10 Free Web-based Alternatives to Photoshop

I’m fed up with Photoshop and its one billion rarely-used features.

How about a simple photo-editor that’s quick, easy, and doesn’t cost a thousand dollars. Fortunately, there’re tons of web-based photos editors popping up. Most are crap, but some are promising. Check out these free web-based Photoshop alternatives:

1. Picnik

Arguably, Picnik is the most popular web-based photo editor. Why? Because it’s now integrated with Flickr.

2. Splashup

Very polished interface. Tools and palettes are modeled after Photoshop. And it has layers!

3. Phoenix

Part of the Aviary suite of creative apps, Phoenix also offers layers and compositing.

4. Photoshop Express

Adobe was a little late to the web-apps game, but this is a pretty good first try. I like the free 2GB of space. Unlike the real Photoshop, this web version has no ability to layer or composite images.

5. Snipshot

Nice, simple, and clear interface, with no ads at all.

6. flauntR

flautR offers a cornucopia of image tools, boasting thousands of photo effects. If you want to make your photo look like a cheezy painting, this is the place.

7. Pic Resize

Another ad-free editor. I love the huge buttons.

8. Pixenate

Hmm… looks like Pixenate was “inspired” by Pic Resize. The icons and ads are annoyingly awful, but the app works.

9. FotoFlexer

Another simple interface. This one enables you to composite and “layer” images but without using a traditional layers palette. Instead, you can drag the photos and “push” them back or forward.

10. Phixr

An example of how ugly these apps can get.