7 Best Corel Paintshop Pro Alternatives

Corel Paintshop Pro may be a good fit for you if you're looking for an affordable, user-friendly image editor. However, if it's not the right program for you, don't worry – plenty of other great options are available.

This blog post will look at 7 of the best Corel Paintshop Pro alternatives. So, whether you're new to image editing or want to explore your options, read on for some great suggestions!

• Snapshot of Our Top 3 Corel Paintshop Pro Alternatives
• How to Choose a Corel Paintshop Pro Alternative
• 7 Best Corel Paintshop Pro Alternatives
1. PhotoDirector 365 - Best Overall
2. Adobe Photoshop - Best for Professionals
3. GIMP - Best for Cross-Platform Users
4. DxO PhotoLab - Best for Image Corrections
5. ON1 Photo Raw - Best for Photo Editing Workflows
6. Exposure X7 - Best for Photo Layers and Effects
7. Affinity Photo - Best for People On a Budget
• Best Corel Paintshop Pro Alternatives Comparison Chart
• How to Edit with the Best Alternative to Corel Paintshop Pro
• Download the Best Corel Paintshop Pro Alternative for Free
• Corel Paintshop Pro Alternatives FAQ

Snapshot of Our Top 3 Corel Paintshop Pro Alternatives

How to Choose a Corel Paintshop Pro Alternative

When choosing an image editor, there are a few key factors to consider. Here's what we suggest looking out for:

1. Ease of use - Ensure the image editor is easy to learn and use. You don't want to spend too much time trying to figure out how it works. 
2. Features and tools - Look at the features and tools available in the image editor. If you need specific features, make sure they're included.
3. Cost - Consider how much money you are willing to spend on an image editor. Some programs can be pretty expensive, while others are more affordable.
4. Platform compatibility - Ensure the image editor is compatible with your computer's operating system (OS). For example, some programs may only work on Windows or Mac OSX, while others are available for both platforms. 

By taking these factors into account, you'll be able to find the best Corel Paintshop Pro alternative that works best for your needs and budget.

7 Best Corel Paintshop Pro Alternatives

1. PhotoDirector 365 - Best Overall

Compatibility: Windows, macOS

PCMag Rating: 4/5

Key Features:

1. AI object removal
2. Background removal
3. AI denoise

Who It’s For

PhotoDirector365 is an excellent option for both beginners and professionals. This software has a range of features, all within a simple-to-use interface. 

Why We Picked It

This software is the perfect Corel Paintshop Pro alternative for those who want an easy-to-use, all-in-one image editing package.

Bottom Line

PhotoDirector 365 offers excellent features and tools without sacrificing ease of use. It has a unique AI-powered assistant to help you quickly make selections and remove backgrounds, making it the best overall Corel Paintshop Pro alternative.

Try PhotoDirector 365 for free today.

2. Adobe Photoshop - Best for Professionals

Compatibility: Windows, macOS

PCMag Rating: 5/5

Key Features:

1. One-click deletes and fills
2. Invite to edit
3. Photo restoration

Who It’s For

Adobe Photoshop is on the more complicated side of photo editing software. Therefore, it is best for professionals with a lot of experience using software like this. There will be a significant learning curve for beginner users. 

Why We Picked It

Adobe Photoshop is the most powerful image editor available. It's packed with features and tools, and professionals in many industries widely use it.

Bottom Line

Adobe Photoshop is one of the best Corel Paintshop Pro alternatives for professionals who require a powerful image editor.

3. GIMP - Best for Cross-Platform Users

Image from Davies Media Design on Youtube.

Compatibility: Windows, macOS, Linux

TechRadar Rating: 5/5

Key Features:

1. Original artwork creation
2. Graphic design
3. Open & editable source code

Who It’s For

GIMP is an excellent choice for those who need a cross-platform image editor. It's completely free and open source, so you don't have to worry about any licensing fees.

