As awesome as Microsoft Outlook can be, there are good reasons to consider an alternative. Maybe it offers too many features you’ll never use. Perhaps you can’t afford the $110 price tag. Or you simply don’t want to indulge in Microsoft’s confusing mess of email products.
So what are your best options?
Apr 22, 2016 Free alternatives to Microsoft Outlook. Pre-installed e-mail program, Outlook Express. Evolution is a free e-mail and groupware program that is relatively. Nov 3, 2012 - thats a trial version I do not know what the limitations are, you will need winrar which coincidentally is not free either but is available on that link.
There are some who say that all desktop email clients are bad and should be replaced with web apps. Others, myself included, believe that web apps can’t match the power and versatility of desktop email clientsYou Should Ditch Webmail for a Desktop Email Client If...You Should Ditch Webmail for a Desktop Email Client If...A few years ago, webmail was all the rave. Wonder whether it's time to switch back to a desktop email client? Look no further. We show you the merits of a local mail service.Read More. Therefore, in this article, we’ll focus on the latter.
1. EssentialPIM
Like Microsoft Outlook, EssentialPIM is more than just an email client: it’s a personal information manager (hence the name). It aims to be a one-stop shop for handling all of your communications and tasks in one central location. This streamlines and eases your workflow.
The email component of EssentialPIM is exactly what you’d expect: sleek, modern, and functional, with a layout reminiscent of almost every other desktop email client you’ve used before. The free version has all the basic features:
- Unlimited number of email accounts.
- Folders and filters for flexible email organization.
- Import and export formats: XML, CSV, iCal, vCard, and more.
- Synchronization with Android and iOS.
Upgrading to the Pro version can unlock much more:
- Synchronization pack: Google, Outlook, iCloud, and more.
- AES 256-bit encryption for advanced security and privacy.
- Advanced backups so you never lose data.
- Threads that group related emails into conversations.
- Professional and customizable email templates.
To learn more, check out the full comparison of Free vs. Pro. And in addition to email, EssentialPIM has Calendar, Tasks, Notes, Contacts, and Password management features.
For $2 per month or $20 per year, you can get an EssentialPIM Cloud plan that stores and synchronizes all of the non-email features above. It’s securely encrypted, acts as a backup, and allows you to access your data from anywhere with just a web browser.
One final note: EssentialPIM comes in a portable version, which you can load onto a USB flash drive or external hard drive and use on any computer. Great for students and those who travel often.
Download: EssentialPIM for Windows (Free, Pro version for $40) Android (Free) iOS (Free)
2. Thunderbird
Thunderbird is completely free and open source. It suffers a bit in the interface and aesthetics department but excels in terms of features and functionality. If you want an information management solution without any restrictions or cost, this is the one for you.
Thunderbird has a number of features that make it a suitable choice as a Microsoft Outlook replacement:
- Tabbed emails for managing multiple conversations.
- An address book that’s extremely easy to use and manage.
- Smart folders and filters for productive organization.
- Advanced search features to find the exact emails you need.
- PGP encryption to keep your emails safe and private.
- Built-in Lightning extension that grants calendar functionality.
Though Thunderbird development was officially deprioritized in 2012, it still receives updates as of this writing. You can also add additional features through third-party addons.
Download:Thunderbird (Free)
If you want something like Thunderbird but not quite the same, consider SeaMonkey. It shares a history with Thunderbird in that they’re both derived from the Mozilla Application Suite. However, it differs in that SeaMonkey is community-developed instead of Mozilla-driven.
Download:SeaMonkey (Free)
3. Gmail
Wait a minute. Gmail isn’t a desktop email client!
While that’s technically true, you’ll be surprised to know that Gmail can be used in “desktop mode” with a few easy tweaks. In fact, when used in this way, Gmail ends up being better than most other desktop-based solutions (except in complex business environments).
