Adobe Alternatives: Open-Source and Affordable Tools for Creatives
Adobe’s creative suite is powerful, but it’s not the only option—especially if you’re looking for free, open-source, or one-time-purchase alternatives. Whether you’re a developer dabbling in design, an indie creator on a budget, or just tired of subscriptions, the Adobe Alternatives GitHub repo has you covered.
Curated by KenneyNL and the community, this list organizes tools by Adobe product (Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere, etc.) and flags pricing models—so you can find the right fit without wading through marketing fluff.
What’s in the List?
The repo breaks down alternatives into categories like:
- Free & open-source (✨) – Like GIMP (Photoshop) or Inkscape (Illustrator)
- Free but limited (⭐️) – Such as Photopea (browser-based Photoshop)
- One-time purchase (💵) – Affinity apps, Pixelmator, etc.
- Subscription-based (🔒) – For when you really need certain features
Each tool includes platform compatibility (Windows, macOS, Linux, mobile) so you can quickly filter by what works for you.
Why It’s Useful
- No more guesswork – Instead of Googling “free Photoshop alternative,” you get a vetted list.
- Transparent pricing – Know upfront if a tool has hidden paywalls.
- Community-driven – Open to contributions (missing a tool? Submit a PR!).
- Beyond the obvious – Includes niche picks like pixel art editors (Aseprite) and live-tracing tools (VTracer).
How to Use It
- Browse the README for your Adobe equivalent (e.g., Lightroom → digiKam).
- Check the legend for cost/license.
- Pick a tool and dive in—most open-source options have solid docs.
Final Thoughts
If you’re tired of Adobe’s pricing or just prefer open-source tools, this repo is a goldmine. It’s especially handy for devs who need lightweight design tools for mockups, game assets, or documentation. My personal picks? Krita for painting and Inkscape for vector work—both are surprisingly powerful for $0.
Got a favorite alternative? Drop a PR or star the repo to keep it growing.