{
  "lastChecked": "2026-10-14",
  "note": "Snapshot from SwitchFreely research, 14 Oct 2026. Vetting statuses are provisional (pre-solicitor review). Star counts and versions are from the GitHub API / project data on that date and change daily. No SwitchFreely readiness tests have been run yet.",
  "tools": [
    {
      "slug": "photocraft",
      "name": "PhotoCraft",
      "replaces": [
        "photoshop"
      ],
      "type": "R",
      "licence": "MIT OR Apache-2.0",
      "stars": "59.9k",
      "release": "v0.8.2 (12 Oct 2026)",
      "stage": "Early alpha – developers say it is not yet a Photoshop replacement for daily professional work",
      "vetting": "Amber",
      "url": "https://github.com/storytold/photocraft",
      "platforms": "Desktop and browser build",
      "selfReported": "Project parity doc: ~76% feature breadth, ~45% ready for real work, ~61% for essentials users; PSD re-save keeps the render for 307/309 psd-tools test files.",
      "caveats": [
        "Clean-room claim is self-reported (\"public specs and observed behaviour only\").",
        "Parity doc says the Photoshop 2026 installation was inspected without launching it, including strings in the main binary and default shortcut/preset files – arguably beyond what UK s.50BA covers; awaiting solicitor view.",
        "UI is \"familiar by design\"; commentators flag trade-dress risk.",
        "Adobe holds patents in areas such as PatchMatch-style fill.",
        "Much of the code is reported to be AI-agent written; no long-term maintenance record yet.",
        "As of 13 Oct 2026 no public Adobe action or GitHub takedown had been reported – this is not a green light.",
        "ArtCraft name and logos are trademarks outside the code licence."
      ],
      "sources": [
        "https://github.com/storytold/photocraft",
        "https://github.com/storytold/photocraft/blob/main/docs/target-app-parity.md",
        "https://www.declic.media/en/news/artcraft-adobe-clean-room/"
      ],
      "easyInstall": "Alpha only",
      "easyRank": 3,
      "installNote": "The developers offer installers for Mac, Windows and Linux on their official page, but the app is early alpha (unfinished). Not recommended for non-technical users yet.",
      "download": {
        "all": "https://getartcraft.com/apps/photocraft"
      },
      "installSource": "https://getartcraft.com/apps/photocraft"
    },
    {
      "slug": "gimp",
      "name": "GIMP",
      "replaces": [
        "photoshop"
      ],
      "type": "A",
      "licence": "GPL-3.0+",
      "stars": "6.5k (mirror)",
      "release": "Mature",
      "stage": "Mature, long-established",
      "vetting": "Green",
      "url": "https://www.gimp.org/",
      "platforms": "Windows 10 (1903)+, macOS 11+, Linux",
      "caveats": [
        "Different interface and shortcuts from Photoshop – expect retraining.",
        "PSD import is partial; complex files (smart objects, some adjustment layers) may not round-trip."
      ],
      "sources": [
        "https://www.gimp.org/"
      ],
      "easyInstall": "Yes",
      "easyRank": 1,
      "installNote": "Official installers for Windows (10 version 1903 or later), macOS (11 Big Sur or later) and Linux (AppImage, Flathub or Snap). GIMP says it has no official Mac App Store version, so avoid copies there.",
      "download": {
        "all": "https://www.gimp.org/downloads/"
      },
      "installSource": "https://www.gimp.org/downloads/"
    },
    {
      "slug": "krita",
      "name": "Krita",
      "replaces": [
        "photoshop"
      ],
      "type": "A",
      "licence": "GPL-3.0",
      "stars": "10.5k",
      "release": "Mature",
      "stage": "Mature; strongest for digital painting and illustration",
      "vetting": "Green",
      "url": "https://krita.org/",
      "platforms": "Windows 8.1+, macOS 10.15+, Linux (official download page)",
      "caveats": [
        "Built for painting rather than photo retouching."