Truth is, Gmail can be set up to replicate many desktop client features and functions. For example:
Free Program Files Download
- Create a desktop shortcut and run in its own window.
- Automatically associate and open email links.
- Switch between multiple email accounts.
- Access and read emails even when offline.
- Organize emails using labels and filters.
- Navigate using keyboard shortcuts.
If you want to give it a shot, check out our guide to setting up Gmail as a desktop email clientHow to Use Gmail Like a Desktop Email Client in 7 Simple StepsHow to Use Gmail Like a Desktop Email Client in 7 Simple StepsWould you ditch your default desktop email client, if Gmail had more desktop-like features? Let us show you how you can set up Gmail to behave more like a desktop email client.Read More. It’s very easy and only takes a few minutes. There’s a chance that it won’t be “desktop enough” for you, but more likely you’ll love it and even prefer it to traditional clients. And by the way, you can forward your Outlook emails to GmailHow to Forward Your Outlook Email to GmailHow to Forward Your Outlook Email to GmailNeed to forward email from Outlook to Gmail? We'll show you how to import Outlook to Gmail and bring everything with you.Read More.
And as a Google user, Gmail makes it easy to stay integrated with Google’s other productivity web apps, including the ever-useful Google Calendar9 Google Calendar Features You Should Be Using9 Google Calendar Features You Should Be UsingGoogle Calendar has more tricks up its sleeve than you may realize. Our tips will help you organize events and reduce the time you spend managing your calendar.Read More, the lightweight Google Keep for tasks10 Creative Ways to Use Google Keep Every Day10 Creative Ways to Use Google Keep Every DayGoogle Keep is a simple note-taking app. But its simplicity hides its usefulness. Here are ten tips and ideas to use Google Keep for the little everyday things in life.Read More, and my personal favorite, the convenient Google Docs suite10 Google Docs Tips That Take Seconds and Save You Time10 Google Docs Tips That Take Seconds and Save You TimeLearn some secrets that'll boost your Google Docs productivity with the help of these quick and simple tips.Read More.
Website:Gmail (Free)
Other Notable Mentions
Windows 10 Mail: Though not as advanced or complex enough to replace a powerhouse like Microsoft Outlook, the Mail app that’s built into Windows 10 can be more than enough for casual users. You might be surprised by all of the Mail app’s nifty features7 Superior Windows 10 Mail Features You Probably Didn't Know About7 Superior Windows 10 Mail Features You Probably Didn't Know AboutThe Windows 10 Mail app has matured into a competitive desktop email client. We show you seven smart features you have to know if you want to be a power user.Read More.
eM Client: A slick and beautiful email client with built-in calendar, tasks, and chat features. But the free version for personal use is limited to 2 email accounts, which will be too restrictive for most users. The Pro version costs $50, which is a bit steep.
Zimbra Desktop: One of the few desktop email clients that’s truly free and open source. Unfortunately, it does feel like an open source app with its outdated interface and sluggish performance. However, it’s packed full of excellent features like synchronization and a calendar, so don’t underestimate it.
Important Email Tips to Keep in Mind
Regardless of which email client you choose, there are a handful of tips that you should heed to make your life easier.
First, email security is crucial7 Important Email Security Tips You Should Know About7 Important Email Security Tips You Should Know AboutInternet security is a topic that we all know to be important, but it often sits way back in the recesses of our minds, fooling ourselves into believing that 'it won’t happen to me'. Whether...Read More. This isn’t just a matter of privacy — a hacked email account can lead to other accounts being hacked, including bank and e-commerce accounts. Second, learn how to be efficient with email7 Email Efficiency Tips To Get More Email Done, Faster7 Email Efficiency Tips To Get More Email Done, FasterLife revolves around communication and literally nothing gets accomplished without it. Email is a communication tool meant to make your life easier. Instead of having to type up a letter or try to catch someone...Read More. Third, don’t let email stress you out6 Simple Tricks to Reduce Email Stress6 Simple Tricks to Reduce Email StressDealing with email is the best part of my day. Said no one ever. You need all the tips you can get to manage your email inbox? We can help you out!Read More.
