Chromebooks have become increasingly popular among students and professionals due to their affordability and portability. However, one major drawback is the limited availability of native apps, particularly for graphic design. Photoshop is undoubtedly the industry standard for photo editing, but it is not compatible with Chromebooks. Fortunately, there are several Photoshop alternatives for Chromebooks that offer similar features and functionalities. In this article, we will take a look at the best Photoshop alternatives for Chromebooks in 2023.
GIMP
GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is a free and open-source photo editing software that is available for Chromebooks. It offers a wide range of tools and features, including customizable brushes, color adjustment, and layer masks. GIMP also supports a variety of file formats, including PSD files. While it may not have all of the advanced features of Photoshop, GIMP is a solid alternative that can be used for basic photo editing tasks.
Pixlr
Pixlr is a web-based photo editor that is available for Chromebooks. It offers a simple and intuitive user interface, making it easy for beginners to use. Pixlr also offers a range of basic editing tools, such as crop, resize, and rotate. In addition, it has a wide range of filters and effects that can be used to enhance photos. Pixlr is free to use, but it does have some limitations on the number of features available.
Polarr
Polarr is a photo editing app that is available for Chromebooks. It offers a range of advanced editing tools, such as selective adjustments, curves, and gradients. Polarr also has a user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate. One unique feature of Polarr is its ability to save custom presets, which can be used to quickly apply the same editing settings to multiple photos. While Polarr does have a free version, the full range of features is only available with a paid subscription.
Canva
Canva is a graphic design tool that is available for Chromebooks. It offers a wide range of templates, graphics, and fonts that can be used to create designs from scratch. Canva also has a photo editor that can be used to edit images. While it may not have all of the advanced editing features of Photoshop, Canva is a great option for creating simple graphics and designs.
Fotor
Fotor is a web-based photo editor that is available for Chromebooks. It offers a range of basic editing tools, such as crop, resize, and rotate. Fotor also has a range of filters and effects that can be used to enhance photos. In addition, Fotor has a collage maker that can be used to create collages from multiple photos. While Fotor is free to use, it does have some limitations on the number of features available.
Read Also: The 2022 versions of Adobe Photoshop and Premiere Elements are now available
FAQs:
Are these Photoshop alternatives for Chromebooks completely free?
No, some of these alternatives have limited free versions, while others require a paid subscription to access all features.
Can these Photoshop alternatives handle large and complex files?
It depends on the specific software and the specifications of your Chromebook. Generally, these alternatives may not be able to handle large and complex files as well as Photoshop.
Do these alternatives have a steep learning curve?
Some of these alternatives, such as GIMP and Polarr, may have a steeper learning curve than others due to their advanced features. However, most of them have user-friendly interfaces that are easy to navigate.
Can these alternatives be used for professional work?
While these alternatives may not have all of the advanced features of Photoshop, they can be used for basic photo editing tasks and simple graphic design. They may be suitable for individuals or small businesses with limited budgets and basic editing needs.
Can these alternatives be used offline?
It depends on the specific software. Some of these alternatives, such as GIMP, can be used offline, while others, such as Canva, require an internet connection.
Conclusion
While Photoshop may not be available for Chromebooks, there are several alternatives that offer similar features and functionalities. GIMP, Pixlr, Polarr, Canva, and Fotor are all great options for basic photo editing tasks. Each of these alternatives has its own strengths and weaknesses, so it’s important to choose the one that best fits your needs. With the help of these Photoshop alternatives, Chromebook users can create professional-looking designs and edit their photos without having to switch to a different device.
