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
Adobe Photoshop CC
Monthly subscription, annual prepaid plan available
Adobe Photoshop CS4
Adobe Photoshop CS4
One-time purchase, over a thousand dollars
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Photoshop
Subscription-based
CyberLink PhotoDirector
CyberLink PhotoDirector
Paid subscription with free trial
Nero PhotoSnap
Nero PhotoSnap
Free software
Paint.NET
Paint.NET
Free with optional paid features (freemium)
Ashampoo Photo Optimizer
Ashampoo Photo Optimizer
One-time purchase after free trial
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Illustrator
Monthly or annual subscription
The GIMP
The GIMP
Free and open-source
XnView
XnView
Commercial license
HDR projects professional
HDR projects professional
Single license with free trial

Supported Platforms

Adobe Photoshop CC
Adobe Photoshop CC
Windows, Mac OS
Adobe Photoshop CS4
Adobe Photoshop CS4
Windows, Mac OS
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Photoshop
Windows, iOS, Android
CyberLink PhotoDirector
CyberLink PhotoDirector
Windows, Android, iOS
Nero PhotoSnap
Nero PhotoSnap
Windows, Mac OS
Paint.NET
Paint.NET
Windows
Ashampoo Photo Optimizer
Ashampoo Photo Optimizer
Windows, Mac OS
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Illustrator
Windows, Mac OS
The GIMP
The GIMP
Windows, Linux, Mac OS
XnView
XnView
Windows, Linux, Mac OS
HDR projects professional
HDR projects professional
Windows, Mac OS

Key Features

Adobe Photoshop CC
Adobe Photoshop CC
Advanced photo editing and manipulation with 3D image support and integration with Adobe ecosystem.
Adobe Photoshop CS4
Adobe Photoshop CS4
Advanced photo editing functionality with content-aware scaling.
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Photoshop
Full-featured image and video editing with non-destructive editing.
CyberLink PhotoDirector
CyberLink PhotoDirector
Photo editing with AI facial recognition and slideshow creation.
Nero PhotoSnap
Nero PhotoSnap
Basic photo editing and organization with collage and advanced photo editing features.
Paint.NET
Paint.NET
Basic to advanced image editing with community support and plugins.
Ashampoo Photo Optimizer
Ashampoo Photo Optimizer
Automatic image optimization and batch processing.
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Illustrator
Industry-standard vector graphics editor for complex illustrations.
The GIMP
The GIMP
Free and open-source image editing software with plugin support and advanced features.
XnView
XnView
Image viewer and file organizer supporting over 500 formats with batch processing.
HDR projects professional
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.