      ],
      "sources": [
        "https://krita.org/"
      ],
      "easyInstall": "Yes",
      "easyRank": 1,
      "installNote": "Official installers for Windows (8.1 or later), macOS (10.15 or later) and Linux.",
      "download": {
        "all": "https://krita.org/en/download/"
      },
      "installSource": "https://krita.org/en/download/"
    },
    {
      "slug": "graphite",
      "name": "Graphite",
      "replaces": [
        "photoshop",
        "illustrator"
      ],
      "type": "A",
      "licence": "Apache-2.0",
      "stars": "27.6k",
      "release": "No GitHub releases listed; pre-1.0",
      "stage": "Pre-1.0, node-based editor",
      "vetting": "Green",
      "vettingNote": "Green on licence",
      "url": "https://graphite.art/",
      "platforms": "Web browser (desktop apps in testing)",
      "caveats": [
        "Early-stage; node-based workflow differs from layer-based Photoshop."
      ],
      "sources": [
        "https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite"
      ],
      "easyInstall": "Browser only",
      "easyRank": 2,
      "installNote": "Nothing to install: it runs in your web browser. Desktop apps are only at a test (release-candidate) stage, shared through the project’s Discord, so we don’t link them.",
      "web": "https://editor.graphite.art/",
      "installSource": "https://graphite.art/"
    },
    {
      "slug": "photopea",
      "name": "Photopea",
      "replaces": [
        "photoshop"
      ],
      "type": "A",
      "licence": "Proprietary (free, ad-supported; paid ad-free option)",
      "stars": null,
      "release": "Browser app",
      "stage": "Established",
      "vetting": null,
      "vettingNote": "Proprietary – not assessed under our open-source criteria",
      "url": "https://www.photopea.com/",
      "platforms": "Browser",
      "caveats": [
        "Not open source; runs in the browser.",
        "Free tier shows ads."
      ],
      "sources": [
        "https://www.photopea.com/"
      ],
      "easyInstall": "Browser only",
      "easyRank": 2,
      "installNote": "Runs in your web browser. Not vetted by us: it is proprietary, so it falls outside our open-source checks.",
      "web": "https://www.photopea.com/",
      "installSource": "https://www.photopea.com/"
    },
    {
      "slug": "affinity",
      "name": "Affinity (by Canva)",
      "replaces": [
        "photoshop",
        "illustrator",
        "indesign"
      ],
      "type": "A",
      "licence": "Proprietary (free download via Canva)",
      "stars": null,
      "release": "Commercial app",
      "stage": "Mature, professional",
      "vetting": null,
      "vettingNote": "Proprietary – not assessed under our open-source criteria",
      "url": "https://affinity.serif.com/",
      "platforms": "Windows, macOS",
      "caveats": [
        "Not open source; requires a Canva account.",
        "No affiliate programme – we earn nothing from this recommendation."
      ],
      "sources": [
        "https://affinity.serif.com/trial/"
      ]
    },
    {
      "slug": "vectorcraft",
      "name": "VectorCraft",
      "replaces": [
        "illustrator"
      ],
      "type": "R",
      "licence": "MIT OR Apache-2.0",
      "stars": "8.7k",
      "release": "v0.10.0 (12 Oct 2026)",
      "stage": "Early",
      "vetting": "Amber",
      "url": "https://github.com/storytold",
      "caveats": [
        "Same open questions as the wider ArtCraft family."
      ],
      "sources": [
        "https://github.com/storytold"
      ]
    },
    {
      "slug": "inkscape",
      "name": "Inkscape",
      "replaces": [
        "illustrator"
      ],
      "type": "A",
      "licence": "GPL",
      "stars": null,
      "release": "Mature",
      "stage": "Mature",
      "vetting": "Green",
      "url": "https://inkscape.org/",
      "caveats": [],
      "sources": [
        "https://inkscape.org/"
      ]
    },
    {
      "slug": "lightcraft",
      "name": "LightCraft",
      "replaces": [
        "lightroom"
      ],
      "type": "R",
      "licence": "MIT OR Apache-2.0",
      "stars": "12.3k",
      "release": "v0.7.1 (12 Oct 2026)",
      "stage": "Early",
      "vetting": "Amber",
      "url": "https://github.com/storytold",
      "caveats": [
        "Same open questions as the wider ArtCraft family."
