Darktable
Gimp
Affinity Designer
The Adobe Creative Suite is great, very complete, has pretty much everything a creator needs, and has been the industry standard in many different creative fields for a long while. It’s also not cheap by any stretch and can be a big financial commitment for creators on a budget or artists who are fresh out of school and out of the school labs and student discounts.
It gets even worse for those casual users, who only need the software for small tasks and only use basic features or small business owners who don’t use the software much but still need it from time to time. Paying for the full-price, all-inclusive subscription is not worth it for many, plus the demanding system requirements and complex interface have led even the most loyal Adobe user to look for different options.
From Photoshop substitutes to Premiere Pro and After Effects alternatives that cater to different needs and budgets, in this article, we’ve gathered the best Adobe alternatives for you. Whether you’re a beginner, a working professional, or a casual user, be sure that you’ll find everything you need here.
Let’s get started.
Our Top 6 Picks of All the Best Adobe Alternatives
- Best Alternative to Adobe Lightroom – Darktable
- Best Alternative to Adobe Photoshop – Gimp
- Best Alternative to Adobe Illustrator – Affinity Designer
- Best Alternative to Adobe Premiere Pro – HitFilm Express
- Best Alternatives to Adobe After Effects – BlackMagic Fusion
- Best Alternative to Adobe Design Software for Beginners – Canva
Best Alternatives to Lightroom for Beginners and Professionals
Darktable
Selection Criteria
- Alternative to: Adobe Lightroom
- Our Score: 0/10
- Learning curve: High.
- Our Score: 0/10
- Recommended for: Advanced users and professionals.
- Our Score: 0/10
- OS compatibility: Windows, macOS, Linux.
- Our Score: 0/10
- Price: Free.
- Our Score: 0/10
About Darktable
Darktable is a free, open-source alternative to Lightroom. As its name suggests, Darktable came up as a strong contender made specifically to replace Lightroom. It has great photo management and editing features, and it’s good for both beginners and pros alike. Darktable’s user interface is not the most beginner-friendly and is a tad more complex in contrast with Lightroom’s but still, it’s easy to learn and offers powerful performance and versatile post-processing tools which makes it the choice of many pros who are on a budget or looking for something non-Adobe.
Pros
- Free
- Powerful RAW processing
- Extensive toolset
Cons
- Steep learning curve
- Less intuitive UI
- No customer support
Capture One
Selection Criteria
- Alternative to: Adobe Lightroom
- Our Score: 0/10
- Learning curve: Moderate to steep.
- Our Score: 0/10
- Recommended for: Professionals.
- Our Score: 0/10
- OS compatibility: Windows, macOS.
- Our Score: 0/10
- Price: $299 – $349 one-time payment / $24 – $29 per month subscription.
- Our Score: 0/10
About Capture One
Capture One is a high-end RAW processing software that has evolved from an image converter into an amazing tool for digital image editing. This software stands out as our top Adobe Alternative to Lightroom for one reason: It’s also considered an industry-standard software in photography and edition.
It has features for photo management like Sessions and Catalogs which are similar to Adobe Lightroom’s catalogs. It has amazing color correction features as well as batch editing and smart adjustments, provides a high level of RAW processing, and also supports layer styles and adjustment layers.
The learning curve for this software is not as steep as Photoshop, however, the user interface can feel a bit overwhelming for beginners. It’s significantly cheaper than Lightroom and has an iPad app for those who love editing on the go.
Pros
- Superior RAW processing
- Advanced color correction
- Customizable interface
Cons
- Steep learning curve
- High cost
- Fewer third-party integrations
DxO PhotoLab
Selection Criteria
- Alternative to: Moderate
- Our Score: 0/10
- Learning curve: Advanced and professionals.
- Our Score: 0/10
- Recommended for: Advanced and professionals.
- Our Score: 0/10
- OS compatibility: Windows, macOS.
- Our Score: 0/10
- Price: $129 – $199 one-time payment.
