Free/Opensource Alternatives to Popular Artist Software
This list includes tools across various categories to meet the needs of digital artists, graphic designers, photographers, video editors, musicians, and animators looking for free or open-source alternatives to popular proprietary software.
1. Adobe Photoshop
Alternative: GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program)
Description: A powerful open-source image editor that rivals Photoshop in terms of features and capabilities for image editing, retouching, and graphic design.
2. Adobe Illustrator
Alternative: Inkscape
Description: A robust open-source vector graphics editor suitable for creating illustrations, icons, logos, diagrams, and more. It supports the SVG format and is a great alternative to Illustrator.
3. Adobe Premiere Pro
Alternative: Shotcut
Description: A free, open-source video editing software with a wide range of features for video production, including timeline editing, filters, and effects.
Alternative: Kdenlive
Description: Another powerful open-source video editor that supports multi-track video editing, effects, transitions, and keyframe control.
4. Adobe After Effects
Alternative: Blender
Description: Although primarily a 3D modeling and animation tool, Blender has a built-in video compositor and VFX capabilities that can be used for motion graphics and visual effects similar to After Effects.
Alternative: Natron
Description: A free, open-source compositing software ideal for creating visual effects, with a node-based interface similar to After Effects.
5. Adobe XD/Figma
Alternative: Penpot
Description: A free, open-source design and prototyping platform aimed at UI/UX design, providing an alternative to Adobe XD and Figma.
6. Autodesk Maya/3ds Max
Alternative: Blender
Description: A professional-grade, open-source 3D creation suite for modeling, rigging, animation, simulation, rendering, and more. Blender is a strong alternative to industry standards like Maya and 3ds Max.
7. ZBrush
Alternative: SculptGL
Description: A free, browser-based digital sculpting tool, suitable for quick modeling tasks and basic sculpting work.
Alternative: Blender (Sculpt Mode)
Description: Blender also includes powerful sculpting tools similar to ZBrush, making it a versatile all-in-one 3D tool.
8. Procreate
Alternative: Krita
Description: An open-source, professional-grade painting program perfect for digital artists, concept artists, illustrators, and more. It’s an excellent alternative for those looking for powerful brush engines and layer support.
9. CorelDRAW
Alternative: Vectr
Description: A free, web-based vector graphics editor with real-time collaboration and easy-to-use tools for creating vector illustrations and designs.
Alternative: Inkscape
Description: Also a great alternative for vector-based illustrations and designs, offering tools for both beginners and advanced users.
10. Cinema 4D
Alternative: Blender
Description: Blender offers 3D modeling, rendering, animation, and simulation features that make it a fantastic free alternative to Cinema 4D.
11. Ableton Live/FL Studio (Music Production)
Alternative: LMMS (Linux MultiMedia Studio)
Description: A free, open-source digital audio workstation (DAW) that allows for music production, beat making, and sound design, suitable for musicians and sound artists.
Alternative: Audacity
Description: A free, open-source audio editor and recorder with multi-track support. While not as feature-rich for MIDI production, it is excellent for audio manipulation.
12. Adobe Lightroom
Alternative: Darktable
Description: A free, open-source photography workflow application and raw developer, perfect for photographers who want to organize and edit their photos without relying on Lightroom.
Alternative: RawTherapee
Description: Another open-source raw image editor with powerful processing capabilities for photographers looking for Lightroom alternatives.
13. Adobe InDesign
Alternative: Scribus
Description: A free, open-source desktop publishing software with features for designing page layouts, perfect for creating magazines, books, brochures, and more.
14. Substance Painter
Alternative: ArmorPaint
Description: An open-source 3D texture painting tool that’s a solid alternative to Substance Painter, ideal for creating PBR textures for 3D models.
15. Final Cut Pro/Premiere Pro (Advanced Video Editing)
Alternative: Olive
Description: A free, open-source non-linear video editor that’s still in active development, offering a professional-grade experience similar to Final Cut Pro or Premiere Pro.
16. Cinema 4D/After Effects (Motion Graphics and 3D Animation)
Alternative: Synfig Studio
Description: A free, open-source 2D animation software that can be used for motion graphics, animations, and other media projects.
17. Sketch (UI/UX Design)
Alternative: Gravit Designer
Description: A free, web-based design tool that supports vector graphics, illustrations, and UI/UX design, similar to Sketch.
"Through an amalgamation of old and new, I'm embarking on an artistic odyssey where experimentation becomes the compass guiding my work beyond a boundary blurred between organic and digital." Peng1 - 2024
Current Collections / Artworks
"Pulse"
The juxtaposition of vitality and mortality.
"Corrupted Pixels" Collection
Sometimes you have to break things to fix them SOLD OUT
"Ambiguity"
Part of the 16 Deep collection. A collection of work utilizing no more than 16 whole colors.
"Stranded in an oasis"
A deep dive into the feelings of complacency.
“What moves men of genius, or rather what inspires their work, is not new ideas, but their obsession with the idea that what has already been said is still not enough.” Eugene Delacroix