No more “harsh terms of service.”
By this point, you’ve probably caught wind of Adobe’s recent policy update—one that lets the company “access your content via both manual and automated means.” Even though Adobe claims this controversial change was purely for transparency, it wasn’t enough to ease worries for many users. People voiced concerns about overly intrusive AI training or possible violations of NDAs (non-disclosure agreements) and remote work contracts. Now, this backlash against Adobe’s AI-related moves has sparked an online movement, with creatives calling for a full switch away from all Adobe programs.
If your entire workflow is tied to Adobe tools, figuring out where to start with reliable alternatives can feel overwhelming. The good news? Users on X (formerly Twitter) have come together to share their favorite software picks that replace Adobe’s top products. So if you’re thinking about making the switch, here’s a breakdown of the alternatives creatives are loving most—including some standout options for Illustrator.
Best Photoshop Alternatives
Three alternatives rose to the top for creatives: Krita, GIMP, and Clip Studio. “Clip Studio Paint has quickly become one of my go-to Photoshop alternatives,” tweeted artist and designer @QuickDrawMarina. “These days, it can do almost everything Photoshop can,” she added.
While GIMP and Krita provide a strong free option, many highlighted Affinity’s software suite as the most natural swap for Adobe. “I’m a huge fan of Affinity products,” another user noted. “They’re buy-to-own (no subscriptions!), have great tutorials, and the UI is really user-friendly too.” For a deeper dive into which option fits your needs, check out our roundup of the best Photoshop alternatives.
Best Premiere Pro Alternatives
When it comes to replacing Premiere Pro, one tool stood head and shoulders above the rest: DaVinci Resolve. “I switched to DaVinci Resolve this year, and it’s hands down the best software move I’ve made in a decade!” commented @KameraNinjaa. @AI_EmeraldApple agreed: “I love DaVinci Resolve—it’s so powerful, and there are tons of free community plugins too.”
Another X user offered a different suggestion: “If anyone’s hunting for a Premiere alternative, I’ve been using both Olive and Kdenlive for over a year now. They’re fantastic replacements—no subscriptions, and they never use your videos to train their AI models.”
Best Illustrator Alternatives
Many creatives agreed that Inkscape is one of the best Illustrator alternatives. “For Illustrator, I use Inkscape,” said @FunkitToys. “They’re free, too—and you can even donate to support their development!” @eurveo added: “There are way better options out there, like Pixelmator for image editing.”
For more design and vector-based projects, Affinity also got plenty of shoutouts. “I’m gonna give Affinity a try,” said visual artist Brian Romero. “Fed up with bloated software, pricey subscriptions, and those harsh terms of service.”
If you want a quick, no-nonsense list of alternatives, graphic designer @xDanielArt made a helpful visual that lists the best free and paid options available. Switching your workflow to a new program might feel tough at first, but luckily, there’s a wide range of tools to test out—so you can find what works for you.
