PhotoCraft: Open-Source Photoshop Alternative
Pure-Rust open-source photo editor in the ArtCraft suite (early alpha).
TL;DR. PhotoCraft is Pure-Rust open-source photo editor in the ArtCraft suite (early alpha). License: Apache-2.0 (verified). Platforms: macOS, Windows, Linux, FreeBSD, Web. Price: free. Runs locally: yes. It is an alternative to Photoshop.
| Name | PhotoCraft |
|---|---|
| Language | Rust |
| Suite | ArtCraft |
| License | Apache-2.0 |
| Pricing | free |
| Platforms | macOS, Windows, Linux, FreeBSD, Web |
| Runs locally | Yes |
| Stats | 51,828 stars · 8,537 forks (as of 2026-10-13) |
| First seen | 2026-09-30 |
| Repository | https://github.com/storytold/photocraft |
PhotoCraft is an open-source photo editor written from scratch in pure Rust. It is listed as an alternative to Photoshop on this site because that is the editorial mapping in the seed set, not because we measured feature parity.
Key facts (2026-10-13)
| Field | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Stars | 51,828 | GitHub storytold/photocraft |
| Forks | 8,537 | same |
| Created | 2026-09-30 | same |
| License | Apache-2.0 | same |
| Language | Rust | README |
| Maturity | early alpha | README |
| Suite | ArtCraft (20,710★, Apache-2.0, created 2022-03-31) | storytold/artcraft |
Features
The public description is “open-source photo editor written from scratch in pure Rust” with desktop and Web targets. We have not independently enumerated tools (layers, raw, generative fill, etc.). Any feature matrix you see elsewhere is outside this page until we test it.
Gaps versus Photoshop
We do not have a sourced, tested gap list. Given the early-alpha label, assume missing workflows and breaking changes. If you need a long-standing free editor today, see GIMP or the comparison.
Install
Short version: use the official repository. A longer outline is in How to install PhotoCraft, marked as based on official docs, not yet tested.
Related
- Photoshop alternatives
- PhotoCraft vs GIMP
- ArtCraft parent suite: https://github.com/storytold/artcraft
How to install / run
- How to Install PhotoCraft (Desktop) — Step-by-Step (based on official docs, not yet tested)
Comparisons
FAQ
Is PhotoCraft free?
The GitHub repository lists Apache-2.0 (verified 2026-10-13). That is a permissive open-source license. This is not legal advice; read the LICENSE file in the repo.
How mature is it?
The project README describes PhotoCraft as early alpha. Treat it as experimental.
Is it part of ArtCraft?
Yes. PhotoCraft is documented as part of ArtCraft (storytold/artcraft), which had 20,710 stars, Apache-2.0, created 2022-03-31, in the same 2026-10-13 check.
Which platforms are listed?
macOS, Windows, Linux, FreeBSD, and Web, according to the repository README.
Sources & verification
License notes are not legal advice. Read the original LICENSE. Trademark & disclaimer.