Photoshop alternative for Linux?

clueless_dolt · 08-05-2025, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sundialsvcs

I think that it goes without saying that, if you are involved in some professional production pipeline, then you use exactly the software, and version(!), and platform, that the pipeline has agreed upon. In order to fulfill your contract.

I have found that GIMP has "grown up to be" a very good "image manipulation program."

I also very much like Inkscape as an SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) manipulation program, although I have observed odd problems cropping up with it as I continue to save my work. I can only describe them as ... "odd."

GIMP does a lot of work but boy is the UI/UX still awful, at least in my opinion. I rarely enjoy using it, but I do use it, cause, again, it does the work.

boughtonp · 08-05-2025, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron_M

I’m going to try GIMP first since it seems to be the most recommended. If that doesn’t work out, I’ll check out the other options you mentioned.

Gimp is most recommended frequently mentioned, which is because it's been around a long time and lots of people have heard of it, not because it's good.

This is very accurate:

Quote:

Originally Posted by clueless_dolt

GIMP does a lot of work but boy is the UI/UX still awful, at least in my opinion. I rarely enjoy using it, but I do use it, cause, again, it does the work.

Don't discount Krita as only being painting software - yes, that is its intended/primary use, but there are plenty of image editing tasks where I still pick Krita over Gimp simply because Krita is better software, even for tasks which are not within its main focus.

pan64 · 08-05-2025, 10:01 AM

darktable works well too. It is not that ugly, but definitely different. Ufraw is even uglier. I don't know what features do you really need, but if you don't like gimp, you can at least try the others.

cwizardone · 08-05-2025, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clueless_dolt

GIMP does a lot of work but boy is the UI/UX still awful, at least in my opinion. I rarely enjoy using it, but I do use it, cause, again, it does the work.

Don't know if it is still available, but there use to be a plug-in for The GIMP that changed to the user interface to resemble Photo Shop.
Has anyone tried Digikam?

rclark · 08-05-2025, 03:29 PM

Digikam. I did try it once, but it wants to be photo 'organizer' which I wasn't looking for. So didn't go any deeper to it's editing tools.

boughtonp · 08-06-2025, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cwizardone

there use to be a plug-in for The GIMP that changed to the user interface to resemble Photo Shop.

That got discontinued over a decade ago, so wont work with current versions.

cwizardone · 08-11-2025, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boughtonp

That got discontinued over a decade ago, so wont work with current versions.

Just stumbled across this, https://www.linuxquestions.org/quest...op-4175753156/

craigevil · 08-11-2025, 07:18 PM

Photoflare https://photoflare.io/
Photopea is an online editor. https://www.photopea.com/
darktable https://www.darktable.org/
RawTherapee https://www.rawtherapee.com/

commitmemaybe · 08-12-2025, 07:27 AM

I've heard people saying good about Photopea, though a web based photo editor. https://www.photopea.com/

boughtonp · 08-12-2025, 09:06 AM

Photopea is proprietary subscription software, and - being entirely online - can change according to the whims of the developer and/or browser makers.

wpeckham · 08-12-2025, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boughtonp

Photopea is proprietary subscription software, and - being entirely online - can change according to the whims of the developer and/or browser makers.

And, of course, since it is only available over the internet any change in server, routing, services, or attacks on the internet might disrupt your access. Even if they do not change their service or licensing, your access TO them can be corrupted or intercepted. I vastly prefer doing my editing locally. If I use a SOLAR UPS, even a power outage does not take it away.

clueless_dolt · 08-12-2025, 11:51 AM

I wouldn't use an image editor 'Software as a Service" thing before, but now where everyone and their mom steals ones image data for "AI" purposes?
Heeeeeeelllll nawwwwwwwwww.