What don’t you like about Microsoft Outlook? What other email client are you using instead? Are there any good ones that we missed? Share with us in the comments below!
Originally written by Tina Sieber on 3 November 2009.
Explore more about: Desktop Email Client, Email Tips, Gmail, Microsoft Outlook, Mozilla Thunderbird.
What about Hexamail Flow - it has excellent office doc preview features - we also use ti for email redaction for GDPR now too!
More realistic headline.
'Anything is a better alternative to Outlook'
It sucks.
Unless you are stuck at your job with a system admin/management that force Outlook on you, (probably because they think Exchange is the only mail server out there), then using Outlook is never recommended.I agree that's why I'm now king and I was one of the first 300,000.00 users of Hotmail, but outlook now sucks! I'm dropping it.
Hey Tina, Thanks for the list. You should have a look at Mailbird and add to the list:-) Especially since Windows 10 launched Mailbird is pretty much the best alternative out there.
I downloaded Zimbra to try it. After installing, I couldn't get past it trying to access its servers. After waiting for what seemed like forever, I just closed it and uninstalled it. I'm now using eM Client. It's fabulous for gmail!
People, you forget the purpose of the software is to help any time to get peoples tasks.
Thunderbird has a bug I filled and others for 10 (TEN ) years!
When you move data from one folder to another or to another PC(nevertheless with any software or manually) 25 % chance is Thunderbird LOST LOST MY DATA, my emails, my information. This is disastrous! Even now I am writing, I needed some data 2012, 2014! and what I see nothing!
I opened the same emails I have in outlook file and voila! I can read information important for me not for developers of Mozilla company whatever they say.
No excuse.
I remembered this bug and cloned my email in 2014 with outlook and what I see now , again and again, no-professionalism in doing even their work, not to say about users.We use Thunderbird, but truly, for more than 10 years they do not want to fix the very basic functionality: html formatting. The issue filed numerous times.
Mozilla is also not the best, unfortunately.
After reading all these comments, I figured out that I still need Outlook, not so much for e-mail, but for all the other features, especially those connected with Contacts - Journals, etc.
My problem seems to be that when I transferred the files to the new computer, stuff either gets left out or written over. I'm afraid to use it for anything other than e-mail (I've been using gmail for that). How is stuff backed up; which files get transferred; where is stuff saved? When I open Outlook, it seems to look for backup.pst and can't find it (It's on an external drive). When I want to save something, it seems to back it up in archive.pst (or maybe it's the other way around).
I hope someone can advise me. This is really cutting into my productivity. I can compare everything in Outlook on the old computer to the new computer. This would be time-consuming, but possible. If I did it, would the new computer save it to the proper file?
I went from Windows 7 to Windows 8.1 and am using Office 2007.Ruth
Those are all bloatware.
Loving Opera Mail here.
Clawsmail or sylpheed are also great alternatives.Sadly, my company still uses clunky Outlook 2003. At home I had Outloook as part of the Office 2007 suite, so I tried to export the work calendar to home and import it to the 2007 version.
I spent ages changing the dreadful 2003 categories into something more useful to me in 2007. A month later I repeated the process and the 2003 version totally messed-up the 2007 categories!
So give me Thunderbird and tags any day over Outlook and ridiculous colour coding.Hi all
First time I join in this excellent platform of MakeUseOf. Are there any additional comments regarding size of files that Outlook alternatives can handle? What about tools for file management? I have been burdened with the issue of using chkpst tool that Windows offers, yet I find Outlook very fragile to handling large files.
Thanks.I'm really shocked you put Gmail in there! In my opinion it sucks. I don't know about functionality but nothing can make me use such an ugly and user unfriendly web mail client. Zimbra is best of the three. It's sweet and has all the features I need. Gosh, even Yahoo! Mail is better than Gmail...
