Our take
Image editing & digital painting
Start with GIMP for images or Krita for painting. PhotoCraft is Early Alpha.
CHOOSE BY TASK
Which option fits your work?
Photo retouching
Evaluate image editing and layer work.
Digital illustration
Painting and tablet behavior are the main evaluation points.
Explore an emerging editor
Use disposable files while the official status remains Early Alpha.
Compare by the work you need to do
| Open-source option | Relevant work | Platforms | Maturity |
|---|---|---|---|
| GIMPGPL-3.0-or-later | Retouch photographs and combine image layers. | Windows · macOS · Linux | Established project |
| KritaGPL-3.0 | Paint illustrations with brush and layer workflows. | Windows · macOS · Linux | Established project |
| PhotoCraftMIT OR Apache-2.0 | Experiment with layers, masks, adjustments and brush-based edits. | Windows · macOS · Linux · Web (self-hosted build) | Early Alpha |
GIMP
Established projectGIMP is a free, open-source raster editor. Its layer-based workflow and extensibility make it relevant when Photoshop is mainly used to edit photographs or assemble images. It is not the same kind of application as an SVG editor or a collaborative interface-design platform.
What to check first
- Test your own complex PSD files and required plug-ins before moving a Photoshop workflow.
- Choose a dedicated vector tool when SVG paths are the main deliverable.
Krita
Established projectKrita is built around painting rather than general office or layout work. It is a practical direction for artists comparing Photoshop alternatives for drawing. Brush behavior, tablet input and your preferred painting workflow matter more than a long list of unrelated features.
What to check first
- A painting application does not replace every photo-production or print workflow.
- Check tablet pressure, color requirements and file exchange with your collaborators.
PhotoCraft
Early AlphaPhotoCraft is a standalone Crafting App, not another name for the main ArtCraft AI studio. Its official page describes layered image editing and provides desktop installers and a WebAssembly build. The family directory still labels it Early Alpha.
What to check first
- Official PSD claims are not a substitute for testing your own complex documents.
- Early Alpha is an explicit maturity limit, even when installers are available.
Migration checklist
Try layered PSD files, required filters, tablet input and the color/export workflow your collaborators expect.
Representative test material
A layered PSD copy, a high-resolution photo and a tablet sketch.
These are suggested test inputs, not guarantees that every format or feature is compatible.
- Work on copies of representative files.
- Complete a small real task, including export and delivery.
- Ask collaborators to check the result before migrating.
For personal use
Choose around retouching or painting first. Keep a few original documents as comparison references.
For teams
Agree on deliverable formats with collaborators and test required plug-ins before changing the shared workflow.
When to keep the original
Keep Photoshop when a required plug-in, client file or production process fails your compatibility test.
Primary sources
This is a review of official documentation and source repositories, not a hands-on certification. Test your own files before migrating.