Top 5 Best FREE PHOTO EDITING Software

Brett In Tech
20 Jan 202307:56

TLDRIn this informative video, the top five free photo editing software options are presented for users seeking alternatives to expensive programs like Photoshop. Adobe Photoshop Express, a user-friendly option with basic tools, is ranked fifth. Photoscape X, with advanced features and a screenshot tool, is fourth. Third place goes to Krita, a free and open-source program with professional brushes and animation tools. The runner-up, Paint.NET, is a powerful alternative to Microsoft Paint with a large community and plugins. Finally, the top choice is GIMP, an open-source software with a comprehensive set of tools and features that rival premium software. Bonus picks include browser-based apps like Photopea and Pixlr, as well as Canva and Affinity Photo for those willing to pay a one-time fee.

Takeaways

  • ๐ŸŽจ **Adobe Photoshop Express**: A free, easy-to-use photo editor from Adobe with basic tools and quick editing capabilities, though not as feature-rich as the premium version.
  • ๐Ÿ“ˆ **Photoscape X**: Offers advanced features beyond Photoshop Express, including a screenshot tool, GIF creation, collages, and RAW image support.
  • ๐Ÿ–ผ๏ธ **Krita**: A free and open-source program with professional-grade tools for photo editing, digital painting, and animation, including over 100 brushes and layer support.
  • ๐ŸŽจ **Bonus Picks**: Photope and Pixlr (X and E) are browser-based web apps with Photoshop-like features, while Canva provides a free online editor for marketing materials and Affinity Photo is a one-time fee alternative to subscription services.
  • ๐ŸŽจ **Paint.NET**: A lightweight, powerful alternative to Microsoft Paint with layer support, special effects, and community-created plugins, available only for Windows.
  • ๐Ÿ† **GIMP**: The top pick, a feature-packed, open-source program with advanced tools, filters, effects, and compatibility with various image formats, including PSD.
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ **Platform Availability**: Most of the software is available for Windows, with some also available for Mac OS and Linux, and mobile apps for certain programs.
  • ๐Ÿ” **Auto Enhance Feature**: Many of the programs offer an auto-enhance feature that automatically adjusts exposure, temperature, and contrast.
  • ๐Ÿ“š **Learning Resources**: Some programs, like Krita, offer a manual or tutorials on their site to assist new users in navigating the tools.
  • ๐Ÿ› ๏ธ **Layer Management**: Advanced programs like GIMP and Paint.NET offer robust layer management for more complex photo editing tasks.
  • โœ‚๏ธ **Background Removal**: Tools like Photoscape X's cutout tool allow for easy background removal from images.
  • ๐ŸŒŸ **User Interface Preferences**: Some programs, like GIMP, allow users to choose between a traditional layout and a more modern, single-window interface.

Q & A

  • What is the name of the free photo editing software from the makers of Photoshop?

    -Adobe Photoshop Express is the free photo editing software from the makers of Photoshop.

  • What are some of the tools available in Adobe Photoshop Express for photo editing?

    -Adobe Photoshop Express provides tools such as effects, themes, filters, crop, spot heal, red eye tool, and border adjustments.

  • Is Adobe Photoshop Express available for all major operating systems?

    -Adobe Photoshop Express is available for Windows from the Microsoft store, but it is not available for Mac OS and Linux.

  • What is Photoscape X and what are its key features?

    -Photoscape X is a more advanced free photo editing software that includes features like a screenshot tool, GIF and collage creation, support for RAW images, and a variety of tools for image transformation.

  • How does Photoscape X help users learn to use its tools?

    -Photoscape X provides tutorials for its tools, which can be accessed by clicking on the image to the right for each feature.

  • What is the name of the free and open-source program that also supports digital painting and animation?

    -Krita is the free and open-source program that supports photo editing, digital painting, and animation.

  • What are some of the advanced features available in Krita for professional users?

    -Krita offers more than 100 professionally made brushes, layer management, vector templates, masking, special effects, filters, and a color selector.

  • Which web-based photo editing platform is mentioned as a bonus pick in the script?

    -Photopea is mentioned as a bonus pick for a browser-based web app that closely resembles Photoshop.

  • What is the name of the software that was first released in 2004 as a more powerful alternative to Microsoft Paint?

    -Paint.NET was first released in 2004 as a more powerful alternative to Microsoft Paint.

  • What is the top-ranked free photo editing software mentioned in the script?

    -GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is ranked as the top free photo editing software in the script.

  • What are some of the unique features of GIMP that make it comparable to expensive software?

    -GIMP includes layer management, advanced filters and effects, color adjustments, transformations, and compatibility with popular image formats including Photoshop PSD files.

  • What are some of the other free online photo editing platforms mentioned in the script?

    -Other free online photo editing platforms mentioned are Pixlr, Canva, and Photopea.

  • What is the name of the non-free software that offers a one-time fee alternative to subscription-based services like Photoshop?

    -Affinity Photo is a non-free software that offers a one-time fee alternative to subscription-based services.

