In my journey away from the Adobe ecosystem, I explored a number of software alternatives that offered powerful features, affordability, and creative freedom. From the dynamic video editing capabilities of DaVinci Resolve to the intuitive design features of Affinity Photo, each tool offers a unique set of benefits that meet the diverse needs of content creators. Below, I’ve compiled a comprehensive list of these alternatives, each of which is a potential game-changer in its own right, giving you the tools to escape the subscription model and rediscover your passion for photography and filmmaking.
Alternatives
⭐ – What I personally and currently use
Photoshop
Paid
- Affinity Photo ⭐
- Pixelmator Pro (Mac)
Lightroom
Free
- Darktable
- RawTherapee
- Snapseed (Android or iPhone)
Illustrator
Free
InDesign
Free
Paid
Premiere Pro
Paid
- DaVinci Resolve Studio ⭐
- Final Cut Pro (Mac Only)
After Effects
Free
Paid
- DaVinci Resolve Studio ⭐
- HitFilm
- Cavalry ⭐
- Procreate Dreams (Mac Only)
- Motion (Mac Only)
Audition
XD
There are no affiliate links here. These are all programs that either I personally recommend or others have recommended to me.
