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Best Alternatives to Photoshop
If you've ever tried editing photos with Photoshop, you know how intimidating and complicated the software can be. Many people do consider Photoshop to be the best photo editor, but unless you have experience and dedicated training with this program, you have probably found it hard to use and more expensive than its worth to you.
Content creators and photographers need fast, easy-to-use editing programs that allow them to navigate tools and features quickly so they can post more photos in less time. Photoshop is not always the best solution, and trying to learn the program ends up being a drain of time and money for many creators.
Thankfully, several excellent Photoshop-like programs offer similar features without the high price tag and steep learning curve. PhotoDirector 365 is an innovative, user-friendly editing program that includes a wide range of editing options. Its intuitive interface allows new users to jump in and start editing right away.
Programs like Paintshop Pro, DxO PhotoLab, Rebelle, and Pixelmator are also workable alternatives to Photoshop that cost a fraction of the price. Each of these programs features a unique interface and a wide selection of tools.
This article introduces the five best Photoshop alternatives and compares their features, benefits, and drawbacks. Read ahead to learn more about these programs, then download PhotoDirector 365 to begin editing your content like a pro.
- Best Alternatives To Photoshop
- Final Thoughts
Best Alternatives To Photoshop
1. PhotoDirector 365
If you're in the market for a user-friendly, modern photo editor with a range of powerful tools and features, PhotoDirector 365 is your best option.
PhotoDirector is an innovative photo-editing program that features an incredible selection of editing tools. This software offers all of the essential importing, editing, and sharing options an amateur could want, along with several advanced features you won't find in Photoshop.
One of PhotoDirector's biggest perks is it's easy-to-learn interface. First-time users can jump right into editing with PhotoDirector 365 without spending time learning complicated editing procedures or managing hard-to-use tools.
PhotoDirector 365 also includes a vast array of features that go above and beyond Photoshop's limited editing options. Unique features such as guided editing, video-to-photo integration, and photo animation tools allow you to create professional-level images in just a few seconds.
If you're looking for a place to organize your photo collection before editing, PhotoDirector can help you there, too. The program offers high-tech features like:
- AI face recognition
- GPS photo logs
- face tags
- tethered shooting
These make it easy to sort your images and organize your workflow.
Let's take a look at a few specific ways PhotoDirector 365 outperforms Photoshop.
I. Adjustments & Color
Many people use photo editors for base-level color and image adjustments. PhotoDirector 365 includes a wide range of photo adjustment tools and presets, offering Lightroom-style editing for a fraction of the cost.
Along with basics PhotoDirector 365 offers both foundational and more intuitive editing tools such as:
- white balance adjustment
- tone adjustment
- style adjustment
- lens adjustments
These tools will help you produce professional-quality photos with ease, giving beginners the power to turn simple images into artistic masterpieces.
II. Guided Editing
PhotoDirector 365 also offers an impressive selection of guided editing tools that allow beginners to produce remarkable results in just a few clicks. Tools like these let you make advanced adjustments to your photos without prior experience with the program:
- people and face beautification
- background removal
- AI-powered sky adjustment
- advanced color replacement
- light ray effects
III. Layer Editing
Many beginners shy away from layer editing with Photoshop because it seems too complicated. However, PhotoDirector's easy-to-use interface makes layer editing a breeze, allowing beginners to add images, text, shapes, and digital objects in perfect cohesion.
PhotoDirector 365 makes it easy to learn how to use layers to your advantage with:
- 27 layer-blending modes
- several frame template packs
- a range of simple selection tools
IV. Unique Editing Tools
PhotoDirector 365 includes a wide assortment of editing tools that Photoshop simply doesn't offer. The program features specialty effects like 360-degree photo editing and innovative video-to-photo tools, allowing you to turn your favorite memories into beautiful, detailed works of art.
To top off all it’s great features, PhotoDirector includes a world-class royalty-free photo stock library. You can create captivating compositions with unlimited access to Shutterstock’s massive image catalog. All of the content you need to create your masterpiece is right inside the program.
All in all, PhotoDirector 365 is the best alternative to Photoshop on the market today. Download PhotoDirector 365 from the Cyberlink site to begin trying these photo-editing features for yourself.
2. Paintshop Pro
Paintshop Pro is another editing program that offers an assortment of tools and features.