- Our Score: 0/10
About DxO PhotoLab
DxO PhotoLab is an outstanding RAW editing app that has been around since 2004, it provides over 60 different functions and filters for photo editing, including noise reduction and color retention. DxO PhotoLab intergñface is quite simple and easy to learn in contrast with Lightroom, Photoshop, and Capture One which makes it great for beginner and experienced Photographers. The choice between Capture One and Photo Lab lies mostly in their specific features, which might suit one’s workflow and style more than the other, still, they’re two solid alternatives to Adobe’s Lightroom and even strong contenders to Adobe Photoshop.
Pros
- Excellent RAW conversion
- Advanced lens corrections
- Powerful local adjustments
Cons
- Limited file management
- Fewer tutorial resources
- Higher price point
Luminar AI
Selection Criteria
- Alternative to: Adobe Lightroom
- Our Score: 0/10
- Learning curve: Moderate.
- Our Score: 0/10
- Recommended for: Amateur and professionals.
- Our Score: 0/10
- OS compatibility: Windows, macOS.
- Our Score: 0/10
- Price: $79 one-time payment (prices may vary).
- Our Score: 0/10
About Luminar AI
Luminar is one of the favorite photo editing apps of many beginners and enthusiasts nowadays and not without good reason. This app uses super advanced AI editing tools that make the process much simpler and it’s often recommended as an alternative to more traditional editing software like Lightroom and Capture One.
If you want quick and impressive results, Luminar is the way to go, however, this software still offers traditional photo processing and editing features like layer-based editing, though it’s not as good as Photoshop.
The best part? Luminar AI is a single-time purchase app, not Subscription-based like Photoshop, which makes it a fantastic alternative for pros, beginners, and casual users.
Pros
- AI-driven tools
- Easy to use
- Innovative features
Cons
- Limited advanced editing
- Occasional performance lags
- AI can be unpredictable
Best Alternatives to Photoshop for Beginners and Professionals
GIMP
Selection Criteria
- Alternative to: Photoshop.
- Our Score: 0/10
- Learning curve: High.
- Our Score: 0/10
- Recommended for: Advanced users, and graphic designers.
- Our Score: 0/10
- OS compatibility: Windows, macOS, Linux.
- Our Score: 0/10
- Price: Free.
- Our Score: 0/10
About GIMP
GIMP is one of the oldest and most popular Photoshop alternatives. This open-source, completely free software is preferred by many, and it’s compatible with multiple OS like Windows, Linux, and Mac.
GIMP is perfect for beginners or the occasional user, although its interface is highly customizable, it can be less user-friendly than Photoshop and it lacks some of the most advanced features integrated by Adobe.
Being open source, it allows for even more customization options and even automation of tasks. It also has a wide array of plugins available that extend its functionality, and it’s constantly updated by its community, however not nearly as often as Photoshop.
GIMP is a solid option for beginners or the occasional user but not the best choice for professionals that need the more advanced features, support, and software integration that Adobe offers.
Pros
- Free
- Customizable interface
- Extensive plugin support
Cons
- Complex for beginners
- Non-standard UI
- Limited RAW support
Canva
Selection Criteria
- Alternative to: Photoshop.
- Our Score: 0/10
- Learning curve: Low.
- Our Score: 0/10
- Recommended for: All user levels, especially for quick designs.
- Our Score: 0/10
- OS compatibility: Web-based, apps for iOS and Android.
- Our Score: 0/10
- Price: Free / Subscription options available.
- Our Score: 0/10
About Canva
Canva is one of the most popular alternatives to any design software. This free online tool and app made many small business owners, casual users, and beginner’s lives so much easier, making basic graphic design accessible to the public. Despite all that, Canva doesn’t have many of the advanced photo management and editing features of Photoshop, and for professionals, is very limiting. Still, as a free tool anyone can use, that has multiple libraries of graphic assets, photos, videos, and templates, Canva is a great option for those who look for a free and easy-to-use alternative that gives amazing results with little effort and in a short period of time. Canva does offer a subscription option for much less than Photoshop for the Pro version of the app, which allows you to unlock even more graphics and features like background removal and Duotone color change.
Pros
- User-friendly
- Extensive template library
- Web-based
Cons
- Limited fine-tuning
- Internet dependent
- Basic design tools
Ibis Paint
Selection Criteria
- Alternative to: Photoshop
- Our Score: 0/10
- Learning curve: Low to moderate.
- Our Score: 0/10
- Recommended for: Amateur artists and hobbyists.
