.
FilmCraft — 3/10
FilmCraft offers an interface similar to Adobe Premiere Pro, multi-track video and audio editing, color correction, transitions, and effects.
However, the program is still in the early stages of development.
One of the most significant limitations is video processing performance. In some versions, a significant portion of the decoding and exporting work is performed by the CPU rather than utilizing the full capabilities of the GPU and hardware video encoders.
GitHub users have also reported slow video playback and audio issues.
The developers themselves rate the program’s readiness for professional projects at around 50–60%.
Our rating: 3/10. An interesting technological experiment, but currently too risky a choice for serious client projects. GitHub github.com/storytold/filmcraft/blob/main/…
FilmCraft website getartcraft.com/apps/filmcraft?utm_source…
DaVinci Resolve — 9/10
DaVinci Resolve is one of the most powerful free programs in this entire comparison.
Developed by Blackmagic Design, this software has been used in the professional film and video industry for years.
DaVinci Resolve 21 combines video editing, professional color grading, audio processing, effects, and animation.
The free version offers a very wide range of features, including support for 4K video at up to 60 frames per second.
Certain AI features, enhanced noise reduction, and other professional capabilities are available only in the paid Studio version.
It’s also important to note that support for certain video codecs and hardware acceleration varies depending on the operating system.
However, for most videographers, the free version already offers more than enough features.
Our rating: 9/10. One of the best free professional video editing programs. Requires a fairly powerful computer and some time to learn the program. Blackmagic Design blackmagicdesign.com/support?utm_source=c…
DaVinci Resolve website blackmagicdesign.com/products/davincireso…
Kdenlive — 8/10
Kdenlive is a free, open-source video editing program.
It offers multi-track editing, effects, transitions, titles, subtitles, and the use of proxy files for more convenient work with high-resolution video.
The program runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Compared to DaVinci Resolve, it has more limited professional color correction and audio post-production capabilities, but Kdenlive is a good solution for YouTube videos, interviews, news reports, and many commercial projects.
Our rating: 8/10. A good free video editing program, especially for those who want an open-source solution.
Kdenlive website: kdenlive.org/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Shotcut — 7/10
Shotcut is another free video editing program that runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
It offers multi-track editing, filters, color correction, and support for a wide range of video formats.
Shotcut is suitable for simpler video projects, but its professional editing workflow and capabilities are more limited than those of DaVinci Resolve.
Our rating: 7/10. A good solution for everyday video editing, but there are more powerful alternatives for more complex projects.
Shotcut website: shotcut.org/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Illustrator Alternatives — Vector Graphics and Logos
VectorCraft — 4/10
VectorCraft is ArtCraft’s alternative to Adobe Illustrator.
The program offers vector drawing tools, shapes, curves, various effects, and support for SVG files.
Like other ArtCraft products, its main advantage is a familiar interface and an attempt to emulate the Adobe work environment.
However, the program is still under active development, and its compatibility with complex professional projects has not been sufficiently tested.
Our rating: 4/10. A promising but still immature solution.
VectorCraft website: getartcraft.com/apps/vectorcraft?utm_sour…
Inkscape — 9/10
Inkscape is one of the most popular free vector graphics programs.
It offers extensive capabilities for working with SVG, logos, illustrations, icons, and various graphic design elements.
The program has been actively developed for many years and has a large user community.
Inkscape can also be used for commercial projects, but compatibility with Illustrator AI files and certain professional printing workflows is not complete.
Our rating: 9/10. One of the best free alternatives to Illustrator.
Inkscape website: inkscape.org
Affinity — 9/10
The free version of Affinity also offers full-featured vector graphics tools.
The program is suitable for creating logos, illustrations, advertising materials, and various design elements.
Its major advantage is the ability to combine vector graphics, photos, and layout tools within a single project.
Our rating: 9/10. A very strong alternative to Illustrator, especially for designers who work with both photos and vector graphics.
Affinity website: affinity.studio/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
After Effects Alternatives — Animation and Visual Effects
EffectCraft — 4/10
EffectCraft is ArtCraft’s alternative to Adobe After Effects.