      ],
      "sources": [
        "https://github.com/storytold"
      ]
    },
    {
      "slug": "darktable",
      "name": "darktable",
      "replaces": [
        "lightroom"
      ],
      "type": "A",
      "licence": "GPL-3.0",
      "stars": "13.3k",
      "release": "5.6.2 (4 Oct 2026)",
      "stage": "Mature",
      "vetting": "Green",
      "url": "https://www.darktable.org/",
      "caveats": [],
      "sources": [
        "https://github.com/darktable-org/darktable"
      ]
    },
    {
      "slug": "rawtherapee",
      "name": "RawTherapee",
      "replaces": [
        "lightroom"
      ],
      "type": "A",
      "licence": "GPL-3.0",
      "stars": "4.2k",
      "release": "5.13 (Jul 2026)",
      "stage": "Mature",
      "vetting": "Green",
      "url": "https://www.rawtherapee.com/",
      "caveats": [],
      "sources": [
        "https://www.rawtherapee.com/"
      ]
    },
    {
      "slug": "filmcraft",
      "name": "FilmCraft",
      "replaces": [
        "premiere-pro"
      ],
      "type": "R",
      "licence": "MIT OR Apache-2.0",
      "stars": "13.0k",
      "release": "v0.7.2 (12 Oct 2026)",
      "stage": "Early",
      "vetting": "Amber",
      "url": "https://github.com/storytold",
      "caveats": [
        "Same open questions as the wider ArtCraft family."
      ],
      "sources": [
        "https://github.com/storytold"
      ]
    },
    {
      "slug": "kdenlive",
      "name": "Kdenlive",
      "replaces": [
        "premiere-pro"
      ],
      "type": "A",
      "licence": "GPL-3.0",
      "stars": "5.9k",
      "release": "Mature",
      "stage": "Mature",
      "vetting": "Green",
      "url": "https://kdenlive.org/",
      "caveats": [],
      "sources": [
        "https://kdenlive.org/"
      ]
    },
    {
      "slug": "shotcut",
      "name": "Shotcut",
      "replaces": [
        "premiere-pro"
      ],
      "type": "A",
      "licence": "GPL-3.0",
      "stars": "15.4k",
      "release": "v26.9.27 (Sep 2026)",
      "stage": "Mature",
      "vetting": "Green",
      "url": "https://shotcut.org/",
      "caveats": [],
      "sources": [
        "https://github.com/mltframework/shotcut"
      ]
    },
    {
      "slug": "penpot",
      "name": "Penpot",
      "replaces": [
        "figma"
      ],
      "type": "A",
      "licence": "MPL-2.0",
      "stars": "61.0k",
      "release": "2.18.3 (6 Oct 2026)",
      "stage": "Production use",
      "vetting": "Green",
      "url": "https://penpot.app/",
      "caveats": [],
      "sources": [
        "https://github.com/penpot/penpot"
      ]
    },
    {
      "slug": "stirling-pdf",
      "name": "Stirling-PDF",
      "replaces": [
        "acrobat"
      ],
      "type": "A",
      "licence": "Open core: MIT outside proprietary/ directories",
      "stars": "94.2k",
      "release": "v3.1.0 (5 Oct 2026)",
      "stage": "Mature",
      "vetting": "Green",
      "vettingNote": "Green for MIT parts only",
      "url": "https://github.com/Stirling-Tools/Stirling-PDF",
      "caveats": [
        "Some features are in a paid tier."