- Our Score: 0/10
- OS compatibility: iOS, Android.
- Our Score: 0/10
- Price: Free / In-app purchases.
- Our Score: 0/10
About Ibis Paint
Ibis Paint is a great alternative to Photoshop for those who love digital painting, anime, and manga drawing. This app is free, very easy to use, and super popular among teens and users who don’t have access to a graphics tablet or who own a tablet with a pressure-sensitive pen like the Samsung Galaxy S series or the iPad.
Recently Ibis Paint was also made available for desktop, and despite being a quite fun and simple app, it has a lot of filters and layer modes that mimic professional apps like Clip Studio Paint, Corel Painter, and Photoshop.
Ibis Paint file formats are unique, however, due to a partnership they are now compatible with Clip Studio Paint, making it possible to sketch on your phone or tablet finish on your computer, and even export your files as PSD. Ibis Paint offers a subscription to unlock premium filters and effects, as well as a library of assets to make drawing easier, for a small monthly fee of $2.99.
Pros
- Intuitive interface
- Various drawing features
- Good for beginners
Cons
- Mobile focused
- Limited professional use
- In-app purchases
Procreate
Selection Criteria
- Alternative to: Photoshop.
- Our Score: 0/10
- Learning curve: Moderate.
- Our Score: 0/10
- Recommended for: Artists, illustrators.
- Our Score: 0/10
- OS compatibility: iOS (iPad).
- Our Score: 0/10
- Price: $9.99 one-time payment.
- Our Score: 0/10
About Procreate
Procreate is one of the most popular drawing apps for iPad that exists. This one-time purchase, super affordable, and easy-to-use app revolutionized the art industry, especially for small artists and beginners. However, that is almost all that Procreate is, a drawing and painting app. While that’s enough for many, especially for the ones who started their creative journey with Procreate, it’s not nearly enough for professionals who need more advanced features and the full processing power that only professional software can offer.
So while Procreate is a great alternative for beginners and casual users, is not the best option for professionals or serious artists who are working with a team or who need more advanced features for image manipulation and digital painting
Pros
- Intuitive design
- Extensive brush library
- Powerful drawing tools
Cons
- iPad only
- No vector support
- Limited file formats
Corel Painter
Selection Criteria
- Alternative to: Photoshop
- Our Score: 0/10
- Learning curve: High.
- Our Score: 0/10
- Recommended for: Professional digital artists.
- Our Score: 0/10
- OS compatibility: Windows, macOS.
- Our Score: 0/10
- Price: $429 one-time payment / Subscription options available.
- Our Score: 0/10
About Corel Painter
Corel Painter is a professional digital painting software, used by many artists, designers, and illustrators. While it doesn’t have the many photo editing features that Photoshop has, Corel Painter is a software specifically designed for painting and illustration and has many strong points in that area that Photoshop doesn’t.
It offers a wide collection of customizable brushes and tools that simulate traditional art materials but also supports layers and blending modes and other tools that are frequently used by most artists in their process.
It also has a very intuitive interface, designed for drawing and painting, which is something that Photoshop doesn’t offer, and can be customized to the artist’s preference with ease.
Pros
- Realistic brush simulations
- Customizable brushes
- Extensive toolset
Cons
- Expensive
- Steep learning curve
- Resource-intensive
Clip Studio Paint
Selection Criteria
- Alternative to: Photoshop.
- Our Score: 0/10
- Learning curve: Moderate.
- Our Score: 0/10
- Recommended for: Illustrators, comic artists.
- Our Score: 0/10
- OS compatibility: Windows, macOS, iOS.
- Our Score: 0/10
- Price: $49.99 – $219 one-time payment / Subscription for iPad.
- Our Score: 0/10
About Clip Studio Paint
Clip Studio Paint is one of the best drawing and painting software for digital artists, comic and webtoon artists, illustrators, and animators out there. It offers many of the most appreciated features Photoshop does, like layering, blending modes, correction layers, customizable brushes, smart selections, etc. But it also offers one of the most complete libraries of assets for all kinds of creative applications, especially for anime and manga drawing. Clip Studio Paint user’s interface might be intimidating at first, however is very customizable, intuitive, and easy to use. This software also lets you use 3D models, complex rulers, and perspective grids and has a special tool selection for creating vignettes and comics. It is also compatible with multiple OS, like Windows and Mac on desktops, Android (Samsung) and iPadOS for tablets, and even Android and Apple for smartphones.