The program offers compositions, layers, animation keyframes, effects, 3D cameras, and lighting.
The developers note that the program includes more than 250 effects.
However, the number of features alone does not guarantee professional-level performance. The program is new, and its stability and performance in complex projects have not yet been sufficiently tested.
Our rating: 4/10. An interesting new product, but not yet a reliable alternative to After Effects.
EffectCraft website: getartcraft.com/apps/effectcraft?utm_sour…
DaVinci Resolve Fusion — 8/10
Fusion is DaVinci Resolve’s built-in visual effects and compositing environment.
Unlike After Effects’ layer-based approach, Fusion primarily uses a node-based system.
This provides a wide range of capabilities for creating video effects, compositing, masking, motion tracking, and animation.
Fusion’s features are also available in the free version of DaVinci Resolve, although some advanced capabilities are reserved for the Studio edition.
Our rating: 8/10. A very powerful alternative for professional visual effects, but it takes time to master the node system.
DaVinci Resolve Fusion blackmagicdesign.com/products/davincireso…
Blender — 8/10
Blender is primarily known as a free 3D modeling and animation program, but it also offers tools for video compositing, motion tracking, and visual effects creation.
It is particularly well-suited for 3D animations, product visualizations, and more complex visual effects.
However, Blender is not a direct replacement for After Effects for all 2D motion graphics tasks.
Our rating: 8/10. An excellent free program for 3D and visual effects, but not always the most convenient choice for simple 2D animations.
Blender website: blender.org
Natron — 6/10
Natron is a free, open-source compositing program with a node-based system.
It offers masking, motion tracking, color correction, OpenFX plugin support, and other visual effects tools.
The program is of interest to users who want an alternative to a Fusion- or Nuke-style workflow.
However, its development has been relatively slow, and the official website still lists the latest stable version as 2.5.0, released in 2022.
Our rating: 6/10. A functional but relatively outdated alternative. Natron natrongithub.github.io
Natron website natrongithub.github.io/?utm_source=chatgp…
InDesign Alternatives — for Magazines, Catalogs, and Print Materials
DesignCraft — 4/10
DesignCraft offers a layout environment similar to Adobe InDesign.
The program is designed for multi-page documents, magazines, catalogs, and various print materials.
It features text blocks, page layouts, styles, and PDF export.
However, the program is still in development, and its suitability for complex professional print projects has not been sufficiently tested.
Our rating: 4/10. An interesting project, but for professional publishing, it’s better to use more mature software for now.
DesignCraft website getartcraft.com/apps/designcraft?utm_sour…
Scribus — 8/10
Scribus is a free, open-source program for laying out professional print materials.
It offers CMYK color management, PDF export, various typography options, and tools for preparing print files.
Scribus is suitable for creating brochures, magazines, catalogs, and other multi-page publications.
Its main drawbacks are a less modern interface and limited compatibility with InDesign documents.
Our rating: 8/10. A proven free alternative for professional layout design.
Scribus website: scribus.net
Affinity — 9/10
The free version of Affinity also includes professional layout tools.
Within a single program, you can create multi-page documents, work with text, images, and styles, and prepare print-ready PDF files.
It’s especially convenient that you can edit photos and graphic elements within the same program without having to switch between different applications.
Our rating: 9/10. One of the best free alternatives to InDesign.
Affinity website: affinity.studio/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Acrobat Alternatives — Free PDF Editing
PdfCraft — 5/10
PdfCraft is a PDF document editor developed by ArtCraft.
It offers PDF opening, page reordering, document merging, splitting, searching, and other basic features.
The program’s advantage is that it operates locally without the need to upload documents to a cloud service.
However, it is still in the early stages of development, and not all of Adobe Acrobat’s professional features are available.
Our rating: 5/10. An interesting program for basic functions, but there are more advanced alternatives.
PdfCraft website: getartcraft.com/apps/pdfcraft?utm_source=…
PDFgear — 8/10
PDFgear is a free PDF editor available for Windows and macOS.