      ],
      "sources": [
        "https://github.com/Stirling-Tools/Stirling-PDF/blob/main/LICENSE"
      ]
    },
    {
      "slug": "libreoffice",
      "name": "LibreOffice",
      "replaces": [
        "microsoft-365"
      ],
      "type": "A",
      "licence": "MPL-2.0",
      "stars": "4.5k (mirror)",
      "release": "Mature",
      "stage": "Mature",
      "vetting": "Green",
      "url": "https://www.libreoffice.org/",
      "caveats": [],
      "sources": [
        "https://www.libreoffice.org/"
      ]
    },
    {
      "slug": "documenso",
      "name": "Documenso",
      "replaces": [
        "docusign"
      ],
      "type": "A",
      "licence": "AGPL-3.0 (+ paid Enterprise Edition)",
      "stars": "15.4k",
      "release": "v2.20.0 (8 Oct 2026)",
      "stage": "Mature",
      "vetting": "Green",
      "url": "https://documenso.com/",
      "caveats": [],
      "sources": [
        "https://docs.documenso.com/docs/policies/enterprise-edition"
      ]
    },
    {
      "slug": "freecad",
      "name": "FreeCAD",
      "replaces": [
        "autocad"
      ],
      "type": "A",
      "licence": "LGPL-2.1",
      "stars": "34.3k",
      "release": "1.1.4 (Sep 2026)",
      "stage": "Mature",
      "vetting": "Green",
      "url": "https://www.freecad.org/",
      "caveats": [],
      "sources": [
        "https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD"
      ]
    },
    {
      "slug": "nextcloud",
      "name": "Nextcloud",
      "replaces": [
        "dropbox"
      ],
      "type": "A",
      "licence": "AGPL-3.0",
      "stars": "37.1k",
      "release": "v35.0.1 (Sep 2026)",
      "stage": "Mature",
      "vetting": "Green",
      "url": "https://nextcloud.com/",
      "caveats": [],
      "sources": [
        "https://github.com/nextcloud/server"
      ]
    },
    {
      "slug": "hoppscotch",
      "name": "Hoppscotch",
      "replaces": [
        "postman"
      ],
      "type": "A",
      "licence": "MIT",
      "stars": "80.6k",
      "release": "2026.9.0 (2026-09-30)",
      "stage": "Unreviewed – added from discovery tracker",
      "vetting": "Amber",
      "url": "https://hoppscotch.io",
      "platforms": "TBC",
      "caveats": [
        "Added from the discovery tracker; readiness not yet tested by SwitchFreely."
      ],
      "sources": [
        "https://github.com/hoppscotch/hoppscotch",
        "https://github.com/hoppscotch/hoppscotch"
      ],
      "addedFromTracker": "2026-10-14"
    },
    {
      "slug": "appflowy",
      "name": "AppFlowy",
      "replaces": [
        "notion"
      ],
      "type": "A",
      "licence": "AGPL-3.0",
      "stars": "77.3k",
      "release": "0.14.8 (2026-10-08)",
      "stage": "Unreviewed – added from discovery tracker",
      "vetting": "Amber",
      "url": "https://appflowy.com",
      "platforms": "TBC",
      "caveats": [
        "Added from the discovery tracker; readiness not yet tested by SwitchFreely."
      ],
      "sources": [
        "https://github.com/AppFlowy-IO/AppFlowy",
        "https://github.com/AppFlowy-IO/AppFlowy"
      ],
      "addedFromTracker": "2026-10-14"
    },
    {
      "slug": "docmost",
      "name": "Docmost",
      "replaces": [
        "notion",
        "confluence"
      ],
      "type": "A",
      "licence": "AGPL-3.0",
      "stars": "22.0k",
      "release": "v0.96.0 (2026-09-08)",
      "stage": "Unreviewed – added from discovery tracker",
      "vetting": "Amber",
      "url": "https://docmost.com",
      "platforms": "TBC",
      "caveats": [
        "Added from the discovery tracker; readiness not yet tested by SwitchFreely."