How can I use any of the above with my own mail address @greatservicematters.co rather than say @gmail.com? As you may have noticed, I am not a techie.
The exact way of using your email address with an alternative email reader will differ for each app, so just check out the documentation that comes with each one and go from there. All of them will provide a configuration or setup option where you enter your email address, the mail server that handles incoming email and the server that handles outgoing email. That info is available from your email provider, or you can check the settings you are using in your current software and copy the same info to the new app. Some email service providers use the same server for both sending and receiving, in which case you simply enter the same server info in both places.
Note that you don't have to stop using one email reader to install and use another one, so you could try one out without uninstalling the one you are using now. However, if you do that you will likely end up with some email in one app's inbox and some in the other.
Again, though Thunderbird may be a great app in its own right, the point here is that it is not a viable alternative to Outlook as the author of this article claimed. Thunderbird may be a great alternative to Outlook Express (almost any alternative is better than Outlook Express), but it is not a viable alternative to Outlook.
Having said that, I must say that the new Lightning Add-on for Thunderbird 3 might be promising. It is only in its infant form, having only just been released, so it is only minimal and still lacks the rich feature set that makes Outlook so valuable for calendaring and task tracking and contact management and journals and memos and office chatter and so on. A lot of Lightning's user interface details are irritating to use because a lot of the keyboard and a few of the mouse features don't behave as expected. A lot of people don't care about such things but for me that's a deal-breaker because it keeps tripping me up and cuts into productivity. But at least they are on the right track and worth keeping an eye on. If the Lightning team were to continue expanding the feature set and if they will refine the user interface so it follows standards under Windows then it could become a great alternative to Outlook someday. I hope that happens.
I dunno what the problem is that people have with Thunderbird. It's a great email client. And it does have a calendar. You just have to download it as an add on. Mine works great.
I used Outlook express until my vision got really bad and the glare of the white background made it impossible for me to read amail.
Thunderbird is fully customizable, and I can change the background to black with any color and size font that I need, and enlarging the font is just a matter of hitting the control and + keys.
I am more satisfied with Thunderbird due to my ability to customize it to my needs rather than having a one size fits all format thrust down my throat by the almighty all knowing MS conglomerate.
I've also enjoyed Incredimail:)
I hate windows mail with a passion.
You'd think with the price you pay for their OS that MS would have updated Outlook Express. But they really want to force people to use their 'Live' junk. And it's about as 'Live' as a 1000 year old mummy. That's why I figure they diodn't upgrade Outlook Express and added a crappy email client to Vista. Yuck! And from what I understand they didn't upgrade Outlook Express in Windows 7 either.
I've got XP on my box, and I'm going to hang onto it as long as I can.
Thunderbird has no mail management: put the incoming in pre-order folder. And also no archive folders.
I use Outlook (at Work) and Thunderbird (for Personal). For me, the biggest selling point for Outlook is the Task Management; I have yet seen other application that lets you assign and track Tasks, using online/offline synchronization method, that integrates with other productivity tools (email, calendar, contacts).
So far I see no comments addressing what in my opinion is the most compelling reason to use Outlook in the first place, namely its integrated calendar, task, reminder and organizer features. A lot of my professional acquaintences over the years use Outlook for those features more than for email.
If you want to compare apples to apples, compare Outlook Express (not Outlook) with other email readers. If you want to compare Outlook with alternatives you need to include a caomparison of the features that distinguish Outlook from a mere email reader and which make it a great productivity tool.
I would love to find an open source alternative to Outlook that truly provides a replacement for its best features, but so far I know of absolutely none. The above-mentioned so-called alternatives are actually only alternatives to Outlook Express, they are not viable alternatives to Outlook.
Although its not as powerful as Outlook, theres an e-mail client called Element Mail, which sure does stand up very well next to it!
If this had appointments and a calender, I think it would make a very good alternative to Outlook.
