Top 5 Best FREE PHOTO EDITING Software

Brett In Tech
20 Jan 202307:56

TLDRThis video provides a rundown of the top 5 free photo editing software options for those seeking alternatives to expensive programs like Photoshop. Adobe Photoshop Express, suitable for quick edits, is highlighted for its ease of use. PhotoScape X is praised for its advanced features, including a screenshot tool and support for RAW images. Krita, an open-source program, offers tools for photo editing, digital painting, and animation. Paint.NET, a powerful alternative to Microsoft Paint, is noted for its layer support and community-created plugins. The top choice is GIMP, an open-source powerhouse with a comprehensive set of tools and compatibility with various image formats. Additional options like Photopea, Pixlr, Canva, and Affinity Photo are also mentioned, with the latter being a paid alternative to subscription-based services.

Takeaways

  • 🌟 Top 5 free photo editing software options are available for those who don't want to pay for expensive programs like Photoshop.
  • 🏅 Number five is Adobe Photoshop Express, a simplified version of Photoshop with basic editing tools and a low learning curve.
  • 📱 Adobe Photoshop Express is available for Windows and mobile apps for Android and iOS, but not for Mac OS and Linux.
  • 🔍 Number four is PhotoScape X, offering advanced features like a screenshot tool, GIF and collage maker, and support for RAW images.
  • 🎨 Krita, at number three, is a free and open-source program with tools for photo editing, digital painting, and animation, including over 100 professional brushes.
  • 🖌️ Paint.NET, the runner-up at number two, is a lightweight alternative to Microsoft Paint with support for layers, special effects, and community-created plugins.
  • 🏆 GIMP, the number one choice, is an open-source program with a comprehensive set of tools and features, often compared to expensive software like Photoshop.
  • 📱 GIMP is available on all major platforms: Windows, Mac OS, and Linux.
  • 💡 Bonus picks include Photopea, a browser-based app; Pixlr with two web apps, X and E; Canva for marketing materials; and Affinity Photo, a one-time fee alternative to subscription services.
  • 👀 The video provides tutorials and guides for beginners to get started with the mentioned photo editing software.

Q & A

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

    -Adobe Photoshop Express

  • How does Adobe Photoshop Express differ from the premium version of Photoshop?

    -Adobe Photoshop Express has a lower learning curve and fewer features compared to the premium version of Photoshop.

  • Which software is mentioned as having advanced features beyond Adobe Photoshop Express?

    -Photoscape X

  • What additional capabilities does Photoscape X offer besides photo editing?

    -Photoscape X includes a screenshot tool, the ability to create GIFs and collages, and support for RAW images.

  • What is the name of the free and open source program that is suitable for photo editing, digital painting, and animation?

    -Krita

  • What is the benefit of using the 'Auto enhance' feature in Adobe Photoshop Express?

    -The 'Auto enhance' feature automatically adjusts several values including exposure, temperature, and contrast for improved image quality.

  • Which software is available for Windows, Mac OS, and Linux, and is known for its advanced tools and features?

    -GIMP

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

    -Paint.NET

  • What are some of the features that make GIMP the top choice for free photo editing software?

    -GIMP includes layer management, advanced filters and effects, color adjustments, transformations, and is compatible with popular image formats such as Photoshop PSD files.

  • What are some of the bonus picks for free photo editing software mentioned in the script?

    -Photopea, Pixlr, Canva, and Affinity Photo

  • Why might someone prefer Affinity Photo over a subscription-based service like Photoshop?

    -Affinity Photo offers a high-quality photo editing experience similar to Photoshop but with a one-time fee instead of a subscription.

  • What is the advantage of using the 'Oil Painting' effect in Paint.NET?

    -The 'Oil Painting' effect can give images a more artistic and textured appearance, similar to traditional oil paintings.

Outlines

00:00

📷 Top 5 Free Photo Editing Software

The video introduces viewers to five free photo editing software options that serve as cost-effective alternatives to expensive programs like Photoshop. It covers Adobe Photoshop Express, which offers a simple interface and quick editing tools, suitable for users seeking ease of use. The video also mentions Photoscape X, which provides advanced features, including a screenshot tool, GIF creation, and support for RAW images. Additionally, it discusses Krita, an open-source program for photo editing, digital painting, and animation, with over 100 professional brushes and layer management. The video also provides bonus picks like Photopea, Pixlr, Canva, and Affinity Photo, the latter being a one-time purchase option. The software is available across various platforms including Windows, Mac OS, and Linux.

