If you cannot afford a Photoshop subscription, try these standalone free programs:

: For similar effects for free, consider using built-in Photoshop features like Neural Filters (Skin Smoothing) or free plugins from the Adobe Exchange .

How to Install Plugins in Adobe Photoshop: 2 Easy Ways - wikiHow

The plugin automates complex retouching tasks into one-click actions: Skin Retouching

: A suite of AI-driven plugins that handle specific tasks like skin tone, dodge and burn, and eye vessels automatically. Photoshop’s built-in AI tools to achieve professional skin retouching for free? AI responses may include mistakes. Learn more

: Full versions of the Pro suite have historically been priced around $60 (approx. ₹4,400). Current Variations : Newer iterations like Anurag i21 Anurag One Touch are currently available on platforms like and the official Anurag Academy Online Store with prices ranging from ₹999 to ₹5,499.

| Pros | Cons | |------|------| | – Access $500+ worth of tools for free. | Illegal – Using cracked software violates Adobe and plugin developers’ terms. | | Time Saver – Instant professional effects. | Malware Risk – 60% of “free plugin” bundles contain trojans or keyloggers. | | Great for Learning – Test plugins before buying legit copies. | No Updates – The free version never updates, so it may break with new Photoshop versions. | | Portfolio Booster – Improve your work instantly. | No Support – No documentation, tutorials, or help if a plugin crashes. |

He hung up and looked at his desk. He turned his computer back on. The desktop background loaded, but something was wrong. His folders were gone. His documents were renamed with strange extensions. A red text file on the desktop read: YOUR FILES ARE ENCRYPTED.