Its freeware though, not open source which is a shame :(
Web link: http://www.elementsoftware.co.uk/mail
Another 2 good free alternatives are emClient (http://emclient.com/) and Opera Mail.
Hope you will like this.Are you serious? Thunderbird better than Outlook? I'll have whatever you're drinking.
The comparisons all seem slanted against Outlook. Outlook is indeed a very good email client. Because the others are free doesn't make them better. Be more objective in your comparisons please.
Thunderbird? As anything other than an e-mail client? You're joking, right?
Thunderbird still needs to create an address book that isn't worthless and lacks a calendar feature (unless you want to try and integrate the very rough Lightning). It's a solid e-mail client and that's why I use it instead of Outlook's, but let's not pretend that Thunderbird is an all-in-one that's a true alternative to Outlook.
You forgot emClient. Great email client. And it's free.
There are still some fields that are not covered that great with the proposed alternatives.
First of all, synchronization with devices still works best when using Outlook. Google has some nice things going but I still can't synchronize my DECT phone with it.
Second, the spell and grammar check in all alternatives is at best mediocre. Actually it's nothing more than a very cheap dictionary lookup while Office provides a very solid checker.
Third, Outlook is also very extensible and offers some nice automations.Finally, putting only 'price and open source' in a comparison table is not very helpful. Especially as 'open sources' implies 'free as in freedom AND free as in beer' and as such is a bit redundant.
I normally use the Opera browser and this comes with a free email client called M2.
This is a very simple client, nothing special besides the fact that it also can read Newsgroups, but I love having my internet browser and email client integrated in the same interface.
interesting write-up
I'm actually using a combination of the above-
Gmail is set as the everything storage & archive-
that is it is set to go out & retrieve from my other accounts, and I use it's spam filtering. Outlook is on my pc, and is configured to touch gmail only. Works very well, and is it's built in redundancy with my pst file located on a secondary partition and regularly backed up itself.Just a note on 'outlook Express' - this ceased to be Microsoft's free email client with Vista, when it was replaced by 'Mail.' Win 7 lets you find your own.
One thing that outlook does that none of these do is FULLY integrate Microsoft Office into the email client which is really important if you work in a corporate environment. It works flawlessly with SharePoint services as well. That's something that no one else can boast of.
The UI as well.... is familiar to what people are used to working with. By the way, i've used all the email clients above extensively. I'm a huge open source proponent but outlook has its perks.
If you don't care about any of those, I advise you stick to GMAIL.
If you need to edit or manipulate a photo or other image, in all likelihood you've considered using Adobe Photoshop to do so. First released almost thirty years ago, this powerful editing software is preferred by some of the world's top designers and can be utilized to create almost anything the imagination can conjure up. Many graphics-intensive movies and video games, as well as stunning works of art, have come to fruition with the help of Photoshop at some point along the way during the creative process.
Although you can pay monthly as opposed to a one-time fee, the price of running Photoshop can prove to be prohibitive. Hope is not lost, however, as there are several alternatives available which offer some of Photoshop's features and will not cost you a penny to use. Each of these free applications offers their own unique functionality, and some may be better suited than others when it comes to meeting your specific needs.
For example, not all free Photoshop alternatives support the Adobe application's default PSD format. Others, meanwhile, will not be able to recognize some multi-layered Photoshop files. Limitations aside, one of the free options listed below (or a combination of several) may be exactly what you are looking for to create or modify an image.
GIMP
What We Like
Constantly updated with new features.
Highly customizable and extensible.
What We Don't Like
Limited support for layers, macros, and custom shapes.
Cluttered UI with annoying floating windows.
Express Files Free Download
One of the most full-featured Photoshop alternatives, GIMP (short for GNU Image Manipulation Program) offers such a large set of features that even the most complex tasks can be achieved without any strain on your budget. They say that you get what you pay for, but in GIMP's case, that idiom doesn't necessarily ring true. With a very active developer community that has historically listened to user requests and feedback, this free option continues to grow as raster editor technology expands.