Pros
- Ideal for comics
- Extensive brush options
- Frame-by-frame animation
Cons
- Complex interface
- Learning curve
- Limited photo editing
Affinity Photo
Selection Criteria
- Alternative to: Photoshop.
- Our Score: 0/10
- Learning curve: Moderate.
- Our Score: 0/10
- Recommended for: Amateur and professionals.
- Our Score: 0/10
- OS compatibility: Windows, macOS, iPad.
- Our Score: 0/10
- Price: $54.99 one-time payment.
- Our Score: 0/10
About Affinity Photo
Affinity Photo is a powerful image editing software that has become popular among users who are looking for an alternative, affordable, single-time purchase to Adobe Photoshop.
This software has advanced photo editing tools that suit professionals and beginners alike, making it great for high-end retouching and editing, as well as a strong alternative for artists since it includes illustration and graphic design features like customizable brushes and vector graphics that cater to all kinds of creatives. This app also runs even with lower specs, making it a great alternative for those who don’t have the latest equipment or who are using the app on a tablet. This app is great for beginners, casual users, and professionals alike, and the convenience of their desktop and mobile integration makes it a solid option for those who like to draw or create on the go but also have a more professional setup at home.
Pros
- Affordable
- No subscription
- Photoshop-like features
Cons
- Limited RAW editor
- Fewer tutorials
- No cloud syncing
Medibang Paint
Selection Criteria
- Alternative to: Photoshop
- Our Score: 0/10
- Learning curve: Low to moderate.
- Our Score: 0/10
- Recommended for: Amateur and aspiring comic artists.
- Our Score: 0/10
- OS compatibility: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android.
- Our Score: 0/10
- Price: Free / Paid version available.
- Our Score: 0/10
About Medibang Paint
Medibang Paint is a great alternative for artists looking for a free, simple tool with specific comic-making features. It has a wide array of panel layouts, speech bubbles, and fonts, and it’s widely used by artists who specialize in drawing comics and manga. It’s very lightweight and has a super intuitive interface, as well as a strong and large community that holds events from time to time.
It’s perfect for beginners and comic artists looking for a free alternative, however, it doesn’t have many of the very useful photo editing features that Photoshop offers, which makes it a not-so-great option for advanced photo editing and illustration.
Pros
- Free
- Cloud syncing
- Lightweight
Cons
- Ads in the free version
- Basic features
- Limited brush customization
Krita
Selection Criteria
- Alternative to: Photoshop
- Our Score: 0/10
- Learning curve: Moderate.
- Our Score: 0/10
- Recommended for: Digital artists, and illustrators.
- Our Score: 0/10
- OS compatibility: Windows, macOS, Linux.
- Our Score: 0/10
- Price: Free / Donations accepted.
- Our Score: 0/10
About Krita
Krita is another free, open-source option that is highly regarded in the digital art community. This software offers something that others lack, and that is a natural painting feel, which is very appreciated by many illustrators, concept artists, and even animators. Krita’s user interface is very customizable, and user-friendly and adapts to different workflows and styles. It has a strong layer management system and supports HDR painting, which we don’t see very often.
Krita also has animation features that have been tested and used thoroughly by many professional artists and animators. Being the less costly and more powerful option, Krita is a solid choice for beginners and pros who want a trustable, strong, and versatile tool that’s also free and easy to use.
Pros
- Free
- Customizable interface
- Animation features
Cons
- Performance issues
- Steep learning curve
- Limited vector tools
Graphic Design Alternatives to Illustrator for Beginners and Professionals
Inkscape
Selection Criteria
- Alternative to: Illustrator.
- Our Score: 0/10
- Learning curve: Moderate to high.
- Our Score: 0/10
- Recommended for: Graphic designers, and vector artists.
- Our Score: 0/10
- OS compatibility: Windows, macOS, Linux.
- Our Score: 0/10
- Price: Free.
