The Best Adobe Alternatives For 2024 (Free Software TIER LIST)
TLDRThe video presents a tier list of Adobe alternatives for 2024, both free and commercial. WordPress is deemed an S-tier CMS for website design, while GIMP, despite lacking some advanced features, is a B-tier photo editor. Blender is an S-tier software for 3D animation and video production. Darktable, a B-tier raw image processor, has a steep learning curve but offers excellent results. Scribus, a D-tier desktop publishing software, is less favored due to its outdated UI/UX. Krita, an A-tier digital painting software, excels with its unique features and stable performance. Penpot, an A-tier UI/UX prototyping tool, is gaining popularity as an alternative to Figma. DaVinci Resolve is an S-tier video editor, comparable to Adobe Premiere Pro. Drupal, a tier CMS, is highly secure but has a steeper learning curve. Inkscape, a C-tier vector graphics software, offers many features but suffers from stability issues. Commercial alternatives include Affinity by Serif, an A-tier suite offering photo, design, and publishing tools, and Canva, an S-tier browser-based design tool for non-designers, which is continuously expanding its features and audience.
Takeaways
- 🌟 WordPress is considered an S-tier software for designing websites without coding and is the industry standard.
- 🎨 GIMP is a powerful free photo editing tool, but it has fallen behind Photoshop in certain features like adjustment layers and AI implementation, placing it as a B-tier software.
- 🚀 Blender is an S-tier software that is constantly being developed and is known for 3D animation, sculpting, and even video production.
- 📸 Darktable is a B-tier raw processing software, offering a steep learning curve but excellent results for those who master it.
- 📚 Scribus is a desktop publishing software that could be an alternative to InDesign but is considered a D-tier due to its outdated UI/UX and slower development.
- 🖌️ Krita is an A-tier digital painting software with unique features and a strong community, making it a top choice for digital artists.
- 🎨 Penpot is an A-tier UI/UX prototyping tool similar to Figma, gaining popularity especially after Figma's acquisition by Adobe.
- 🎬 DaVinci Resolve is an S-tier video editing software that serves as a strong alternative to Adobe Premiere Pro, with ongoing development and third-party add-ons.
- 🌐 Drupal is a content management system similar to WordPress, considered a B-tier software with a steeper learning curve but good security and usage by big companies.
- ✍️ Inkscape is a C-tier scalable vector graphics software, a strong alternative to Illustrator but with stability issues and lack of CMYK features.
- 💼 Affinity by Serif is an A-tier suite of design software offering alternatives to Adobe's photo, design, and publishing tools with a great UI/UX.
- 📈 Canva is an S-tier browser-based design and content creation tool, aimed at non-designers and expanding with AI features and a video editor.
Q & A
What is the tier ranking of WordPress according to the video?
-WordPress is ranked as an S-tier software because it is the industry standard for designing websites without coding and has a lot of support and developer activity.
Why is GIMP considered a B-tier software in the video?
-GIMP is considered a B-tier software because, despite being a great free photo editing alternative to Photoshop, it has fallen behind in implementing features like adjustment layers, non-destructive editing, smart objects, and vector shape tools.
What are some of the strengths of Blender mentioned in the video?
-Blender is constantly in development, innovative, and an industry disruptor. It is used for 3D animation, sculpting, and even video production. Adobe has recognized its impact and has contributed to its development.
How does the video rank Darktable in comparison to Adobe Lightroom?
-Darktable is ranked as a B-tier software. It is similar to Lightroom but has a steeper learning curve, using more graphs, curves, and manual number adjustments. It can produce great results but needs UI/UX improvements to be ranked higher.
What is Scribus and why is it considered a D-tier software in the video?
-Scribus is a desktop publishing software that some people consider as a potential replacement for Adobe InDesign. However, it is considered a D-tier software because it lacks updates, new features, and has a less intuitive UI/UX compared to InDesign.
What sets Krita apart as a digital painting software?
-Krita is a digital painting software that has unique features and a user interface tailored for digital artists. It offers advanced painting capabilities that surpass those found in Adobe Photoshop and has seen significant improvements in its UI/UX.
Why is Penpot considered an A-tier software for UI/UX prototyping?
-Penpot is considered an A-tier software because it is a viable alternative to Figma, especially after Figma's acquisition by Adobe. It has seen a lot of developer activity, offers built-in features that meet expectations, and has gained significant adoption from various organizations.
How does DaVinci Resolve stand out as a video editor?
-DaVinci Resolve is considered an S-tier software because it is a professional video editing tool that offers many of the same features as Adobe Premiere Pro. It is constantly being developed and has a lot of third-party add-ons, making it an industry standard alternative.
What are the general opinions about Drupal as a CMS?
-Drupal is considered a B-tier CMS. It is good but not as widely used or as easy to use as WordPress. It has a steeper learning curve but is known for its security and is used by many large companies.
How does Inkscape compare to Adobe Illustrator?
-Inkscape is a free and open-source vector graphics software that serves as an alternative to Adobe Illustrator. It has introduced key features and has a lot of new features, but its stability issues place it in the C-tier category.
What are the Affinity products and how do they compare to their Adobe counterparts?
-Affinity by Serif offers three products: Affinity Photo, Affinity Designer, and Affinity Publisher, collectively known as the Affinity Trinity. They offer almost all the features of their Adobe counterparts, with the main difference being that Adobe has more advanced quick photo manipulation tools.
How does Canva position itself in the design and content creation space?
-Canva is an S-tier creative app that has created its own category of browser-based content creation and design. It is aimed at non-designers and offers a premium model with additional features and templates. It also offers collaboration features and has expanded its offerings with an AI implementation and a video editor.