The program offers PDF text editing, page reordering, document merging, OCR text recognition, and the ability to add electronic signature images.
PDFgear also offers an AI assistant for working with document content.
It is important to distinguish between simply inserting a signature into a document and a legally valid electronic signature—these are not the same functions.
The program is currently available for free, but unlike open-source projects, its long-term free business model is not guaranteed.
Our rating: 8/10. A very good free PDF editor for everyday use.
PDFgear website: pdfgear.com
PDF24 Creator — 8/10
PDF24 Creator is a free PDF document processing program for Windows users.
It offers document merging, splitting, page reordering, conversion, compression, and a range of other useful features.
The program runs locally on your computer and can be used free of charge, even for commercial purposes.
The main limitation is that PDF24 Creator is only available for Windows.
Our rating: 8/10. A practical and highly functional suite of free PDF tools.
PDF24 website: tools.pdf24.org/lv/creator?utm_source=cha…
Which free programs should you choose in 2026?
Comparing all the programs reviewed, it’s clear that the new, AI-powered ArtCraft alternatives can’t yet compete with several well-established free solutions.
Affinity, darktable, DaVinci Resolve, and Inkscape stand out in particular.
Adobe Program | Recommended Free Alternative | Rating
Photoshop | Affinity | 9/10
Lightroom | darktable | 9/10
Premiere Pro | DaVinci Resolve | 9/10
Illustrator | Inkscape / Affinity | 9/10
After Effects | DaVinci Resolve Fusion | 8/10
InDesign | Affinity | 9/10
Acrobat | PDFgear | 8/10
Keep in mind that none of these programs fully replicate all of Adobe’s features and workflows.
For professional photographers, camera RAW file compatibility, color profiles, processing speed, and accuracy are also particularly important.
When switching from Lightroom to another program, it’s also important to keep in mind that catalogs, local adjustments, and processing settings created in Adobe won’t always be transferable.
However, for many photographers and videographers, these alternatives may be sufficient for everyday work.
Will AI change the professional software market?
Although the ArtCraft programs have received relatively low ratings so far, the project itself is very interesting.
Brandon Thomas claims that he made extensive use of artificial intelligence in the development of the seven programs, significantly speeding up the programming process.
Until recently, developing a project of this scale would have required a large team and significant financial resources.
Now, AI programming tools allow small teams to create prototypes of complex programs very quickly.
However, there remains a huge difference between a program with hundreds of features and one capable of operating reliably for years in a professional environment.
For photographers and videographers, it’s not just the number of features that matters. Equally important are stability, accurate image reproduction, performance, file compatibility, and the ability to rely on the software for client projects.
It is precisely in these areas that experienced software developers still hold a significant advantage.
ArtCraft will still have to prove that it can deliver not only rapid feature development but also long-term quality.
Conclusion
In 2026, free software suitable for professional work is no longer a rarity.
Photographers have access to Affinity, GIMP, darktable, and RawTherapee. Videographers can use DaVinci Resolve and Kdenlive. Designers have access to Inkscape, Krita, and Scribus.
Some of these programs are already sufficiently advanced to replace paid solutions for specific professional tasks.
ArtCraft, on the other hand, demonstrates another interesting trend—the impact of artificial intelligence on the speed of software development.
Currently, the best free alternatives to Adobe are not the ones developed the fastest, but rather those that have already proven their quality and reliability.
However, if artificial intelligence continues to advance software development capabilities at such a rapid pace, competition in this market could increase significantly in the coming years.
And for photographers, videographers, and designers, this means more choices and less dependence on a specific software vendor.
Photographers, videographers, and designers have been looking for ways to work without expensive software subscriptions for years. Adobe Creative Cloud offers a wide range of professional capabilities, but not everyone needs all of its features to justify the regular subscription fee.
In October 2026, ArtCraft caught our attention—a project that used artificial intelligence to create seven free alternatives to the most popular Adobe programs.
However, upon examining these programs and comparing them to existing free solutions, an interesting situation emerges. Some free alternatives are already sufficiently developed for serious professional work, while the new ArtCraft programs are mostly still in the experimental stage.
