Head-to-Head Comparison · Alternative to Adobe Photoshop · 📷 photo editing
Adobe Photoshop vs Krita
Krita is a free, open-source digital painting program made by artists for artists. Here is how Krita ($0/mo open source) stacks up against Adobe Photoshop ($22.99/mo) across cost, hosting, data privacy, and real-world trade-offs.
Krita
$0.00/mo · cm0zfiowb00pj94snnh6jzvs0
Adobe Photoshop vs Krita Specification Matrix
facts verified 2026-11-04
| Dimension | Adobe Photoshop (Paid) | Krita (Replacement) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Price | $22.99 / mo | $0 / mo |
| 1-Year Cost (1 seat) | $276 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $276) |
| 1-Year Cost (5 seats) | $1,379 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $1,379) |
| 1-Year Cost (10 seats) | $2,759 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $2,759) |
| Source & License | Proprietary SaaS | open source cm0zfiowb00pj94snnh6jzvs0 |
| Where It Runs | Vendor Cloud | Self-host (your server) |
| Platforms | Web / Cloud | webself-hosteddocker to self-host |
| GitHub Stars | — | ★ 10.7k (active nov 2026) |
Deep Dive: Switching from Adobe Photoshop to Krita
Trade-offs, installation & data architecture
What you trade away
Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Adobe Photoshop.
How to deploy Krita
Clone https://github.com/KDE/krita or deploy with Docker Compose
What it takes to run
Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables.
Where your data lives
All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database.
Why fork Krita instead of vibe-coding a Adobe Photoshop clone?
Instead of paying recurring SaaS fees for Adobe Photoshop or rebuilding it from scratch, deploy one of the 2 battle-tested open-source alternatives like GIMP or Krita.
Adobe Photoshop vs Krita FAQ
Is Krita a good free alternative to Adobe Photoshop?+
Yes. Krita is a verified open-source (cm0zfiowb00pj94snnh6jzvs0) replacement for Adobe Photoshop. Krita is a free, open-source digital painting program made by artists for artists.
What is the catch when switching from Adobe Photoshop to Krita?+
Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Adobe Photoshop.
How much do you save switching from Adobe Photoshop to Krita?+
Adobe Photoshop costs $22.99/mo ($276/yr) per seat, whereas Krita is $0/mo. Switching saves $276/yr for a solo user, $1,379/yr for a 5-person team, and $2,759/yr for a 10-person team.
How do I install or self-host Krita instead of Adobe Photoshop?+
Install: Clone https://github.com/KDE/krita or deploy with Docker Compose. Setup: Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables.