Arek Dvornechcuck
Branding Expert
When it comes to software solutions for designers, Adobe is the number one player in the market.
However, not all creatives are able to afford Adobe CC packages
What are the best alternatives to Adobe CC apps?
Luckily, there are plenty of free and affordable Adobe alternatives that are available on the market.
However, you still need the best software as a designer to build your portfolio and attract clients.
So, whether you're new to the realm of digital content creation or have a lot of expertise with Adobe and other apps, I've put together a list of some of the best alternatives for various Adobe tools.
If you're not ready to commit to Creative Cloud, consider the following free and low-budget software options.
If you can't find an alternative to Adobe, we have an Adobe CC discount that saves you up to 60% on Adobe's apps, including Premiere Pro, Illustrator, InDesign, Lightroom, XDAfter Effects, and Acrobat Pro
Check my other article for more information or check out my YouTube video on how to get Adobe discounts.
Did you know that all of Adobe's creative products come with a 7-day free trial?
How to get Adobe CC free trial?
Simply choose your plan and try it out for free.
You must enter your credit card information, but you will not be charged if you cancel before the 7-day period has expired.
Adobe frequently raises subscription costs, so many searches for ways to save money or download the software for free.
There are a few gray areas when it comes to getting Adobe CC for free, but none of them are worth pursuing.
You risk having your Adobe account terminated, which means you'll miss out on new features, faster upgrades, and the opportunity to store your projects in the Creative Cloud, among other things.
Here's some good news—I've compiled a list of some of the top Adobe tool alternatives below and these are excellent apps for both beginners and experts.
If you are in search of the best alternative to Adobe Photoshop, look no further than Affinity Photo!
Affinity Photo is an Editor's Choice and best Adobe Photoshop alternative
This software rocks a user-friendly design and has both basic and fancy tools for creative folks and design experts.
Unlike other pricy options, it won't drain your wallet with subscriptions - just pay once and you're good to go.
Sure, you'll need to grab it separately for Windows, Mac, and iPad.
And if there's a shiny new version, you might need to chip in a bit, but it won't break the bank.
Feel like editing a bunch of pics at once or diving into some advanced edits? Affinity Photo's got you covered.
And guess what? All this goodness comes at a cool $50 price tag, making it the ultimate Photoshop replacement for newbies and pros alike.
Affinity Photo is super simple to use, works perfectly on both regular and fancy images, works around with layers like a pro, and has a strong brush selection.
Just a heads up, though because you won't find ready-made templates here.
Looking for an open-source vector graphics editor just like Adobe Illustrator but free? Inkscape is just what you are looking for!
Inkscape is a top-tier free Adobe Illustrator alternative
It is a recommended alternative to Adobe Illustrator by many people because it's got a bunch of amazing stuff to play with.
It is user-friendly and an easy guide for newbies with its drag-and-drop magic, node tool, super cool shape tricks, also called Boolean operations, and fonts you can totally make your own.
It also features the Bezier tool, a super-precise tool that lets you create and draw accurate tracks
The Mac, Windows, and Linux operating systems are all supported by the software.
Unlike other free programs, it allows you to organize, layer, and lock elements while maintaining a streamlined workflow.
This application's basic and intermediate features allow you to create detailed and creative artwork.
To sum it all up Inscape is a cool alternative to Adobe Illustrator because it is totally free and open, easy to use, it allows you to create smooth and sharp graphics, and it works on every kind of computer.
But just a heads up, some Inkscape tools might take a vacation sometimes – they're not always there.
Check out Inkscape, which is by far the best alternative for Adobe Illustrator you can get for free.
Skylum Luminar is the world's first artificial intelligence-powered photo editor.
Skylum Luminar is the best Lightroom alternative.
This is your basic photo editing software for Mac and Windows and a great substitute for Adobe Lightroom
With this software, landscapes can be enhanced, and portraits can be retouched.
While unattractive features can be removed with a single click, the skies can be changed with an entire scene relighting.
The image-editing tool is perfect for one-click alterations and complicated edits for everyone from beginners to pros.