We reviewed 23 programs, examining their functionality, stage of development, public user reviews, and potential to replace Adobe products.
We assigned each solution a rating on a 10-point scale.
Evaluation criteria: Functionality, the program’s readiness for practical use, stability, file compatibility, and suitability for professional tasks. The ratings are editorial assessments based on publicly available information, not on practical tests conducted by ProPortfolio.lv. The ratings reflect the situation as of October 2026.
Seven New Adobe Alternatives Created with the Help of AI
Software engineer Brandon Thomas, with the help of Anthropic’s Claude AI, has created seven programs whose interfaces and functionality mimic well-known Adobe products.
All programs were developed in the Rust programming language, and their source code is publicly available on GitHub.
The ArtCraft suite includes:
Program | Adobe Alternative | Rating
PhotoCraft getartcraft.com/apps/photocraft?utm_sourc… | Photoshop | 4/10
LightCraft getartcraft.com/apps/lightcraft?utm_sourc… | Lightroom | 4/10
FilmCraft getartcraft.com/apps/filmcraft?utm_source… | Premiere Pro | 3/10
VectorCraft getartcraft.com/apps/vectorcraft?utm_sour… | Illustrator | 4/10
EffectCraft getartcraft.com/apps/effectcraft?utm_sour… | After Effects | 4/10
DesignCraft getartcraft.com/apps/designcraft?utm_sour… | InDesign | 4/10
PdfCraft getartcraft.com/apps/pdfcraft?utm_source=… | Acrobat | 5/10
The name PrintCraft also appears in earlier materials and release files related to the PdfCraft project.
The relatively low ratings do not mean that the programs are unsuccessful. They reflect their current readiness for professional use, not the project’s future potential.
The developers promise rapid development, but at present, several programs have not yet reached a stable version.
Photoshop Alternatives—Which One to Choose?
Photoshop remains one of the main tools for professional retouching, photomontages, and commercial image processing.
However, there is no shortage of free alternatives in this category.
PhotoCraft — 4/10
The new PhotoCraft offers support for layers, masks, filters, adjustments, and PSD files. The interface is very similar to Photoshop’s, so it should feel familiar to experienced users.
However, initial reviews point to various issues. GitHub users have reported errors with image transformations, tool functionality, and pressure sensitivity on graphics tablets.
For example, one user reported that the program on Mac does not recognize the pressure sensitivity of Wacom and XP-Pen tablets. For professional retouchers, this is a significant problem.
PhotoCraft is still in the early stages of development, so for now, it’s best suited for experimentation.
PhotoCraft website: getartcraft.com/apps/photocraft?utm_sourc…
Affinity — 9/10
Perhaps the most interesting free alternative to Photoshop in 2026 is Affinity.
After Canva acquired Affinity, the company introduced a new, completely free version of Affinity.
It combines three previously separate products—Affinity Photo, Affinity Designer, and Affinity Publisher—into a single application.
Affinity offers professional photo editing tools, layers, masks, RAW processing, retouching options, color corrections, and vector graphics.
The program is also suitable for preparing advertising materials and print layouts.
Unlike GIMP, its interface is in many ways closer to the traditional work environment of professional graphics programs.
Importantly, professional editing tools are available in the free version. A paid Canva subscription is required for additional AI features, such as generative image processing.
A free Canva account is required to use the program.
Our rating: 9/10. One of the most compelling free solutions for photographers and designers who want to ditch their Photoshop subscription. Be aware that the user interface is different and compatibility with certain Photoshop features is limited. Affinity affinity.studio/get-affinity?utm_source=c…
Affinity website affinity.studio/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
GIMP — 8/10
GIMP is one of the oldest and best-known alternatives to Photoshop.
The program is completely free, open-source, and available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Version 3.2 of GIMP features improved non-destructive image editing, layer functionality, and PSD file compatibility.
The program offers extensive retouching, color correction, and photomontage capabilities.
The main drawback remains the user interface and workflow, which differ significantly from Photoshop. Experienced Adobe users will need time to get used to the new environment.