Paintshop Pro provides all of the base-level editing tools, along with a few bonus features like automatic corrections, complex layer manipulations, and quick enhancements. It supports more than 40 file formats so you can import almost any photo type into the software.
One downside of this program is that it is only available for Windows. If you have a Mac computer, you'll want to download a universal photo editor like PhotoDirector 365 instead.
Additionally, Paintshop Pro lacks some of the advanced features professionals will want out of their photo-editing software. And even though its interface is user-friendly, it feels a little crowded, especially if you're new to the program.
A few of our favorite Paintshop Pro features include:
- SmartClone
- Create-your-own tools
- Camera RAW Lab
- 360-degree editing
- Picture-to-painting tools
3. DxO PhotoLab
DxO PhotoLab is a photo-editing program that focuses on RAW processing and lens correction, making it ideal for simple, clean edits.
This software takes a more technical approach to editing than similar programs. While its interface may seem a little confusing at first, its editing tools and automatic adjustments make it a viable Photoshop alternative.
After testing out this tool, we noticed that its workflow features are lacking compared to Photoshop. The software displays imported photos in a linear list, making it challenging to identify specific images at a glance. We recommend turning to a different program for long-term cataloging.
Our favorite DxO PhotoLab tools and features include:
- Automatic lens correction and sharpening
- Smart lighting exposure adjustments
- Add-on tools
- Advanced history palette
- Powerful watermarking tools
4. Rebelle
If you need a program that focuses more on digital art and painting than simple photo edits, Rebelle may be the Photoshop alternative for you. This program allows you to replicate real-life painting techniques, outperforming Photoshop's limited digital art features.
Rebelle includes over 170 brush presets, allowing you to mimic painting styles ranging from watercolor to acrylic to gouache with ease. Unlike Photoshop, Rebelle imitates the way paint behaves on canvas— you can adjust the amount of water in your paint or "tilt" the canvas to let paint run in a specific direction,
While this program lacks in the photo-editing department, most users aren't downloading it for lens correction or white balance tools. It's also not available on mobile, which may be a drawback for artists who use an iPad or tablet for their artwork.
Still, the program includes a range of incredible features that allow it to outperform other programs of its kind. A few of our favorites include:
- Customizable brushes
- "Tilt" effects
- Glazing watercolors
- Clone-and-fill tools
- Impasto dynamic painting tools
- Responsive user interface
5. Pixelmator
If you're looking for a simple, base-level image editor with graphic design functionality, Pixelmator is a good choice.
Pixelmator is an affordable photo-editing program that offers similar tools and features to Photoshop. One downside of this program is that it is only available for Mac and iOS devices. If you plan to do most of your image editing in Windows or Linux, you'll want to search for a different Photoshop alternative.
Additionally, Pixelmator lacks some advanced features you would expect in programs of its kind. Even so, Pixelmator does offer a broad arsenal of editing tools. A few of our favorites include:
- RAW photo editing
- Comparison slider
- Nondestructive edits
- Artificial intelligence tools
- Drawing and painting tools
Final Thoughts
Many people mistakenly believe that Photoshop is the only decent photo editor available. Some may even be surprised to learn how many high-quality editing programs exist that outperform Photoshop on several fronts.
Image-editing programs like Paintshop Pro, DxO PhotoLab, Rebelle, and Pixelmator offer a range of essential tools and features that can help you turn a low-quality photo into a professional-level masterpiece. These programs also feature unique editing options that set them apart from Photoshop and other programs.
However, if you're looking for an all-around-incredible editing program with a wide range of features, a user-friendly interface, access to Shutterstock’s photo catalog and an affordable price point, PhotoDirector 365 is your best option. PhotoDirector 365 allows you to create clean, high-quality, professional-level photos at the touch of the button, making it the best Photoshop equivalent on the market.
We recommend downloading PhotoDirector 365 for yourself if you:
- are looking to begin editing photos as a hobby
- want to try out exciting and advanced editing tools
- are seeking a cheaper or easier alternative to Photoshop
We think you'll be impressed with the results. Make sure to check out our list of 5 Best Photo Editing Software for 2021.
Based on our reviews, PhotoDirector 365 is the Best Photo Editing software for 2021 for beginners, professionals, and anyone in between. We recommend that you download this program today to start turning your images into visual masterpieces.
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