7 Best Corel Paintshop Pro Alternatives
Corel Paintshop Pro may be a good fit for you if you're looking for an affordable, user-friendly image editor. However, if it's not the right program for you, don't worry – plenty of other great options are available.
This blog post will look at 7 of the best Corel Paintshop Pro alternatives. So, whether you're new to image editing or want to explore your options, read on for some great suggestions!
- Snapshot of Our Top 3 Corel Paintshop Pro Alternatives
- How to Choose a Corel Paintshop Pro Alternative
- 7 Best Corel Paintshop Pro Alternatives
- PhotoDirector 365 - Best Overall
- Adobe Photoshop - Best for Professionals
- GIMP - Best for Cross-Platform Users
- DxO PhotoLab - Best for Image Corrections
- ON1 Photo Raw - Best for Photo Editing Workflows
- Exposure X7 - Best for Photo Layers and Effects
- Affinity Photo - Best for People On a Budget
- Best Corel Paintshop Pro Alternatives Comparison Chart
- How to Edit with the Best Alternative to Corel Paintshop Pro
- Download the Best Corel Paintshop Pro Alternative for Free
- Corel Paintshop Pro Alternatives FAQ
Snapshot of Our Top 3 Corel Paintshop Pro Alternatives
1. PhotoDirector 365 - Best Overall
PhotoDirector 365 is the best Corel Paintshop Pro alternative for editors of every experience level. It offers plenty of features and tools without sacrificing ease of use. Plus, it has unique AI-powered tools to assist you in creating better images. Detailed Review >
2. Adobe Photoshop - Best for Professionals
If you're looking for the most powerful image editor available, then Adobe Photoshop is the best choice. It's packed with features and tools, and it's widely used by professionals in many industries. Detailed Review >
3. GIMP - Best for Cross-Platform Users
No matter your profession, GIMP has the tools you need to get the job done quickly and efficiently. With many customization options and 3rd party plugins available, you can make GIMP work best for you. Detailed Review >
How to Choose a Corel Paintshop Pro Alternative
When choosing an image editor, there are a few key factors to consider. Here's what we suggest looking out for:
- Ease of use - Ensure the image editor is easy to learn and use. You don't want to spend too much time trying to figure out how it works.
- Features and tools - Look at the features and tools available in the image editor. If you need specific features, make sure they're included.
- Cost - Consider how much money you are willing to spend on an image editor. Some programs can be pretty expensive, while others are more affordable.
- Platform compatibility - Ensure the image editor is compatible with your computer's operating system (OS). For example, some programs may only work on Windows or Mac OSX, while others are available for both platforms.
By taking these factors into account, you'll be able to find the best Corel Paintshop Pro alternative that works best for your needs and budget.
7 Best Corel Paintshop Pro Alternatives
1. PhotoDirector 365 - Best Overall
Compatibility: Windows, macOS
PCMag Rating: 4/5
Key Features:
- AI object removal
- Background removal
- AI denoise
Who It’s For
PhotoDirector365 is an excellent option for both beginners and professionals. This software has a range of features, all within a simple-to-use interface.
Why We Picked It
This software is the perfect Corel Paintshop Pro alternative for those who want an easy-to-use, all-in-one image editing package.
Bottom Line
PhotoDirector 365 offers excellent features and tools without sacrificing ease of use. It has a unique AI-powered assistant to help you quickly make selections and remove backgrounds, making it the best overall Corel Paintshop Pro alternative.
Pros
- Easy-to-understand interface
- Many powerful tools
Cons
- Geotag Maps are not yet available
Try PhotoDirector 365 for free today.
2. Adobe Photoshop - Best for Professionals
Compatibility: Windows, macOS
PCMag Rating: 5/5
Key Features:
- One-click deletes and fills
- Invite to edit
- Photo restoration
Who It’s For
Adobe Photoshop is on the more complicated side of photo editing software. Therefore, it is best for professionals with a lot of experience using software like this. There will be a significant learning curve for beginner users.
Why We Picked It
Adobe Photoshop is the most powerful image editor available. It's packed with features and tools, and professionals in many industries widely use it.
Bottom Line
Adobe Photoshop is one of the best Corel Paintshop Pro alternatives for professionals who require a powerful image editor.
Pros
- Many manipulation tools
- 3D design capabilities
Cons
- Complicated to use for beginners
3. GIMP - Best for Cross-Platform Users
Image from Davies Media Design on Youtube.
Compatibility: Windows, macOS, Linux
TechRadar Rating: 5/5
Key Features:
- Original artwork creation
- Graphic design
- Open & editable source code
Who It’s For
GIMP is an excellent choice for those who need a cross-platform image editor. It's completely free and open source, so you don't have to worry about any licensing fees.
Why We Picked It
GIMP is a powerful image editor that can run on multiple platforms. It's packed with features and tools but also incredibly customizable to tailor it to your needs.
Bottom Line
GIMP is a great Corel Paintshop Pro alternative for those who need an image editor that runs on multiple platforms or less popular operating systems such as Linux.
Pros
- Easy to learn
- Many features that paid software have
Cons
- Cluttered interface
4. DxO PhotoLab - Best for Image Corrections
Compatibility: Windows, macOS
PCMag Rating: 4/5
Key Features:
- Image correction
- Denoising technology
- Geometry corrections
Who It’s For
DxO PhotoLab is perfect for photographers who need to organize many photographs, as the software photo organization is the best we have seen.
