Best Adobe Photoshop CC Alternatives in 2025
Looking for alternatives to Adobe Photoshop CC? In this comparison, we take a closer look at Adobe Photoshop CC alongside similar software solutions including Adobe Photoshop CC, Adobe Photoshop CS4, Adobe Photoshop, CyberLink PhotoDirector, Nero PhotoSnap, Paint.NET, Ashampoo Photo Optimizer, Adobe Illustrator, The GIMP, XnView and HDR projects professional.
Our detailed comparison table highlights key features, pricing, and performance of these leading solutions, empowering you to make an informed decision. Whether you're seeking robust functionality, user-friendly design, or cost-effective alternatives, explore how Adobe Photoshop CC, Adobe Photoshop CS4, Adobe Photoshop, CyberLink PhotoDirector, Nero PhotoSnap, Paint.NET, Ashampoo Photo Optimizer, Adobe Illustrator, The GIMP, XnView and HDR projects professional stack up to find the perfect software for your goals.
Pricing Model
 Adobe Photoshop CC
|
Monthly subscription, annual prepaid plan available |
 Adobe Photoshop CS4
|
One-time purchase, over a thousand dollars |
 Adobe Photoshop
|
Subscription-based |
 CyberLink PhotoDirector
|
Paid subscription with free trial |
 Nero PhotoSnap
|
Free software |
 Paint.NET
|
Free with optional paid features (freemium) |
 Ashampoo Photo Optimizer
|
One-time purchase after free trial |
 Adobe Illustrator
|
Monthly or annual subscription |
 The GIMP
|
Free and open-source |
 XnView
|
Commercial license |
 HDR projects professional
|
Single license with free trial |
Supported Platforms
|
Adobe Photoshop CC
|
Windows, Mac OS |
|
Adobe Photoshop CS4
|
Windows, Mac OS |
|
Adobe Photoshop
|
Windows, iOS, Android |
|
CyberLink PhotoDirector
|
Windows, Android, iOS |
|
Nero PhotoSnap
|
Windows, Mac OS |
|
Paint.NET
|
Windows |
|
Ashampoo Photo Optimizer
|
Windows, Mac OS |
|
Adobe Illustrator
|
Windows, Mac OS |
|
The GIMP
|
Windows, Linux, Mac OS |
|
XnView
|
Windows, Linux, Mac OS |
|
HDR projects professional
|
Windows, Mac OS |
Key Features
|
Adobe Photoshop CC
|
Advanced photo editing and manipulation with 3D image support and integration with Adobe ecosystem. |
|
Adobe Photoshop CS4
|
Advanced photo editing functionality with content-aware scaling. |
|
Adobe Photoshop
|
Full-featured image and video editing with non-destructive editing. |
|
CyberLink PhotoDirector
|
Photo editing with AI facial recognition and slideshow creation. |
|
Nero PhotoSnap
|
Basic photo editing and organization with collage and advanced photo editing features. |
|
Paint.NET
|
Basic to advanced image editing with community support and plugins. |
|
Ashampoo Photo Optimizer
|
Automatic image optimization and batch processing. |
|
Adobe Illustrator
|
Industry-standard vector graphics editor for complex illustrations. |
|
The GIMP
|
Free and open-source image editing software with plugin support and advanced features. |
|
XnView
|
Image viewer and file organizer supporting over 500 formats with batch processing. |
|
HDR projects professional
|
HDR image processing with batch mode and support for high dynamic range images. |
Choosing the right software isn’t just about features. Size, license type, user ratings, and popularity also matter.
This quick comparison shows how Adobe Photoshop CC stacks up against Adobe Photoshop CC, Adobe Photoshop CS4, Adobe Photoshop, CyberLink PhotoDirector, Nero PhotoSnap, Paint.NET, Ashampoo Photo Optimizer, Adobe Illustrator, The GIMP, XnView and HDR projects professional in these key areas—helping you find the best alternative for your needs.
Size
License
|
Adobe Photoshop CC
|
Commercial |
|
Adobe Photoshop CS4
|
Commercial |
|
Adobe Photoshop
|
Commercial |
|
CyberLink PhotoDirector
|
Commercial |
|
Nero PhotoSnap
|
Commercial |
|
Paint.NET
|
Freeware |
|
Ashampoo Photo Optimizer
|
Demo |
|
Adobe Illustrator
|
Commercial |
|
The GIMP
|
Open Source |
|
XnView
|
Freeware |
|
HDR projects professional
|
Commercial |