      ],
      "sources": [
        "https://github.com/docmost/docmost",
        "https://github.com/docmost/docmost"
      ],
      "addedFromTracker": "2026-10-14"
    },
    {
      "slug": "docuseal",
      "name": "DocuSeal",
      "replaces": [
        "docusign"
      ],
      "type": "A",
      "licence": "AGPL-3.0",
      "stars": "18.7k",
      "release": "3.3.2 (2026-10-12)",
      "stage": "Unreviewed – added from discovery tracker",
      "vetting": "Amber",
      "url": "https://www.docuseal.com",
      "platforms": "TBC",
      "caveats": [
        "Added from the discovery tracker; readiness not yet tested by SwitchFreely."
      ],
      "sources": [
        "https://github.com/docusealco/docuseal",
        "https://github.com/docusealco/docuseal"
      ],
      "addedFromTracker": "2026-10-14"
    },
    {
      "slug": "typesense",
      "name": "Typesense",
      "replaces": [
        "algolia"
      ],
      "type": "A",
      "licence": "GPL-3.0",
      "stars": "26.9k",
      "release": "v30.2 (2026-04-19)",
      "stage": "Unreviewed – added from discovery tracker",
      "vetting": "Amber",
      "url": "https://typesense.org",
      "platforms": "TBC",
      "caveats": [
        "Added from the discovery tracker; readiness not yet tested by SwitchFreely."
      ],
      "sources": [
        "https://github.com/typesense/typesense",
        "https://github.com/typesense/typesense"
      ],
      "addedFromTracker": "2026-10-14"
    },
    {
      "slug": "matomo",
      "name": "Matomo",
      "replaces": [
        "google-analytics"
      ],
      "type": "A",
      "licence": "GPL-3.0",
      "stars": "22.0k",
      "release": "6.0.0-b6.20261013180655 (2026-10-13)",
      "stage": "Unreviewed – added from discovery tracker",
      "vetting": "Amber",
      "url": "https://matomo.org/",
      "platforms": "TBC",
      "caveats": [
        "Added from the discovery tracker; readiness not yet tested by SwitchFreely."
      ],
      "sources": [
        "https://github.com/matomo-org/matomo",
        "https://github.com/matomo-org/matomo"
      ],
      "addedFromTracker": "2026-10-14"
    },
    {
      "slug": "open-seo",
      "name": "OpenSEO",
      "replaces": [
        "semrush"
      ],
      "type": "A",
      "licence": "MIT",
      "stars": "23.6k",
      "release": "v0.1.13 (2026-10-14)",
      "stage": "Unreviewed – added from discovery tracker",
      "vetting": "Amber",
      "url": "https://openseo.so",
      "platforms": "TBC",
      "caveats": [
        "Added from the discovery tracker; readiness not yet tested by SwitchFreely."
      ],
      "sources": [
        "https://github.com/every-app/open-seo",
        "https://github.com/every-app/open-seo"
      ],
      "addedFromTracker": "2026-10-14"
    },
    {
      "slug": "compositor",
      "name": "Compositor",
      "replaces": [
        "photoshop"
      ],
      "type": "A",
      "licence": "MIT",
      "stars": "16.9k",
      "release": "v1.5.2 (2026-10-13)",
      "stage": "Unreviewed – added from discovery tracker",
      "vetting": "Amber",
      "url": "https://github.com/robbietilton/Compositor",
      "platforms": "macOS only",
      "caveats": [
        "Added from the discovery tracker; readiness not yet tested by SwitchFreely.",
        "Review terms found: pixel-perfect (provenance / trade-dress questions)."