Our rating: 8/10. A mature, free program that is also suitable for serious image editing, although it cannot replace Photoshop for all professional tasks. GIMP gimp.org/news/2026/03/14/gimp-3-2-release…
GIMP website gimp.org
Photopea — 8/10
Photopea is a particularly interesting alternative because it runs directly in a web browser.
The program’s interface is very similar to Photoshop’s, and it can open and edit PSD files while preserving layers and many other document elements.
Photopea offers masks, adjustment layers, filters, Smart Objects, and other popular tools.
The program does not require installation, and image processing takes place primarily on the user’s device.
The free version is ad-supported, while the paid plan offers additional features.
Our rating: 8/10. A very good solution for quick tasks, opening PSD files, and situations where Photoshop isn’t installed. For large professional projects, working in a browser won’t always be the most convenient option. Photopea photopea.com
Photopea website photopea.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Krita — 8/10
Krita is a free, open-source program primarily designed for digital drawing and illustration.
It offers a highly advanced brush system, graphics tablet support, layers, masks, and animation capabilities.
It isn’t as versatile as Photoshop or Affinity for photo retouching, but for artists, illustrators, and digital painters, Krita is one of the best free tools available.
Our rating: 8/10. A great program for digital illustration, but not the first choice for photographers.
Krita website: krita.org/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Lightroom Alternatives — RAW Processing Without a Subscription
For photographers, choosing a Lightroom alternative is more complicated than finding a replacement for Photoshop.
It’s not enough to just adjust exposure and white balance. Professional work requires precise RAW interpretation, color management, fast sorting of thousands of photos, catalog management, and reliable exporting.
LightCraft — 4/10
LightCraft is ArtCraft’s attempt to create an alternative to Lightroom.
The program offers RAW processing, exposure and color corrections, masks, noise reduction, albums, and photo rating.
The developers particularly emphasize speed and claim that on an Apple M4 Pro computer, individual 24-megapixel image adjustments can be processed in a matter of milliseconds.
However, the most significant issues relate to RAW file quality and support for various cameras.
A GitHub user reported that while a Nikon Z8 NEF file opens, some detail in the highlights is lost, and the colors appear duller than in the camera’s JPEG file.
There are also reports of issues with the colors in Sony RAW files.
This is particularly important for professional photographers who require accurate color reproduction and predictable results.
In October 2026, the developers themselves estimated LightCraft’s readiness to replace Lightroom at approximately 60–70%. They acknowledge that the biggest challenges are image quality, camera color calibration, and compatibility with certain RAW formats.
Our rating: 4/10. A promising project, but there are still too many limitations for professional RAW processing at this time. GitHub github.com/storytold/lightcraft/blob/main…
LightCraft website getartcraft.com/apps/lightcraft?utm_sourc…
darktable — 9/10
darktable is one of the most serious free alternatives to Lightroom.
The program offers RAW processing, a photo catalog, local adjustments, masks, color management, and non-destructive editing.
darktable provides a professional color processing system and supports RAW files from many manufacturers.
One of the program’s greatest advantages is its extensive capabilities for precisely controlling an image’s tonal range and colors.
However, its interface and processing philosophy differ significantly from Lightroom. At first, darktable may seem complicated, especially to photographers accustomed to Adobe.
Our rating: 9/10. One of the best free options for professional RAW processing. The main trade-offs are the learning curve and a different workflow. darktable.org
darktable website darktable.org/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
RawTherapee — 8/10
RawTherapee is a free RAW processing program that focuses specifically on image quality.
It offers advanced demosaicing algorithms, noise reduction, sharpening, precise color corrections, and extensive control over RAW file processing.
RawTherapee is suitable for photographers who want as much control as possible over the image processing workflow.
Unlike Lightroom, it isn’t as comprehensive a photo cataloging and large library management system.
Our rating: 8/10. A very powerful RAW processing program, but less suitable for those who need a unified environment for organizing large photo shoots.
RawTherapee website: rawtherapee.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
digiKam — 8/10
digiKam is a free program that specializes in organizing photo collections.