05:00

🎨 Paint.NET and GIMP as Top Photo Editors

The second paragraph focuses on the runner-up and top choices for free photo editing software. Paint.NET, initially released in 2004, is highlighted as a lightweight and powerful alternative to Microsoft Paint, with support for layers, special effects, and community-created plugins. It has undergone significant improvements and now includes a dark theme. The video also introduces GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) as the top choice, an open-source program released in 1996, packed with advanced tools and features found in premium software. GIMP supports layer management, a multitude of tools, advanced filters, color adjustments, and is compatible with various image formats including PSD files. The video provides additional resources for learning GIMP, including tutorials on their site and beginner guides. Both Paint.NET and GIMP are praised for their robust feature sets and are available on multiple platforms.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Photo Editing Software

Photo editing software refers to applications that allow users to modify and enhance digital photos. In the context of the video, it is the main theme as the host discusses various free alternatives to expensive programs like Photoshop, suitable for both basic and advanced photo editing needs.

💡Adobe Photoshop Express

Adobe Photoshop Express is a free version of the popular Adobe Photoshop software. It is mentioned as the fifth option in the video, characterized by a low learning curve and quick editing capabilities. It provides basic tools for photo enhancement but lacks the advanced features of the premium version.

💡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. The software offers a wide array of features to add filters and effects, and it is available for both Windows and Mac OS.

💡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 brushes and layer support, making it a powerful tool for advanced users. Despite its extensive feature set, it has a high learning curve, which might be overwhelming for beginners.

💡Paint.NET

Paint.NET is described as an older but powerful alternative to Microsoft Paint, first released in 2004. It is lightweight, supports layer management, and offers special effects. The software has a community of users who create plugins to enhance its functionality and is only available for Windows.

💡GIMP

GIMP, which stands for GNU Image Manipulation Program, is the top-ranked free photo editing software in the video. It is an open-source program released in 1996 and is packed with advanced tools and features comparable to expensive software. It supports PSD files and has a unique layout that can be adjusted to a single window mode for a more traditional interface.

💡Auto Enhance

The 'Auto Enhance' feature is a tool within photo editing software that automatically adjusts several values of an image such as exposure, temperature, and contrast to improve its overall appearance. In the video, it is mentioned as a useful tool in Adobe Photoshop Express for quick and easy photo enhancement.

💡Filters and Effects

Filters and effects are tools within photo editing software that allow users to apply various visual changes to their images, such as color adjustments, texture overlays, and stylistic transformations. The video discusses how different software options provide a range of filters and effects to enhance photos creatively.

💡Layer Management

Layer management is a feature in advanced photo editing software that allows users to work with multiple layers of an image non-destructively. This enables complex editing where changes to one layer do not affect others. The video emphasizes the importance of layer management in programs like GIMP and Paint.NET.

💡Plugins

Plugins are additional software components that extend the functionality of an existing program. In the context of the video, plugins are mentioned in relation to Paint.NET, where the community creates plugins to add new features or improve the software's performance.

💡Open Source

Open source refers to software where the source code is available to the public, allowing anyone to view, use, modify, and distribute it. Krita and GIMP are both mentioned as open-source programs in the video, emphasizing their community-driven development and free availability.

Highlights

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

Photoshop Express offers basic tools like effects, themes, filters, and an auto enhance feature.

The software 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 and support for RAW images.

Photoscape X allows creating GIFs, collages, and has a variety of tools for editing and enhancing images.

Photoscape X is available for Windows 10 and 11, and there's a paid Pro version with extra features.

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

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

The program has a high learning curve and provides a manual on their site to assist new users.

Bonus picks include Photopea, Pixlr, Canva, and Affinity Photo, offering various levels of photo editing capabilities.

Paint.NET, the runner-up, is a lightweight and powerful alternative to Microsoft Paint with support for layers and community plugins.

Paint.NET features special effects and has a dark theme, available only for Windows.

GIMP, the top-ranked software, is an open-source program released in 1996 with a comprehensive set of tools and features.

GIMP supports layer management, advanced filters, color adjustments, and is compatible with Photoshop PSD files.

The software has a described clunky interface but offers a single window mode for a more traditional layout.

GIMP is available on Windows, Mac OS, and Linux, and is often used for creating thumbnails on Tech Gumbo's channel.

The video provides links to tutorials and beginner guides for those starting with GIMP.

Tech Gumbo encourages viewers to share their favorite free photo editor in the comments.