Skylum Luminar's program is really simple to use, giving designers a lot of flexibility when it comes to image editing.
What makes it even cooler is that it's got over 70 presets that make your photos look amazing right off the bat and there's this "Luminar libraries" that makes it a breeze to find and work with all your pictures.
With a one-time payment, you can get a lifetime license for this app, which is equivalent to about seven months of Lightroom membership.
Check out Skylum Luminar, the most popular RAW photo editor and the best Lightroom alternative.
Affinity Publisher is a budget-friendly companion for your design ventures.
Affinity Publisher is the best Adobe InDesign alternative
Imagine having all the creative power for your designs without the hefty price tag!
Whether you're whipping up books, eye-catching posters, or visuals for the digital and print world...
Affinity Publisher's toolbox of layout tools makes the whole process super smooth.
Imagine having a smart, user-friendly interface that's even more approachable than InDesign.
And don't get me started on the nifty color picker and preflight checker – they're like your trusty sidekicks for crafting and refining content.
Now, a little downside is that some book folks might miss the absence of footnotes and endnotes in Affinity Publisher.
But let's zoom out – the fact that it's a one-time payment option gives it a gold star in the alternative-to-InDesign game.
Visit Affinity Publisher, the award-winning page layout software and the best Adobe InDesign alternative.
Looking for a PDF viewer and editor with great strengths? then PDF-XChange or PDFexpert is the perfect one for you.
PDF-XChange and PDFexpert are the best Adobe Acrobat Pro alternative
If you're on a Windows PC, PDF-XChange is your go-to option.
It's got all the cool stuff you need to work your PDF magic...
From browsing documents with a breeze, using text and drawing tools, to dropping in annotations and sliding text wherever you please in your document.
It also features picture recognition, OCR, and security support are all in the mix.
You can even slap custom stamps and doodles onto your docs, and the price won't break the bank.
Plus, you get to try out a whopping 70% of the software absolutely free, no strings attached.
If you are using Mac on the other hand, PDFexpert is your rock-solid alternative.
You'll breeze through reading, editing, and dropping comments on PDFs.
Tweak images, and toss in some text – it works well without any annoying lags.
And hey, it's user-friendly even on Macs, iPhones, and iPads.
You'll glide through your documents with silky-smooth scrolling, and finding stuff is a snap, thanks to search indexing.
And that's not all – font sizes and opacities get auto-detected, so editing is a lot easier.
Check out PDF-XChange or PDFexpert, the top-notch Adobe Acrobat alternatives.
In need of professional video editing and color correction software that is within your reach? DaVinci Resolve is just what you are looking for.
DaVinci Resolve is the best Adobe Premiere Pro alternative.
The interface includes a workspace for editing, audio, color, and visual effects, all of which are jam-packed with useful features.
There is also a free version of this software that includes basic and advanced capabilities for novices.
Professional designers utilize this professional video editing program on big-budget TV and film productions because it is so good.
It's also a free download for Windows, Linux, and Mac users.
Facial recognition tracking is also available, allowing you to experiment with skin tones, lip colors, and eye colors.
Plus, it has the "collaboration mode," a virtual studio where you can all jam together, adding your own flair in real time.
The only con of this software is that it doesn't have pre-designed templates, so you'll have to flex those creative muscles a bit more.
Check out DaVinci Resolve, which is often regarded as the best Adobe Premiere Pro alternative.
Need to edit your videos like a pro? Introducing HitFilm Pro, a professional video editing and visual effects software.
HitFilm Pro is the best alternative to Adobe After Effects
It is an all-in-one video-editing companion that's perfect for the pros, creative motion folks and anyone into making movies.
If you're after jaw-dropping special effects and tinkering with graphics, this is the one for you instead of Adobe After Effects.
To give you an overview of how this software is perfect for you just like After Effects...
After Effects has its layer-based system, while HitFilm Pro takes a different route with its non-linear magic.
But guess what? Both let you create some seriously realistic effects and stuff.
HitFilm Pro offers over 850 ready-to-rock presets and effects that'll turn your video clips into visual wonders.