- Our Score: 0/10
About Inkscape
Inkscape is a free, open-source design software that specializes in the SVG format. Inkscape has a very user-friendly interface and offers a complete set of drawing tools for creating vector graphics like shapes, paths, clones, text, and more. Inkscape gained lots of popularity in the crafting community for designing vector graphics for cutting machines, laser engravers, etc. All of this makes it a great alternative for beginners or casual users who are on a budget or are looking for non-adobe alternatives. Being completely free, it is easily accessible to everyone, however, it lacks the seamless integration that Adobe offers with other software and applications.
Pros
- Free
- Vector graphic focus
- Extensible with add-ons
Cons
- Steep learning curve
- Clunky interface
- Resource-heavy
Vectornator
Selection Criteria
- Alternative to: Illustrator
- Our Score: 0/10
- Learning curve: Low to moderate.
- Our Score: 0/10
- Recommended for: Graphic designers, vector artists
- Our Score: 0/10
- OS compatibility: iOS, macOS.
- Our Score: 0/10
- Price: Free.
- Our Score: 0/10
About the Vectornator
Vectornator is a relatively new player on the Adobe alternatives game but has gained a lot of popularity among Apple, especially iPad users due to its simple and intuitive user interface and powerful range of tools for vector graphics, plus, it’s free.
This Apple-only alternative is great for iPad users due to its ability to adapt to touch devices and Apple Pencil support, plus it integrates well with the Apple ecosystem, allowing you to work on your iPad and finish on your Mac.
Still, the industry standard remains to be Illustrator, despite the limited iPad app they launched a few years ago.
Pros
- Intuitive vector tools
- Touch interface
- Free
Cons
- Limited advanced features
- iOS focused
- Basic text tools
Affinity Designer
Selection Criteria
- Alternative to: Illustrator.
- Our Score: 0/10
- Learning curve: Moderate.
- Our Score: 0/10
- Recommended for: Graphic designers, and vector artists.
- Our Score: 0/10
- OS compatibility: Windows, macOS, iPad.
- Our Score: 0/10
- Price: $54.99 one-time payment.
- Our Score: 0/10
About the Affinity Designer
Affinity Designer, like its counterpart, Affinity Photo is a great Adobe Alternative for professionals who need all the advanced features Illustrator offers every day but don’t want to pay the expensive annual subscription.
Affinity Designer lets you also work with raster and vector graphics workspaces and has a lot of different vector tools including the pen tool, node and curve editing, and more.
I must mention though, that Affinity Designer currently doesn’t have any blending or merging tools, which has been highly requested and expected from the community.
Still, it’s a strong alternative for professionals and it’s one of the few software that offers mobile and desktop integration (for Apple users) allowing you to work on your iPad and continue on your Mac.
Pros
- Affordable
- No subscription
- Strong vector tools
Cons
- Limited plugins
- No auto-save feature
- Fewer tutorials
Best Alternatives to Premiere Pro for Beginners and Professionals
Lightworks
Selection Criteria
- Alternative to: Illustrator.
- Our Score: 0/10
- Learning curve: High.
- Our Score: 0/10
- Recommended for: Professional video editors.
- Our Score: 0/10
- OS compatibility: Windows, macOS, Linux.
- Our Score: 0/10
- Price: Free / Subscription options available.
- Our Score: 0/10
About the Lightworks
Lightworks is an accessible professional video editing software that supports a wide range of formats, which makes it an attractive option for pros and beginners alike.
It offers a non-linear editing system for multiple tracks and layers and also supports multi-cam editing. The free version only allows you to export videos in 720p quality for YouTube and Vimeo.
The Pro version provides additional features but it does imply an additional cost, still not as high as Adobe’s. Lightworks is suited for both beginners and professionals and it’s been used in films like “Pulp Fiction” and “The Wolf of Wall Street” which speaks of its professional editing capabilities.
Pros
- Professional-grade tools
- Flexible interface
- Free version available
Cons
- Steep learning curve
- Limited export formats (free)
- Complex for beginners
HitFilm Express
Selection Criteria
- Alternative to: Illustrator.
- Our Score: 0/10
- Learning curve: Moderate to high.
- Our Score: 0/10
- Recommended for: Amateur and professional video editors.
- Our Score: 0/10
- OS compatibility: Windows, macOS.