It offers metadata management, rating, searching, keywords, face recognition, and other features for working with large image libraries.
The program’s main strength lies in organizing catalogs and files, rather than RAW image processing itself.
Therefore, digiKam can be an excellent complement to darktable or RawTherapee.
Our rating: 8/10. A very good free alternative for managing photo archives.
digiKam website: digikam.org/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Premiere Pro Alternatives — Free Programs Here Are Already at a Professional Level
Adobe’s position in the video editing software market is no longer as dominant as it once was.
Some free programs already offer functionality suitable even for complex commercial projects.
FilmCraft — 3/10
FilmCraft offers an interface similar to Adobe Premiere Pro, multi-track video and audio editing, color correction, transitions, and effects.
However, the program is still in the early stages of development.
One of the most significant limitations is video processing performance. In some versions, a significant portion of the decoding and exporting work is performed by the CPU rather than utilizing the full capabilities of the GPU and hardware video encoders.
GitHub users have also reported slow video playback and audio issues.
The developers themselves rate the program’s readiness for professional projects at around 50–60%.
Our rating: 3/10. An interesting technological experiment, but currently too risky a choice for serious client projects. GitHub github.com/storytold/filmcraft/blob/main/…
FilmCraft website getartcraft.com/apps/filmcraft?utm_source…
DaVinci Resolve — 9/10
DaVinci Resolve is one of the most powerful free programs in this entire comparison.
Developed by Blackmagic Design, this software has been used in the professional film and video industry for years.
DaVinci Resolve 21 combines video editing, professional color grading, audio processing, effects, and animation.
The free version offers a very wide range of features, including support for 4K video at up to 60 frames per second.
Certain AI features, enhanced noise reduction, and other professional capabilities are available only in the paid Studio version.
It’s also important to note that support for certain video codecs and hardware acceleration varies depending on the operating system.
However, for most videographers, the free version already offers more than enough features.
Our rating: 9/10. One of the best free professional video editing programs. Requires a fairly powerful computer and some time to learn the program. Blackmagic Design blackmagicdesign.com/support?utm_source=c…
DaVinci Resolve website blackmagicdesign.com/products/davincireso…
Kdenlive — 8/10
Kdenlive is a free, open-source video editing program.
It offers multi-track editing, effects, transitions, titles, subtitles, and the use of proxy files for more convenient work with high-resolution video.
The program runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Compared to DaVinci Resolve, it has more limited professional color correction and audio post-production capabilities, but Kdenlive is a good solution for YouTube videos, interviews, news reports, and many commercial projects.
Our rating: 8/10. A good free video editing program, especially for those who want an open-source solution.
Kdenlive website: kdenlive.org/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Shotcut — 7/10
Shotcut is another free video editing program that runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
It offers multi-track editing, filters, color correction, and support for a wide range of video formats.
Shotcut is suitable for simpler video projects, but its professional editing workflow and capabilities are more limited than those of DaVinci Resolve.
Our rating: 7/10. A good solution for everyday video editing, but there are more powerful alternatives for more complex projects.
Shotcut website: shotcut.org/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Illustrator Alternatives — Vector Graphics and Logos
VectorCraft — 4/10
VectorCraft is ArtCraft’s alternative to Adobe Illustrator.
The program offers vector drawing tools, shapes, curves, various effects, and support for SVG files.
Like other ArtCraft products, its main advantage is a familiar interface and an attempt to emulate the Adobe work environment.
However, the program is still under active development, and its compatibility with complex professional projects has not been sufficiently tested.
Our rating: 4/10. A promising but still immature solution.
VectorCraft website: getartcraft.com/apps/vectorcraft?utm_sour…
Inkscape — 9/10
Inkscape is one of the most popular free vector graphics programs.
It offers extensive capabilities for working with SVG, logos, illustrations, icons, and various graphic design elements.
The program has been actively developed for many years and has a large user community.
Inkscape can also be used for commercial projects, but compatibility with Illustrator AI files and certain professional printing workflows is not complete.
Our rating: 9/10. One of the best free alternatives to Illustrator.