Outlines

00:00

๐Ÿ“ท Top 5 Free Photo Editing Software

The video introduces five free photo editing software options for those who do not wish to invest in expensive programs like Photoshop. It covers Adobe Photoshop Express, which is user-friendly and offers basic editing tools. The video also mentions Photoscape X, which provides advanced features, including a screenshot tool, GIF creation, and support for RAW images. Additionally, it highlights GIMP as the top choice, a powerful open-source program with professional-level tools and compatibility with various image formats, including PSD files. The video also briefly discusses bonus picks like Photopea, Pixlr, Canva, and Affinity Photo, which are alternative options for users with different needs.

05:00

๐ŸŽจ Paint.NET and GIMP: The Top Free Photo Editors

The second paragraph focuses on Paint.NET, a lightweight and feature-rich alternative to Microsoft Paint, which supports layer management and has a community-created plugin system. It also emphasizes GIMP, the top free photo editing software, which was initially released in 1996 and includes a comprehensive set of tools and features comparable to expensive software. GIMP offers layer management, advanced filters, color adjustments, and is compatible with Photoshop PSD files. The video also provides guidance on using GIMP, including layout preferences and available tutorials for beginners, and mentions that GIMP is available on Windows, Mac OS, and Linux platforms.

Mindmap

Keywords

Photo Editing Software

Photo editing software refers to applications that allow users to modify and enhance digital images. In the context of the video, it is the main theme as the host discusses various free options available to users who may not wish to invest in expensive programs like Adobe Photoshop.

Adobe Photoshop Express

Adobe Photoshop Express is a free version of the professional Adobe Photoshop software. It is mentioned as the fifth option in the video, designed for users seeking a quick and easy solution for photo editing with a lower learning curve compared to the full version of Photoshop.

Photoscape X

Photoscape X is identified as the fourth option and is highlighted for its advanced features beyond basic photo editing. It includes tools for creating GIFs, collages, and supports RAW images, making it versatile for users looking for more than just simple edits.

Krita

Krita is an open-source program that is not only for photo editing but also includes tools for digital painting and animation. It is noted for its professional-grade brushes and layer support, making it a comprehensive tool for advanced users, as discussed in the video.

Layer Management

Layer management is a feature in photo editing software that allows users to work with images in separate layers, which can then be individually edited and adjusted. It is an important concept in the video as it is a common feature in the discussed software, allowing for more complex and non-destructive editing.

Filters and Effects

Filters and effects are tools within photo editing software that can be applied to images to alter their appearance, such as color adjustments, texture changes, or adding stylistic elements. The video emphasizes the availability of these tools in the free software options as a means to enhance photos.

Paint.NET

Paint.NET is a free image and photo editing software for Windows that is mentioned as the second-best option in the video. It is praised for its powerful features and community-created plugins, positioning it as a robust alternative to more expensive software.

GIMP

GIMP, which stands for GNU Image Manipulation Program, is the software highlighted as the top choice in the video. It is an open-source and free tool that rivals the capabilities of expensive programs, offering a wide array of features such as advanced filters, effects, and compatibility with various image formats.

Auto Enhance

Auto Enhance is a feature that automatically adjusts various aspects of an image, such as exposure, temperature, and contrast, to improve its overall appearance. In the context of the video, it is presented as a convenient tool available in Adobe Photoshop Express for quick and easy photo enhancement.

Spot Heal and Red Eye Tool

The Spot Heal and Red Eye Tool are specific editing tools used to correct common photography issues like blemishes or red-eye effect in photos. The video mentions these tools as part of the feature set in Adobe Photoshop Express, indicating their utility in basic photo correction tasks.

RAW Images

RAW images are a type of digital photo that contains unprocessed data from the image sensor of a digital camera. The video notes that Photoscape X supports RAW images, which is significant for photographers looking to have more control over the editing process due to the higher quality and flexibility RAW files offer.

Highlights

Adobe Photoshop Express is a free photo editing software with a low learning curve, suitable for quick edits.

Photoshop Express offers basic tools including effects, themes, filters, and auto-enhance feature.

Adobe Photoshop Express is available for Windows from the Microsoft Store, with mobile apps for Android and iOS.

Photoscape X, ranked fourth, provides advanced features including a screenshot tool, GIF creation, and support for RAW images.

Photoscape X includes a large set of tools for filters, effects, and background removal, with tutorials for each feature.

Krita, the third choice, is a free and open-source program with tools for photo editing, digital painting, and animation.

Krita comes with over 100 professional brushes and supports layer management with vector templates.

The program has a high learning curve, but a manual is available on their site to assist beginners.

Krita is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Photopea is a browser-based web app with features similar to Photoshop, including the ability to save as a PSD file.

Pixlr offers web apps like Pixlr X for basic edits and Pixlr E for advanced users.

Canva provides a free online photo editor for creating marketing materials and social media posts.

Affinity Photo, though not free, is a one-time fee alternative to subscription-based services like Photoshop.

Paint.NET is a powerful alternative to Microsoft Paint, supporting layers and community-created plugins.

Paint.NET features a dark theme and a variety of tools, including an oil painting effect.

GIMP is the top-ranked free photo editing software, offering advanced tools and features found in expensive software.

GIMP supports layer management, advanced filters, color adjustments, and is compatible with popular image formats like PSD.

The interface of GIMP can be customized between a traditional layout and a floating windows layout.

GIMP is available on Windows, Mac OS, and Linux, and has been used for creating many video thumbnails.