All of this awesomeness can be yours with a one-time payment, and just like that, you've got a license for life!
But hey, to use HitFilm Pro, you gotta switch up the interface a bit.
If you are looking for a strong and powerful design tool with a simple-to-use interface, then Figma is the one.
Figma is the best Adobe XD alternative.
It's an excellent web-based alternative to Adobe XD, with smooth sharing and valuable tools.
You may create an iterative design flow with a live collaboration that keeps you up to date whether you're in the office or working from home.
Figma is so simple to use and navigate that it reminds me of Google Docs for design
A free version is provided, followed by a paid edition with additional features.
It runs on a variety of desktop operating systems, including Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, and others.
Check out Figma, which most designers agree is the best alternative to Adobe XD.
Looking for something like Adobe Firefly, but with a fun twist? Check out Midjourney!
Midjourney is the best Adobe Firefly alternative
It is a cool tool that uses AI magic to turn your creative thoughts into amazing art – all from simple text!
Midjourney offers some solid image editing capabilities only costing you a starting amount of $9.99 per month for the basic package.
All you need to do is create a Discord account and talk to Midjourney's bot
For the free trial user, you will be interacting with the bot in a public chatroom.
Once you become a paid user, you'll be able to DM the bot in a private conversation.
Midjourney works by simply typing sentences and it will generate images for you.
The only downside of Midjourney is that it does not currently have a generative fill feature like Adobe Firefly.
Looking for a fantastic alternative to Adobe Express? Look no further than Canva – it's like a breath of fresh air for your design needs!
Canva is the best Best Adobe Express alternative.
It's one of those awesome online design tools that just make things super easy and fun.
Canva works right in your browser.
No need to deal with downloads and installations, just hop online, and you're ready to dive into some seriously cool design action.
Making professional designs is easy using the Canva browser-based platform.
It is very easy to use this software compared to Sketch, Affinity, or Adobe.
The free version of Canva is efficient enough to meet your design requirements.
This thing is packed with all sorts of cool templates, giving you a variety of design ideas for all sorts of projects.
Even with the use of the free platform, you can already achieve professional results.
But if you're a bit fancy and want to produce next-level and top-notch projects, there's a Pro plan for Canva.
One good thing about Canva is that Canva Pro is available for free for nonprofit organizations and NGOs.
Try Canva now, the best and most user-friendly alternative for Adobe Express.
If you can't afford to pay for the Adobe Photoshop subscription, here's the best Photoshop alternative for you—Pixlr
Pixlr is the best Adobe Photoshop alternative.
Even though its basic edition is designed for non-professionals, its cloud-based photo editors have advanced features.
Pixlr is available for Android and iOS devices, and it can be used on phones, tablets, and computers.
Begin with a blank canvas, a photo, or a video, or choose from one of their professionally designed themes.
You can also pick between two Pixlr models: Pixlr X for beginners and Pixlr E for professionals.
They both have a Photoshop-like structure, making them easy to use if you're already familiar with Adobe Photoshop.
Did you know that you can get Adobe Photoshop for free?—Check out my other article.
Check out Pixlr, the ultimate best Photoshop alternative.
In need of free and open-source software to process raw images? RawTheraphee got you covered.
RawTherapee is the best free alternative to Lightroom
It is a free software designed for photographers and other professionals who work on raw image files.
RawTherapee operates in a non-destructive manner, meaning that the original raw file remains untouched, and all edits are saved in a separate sidecar file.
It employs advanced algorithms for converting raw sensor data into full-color images (demosaicing), allowing minimized artifacts and maximized image quality.
This software also provides tools to adjust exposure, contrast, brightness, shadows, highlights, and other tone-related parameters to enhance the overall look of the image.
It also offers tools for color correction, sharpening and noise reduction, lens correction, local adjustments, batch processing, and visual aids like histogram and waveform displays.
RawTherapee offers various export options including saving edited images in various file formats such as JPEG, PNG, and TIFF.
It is available for multiple platforms, including Windows, MacOS, and various Linux distributions.
Check RawTherapee now, the best alternative to Lightroom.