Inkscape website: inkscape.org
Affinity — 9/10
The free version of Affinity also offers full-featured vector graphics tools.
The program is suitable for creating logos, illustrations, advertising materials, and various design elements.
Its major advantage is the ability to combine vector graphics, photos, and layout tools within a single project.
Our rating: 9/10. A very strong alternative to Illustrator, especially for designers who work with both photos and vector graphics.
Affinity website: affinity.studio/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
After Effects Alternatives — Animation and Visual Effects
EffectCraft — 4/10
EffectCraft is ArtCraft’s alternative to Adobe After Effects.
The program offers compositions, layers, animation keyframes, effects, 3D cameras, and lighting.
The developers note that the program includes more than 250 effects.
However, the number of features alone does not guarantee professional-level performance. The program is new, and its stability and performance in complex projects have not yet been sufficiently tested.
Our rating: 4/10. An interesting new product, but not yet a reliable alternative to After Effects.
EffectCraft website: getartcraft.com/apps/effectcraft?utm_sour…
DaVinci Resolve Fusion — 8/10
Fusion is DaVinci Resolve’s built-in visual effects and compositing environment.
Unlike After Effects’ layer-based approach, Fusion primarily uses a node-based system.
This provides a wide range of capabilities for creating video effects, compositing, masking, motion tracking, and animation.
Fusion’s features are also available in the free version of DaVinci Resolve, although some advanced capabilities are reserved for the Studio edition.
Our rating: 8/10. A very powerful alternative for professional visual effects, but it takes time to master the node system.
DaVinci Resolve Fusion blackmagicdesign.com/products/davincireso…
Blender — 8/10
Blender is primarily known as a free 3D modeling and animation program, but it also offers tools for video compositing, motion tracking, and visual effects creation.
It is particularly well-suited for 3D animations, product visualizations, and more complex visual effects.
However, Blender is not a direct replacement for After Effects for all 2D motion graphics tasks.
Our rating: 8/10. An excellent free program for 3D and visual effects, but not always the most convenient choice for simple 2D animations.
Blender website: blender.org
Natron — 6/10
Natron is a free, open-source compositing program with a node-based system.
It offers masking, motion tracking, color correction, OpenFX plugin support, and other visual effects tools.
The program is of interest to users who want an alternative to a Fusion- or Nuke-style workflow.
However, its development has been relatively slow, and the official website still lists the latest stable version as 2.5.0, released in 2022.
Our rating: 6/10. A functional but relatively outdated alternative. Natron natrongithub.github.io
Natron website natrongithub.github.io/?utm_source=chatgp…
InDesign Alternatives — for Magazines, Catalogs, and Print Materials
DesignCraft — 4/10
DesignCraft offers a layout environment similar to Adobe InDesign.
The program is designed for multi-page documents, magazines, catalogs, and various print materials.
It features text blocks, page layouts, styles, and PDF export.
However, the program is still in development, and its suitability for complex professional print projects has not been sufficiently tested.
Our rating: 4/10. An interesting project, but for professional publishing, it’s better to use more mature software for now.
DesignCraft website getartcraft.com/apps/designcraft?utm_sour…
Scribus — 8/10
Scribus is a free, open-source program for laying out professional print materials.
It offers CMYK color management, PDF export, various typography options, and tools for preparing print files.
Scribus is suitable for creating brochures, magazines, catalogs, and other multi-page publications.
Its main drawbacks are a less modern interface and limited compatibility with InDesign documents.
Our rating: 8/10. A proven free alternative for professional layout design.
Scribus website: scribus.net
Affinity — 9/10
The free version of Affinity also includes professional layout tools.
Within a single program, you can create multi-page documents, work with text, images, and styles, and prepare print-ready PDF files.
It’s especially convenient that you can edit photos and graphic elements within the same program without having to switch between different applications.
Our rating: 9/10. One of the best free alternatives to InDesign.
Affinity website: affinity.studio/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Acrobat Alternatives — Free PDF Editing
PdfCraft — 5/10
PdfCraft is a PDF document editor developed by ArtCraft.