      ],
      "sources": [
        "https://github.com/robbietilton/Compositor",
        "https://github.com/robbietilton/Compositor"
      ],
      "addedFromTracker": "2026-10-14",
      "easyInstall": "Mac only, unreviewed",
      "easyRank": 3,
      "installNote": "Mac only. The download is a .dmg file on the developer’s GitHub release page; there is no separate official website. Not yet reviewed by us.",
      "download": {
        "mac": "https://github.com/robbietilton/Compositor/releases/latest"
      },
      "installSource": "https://github.com/robbietilton/Compositor/releases"
    },
    {
      "slug": "open-pencil",
      "name": "OpenPencil",
      "replaces": [
        "figma"
      ],
      "type": "A",
      "licence": "MIT",
      "stars": "8.9k",
      "release": "v0.16.0 (2026-10-14)",
      "stage": "Unreviewed – added from discovery tracker",
      "vetting": "Amber",
      "url": "https://openpencil.dev",
      "platforms": "TBC",
      "caveats": [
        "Added from the discovery tracker; readiness not yet tested by SwitchFreely."
      ],
      "sources": [
        "https://github.com/open-pencil/open-pencil",
        "https://github.com/open-pencil/open-pencil"
      ],
      "addedFromTracker": "2026-10-14"
    },
    {
      "slug": "figcraft",
      "name": "FigCraft",
      "replaces": [
        "figma"
      ],
      "type": "A",
      "licence": "Apache-2.0",
      "stars": "700",
      "release": "No GitHub releases",
      "stage": "Unreviewed – added from discovery tracker",
      "vetting": "Amber",
      "url": "https://getartcraft.com/apps/figcraft",
      "platforms": "TBC",
      "caveats": [
        "Added from the discovery tracker; readiness not yet tested by SwitchFreely.",
        "Review terms found: clean-room (provenance / trade-dress questions)."
      ],
      "sources": [
        "https://github.com/storytold/figcraft",
        "https://github.com/storytold/figcraft"
      ],
      "addedFromTracker": "2026-10-14"
    },
    {
      "slug": "wordcraft",
      "name": "WordCraft",
      "replaces": [
        "microsoft-365"
      ],
      "type": "A",
      "licence": "Apache-2.0",
      "stars": "12.0k",
      "release": "v0.7.0 (2026-10-14)",
      "stage": "Unreviewed – added from discovery tracker",
      "vetting": "Amber",
      "url": "https://getartcraft.com/apps/wordcraft",
      "platforms": "TBC",
      "caveats": [
        "Added from the discovery tracker; readiness not yet tested by SwitchFreely.",
        "Review terms found: clean-room, trademark (provenance / trade-dress questions)."
      ],
      "sources": [
        "https://github.com/storytold/wordcraft",
        "https://github.com/storytold/wordcraft"
      ],
      "addedFromTracker": "2026-10-14"
    }
  ],
  "targets": {
    "photoshop": {
      "name": "Adobe Photoshop",
      "vendor": "Adobe"
    },
    "illustrator": {
      "name": "Adobe Illustrator",
      "vendor": "Adobe"
    },
    "lightroom": {
      "name": "Adobe Lightroom",
      "vendor": "Adobe"
    },
    "premiere-pro": {
      "name": "Adobe Premiere Pro",
      "vendor": "Adobe"
    },
    "indesign": {
      "name": "Adobe InDesign",
      "vendor": "Adobe"
    },
    "acrobat": {
      "name": "Adobe Acrobat",
      "vendor": "Adobe"
    },
    "figma": {
      "name": "Figma",
      "vendor": "Figma"
    },
    "microsoft-365": {
      "name": "Microsoft 365",
      "vendor": "Microsoft"
    },
    "docusign": {
      "name": "DocuSign",
      "vendor": "DocuSign"
    },
    "autocad": {
      "name": "AutoCAD",
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    },
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      "name": "Dropbox",
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      "name": "Notion",
      "vendor": "Notion Labs"
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      "name": "Confluence",
      "vendor": "Atlassian"
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      "vendor": "Algolia"
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    "google-analytics": {
      "name": "Google Analytics",
      "vendor": "Google"
    },
    "semrush": {
      "name": "Semrush",
      "vendor": "Semrush"
    }
  },
  "licence": "CC BY 4.0 – attribute SwitchFreely"
}