5 Photoshop Alternatives for Linux

If your goal is to edit photos without using Windows or Mac, are you looking for a better alternative than Photoshop on Linux with an easy-to-follow interface? Then read on for some useful suggestions

The usefulness of GIMP in Image Manipulation Is noteworthy

GIMP The GN UI mage Manipulation Program is a top-notch software tool for manipulating images on Linux. One of the best alternatives to Photoshop, this free and open-source software is a great choice. Its features include layer editing, text handling, customizable brushes, filters, and plugins

The interface of GIMP can be consolidated into a single window with the help of Single-Window Mode, which is an additional feature that enhances user experience. Third-party plugins or scripts can be used to add advanced features like layer effects and liquid brushes to enhance its functionality. Manual setup and installation is necessary for these

GIMP often converts text layers into images while working with PSD formats, rendering them uneditable. Those who need to edit PSD text directly in GIMP often encounter this issue, which is well-known

Furthermore, GIMP is a language that many people find difficult to learn and unfamiliar. A possible way is to make use of one PhotoGIMP , a modified version of GIMP with a Photoshop-like interface. Despite its age and lack of regular maintenance, this patch should be used with care

How can one Install and operate a GIMP?

Installing GIMP is simple. Using your default package manager, like on Ubuntu Linux, is the next step:

 Sudo apt install gimp 

The other option is to make use of the following Snap package manager GIMP can be installed on any Linux distribution::

 Sudo snap install gimp 

This function is only functional with Snap already turned on. If not, you can install it using your default package manager:

 Sudo apt install snapd 

 Sudo dnf install snapd 

Furthermore, if you have Your system has a flatpak setup , you can also install GIMP:

 Flatpak for Sudo provides the option to install a flathub organic or GIM P. G IMP 

After installing GIMP, you can start using it for your creative projects

Consider using Photopea for a comparable user interface

In case you’re used to Photoshop’s interface and find it unappealing, GIMP is worth checking out Photopea It is a free photo editor for the browser that has an almost identical look and feel to Photoshop. There’s no need to download anything; all you have is to open it on your web browser and be ready to go

With Photopea, you can view and edit Photoshop PSD files directly from your web browser. If you’re collaborating with Photoshop users or moving away from Adobe’s ecosystem, this is a significant improvement. My laptop, tablet, and phone have all been utilized for quick edits

To avoid ads while working on Photopea, you must pay for their ad support. Basic editing is a smooth process, but intense image editing can cause performance issues

Krita Is the optimal choice for Digital Art

Krita Although it is not a direct substitute for Photoshop, it does offer some photo editing features. For digital artists and illustrators, Krita is an excellent open-source tool to use. It’s designed for making digital paintings, comics, and animations. Even if you’re not an artist, it may be worth trying as it is available on Linux and can handle basic photo editing

With Krita, you can use vector layers, custom brushes, and individual strokes without sacrificing quality. GIMP lacks the ability to handle simultaneous work with vector and raster graphics, which is an immense advantage

Moreover, Krita offers powerful layer tools featuring styles such as drop shadows and functional text tools that are less user-friendly than Photoshop’s intuitive toolbox. While it can open PSD files, GIMP may also convert text into images at times. Unlike GIMP, it has the ability to handle CMYK natively and supports professional printing

The installation of Krita on Ubuntu can be done through the APT command::

 Sudo apt install krita 

Snap: There are other distributions available as well:

 Sudo snap install krita 

Are You a Photographer? Consider trying out Darktable

Darktable , which is a favorite among photographers, is used on Linux to accomplish many photo editing tasks similar to those in Photoshop and to provide a Photoshop Elements-like experience

Darktable provides the ability to create raw images, correct color in some cases, modify tone, reduce noise, and fix lens issues such as distortion. The app has the ability to crop and rotate pictures, alter photo areas in specific locations, convert photos to black and white, and edit multiple images simultaneously using batch processing

A default package manager like APT on Debian/Ubuntu can be used to install Darktable on Ubuntu Linux:

 Sudo apt install darktable 

The Flatpak universal package manager can be used for all other Linux distributions::

 The installation of flatpak on the flathub platform is recommended. Darktable 

Darktable can be installed on your system in a matter of seconds

Darktable is a powerful tool for photo editing, but it has some drawbacks. It lacks the ability to merge multiple images into a single image for complex compositing, generate designs or logos, and support CMYK color mode, which is essential for professional printing. The absence of advanced retouching tools, such as the healing brush in Photoshop or the content-aware filler, is notable

Test out Basic Design with Canva

Don’t get me wrong— Canva Is not a direct substitute for Photoshop in photo manipulation, but it is highly recommended for those who don’t require advanced editing skills. Canva is the ideal choice for those who are regular users and want to create a brief social media post or flier

Canva’s drag-and-drop interface and extensive selection of templates make design effortless. I’ve employed it to produce Instagram stories, presentations, and resumes. Moreover, it provides thousands of pre-designed templates for everything from social media profiles to resumes. You can use any of these templates to create your own designs, as they are fully customizable

Canva has free plans as well as premium plans. If you want to access additional tools and elements beyond the free plan, consider upgrading to a premium plan

All of the Photoshop alternative tools are impressive and have many features that are comparable to those found in other software. If you’re still unsure about using alternatives on Linux, there are plenty of options available On Linux, Photoshop can be used to run directly Using the Wine compatibility layer Alternatively, it can be placed on a surface Windows virtual machine