- Our Score: 0/10
- Price: Free / Paid version available.
- Our Score: 0/10
About the HitFilm Express
HitFilm Express is a free video editing software that is both user-friendly and incredibly powerful. It caters to students, beginners, and Hobbyists who need a good editing tool without having to pay the premium price of professional tools.
One of HitFilm Express’s standout features is its extensive range of visual effects, which are usually only found on premium software. It offers layer-based compositing for multiple tracks including music and sound effects. It also allows the use of 3D models and advanced 3D compositing which is uncommon for non-premium software. Additionally, there is a strong online community that often comes up with and uploads tutorials and lessons to achieve different effects. On the downside, despite the software being free, not all effects and tools come included with the download but are available for purchase for those who require them.
Pros
- Good for VFX
- Free version available
- Intuitive for beginners
Cons
- Limited features (free)
- Resource-intensive
- Steep learning curve (advanced)
Avid Media Composer
Selection Criteria
- Alternative to: Illustrator.
- Our Score: 0/10
- Learning curve: High.
- Our Score: 0/10
- Recommended for: Professional video editors.
- Our Score: 0/10
- OS compatibility: Windows, macOS
- Our Score: 0/10
- Price: Subscription-based, starting at $23.99 per month.
- Our Score: 0/10
About the Avid Media Composer
If you wanna pursue Hollywood film editing, then Avid Media Composer is the software you need to learn. This is one of the few software that are the industry standard for filmmakers and professional working environments and despite there being other software like Adobe’s Premiere Pro and DaVinci Resolve, about 90% of the films that are being edited in Hollywood are on Avid Media Composer.
More than an Adobe alternative, Avid Media Composer is a must-have, must-learn tool for those looking into working for Hollywood and getting into the professional film editing industry.
Pros
- Industry-standard
- Powerful editing tools
- Extensive format support
Cons
- Expensive
- Complex interface
- Steep learning curve
DaVinci Resolve
Selection Criteria
- Alternative to: Illustrator.
- Our Score: 0/10
- Learning curve: High.
- Our Score: 0/10
- Recommended for: Professional video editors and colorists.
- Our Score: 0/10
- OS compatibility: Windows, macOS, Linux.
- Our Score: 0/10
- Price: Free / $295 for the Studio version.
- Our Score: 0/10
About the DaVinci Resolve
DaVinci Resolve is one of the best video editing software in the market, it has one of the best color grading tools, which makes it one of the most used software in the film industry, additionally, it has a free version, that despite having a few limitations is still great for content creators, independent filmmakers, and freelancers.
It doesn’t have as many effects and plugins as Adobe does offer, however, there are several package managers that provide third-party content.
Another standout feature is that it allows you to check your content on other devices in real-time while colorizing it to make sure it looks good on your phone and social media before exporting, which can be very useful for content creators and influencers.
Pros
- Powerful color correction
- Free version available
- Integrated workflow
Cons
- Steep learning curve
- Resource-intensive
- Complex for beginners
Final Cut Pro
Selection Criteria
- Alternative to: Illustrator.
- Our Score: 0/10
- Learning curve: Moderate.
- Our Score: 0/10
- Recommended for: Professional video editors.
- Our Score: 0/10
- OS compatibility: macOS.
- Our Score: 0/10
- Price: $299.99 one-time payment.
- Our Score: 0/10
About the Final Cut Pro
One of the most valued software for Apple users is Final Cut Pro. This one-time purchase, super fast, intuitive, and versatile software is the best alternative to Premiere Pro for professionals. It is much faster than its Adobe counterpart, easier to learn and use and there is even an iPad version now with even more interesting features that have been well received by the content creators’ community.
The upfront price might seem like a lot for some, however, it’s not near what Adobe charges in their monthly subscriptions for a year for Premiere Pro. It doesn’t have the colorization options that DaVinci Resolve offers, but it’s much more optimized for editing.
Pros
- Fast performance
- Intuitive interface
- Professional features
Cons
- Expensive
- macOS only
- Limited third-party plugins
Best Adobe Alternatives for After Effects
Blender
Selection Criteria
- Alternative to: After Effects.
- Our Score: 0/10
- Learning curve: High.
- Our Score: 0/10
- Recommended for: 3D artists, animators, and VFX artists.
