Alternatives to the Adobe suite

Using professional graphics programs comes at a cost. Can they be avoided? Are the available free graphics programs worth looking into? Here are some hints.

In the age of the digital revolution, tools for graphic design, video editing or photo editing have become an indispensable part of the work of many professionals and hobbyists. The Adobe suite, consisting of programs such as Photoshop, Illustrator and Premiere Pro, has been considered the industry standard for years. However, its price and subscription model are causing many people to look for cheaper but equally functional alternatives. Are there apps that can compete with a giant like Adobe? The answer is yes! In this article, I will present some suggestions for programs that can become an excellent replacement for the Adobe suite, regardless of your experience and budget. We invite you to read more!

An alternative to Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Illustrator is one of the best-known programs for creating and editing vector graphics. Its advanced features and reliability make it a popular choice for professionals. However, not everyone can afford an expensive subscription to this tool. Happily, there are alternatives that offer similar capabilities at a much lower price, and sometimes even for free.

Affinity Designer

Serif's application has a track record that includes. Apple Design Award and Application Creator of the Year. Graphics professionals and amateurs confirm that these awards are fully deserved. Affinity Designer was created primarily with designers in mind. A key advantage of the software is its wide range of features that allow you to create professional vector graphics. The program has all the necessary tools - from the classic pen and transparency settings to selection tools and a collection of ready-made shapes. A major advantage of Affinity Designer is its compatibility with most file types in vector and raster formats. The program supports, among other things. Adobe® Photoshop®, PDF, PNG, JPG, GIF, HDR, openEXR files. Users who are beginning their adventure with graphics will also appreciate the numerous promotions - the program can be purchased at a very favorable price.

Alternatives to Photoshop

Photoshop, Adobe's flagship product, has been the undisputed leader in photo editing and processing for years. Its versatility and wealth of features make it the first choice of many graphic designers and photographers. Nevertheless, the high subscription price may be a stumbling block for many users, especially those who are new to graphics. Fortunately, the market offers many alternatives to Photoshop that are just as powerful and often more affordable.

Affinity Photo

Another product in the Affinity series, which, like Designer, has fully earned the title of high-end software. A professional set of tools for photo editing and raster graphics. The key advantage? The program can be used virtually for free. After registering on the manufacturer's website, the user can choose a trial, which lasts as long as 90 days. Paid options - for Mac, Windows or iPad - at decent prices when you consider the level and variety of tools. Affinity Photo allows professional photo processing - developing, removing distortion, color correction and retouching for online publication. The program supports, among other things. JPG, GIF, PNG, PDF, TIFF, SVG, EPS formats.

GIMP

The list of free alternatives to Photoshop could not miss GIMP. The popular application is not only used for photo editing - tools for creating graphics and even animation are equally useful. A huge plus is the simple, intuitive operation, which beginners in particular will appreciate. The software has a set of basic image editing tools - brushes, wands, blurs. Precise editing of photos is possible thanks to convenient work on channels and layers. Some interesting modifications to the basic tools include. own marking. One of the most important advantages of the program is its diverse offering of more than several hundred plug-ins and the option to extend with Python, Perl, Scala scripts. The program supports both standard formats - JPEG, PNG, GIF, BMP, XPM, TIFF - and Photoshop (PSD) files.

Krita

Another free program, designed for both painting and photo editing - a Polish-language version is available. Among the main advantages of the software are. A simple, intuitive interface and a variety of tools. In addition to the basic set of tools, the program allows, among other things. Drawing with a brush with ink or oil paints. The set of filters and efficient support for vector elements are also worth appreciating. Krita allows you to edit the most popular image file formats: JPEG, PNG, BMP, RAW, TIFF.

Photopea

A free web application with Polish language version, designed mainly for editing raster graphics. Ideal for both basic and professional photo editing. Photopea includes all, necessary tools for image editing: brushes, layers, smart selection. Key advantages? Free access to a complete set of features and efficient support for the most popular formats (PDF, PSD, RAW, JPG, XCF, GIF, PNG).

Canva

Versatile software for editing image files, photos and text. Canva is ideal for the user who has basic or minimal graphic knowledge. The intuitive interface makes it convenient to create posters, presentations and simple graphics. Basic photo processing is one of the program's many capabilities - you can use your own photos, among other things. run it through simple filters and put it on a flyer, portfolio, poster or greeting card. The base features are available for free, the paid Pro version is recommended for those who require access to a set of templates and create visual materials for businesses.

Pixlr

Add to the set Pixlr, a popular web application for editing photos. A set of indispensable editing tools, free access to the basic functions, access to the Polish-language version and support for the PSD format are the main advantages of the program. Pixlr is worth testing for amateur work - operation of the interface is simple, and basic filters will allow efficient processing of material.

An alternative to InDesign

InDesign from Adobe is one of the most advanced tools for designing and typesetting publications, from brochures to full-size magazines and books. Its precise tools and integration with other Adobe products make it indispensable for many designers and publishers. However, like other Adobe products, InDesign comes at a price that may be too high for some users. However, there are alternatives on the market that can successfully replace InDesign in many applications.

Affinity Publisher

The set of interesting alternatives to the Adobe suite could not miss a program for typesetting printing materials. Here we return again to the Affinity suite - the ideal, fully professional replacement for InDesign is Affinity Publisher. The program allows you to create various types of publications - from typical marketing materials (certificates, business cards, letterheads, product catalogs), social media publications to books and magazines. The number of tools available - designed to edit text; compose graphics, photos and backgrounds - can make your head spin. The program supports a wide range of text and image files. There is a fee to access the full version.