Best LiveQuartz Alternatives in 2026
The top LiveQuartz alternatives are Affinity, Pixelmator Pro and GIMP: 15 photoshop alternatives for mac our editors would look at instead of LiveQuartz, in our ranking order.
LiveQuartz: An inexpensive Mac editor for reversible layer-based image work, with limited PSD compatibility. Where it falls short: photoshop documents open only as merged layers.
Switching from LiveQuartz? For most photoshop alternatives for mac buyers the best LiveQuartz alternative is Affinity, built for mac users wanting one app for graphics and photo work. On a budget, Clip Studio Paint starts at $0.99/mo.
Why People Look for a LiveQuartz Alternative
- Photoshop documents open only as merged layers
- Available for macOS, with no iPad version
- No free plan
- No free plan — 6 of the alternatives below have it
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallAffinity9.2
Mac users wanting one app for graphics and photo work
Visit Affinity - Lowest priceClip Studio Paint7.9
Paid plans from $0.99/mo
Visit Clip Studio Paint - Best free optionAffinity9.2
Has a free plan (LiveQuartz has none)
Visit Affinity
All 15 LiveQuartz Alternatives, Ranked
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. How we rank.
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Best forMac users wanting one app for graphics and photo work
- Better than LiveQuartz:
- Free plan
- Editor score 9.2 vs 7.0
A broad Photoshop alternative that also handles vector design and page layout.
9.2/10★★★★★Visit Affinity -
Best forMac users seeking polished photo editing and design
- Better than LiveQuartz:
- Editor score 8.8 vs 7.0
A Mac-focused Photoshop alternative with RAW layers, masking, and a one-time purchase option.
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit Pixelmator Pro -
Best forUsers who want a free, open-source editor
- Better than LiveQuartz:
- Free plan
- Editor score 8.5 vs 7.0
A capable free desktop editor for layered work, retouching and scripted batch processing.
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit GIMP -
Best forMac photographers who value AI editing and cloud sync
- Better than LiveQuartz:
- Editor score 7.9 vs 7.0
A layer-based Mac editor with AI tools, RAW processing and cross-device options.
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Luminar Neo -
Best forIllustrators and comic artists using Mac
- Better than LiveQuartz:
- Editor score 7.9 vs 7.0
A Mac-capable drawing suite built around illustration, comics, and animation.
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit site -
Best forDigital painters and animators on Mac
- Better than LiveQuartz:
- Free plan
- Editor score 7.9 vs 7.0
A free Mac painting and animation app with configurable brushes, layers and color tools.
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Krita -
Best forFree digital painting with tablet brush controls
- Better than LiveQuartz:
- Free plan
- Editor score 7.9 vs 7.0
A capable free painting tool for Mac, but not a general-purpose Photoshop replacement.
- Layer support
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit MyPaint -
Best forUsers organizing photo and video libraries
- Better than LiveQuartz:
- Editor score 7.9 vs 7.0
A Mac media catalog for finding and organizing photos and videos, not a Photoshop substitute.
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Adobe -
Best forUsers needing free layered PSD and PSB workflows
- Better than LiveQuartz:
- Free plan
- Editor score 7.9 vs 7.0
A free editor for layered PSD/PSB workflows, with RGB/RGBA editing limited to 8-bit.
- Plugin support
- RAW processing
- PSD compatibility
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Patchy -
Best forPhotographers focused on RAW and tethered shoots
- Better than LiveQuartz:
- Editor score 7.9 vs 7.0
A deep RAW workflow for photographers, but a narrower fit than a general Photoshop alternative.
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Capture One -
Best forPhotographers wanting an all-in-one RAW workflow
- Better than LiveQuartz:
- Editor score 7.8 vs 7.0
A desktop RAW workflow combining editing, masking, batch tools, and cataloging.
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit ON1 -
Best forRAW photographers seeking strong corrections and masking
- Better than LiveQuartz:
- Editor score 7.7 vs 7.0
A focused RAW editor for detailed corrections, masking, and batch work—not a full Photoshop stand-in.
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit DxO -
Best forPhotographers wanting nondestructive edits and film looks
- Better than LiveQuartz:
- Editor score 7.6 vs 7.0
A desktop RAW editor and organizer with editable effects, masking, and Adobe plug-ins.
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit Exposure -
Best forCasual editors seeking a free Mac photo toolkit
- Better than LiveQuartz:
- Free plan
- Editor score 7.5 vs 7.0
A practical free editor for casual Mac users who want more than basic adjustments.
7.5/10★★★★☆Visit PhotoScape X -
Best forMac users needing photo, vector, and page-layout tools
- Better than LiveQuartz:
- Editor score 7.4 vs 7.0
A Mac desktop editor that combines photo, vector, and page-layout tools in one app.
7.4/10★★★★☆Visit PhotoLine
LiveQuartz Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to LiveQuartz?
Affinity: #1 in our Photoshop Alternatives for Mac ranking, with an editor score of 9.2 out of 10. A broad Photoshop alternative that also handles vector design and page layout.
Is there a free alternative to LiveQuartz?
Yes. Affinity, GIMP, Krita, MyPaint and Patchy have a free plan or a free tier (6 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
Why do people look for LiveQuartz alternatives?
Photoshop documents open only as merged layers; Available for macOS, with no iPad version; No free plan.
How do I switch from LiveQuartz?
Export your data from LiveQuartz (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel LiveQuartz.
How to Switch from LiveQuartz
- Export your data from LiveQuartz (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel LiveQuartz.
LiveQuartz vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Layer support | RAW processing | PSD compatibility | Non-destructive editing | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | LiveQuartz | No | — | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.0 |
| 1 | Affinity | Yes | None | — | — | — | — | 9.2 |
| 2 | Pixelmator Pro | No | $29.99/yr | — | — | — | — | 8.8 |
| 3 | GIMP | Yes | None | — | — | — | — | 8.5 |
| 4 | Luminar Neo | No | $129 one-time | — | — | — | — | 7.9 |
| 5 | Clip Studio Paint | No | $0.99/mo | — | — | — | — | 7.9 |
| 6 | Krita | Yes | None | — | — | — | — | 7.9 |
| 7 | MyPaint | Yes | None | Yes | — | — | — | 7.9 |
| 8 | Adobe Elements Organizer | No | — | — | — | — | — | 7.9 |
| 9 | Patchy | Yes | None | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.9 |
| 10 | Capture One | No | — | — | — | — | — | 7.9 |
| 11 | ON1 Photo RAW | No | — | — | — | — | — | 7.8 |
| 12 | DxO PhotoLab | No | $159.99 one-time | — | — | — | — | 7.7 |
| 13 | Exposure | No | — | — | — | — | — | 7.6 |
| 14 | PhotoScape X | Yes | — | — | — | — | — | 7.5 |
| 15 | PhotoLine | No | — | — | — | — | — | 7.4 |
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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