Outlines
🌟 Introduction to Adobe Alternatives Tier List
The video begins with an introduction to a tier list focused on common Adobe alternatives, including both free and commercial options. The speaker promotes their website, Davies Media Design, and their online classes on Udemy. The tier list aims to evaluate and rank various software based on their features and industry standing.
🌟 WordPress as the Top CMS Choice
WordPress is highlighted as an S-tier software, being the industry standard for designing websites without the need for coding. It is praised for its stability, consistency, developer activity, and extensive support through third-party plugins and themes. The speaker emphasizes WordPress's popularity among large companies and its customizability for more advanced users.
🎨 GIMP as a Free Photo Editing Alternative
GIMP is discussed as a free alternative to Photoshop, offering a wide array of photo manipulation features. While it is stable and has a strong community, it has fallen behind in implementing features that have become standard in Photoshop, such as adjustment layers and smart objects. The lack of AI implementation is also noted, and GIMP is ranked as B-tier software, with the potential to rise if it catches up with these features.
🚀 Blender as an Innovative 3D Animation Tool
Blender is recognized as an S-tier software due to its continuous development, innovation, and industry-disrupting capabilities. It is used for 3D animation, sculpting, and even video production, with contributions from companies like Adobe. The speaker notes the active community and the constant addition of new features and add-ons.
📸 Darktable for Scientific RAW Processing
Darktable is presented as a B-tier software for RAW image processing, similar to Lightroom. It offers a more scientific approach with a steeper learning curve but the potential for excellent results. The speaker suggests that improvements to its user interface could elevate its ranking.
📚 Scribus as a Desktop Publishing Option
Scribus is discussed as a potential replacement for InDesign in desktop publishing. However, the speaker ranks it as D-tier due to its outdated user interface and lack of new development. Despite this, the speaker does not express any negative sentiment towards Scribus.
🎨 Krita for Digital Painting Excellence
Krita is highlighted as an A-tier software for digital painting, with unique features and a strong community. It offers basic photo editing capabilities but excels in providing tools for digital artists. The speaker praises its user interface, stability, and the constant release of resources and add-ons.
💡 Penpot as a UI/UX Prototyping Tool
Penpot is introduced as an A-tier alternative to Figma, especially after Figma's acquisition by Adobe. It is a relatively new tool with active development and has been adopted by several well-known organizations. The speaker acknowledges its potential but does not consider it the industry standard yet.
🎬 DaVinci Resolve as a Professional Video Editor
DaVinci Resolve is recognized as an S-tier video editing software, offering features comparable to Adobe Premiere Pro. It is praised for its ongoing development and third-party add-ons, positioning it as an industry standard alternative to Premiere Pro.
🌐 Drupal as a Robust CMS Option
Drupal is mentioned as another CMS similar to WordPress, ranked as a B-tier software. It is known for its security and is used by large companies, although it may have a steeper learning curve and fewer third-party resources than WordPress.
🎨 Inkscape for Vector Graphics Design
Inkscape is discussed as a C-tier vector graphics software, serving as an alternative to Adobe Illustrator. It has introduced new features in recent updates but suffers from stability issues. The lack of CMYK features also affects its ranking, though the speaker acknowledges its potential.
💼 Affinity Suite as a Comprehensive Adobe Alternative
Affinity by Serif is presented as an A-tier suite of software offering photo, design, and publishing tools that rival Adobe's offerings. The suite is praised for its feature set, user interface, and the recent addition of Studio Link for seamless program integration.
🌐 Canva as a Browser-Based Design Tool
Canva is recognized as an S-tier creative app for marketers and content creators, offering a browser-based platform for design and content creation. It has expanded its features, including AI and a video editor, and is popular for collaboration, despite the speaker's personal reservations.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Adobe Alternatives
💡Tier List
💡WordPress
💡GIMP
💡Blender
💡Darktable
💡Scribus
💡Krita
💡Penpot
💡DaVinci Resolve
💡Drupal
💡Inkscape
Highlights
WordPress is an S-tier piece of software and the industry standard for designing websites without coding.
GIMP is a powerful free photo editing alternative to Photoshop but lacks some advanced features like adjustment layers and AI implementation.
Blender is an S-tier software constantly in development, used for 3D animation, sculpting, and even video production.
Darktable is a B-tier raw processing software with a steep learning curve but offers great results for photo color adjustments.
Scribus, a desktop publishing software, is considered a potential replacement for InDesign but is placed as a D-tier due to its outdated UI/UX.
Krita is an A-tier digital painting software with unique features and a strong community support.
Peno.to is an A-tier UI/UX prototyping tool, a viable alternative to Figma, with growing developer activity and support.
DaVinci Resolve is an S-tier video editing software, considered an industry standard alternative to Adobe Premiere Pro.
Drupal is a content management system similar to WordPress, known for its security and used by big companies, placed as a B-tier software.
Inkscape is a C-tier scalable vector graphics software, a strong alternative to Illustrator but with stability issues.
Affinity by Serif is an A-tier suite of professional graphic design software offering features comparable to Adobe's tools.
Canva is an S-tier browser-based design and content creation tool, expanding its audience and market with AI features and a video editor.
Adobe has recognized Blender's impact on the industry, contributing financially to its development.
Darktable's scientific approach to raw image processing allows for high-quality color output, despite its complex interface.
The community around Krita is actively developing resources and add-ons, enhancing its position as an A-tier digital painting software.
Peno.to has seen significant adoption by major organizations, indicating its potential as a strong alternative to Figma.
DaVinci Resolve's continuous development and third-party add-ons make it a preferred choice for professional video editing.
Inkscape's recent updates, including the page tool and shape builder, show its commitment to feature enhancement despite stability concerns.
Affinity Suite's Studio Link feature allows seamless transitions between its three applications, improving workflow efficiency.
Canva's success lies in its accessibility for non-designers, offering a wide range of templates and collaborative features.