- Our Score: 0/10
- OS compatibility: Windows, macOS, Linux.
- Our Score: 0/10
- Price: Free.
- Our Score: 0/10
About the Blender
For Artists, animators, and independent filmmakers Blender might be the one-and-only tool they need in their arsenal.
Blender is well known in the animation and game community for its 3D modeling features and characteristics and is one of the most used tools in that regard, however, not everyone knows that Blender also includes a video sequence editor with robust compositing features and visual effects that in combination with its node-based interface make the perfect tool and Adobe Alternative to After Effects.
Blender also excels in simulation tools for special effects like smoke, fire, fluids, etc which can easily be integrated into video projects.
Blender does have a very steep learning curve, however, it is completely free and there are plenty of free tutorials and resources to help you master the software.
Pros
- Free
- 3D creation suite
- Regular updates
Cons
- Complex for beginners
- Resource-heavy
- Steep learning curve
Blackmagic Fusion
Selection Criteria
- Alternative to: After Effects.
- Our Score: 0/10
- Learning curve: High.
- Our Score: 0/10
- Recommended for: Professionals in VFX and motion graphics.
- Our Score: 0/10
- OS compatibility: Windows, macOS, Linux.
- Our Score: 0/10
- Price: Free / $295 for the Studio version.
- Our Score: 0/10
About the Blackmagic Fusion
Known as Fusion by the film-making community, is a powerful post-production video editing and motion graphics software that is widely used by professionals.
It includes tools that allow you to work with VR and 360-degree video. Plus, it’s fully integrated with DaVinci Resolve and other Blackmagic Design Products.
It has a bit of a steep learning curve due to its node-based compositing system which can be challenging to learn, especially for those who are used to After Effects’ layer-based system. Still, the node-based system is much more flexible and versatile once you learn it and offers more robust 3D capabilities compared with After Effects.
Pros
- Powerful VFX tools
- Free version available
- Node-based compositing
Cons
- Steep learning curve
- Resource-intensive
- Limited audio capabilities
Nuke by Foundry
Selection Criteria
- Alternative to: After Effects.
- Our Score: 0/10
- Learning curve: High.
- Our Score: 0/10
- Recommended for: Professional VFX artists and compositors.
- Our Score: 0/10
- OS compatibility: Windows, macOS, Linux.
- Our Score: 0/10
- Price: Subscription-based, starting at approximately $498 per year (prices may vary and depend on the specific version of Nuke)
- Our Score: 0/10
About the Nuke by Foundry
Nuke is one of the best video compositing and motion graphics software out there. Nuke is considered the industry standard in the filmmaker’s industry, used and well recommended by many different professionals, this software excels and surpasses After Effects on many different levels, from the level of detail you can include in your work to its node-based system that takes professional compositing to another level. While it has a steeper learning curve in comparison with After Effects, it’s perfect for professionals who handle complex projects and VFX artists.
On the downside, Nuke is not free and it’s not light at all. This resource-intensive software will require a powerful computer to handle complex visual effects and high-resolution footage so it might not be the best choice for those with a simpler setup plus the subscription price is quite hefty.
Pros
- High-end VFX toolkit
- Advanced compositing
- Extensive plugin support
Cons
- Steep learning curve
- High system requirements
- Expensive subscription pricing
How To Choose The Best Adobe Alternative
Level of Expertise
To choose the best alternatives for the Adobe Apps you need, first have to consider your level of expertise and the use you’re going to give it.
If you’re just testing the waters with design or digital art and just starting your journey in the creative world, then beginner-friendly software would be the best option. It will allow you to develop your skills while getting to know the basic features that both professional and beginner-friendly software share.
This applies to photo and video editing apps too.
If you’re at an intermediate level and you’ve set your way into a certain career/niche, then is best to start learning the professional options or consider getting a subscription with a friend to split the cost.
This is especially important if you’re thinking of using video manipulation and production apps.
If you’re a professional, you probably already know that Adobe still holds an important position and is the most commonly used software in the working pipeline, however learning and using alternative software can be extremely beneficial in the long run.
Also, you probably know that other professional alternatives might be more expensive than the Adobe Suite full subscription but offer a whole different level of performance and features that can and will be beneficial for you and your work.