Why We Picked It
DxO PhotoLab is one of the best Corel Paintshop Pro alternatives for photographers who need an image editor with powerful correction tools to edit their images once they have taken them.
Bottom Line
If you're looking for software to edit your photos and correct any blemishes, DxO PhotoLab is the software for you. Plus, it has great photo-organizing features.
Pros
- Excellent organizing tools
- Powerful retouch tools
Cons
- Not for beginners
5. ON1 Photo Raw - Best for Photo Editing Workflows
Image from Digital Camera World.
Compatibility: Windows, macOS
PCMag Rating: 3.5/5
Key Features:
- Photo workflows
- Quick raw processing
- AI photo editing tools
Who It’s For
ON1 Photo Raw is great for those who want an easy-to-use interface and a streamlined edit workflow. It's also excellent for photographers who wish to experiment with photo editing using Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Why We Picked It
ON1 Photo Raw is an excellent Corel Paintshop Pro alternative for those who want to process raw images quickly, and it has an easy-to-use interface that makes it great for beginners.
Bottom Line
If you're looking for a photo editor with intelligent photo editing abilities and quick RAW processing, then ON1 Photo Raw is the software for you.
Pros
- Intuitive interface
- AI photo editing tools
- Quick RAW processing
Cons
- Limited retouching
6. Exposure X7 - Best for Photo Layers and Effects
Image from DPReview.
Compatibility: Windows, macOS
PCMag Rating: 3.5/5
Key Features:
- Flexible masking and layers
- Deep-integrated special effects
- Catalog-free image organization
Who It’s For
Exposure X7 is ideal for those who want to play around with image layering and special editing effects. It's also great for photographers who don't want to be limited by the traditional cataloging system of other photo editors.
Why We Picked It
Exposure X7 is a great Corel Paintshop Pro alternative for photographers who want to get creative and work with layers, filters, and effects. Plus, it has a catalog-free workflow that's perfect for those who don't want to be limited.
Bottom Line
Exposure X7 is the software for photographers who wish to work with layers, effects, and filters without the hassle of cataloging.
Pros
- Easy-to-understand interface
- Layers and local adjustments
Cons
- No AI/Auto correction tools
7. Affinity Photo - Best for People On a Budget
Compatibility: Windows, macOS
PCMag Rating: 3/5
Key Features:
- No subscription is required
- Tools for creating panoramic, HDR, and focus-stacked images
- Full raw development
Who It’s For
Both beginners and professionals as Affinity Photo has various features for all photo editing capabilities. Affinity Photo is also compatible with iPad, which all our other software examples are not.
Why We Picked It
Affinity Photo is not the initial run-of-the-mill software. It has a non-standard interface and is a great budget option for people looking for a lower price range software.
Bottom Line
Affinity Photo isn't the most comprehensive kit, but it has everything you need. You can also use the software on the iPad, which is a nice additional touch.
Pros
- Raw file support
- Excellent brush selection and customization
Cons
- The interface is different from other software, so it can be difficult to learn initially
Best Corel Paintshop Pro Alternatives Comparison Chart
| Software | OS | Beginner-Friendly | Stock Images | AI-Tools | Free Download |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PhotoDirector 365 | Windows, macOS | Yes | Yes | Yes | Download from the App Store for iOS and Android.
|
| Adobe Photoshop | Windows, macOS | No | Additional cost | Yes | Download |
| GIMP | Windows, macOS, Linux | No | No | No | Download |
| DxO PhotoLab | Windows, macOS | No | No | No | Download |
| ON1 Photo RAW | Windows, macOS | Yes | No | Yes | Download |
| Exposure X7 | Windows, macOS | Yes | No | No | Download |
| Affinity Photo | Windows, macOS | Yes | Yes | Yes | Download |
How to Edit with the Best Alternative to Corel Paintshop Pro
To edit using PhotoDirector 365 you will need to follow a few basic steps:
- Import your photos into the software.
- Open the Adjustments tab to perform basic edits like cropping and adjusting color.
- Open the Guided tab to apply effects like Glitch, Dispersion, Photo Animation, and Blur.
- For more precision with layer editing, open the Edit tab.
Download the Best Corel Paintshop Pro Alternative for Free
PhotoDirector 365 is the best Corel Paintshop Pro Alternative on the market. It is free to download, easy to use, and comes with a range of features and tools. Download PhotoDirector 365 today to take your photos to the next level.
Download PhotoDirector 365 today!
Corel Paintshop Pro Alternatives FAQ
No. You can get a free 30-day trial, but after that, you have to pay. The price of the software is $79.99.
The features and tools available in PaintShop Pro are very similar to Photoshop but not identical. The two programs offer comparable capabilities and performance, so it really comes down to personal preference when deciding which one is better for your needs.
PaintShop Pro is a powerful image editing program that allows users to enhance photos with tools such as layers, masks, effects, and adjustments. It also includes features for creating web graphics, vector images, animation, and more.
Yes, Corel Paintshop Pro is still available for purchase. You can go to their official website to download the software to your computer.
The Ultimate version of PaintShop Pro includes additional features not available in the regular version.
Yes, PaintShop Pro is compatible with Windows 10 and can be installed on both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of the operating system.
Yes, Corel Paintshop Pro is also available for macOS.