While not always as intuitive as Photoshop in terms of functionality and design, GIMP makes up for some of its perceived clumsiness with several in-depth tutorials for both beginning and advanced users that help you use the majority of its components with little or no pre-existing knowledge of the open source application. With that said, if you're only looking for the very basics in a raster-based graphics editor then GIMP may actually be a little too much and you may benefit from one of the simpler alternatives on our list.
Available in almost twenty languages for Linux, Mac, and Windows platforms, GIMP recognizes almost all file formats that you'd expect from a paid editor like Photoshop including GIF, JPEG, PNG and TIFF among others, as well as partial support for PSD files (not all layers may be readable).
Also similar to Photoshop, a large number of third-party plugins are available that enhance GIMP's functionality further. Unfortunately, the main repository that houses them is outdated and hosted on an insecure site, so we cannot recommend utilizing registry.gimp.org at this time. However, you can also find some GIMP plug-ins hosted on GitHub. As always, download at your own risk when dealing with unverified third-party repositories.
- Linux
- macOS
- Windows
Pixlr
What We Like
Extensive layer support with multiple blending modes.
Includes built-in filters and adjustment tools.
What We Don't Like
No social media integration.
Layer masks tool is cumbersome to use at first.
A browser-based alternative to Photoshop, Pixlr is owned by well-known software developers Autodesk and is quite robust when it comes to available features and allows for progressive editing and enhancing as well as original image design.
The Pixlr Express and Pixlr Editor web apps will run in most modern browsers as long as you have Flash 10 or above installed and offer a significant number of integrated filters along with limited layer support. Pixlr recognizes the main culprits when it comes to graphical file formats such as JPEG, GIF, and PNG and also allows you to view some PSD files, although those larger in size or complex in nature may not open.
The web-based Pixlr even has a handy Webcam feature built right into its dashboard that lets you capture and manipulate photos on-the-fly.
In addition to the browser version, Pixlr also has free apps for both Android and iOS devices that let you perform a number of editing features from your smartphone or tablet. The Android app is so popular, in fact, that it has been installed on well over 50 million devices.
- Chrome OS
- Linux
- macOS
- Windows
- Android
- iOS
Paint.NET
What We Like
Streamlined interface is a breeze to navigate.
Helpful keyboard shortcuts.
What We Don't Like
UI lacks a tool for managing plug-ins.
Text can't be edited after it's deselected.
A free Photoshop alternative strictly for Windows versions 7 through 10, the Paint.NET interface is reminiscent of the operating system's Paint application; the traditional image editing tool for PC users worldwide. The similarities are no coincidence, as the original developer's intent was to replace MS Paint with something a little better.
That was a long time ago, and Paint.NET has since grown by leaps and bounds to the point where it's comparable in some ways to the more advanced editing software on the market, both free and paid. This includes the ability to use multiple layers and blending, all the while maintaining a fairly simple interface that lends itself to even the most novice user. If you do get stuck, the Paint.NET forums are an invaluable source for assistance where inquiries are sometimes answered in mere minutes. Couple that with the tutorials found on the same website and this Windows-only graphics editor offers a user-friendly experience.
Although Paint.NET does not provide some of the higher-end functionality of Photoshop or even GIMP, its feature set can be expanded upon through the use of third-party plugins. For example, the application does not natively support PSD files but can open Photoshop Documents once the PSD plugin is installed.
The self-proclaimed fastest image editor available, Paint.NET can run in almost two dozen languages and is free to use for both business and commercial use with no restrictions.
- Windows 7 or higher
PicMonkey
What We Like
Supports cloud storage integration.
You can make custom collages without signing up.
What We Don't Like
No layer support.
Free version is rather limited.