Features and Similarities to Adobe
Another factor you must consider is the features the Adobe Alternative offers, how similar it is to Adobe, and how the differences make it better and more beneficial to you (or not) in comparison to Adobe.
For example, Clip Studio Paint is an Adobe Alternative for digital artists, and despite not having many photo editing features, it has a lot of beneficial features for digital art, especially for comic and webtoon artists, which has led to it being the industry standard in that line of work.
Procreate on the other side is one of the most popular apps for drawing, especially for iPad users, however, the fact that it’s so different from Photoshop from the user interface to the features and functions, makes it practically useless in a professional work pipeline.
The same happens with Capcut, which is an incredible app for mobile and desktop video editing, great for casual users and content creators who are not familiar with other software, however, in a professional environment of video manipulation, it’s just not enough.
OS Compatibility
OS Compatibility is one of the most important factors to consider when buying pir using a new app or software. Sometimes we find the app or software of our dreams, and our favorite creator uses it and thoroughly recommends it but turns out it is not compatible with our OS. So much learning time and money wasted because you didn’t consider OS compatibility. And unless you’re willing to drop a few thousand on new equipment, you’re gonna have to search, learn, and buy again.
System Requirements
We all know that Adobe Suite apps are very demanding regarding RAM, core processing power, graphic processing speed, and produce quite heavy files. Other creative software usually is no different, so make sure to check the system requirements section before installing, purchasing, or using a new app that might over-exhaust and overheat your laptop or PC.
Price
Apps and creative software are not all priced equally. Some are free (yay!), some are very inexpensive one-time purchases, some do cost a bit and some are also Subscription-based like Adobe, but much more affordable.
Make sure to check the app pricing and your budget before investing your time in learning how to use it.
Most creative apps have a free trial period in which you’ll determine whether it is a good fit for you, so take all the advantage you can of that time and try different apps and software before you settle.
When Should I Settle For Adobe?
Sometimes there’s just no other option than Adobe. We gotta recognize that the app ecosystem is pretty useful and it being the industry standard for many different lines of work sometimes makes Adobe the only option.
But when should you settle?
Well, first of all, if you’re already down the professional line of work, then you should learn how to use it. I don’t mean “master the software”, but learn the basic features, the shortcuts, and tricks behind it. That’ll make the transition from one software to another much easier, plus it’ll make your work life easier.
- If you’ve landed a permanent position and the company you’re working for uses Adobe, then that’s the time to settle. For example, in graphic design, photography, or video production, using Adobe ensures compatibility and efficiency.
- If the alternative is just not enough. This one goes to the students who learned and used Adobe but preferred an alternative for other reasons. Sometimes the alternative is not enough, if your work requires high-end functionality, like complex photo manipulation, advanced color grading, or intricate vector graphics, Adobe’s suite may be more suitable. Plus Adobe’s Creative Cloud offers seamless integration between different applications, which could be beneficial if your workflow involves using multiple applications together (like Photoshop, Illustrator, and After Effects).
What Are The Best Free Alternatives to Adobe?
Some of the best free alternatives to Adobe’s suite are:
GIMP and Krita are excellent for image editing and digital art, replacing Photoshop.
Inkscape serves well as a substitute for Illustrator in vector graphics.
For video editing, DaVinci Resolve, Shotcut, and HitFilm Express offer robust functionalities similar to Premiere Pro.
Blender and Fusion provide 3D animation and compositing capabilities, paralleling After Effects.
Lastly, Darktable is a suitable alternative for photo processing and management, similar to Lightroom.
Can You Buy Adobe Permanently?
No, you can’t. Sadly the one-time payment Adobe offered in the past is no longer available and won’t be in the future. Adobe offers the option to pay for the entire year in advance and get a discount, but still, the price is quite high compared to the one-time fee it used to cost.
Can You Get Adobe For Free?
Yes, you can get Adobe for free. You get a one-month free trial by starting a new account and registering a card, just like with many other apps and software. This is the only way to legally get Adobe for free, sadly it only lasts a short time.
If you’re still set on Adobe, then you can wait for the annual discounts on Black Friday, Cyber Monday, etc., or look for other discounts like the ones for students, veterans, etc.
