The most expensive tool isn’t necessarily the best one. Read this article to which Photoshop alternatives you can use to create your pixel designs better and more effectively.
You’re trying to come up with creative designs and reach a lot of people. Then suddenly, your graphics design software starts playing up and just isn’t doing what you want it to. We know the struggle. That’s why we’ve taken a closer look at 10 different graphics programs, compiled the pros and cons before describing which kind of tasks they suit.
Especially if you are still at the beginning of your career as a designer, the choice of a graphics program is pretty important. After all, you’re committing to a certain file format, learning the corresponding functions, routines and workflows. It’s not only a financial investment, it’s an investment of your working time as you learn how to use the software. Often it can be a case of ‘less is more’. Depending on what kind of designs you are creating, a simple program with a clear and user-friendly interface may be more suitable than the expensive and complex market leader. The following list will help you find the program that fits you.
Commercial Software und Apps
1. Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Photoshop is undoubtedly the market leader and virtually the standard program for creating pixel graphics. The range of functions is almost limitless, and it can be used for almost every conceivable purpose. Using it relies on a decent grasp of how it works. Those who aren’t familiar with the program can quickly get a bit lost. However, with an enormous community and countless tutorials, there’s plenty of support around, whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro. Nevertheless, this program‘s priority remains professional users.
Pro | Contra |
|
|
System: All
Design Skills: Advanced and professional
Link: https://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop.html
Tutorial: https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/tutorials.html
2. Corel Photo Paint
Corel Photo Paint ist der zweite große Player auf dem Markt und orientiert sich in seiner Machart deutlich beim Marktführer. Der Funktionsumfang ist etwas geringer als beim Konkurrenten, kostet dafür als Desktop-Version aber deutlich weniger.
Corel Photo Paint is the second big player on the market and is fairly similar in design to Adobe’s version. The range of functions is somewhat smaller than that of the market leader, but the desktop version is considerably cheaper.
Pro | Contra |
|
|
System: All
Design Skills: From beginner to professional
Link: https://www.coreldraw.com/?link=wm
Tutorial: https://www.coreldraw.com/en/learn/tutorials/
3. Affinity Photo
Affinity Photo is one of the best alternatives to Photoshop. It does not have the same range of functions but is significantly cheaper and available without a subscription. It is perfect for creating Print-on-Demand designs.
Pro | Contra |
|
|
System: All
Design Skills: From beginner to professional
Link: https://affinity.serif.com/en-us/photo/
Tutorial: https://affinity.serif.com/en-us/learn/
4. Procreate (MacOS & iOS)
Procreate is especially interesting for digital artists and illustrators who work with iPads and Apple Pencils or another stylus pens.
Pro | Contra |
|
|
System: iPad only
Design Skills: From beginner to professional
Link: Available for iPad in app store
5. Pixelmator (MacOS & iOS)
Pixelmator is primarily for editing images, rather than for creating new designs. However, if you use photos or analog, hand-painted drawings as templates for your designs, this iPad app may be just what you need.
Pro | Contra |
|
|
System: iPad only
Design Skills: From beginner to professional
Link: Im AppStore für iPad erhältlich
Tutorial: https://www.pixelmator.com/tutorials/
6. Luminar AI
Luminar AI is one of the best apps when it comes to editing and making pictures for Instagram, Facebook or Pinterest. This also means it is not primarily intended for creating designs. Dafür ist es, anders als Pixelmator, plattformunabhängig. However, unlike Pixelmator it can be used on any system.
Pro | Contra |
|
|
System: All
Design Skills: From beginner to professional
Link: https://skylum.com/luminar-ai
7. Clip Studio Paint
This software has been primarily developed for professional illustrators and is therefore ideally suited for the creation of Print-on-Demand designs. An abundance of different brushes as well as drawing and design are on offer. Besonders geeignet für Comics, Mangas, Charakterdesigns und Illustrationen. Clip is particularly suitably for comics, manga, character designs and illustrations
Pro | Contra |
|
|
System: All
Design Skills: Advanced and professional
Link: https://www.clipstudio.net/en/
Tutorial: https://tips.clip-studio.com/en-us/official
Free Software
8. Gimp
Gimp is the ultimate free image editing software. When it comes to purely editing images, the program offers a range of functions comparable to Photoshop.
Pro | Contra |
|
|
System: All
Design Skills: Advanced
Link: https://www.gimp.org/
Tutorial: https://www.gimp.org/tutorials/
9. Krita
Krita is designed for illustrators, cartoonists, and manga artists – making it ideal for creating Print-on-Demand designs. The free software offers a wide range of functions, but requires a stylus pen.
Pro | Contra |
|
|
System: All
Design Skills: Beginner to advanced
Link: https://krita.org/en/
Tutorial: https://docs.krita.org/en/tutorials.html#tutorials
10. Photopea (Browser-based)
Photopea is a simple and fast way to edit photos directly in the browser. It’s ideal for preparing photos for your social media posts. It is less suitable for creating your own designs.
Pro | Contra |
|
|
System: All (runs from Browser)
Design-Skills: Beginner to advanced
Link: https://www.photopea.com/
Tutorial: https://www.photopea.com/tuts/
In addition: No less important and definitely just as interesting and relevant for you, is our overview of the most important tools for searching keywords. After all, having the right keywords in the metadata for your designs determine whether your designs are easy to find on the marketplace or on Google & Co.
So, there we have it, our top ten software tips for creating pixel graphics. Which app or software do you use? Do you have any insider tips or comments about our list? Let us know in the comments.
You also forgot Paint, I like to use it to clean up lines
You forgot Inkscape. It is open sourced and great app.
Useful and informative article. However, I have noticed that most computer programs are stated to be supported on all systems, but this is not true. From the mentioned computer programs, only GIMP and Krita are supported on Linux, Windows and Mac. And of course Photopea, which runs from a web browser and works on all systems. Other mentioned programs works only on Windows and Mac.
Great Tools and Tips!