Another platform-independent, web-based design and editing tool with a lot to offer is PicMonkey, which was seemingly designed with the neophyte user in mind but also packs a punch for those looking for more state-of-the-art features. As long as you have a browser running Flash, PicMonkey is accessible on virtually any platform and lets you start your creation from scratch or begin editing an existing image file in under a minute.
PicMonkey will not replace Photoshop's more advanced functionality and you won't have much luck with PSD files, but it is ideal for working with filters and even creating collages from within your favorite browser. The free version offers quite a bit in terms of features, but you'll need to pony up some cash if you want access to some of the app's exclusive effects, fonts, and tools as well as an advertisement-free experience.
The premium adaptation of PicMonkey features a 7-day free trial that can be activated by providing your email address and payment information. If you want to continue using its advanced functionality long-term, though, a monthly fee of $7.99 or $47.88 for an annual membership is required.
With an oft-updated blog featuring a bevy of tips and tutorials, you should be able to figure out whether or not PicMonkey is the right option to suit your needs within the week-long trial period.
Smartphone and tablet users may also want to try the free PicMonkey Photo Editor app, available for both Android and iOS platforms.
- Chrome OS
- Linux
- macOS
- Windows
SumoPaint
What We Like
Great layer support.
Affordable pro package.
One of our personal favorites, SumoPaint's interface will look very familiar if you have past Photoshop experience. The similarities are more than just skin deep, too, as its layering functionality and fairly wide range of editing tools, including several brushes and wand types, make it a formidable alternative.
The free version of SumoPaint runs in most Flash-enabled browsers and is mainly supported by on-page ads. There is also a Chrome Web App available for Chromebooks as well as users running Google's browser on other desktop operating systems.
More intricate projects may not be suitable for SumoPaint, and its file support is somewhat limited and does not include Photoshop's default PSD format. You can open files with traditional image extensions such as GIF, JPEG, and PNG while edits can be saved in the app's native SUMO format as well as JPEG or PNG.
If you try the free version and feel that SumoPaint is what you've been looking for, then you may want to give Sumo Pro a whirl. The paid version allows for an ad-free experience as well as access to additional features and tools for about $4 per month if you pay for a year in advance. Sumo Pro also offers a downloadable version of its software that can be used while offline, as well as access to a dedicated technical support team and cloud storage.
- Chrome OS
- Linux
- macOS
- Windows
Krita
What We Like
Customizable interface.
Brush tools feature detailed previews.
What We Don't Like
Updates are often unstable.
Consumes a lot of CPU resources.
An interesting editing and painting tool, Krita is an open source application that has seen its feature set expand significantly in recent years. With a nifty palette and a seemingly endless amount of brush customizations which can be stabilized to smooth out even the most unsteady hand, this Photoshop alternative supports most PSD files and offers advanced layer management.
Free to download, the regularly updated desktop application also utilizes OpenGL and allows you to author and manipulate HDR images among many other benefits. Available for Linux, Mac, and Windows, Krita boasts a fairly active forum containing sample artwork created by members of its user community.
There is another version of Krita optimized for ultrabooks and other touchscreen PCs, named Gemini, available from Valve's Steam platform.
- Linux
- macOS
- Windows
Adobe Photoshop Express
What We Like
No registration required.
Excellent white balance adjustment with numerous presets.
What We Don't Like
Requires an internet connection to use.
Only edits JPEG files.
While Adobe charges a fee to use its main Photoshop software, the company does offer free image editing tools in the form of the Photoshop Express application. Available for Android, iOS and Windows tablets and phones, this surprisingly capable app allows you to enhance and tweak your photos in a number of ways.
In addition to correcting issues such as red eye with just a tap of the finger, Photoshop Express also makes it easy to apply unique effects and incorporate custom frames and borders before sharing your pictures on social media or elsewhere from right within the app itself.
- Windows 8.1 or higher (desktop or tablet)
- Windows Phone 8.1 or higher
- Windows 10 Mobile