Why We Picked It

GIMP is a powerful image editor that can run on multiple platforms. It's packed with features and tools but also incredibly customizable to tailor it to your needs.

Bottom Line

GIMP is a great Corel Paintshop Pro alternative for those who need an image editor that runs on multiple platforms or less popular operating systems such as Linux. 

4. DxO PhotoLab - Best for Image Corrections

Compatibility: Windows, macOS

PCMag Rating: 4/5

Key Features:

1. Image correction
2. Denoising technology
3. Geometry corrections

Who It’s For

DxO PhotoLab is perfect for photographers who need to organize many photographs, as the software photo organization is the best we have seen.

Why We Picked It

DxO PhotoLab is one of the best Corel Paintshop Pro alternatives for photographers who need an image editor with powerful correction tools to edit their images once they have taken them.

Bottom Line

If you're looking for software to edit your photos and correct any blemishes, DxO PhotoLab is the software for you. Plus, it has great photo-organizing features.

5. ON1 Photo Raw - Best for Photo Editing Workflows

Image from Digital Camera World.

Compatibility: Windows, macOS

PCMag Rating: 3.5/5

Key Features:

1. Photo workflows
2. Quick raw processing
3. AI photo editing tools

Who It’s For

ON1 Photo Raw is great for those who want an easy-to-use interface and a streamlined edit workflow. It's also excellent for photographers who wish to experiment with photo editing using Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Why We Picked It

ON1 Photo Raw is an excellent Corel Paintshop Pro alternative for those who want to process raw images quickly, and it has an easy-to-use interface that makes it great for beginners.

Bottom Line

If you're looking for a photo editor with intelligent photo editing abilities and quick RAW processing, then ON1 Photo Raw is the software for you. 

6. Exposure X7 - Best for Photo Layers and Effects

Image from DPReview.

Compatibility: Windows, macOS

PCMag Rating: 3.5/5

Key Features:

1. Flexible masking and layers
2. Deep-integrated special effects
3. Catalog-free image organization

Who It’s For

Exposure X7 is ideal for those who want to play around with image layering and special editing effects. It's also great for photographers who don't want to be limited by the traditional cataloging system of other photo editors.

Why We Picked It

Exposure X7 is a great Corel Paintshop Pro alternative for photographers who want to get creative and work with layers, filters, and effects. Plus, it has a catalog-free workflow that's perfect for those who don't want to be limited.

Bottom Line

Exposure X7 is the software for photographers who wish to work with layers, effects, and filters without the hassle of cataloging.

7. Affinity Photo - Best for People On a Budget

Compatibility: Windows, macOS

PCMag Rating: 3/5

Key Features:

1. No subscription is required
2. Tools for creating panoramic, HDR, and focus-stacked images
3. Full raw development

Who It’s For

Both beginners and professionals as Affinity Photo has various features for all photo editing capabilities. Affinity Photo is also compatible with iPad, which all our other software examples are not. 

Why We Picked It

Affinity Photo is not the initial run-of-the-mill software. It has a non-standard interface and is a great budget option for people looking for a lower price range software.

Bottom Line

Affinity Photo isn't the most comprehensive kit, but it has everything you need. You can also use the software on the iPad, which is a nice additional touch. 

Best Corel Paintshop Pro Alternatives Comparison Chart

How to Edit with the Best Alternative to Corel Paintshop Pro

To edit using PhotoDirector 365 you will need to follow a few basic steps:

1. Import your photos into the software.
2. Open the Adjustments tab to perform basic edits like cropping and adjusting color.

3. Open the Guided tab to apply effects like Glitch, Dispersion, Photo Animation, and Blur.

4. For more precision with layer editing, open the Edit tab.

Download the Best Corel Paintshop Pro Alternative for Free

PhotoDirector 365 is the best Corel Paintshop Pro Alternative on the market. It is free to download, easy to use, and comes with a range of features and tools. Download PhotoDirector 365 today to take your photos to the next level.

Download PhotoDirector 365 today!