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PaintShop Pro alternatives: 6 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave PaintShop Pro: windows only, and latest major release dates from 2023. We ranked 6 alternatives by how directly each one replaces PaintShop Pro, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Adobe Photoshop currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1GIMP logoGIMPOpen sourceYesWindows, macOS, Linux4 of 455.3
  1. GIMP logo

    1. GIMPTop pick

    Best for: Anyone who wants a capable layered image editor at no cost, especially on Linux

    Open sourceWindows, macOS, Linux

    55.3

    score / 100

    Why switch from PaintShop Pro

    Free and open source with layers and plug-ins on Windows, Mac and Linux.

    Pros

    • Free and open source with no account or licence fees
    • Runs on Linux, Windows and macOS
    • Extensible with scripts and plug-ins

    Cons

    • Interface and terms differ a lot from Photoshop
    • Limited CMYK and print-production support
    • Fewer AI-assisted tools than commercial editors
    Visit GIMP Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.363
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is GIMP a good PaintShop Pro alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Licence
    GNU GPL
    Checked Oct 25, 2026gimp.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Linux, macOS, Windows
    Checked Oct 25, 2026gimp.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Price
    Free
    Checked Oct 25, 2026gimp.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Main uses
    Retouching, composition, image authoring
    Checked Oct 25, 2026gimp.org(opens source in a new tab)

The best PaintShop Pro alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Adobe Photoshop logo

Best PaintShop Pro alternative for most people

Adobe Photoshop

The industry standard with stronger AI tools, if a subscription is acceptable.

GIMP logo

Best PaintShop Pro alternative for a free option

GIMP

Free and open source with layers and plug-ins on Windows, Mac and Linux.

PhotoDirector logo

Best PaintShop Pro alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

PhotoDirector

Windows editor with a lifetime licence option, a free version and frequent updates.

GIMP logo

Best PaintShop Pro alternative for open source

GIMP

Free and open source with layers and plug-ins on Windows, Mac and Linux.

Adobe Photoshop Elements logo

Best PaintShop Pro alternative for Mac

Adobe Photoshop Elements

Guided edits and an organiser for home users, sold as a fixed-term licence.

ACDSee Photo Studio logo

Best PaintShop Pro alternative for Windows

ACDSee Photo Studio

Windows editor with layers plus a strong photo manager, sold as a perpetual licence.

GIMP logo

Best PaintShop Pro alternative for Linux

GIMP

Free and open source with layers and plug-ins on Windows, Mac and Linux.

Adobe Photoshop logo

Best PaintShop Pro alternative for iPhone and Android

Adobe Photoshop

The industry standard with stronger AI tools, if a subscription is acceptable.

Adobe Photoshop logo

Best PaintShop Pro alternative for working in the browser

Adobe Photoshop

The industry standard with stronger AI tools, if a subscription is acceptable.

PaintShop Pro alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to PaintShop Pro?

Adobe Photoshop ranks first right now. The industry standard with stronger AI tools, if a subscription is acceptable. PhotoDirector and Adobe Photoshop Elements follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to PaintShop Pro?

Yes. PhotoDirector (free plan + paid), GIMP (open source) and Affinity (free plan + paid) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to PaintShop Pro?

Yes: GIMP.

Which PaintShop Pro alternatives work on Linux?

GIMP runs on Linux.

Why do people switch from PaintShop Pro?

The complaints we hear most: windows only; latest major release dates from 2023; interface feels dated next to newer editors.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces PaintShop Pro, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.