It offers PDF opening, page reordering, document merging, splitting, searching, and other basic features.
The program’s advantage is that it operates locally without the need to upload documents to a cloud service.
However, it is still in the early stages of development, and not all of Adobe Acrobat’s professional features are available.
Our rating: 5/10. An interesting program for basic functions, but there are more advanced alternatives.
PdfCraft website: getartcraft.com/apps/pdfcraft?utm_source=…
PDFgear — 8/10
PDFgear is a free PDF editor available for Windows and macOS.
The program offers PDF text editing, page reordering, document merging, OCR text recognition, and the ability to add electronic signature images.
PDFgear also offers an AI assistant for working with document content.
It is important to distinguish between simply inserting a signature into a document and a legally valid electronic signature—these are not the same functions.
The program is currently available for free, but unlike open-source projects, its long-term free business model is not guaranteed.
Our rating: 8/10. A very good free PDF editor for everyday use.
PDFgear website: pdfgear.com
PDF24 Creator — 8/10
PDF24 Creator is a free PDF document processing program for Windows users.
It offers document merging, splitting, page reordering, conversion, compression, and a range of other useful features.
The program runs locally on your computer and can be used free of charge, even for commercial purposes.
The main limitation is that PDF24 Creator is only available for Windows.
Our rating: 8/10. A practical and highly functional suite of free PDF tools.
PDF24 website: tools.pdf24.org/lv/creator?utm_source=cha…
Which free programs should you choose in 2026?
Comparing all the programs reviewed, it’s clear that the new, AI-powered ArtCraft alternatives can’t yet compete with several well-established free solutions.
Affinity, darktable, DaVinci Resolve, and Inkscape stand out in particular.
Adobe Program | Recommended Free Alternative | Rating
Photoshop | Affinity | 9/10
Lightroom | darktable | 9/10
Premiere Pro | DaVinci Resolve | 9/10
Illustrator | Inkscape / Affinity | 9/10
After Effects | DaVinci Resolve Fusion | 8/10
InDesign | Affinity | 9/10
Acrobat | PDFgear | 8/10
Keep in mind that none of these programs fully replicate all of Adobe’s features and workflows.
For professional photographers, camera RAW file compatibility, color profiles, processing speed, and accuracy are also particularly important.
When switching from Lightroom to another program, it’s also important to keep in mind that catalogs, local adjustments, and processing settings created in Adobe won’t always be transferable.
However, for many photographers and videographers, these alternatives may be sufficient for everyday work.
Will AI change the professional software market?
Although the ArtCraft programs have received relatively low ratings so far, the project itself is very interesting.
Brandon Thomas claims that he made extensive use of artificial intelligence in the development of the seven programs, significantly speeding up the programming process.
Until recently, developing a project of this scale would have required a large team and significant financial resources.
Now, AI programming tools allow small teams to create prototypes of complex programs very quickly.
However, there remains a huge difference between a program with hundreds of features and one capable of operating reliably for years in a professional environment.
For photographers and videographers, it’s not just the number of features that matters. Equally important are stability, accurate image reproduction, performance, file compatibility, and the ability to rely on the software for client projects.
It is precisely in these areas that experienced software developers still hold a significant advantage.
ArtCraft will still have to prove that it can deliver not only rapid feature development but also long-term quality.
Conclusion
In 2026, free software suitable for professional work is no longer a rarity.
Photographers have access to Affinity, GIMP, darktable, and RawTherapee. Videographers can use DaVinci Resolve and Kdenlive. Designers have access to Inkscape, Krita, and Scribus.
Some of these programs are already sufficiently advanced to replace paid solutions for specific professional tasks.
ArtCraft, on the other hand, demonstrates another interesting trend—the impact of artificial intelligence on the speed of software development.
Currently, the best free alternatives to Adobe are not the ones developed the fastest, but rather those that have already proven their quality and reliability.
However, if artificial intelligence continues to advance software development capabilities at such a rapid pace, competition in this market could increase significantly in the coming years.
And for photographers, videographers, and designers, this means more choices and less dependence on a specific software vendor.
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