Scribus is typically used by designers looking for a low-cost alternative to Adobe Indesign.
Scribus is the best Adobe InDesign alternative.
The professional page layout application is compatible with Macs, Linux, and Windows.
The program also includes vector drawing tools.
Spot colors, CMYK colors, adaptable PDF production, and ICC color management are just a few of Scribus' important capabilities.
It includes a wide variety of press-ready output that you may use right away.
Even corrupted documents may be restored with a simple text editor, unlike proprietary binary file formats.
Check out Scribus, the best free InDesign alternative.
In search of free video editing and visual effects software that lets you work like you're using Adobe Premiere Pro - HitFilm Express got you!
HitFilm Express is the top-notch free Adobe Premiere Pro alternative.
It is a video editing software designed for both amateur and semi-professional video editors and creators.
HitFilm Express offers a non-linear video editing interface, allowing you to arrange and edit video clips on a timeline.
It supports basic editing functions, like cutting, trimming, splitting, and combining clips.
This software includes a range of visual effects tools that can be applied to your videos.
These effects include composting, chroma keying (green screen), motion tracking, particle simulations, and more.
HitFilm Express also features a variety of built-in transitions, effects, and presets.
It supports 3D compositing, color and tone adjustments for videos, and when you're done editing, you can export your videos in various formats and resolutions.
HitFilm Express is known for its user-friendly interface and its ability to provide a range of professional-level features without the high cost associated with many other video editing and visual effects software.
Check out HitFilm Express now and start producing jaw-dropping videos with quality like using Adobe Premiere Pro.
If you are looking for the best After Effects alternative—here's Blender for you.
Blender is the best Adobe After Effects alternative.
It is a free program that may be used to generate ultra-realistic animated visuals and 3D visual effects.
Blender is a software program available for Mac, Linux, and Windows.
This software can assist you in filling in certain gaps if you don't have Adobe software installed.
Blender is a GNU GPL-licensed public project that is owned by its contributors and hosted on blender.org.
As a result, Blender will always be Free and Open Source software.
Check out Blender, which, in my opinion, is the best After Effects alternative on the market.
If you are looking for a reliable tool for creating an interactive and animated user interface without breaking the bank - InVision Studio is the right one for you.
InVision Studio is the best free Adobe XD alternative.
InVision Studio offers a range of features to assist designers in creating visually appealing and interactive designs.
InVision Studio provides a set of vector drawing tools that allow designers to create custom shapes, icons, and graphics.
It also allows designers to create interactive prototypes with animations, transitions, and gestures.
This tool enables designers to create designs that adapt to different screen sizes and orientations.
InVision Studio is also built with collaboration in mind, allowing designers and team members to collaborate on designs, leave comments, and share feedback directly within the tool.
Design, prototype, and animate—all in one place.
Try out InVision Studio now, the most powerful screen design tool alternative to Adobe XD.
So, there you have it – a treasure trove of alternatives to Adobe CC for all you creative souls out there!
If the Adobe CC packages have you looking at your wallet with a sad face, don't fret.
This article is your ticket to exploring a world of awesome software that won't break the bank.
What is the best Adobe CC alternative?
To sum it all up, you have Affinity Photo for Photoshop-like editing and Inkscape that will give you Adobe Illustrator vibes, there's something for every design need.
Skylum Luminar steps in for Lightroom, and Affinity Publisher tackles InDesign projects like a champ.
For PDFs, say hi to PDF-XChange and PDFexpert - DaVinci Resolve and HitFilm Pro handle video editing with finesse.
Figma and InVision Studio are your design dream team.
Pixlr offers Photoshop-like magic without the cost, while RawTherapee nails raw image editing.
Scribus masters layouts and HitFilm Express delivers pro video editing for free.
And don't forget Blender and InVision Studio for 3D and interactive design.
Get ready to create, edit, and design without the hefty price tag.
Your creative journey just got a whole lot more budget-friendly and exciting!
All of the other tools in Adobe CC have numerous alternatives
All you have to do now is to choose the best program for your needs and start creating your most imaginative designs.
