Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Acorn

Acorn is a photo editor built for the rest of us.

Acorn

Acorn Reviews and Details

This page is designed to help you find out whether Acorn is good and if it is the right choice for you.

Screenshots and images

  • Acorn Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-04-23

Features & Specs

  1. Intuitive Interface

    Acorn offers a user-friendly and intuitive interface that makes it accessible for both beginners and experienced users.

  2. Lightweight

    The software is lightweight, ensuring that it runs smoothly without consuming significant system resources.

  3. Affordable

    Acorn is priced reasonably compared to other professional-grade image editing software, making it a cost-effective choice.

  4. Non-destructive Editing

    Supports non-destructive editing, allowing users to make changes to their images without permanently altering the original files.

  5. Extensive Format Support

    Acorn supports a wide range of image formats, making it versatile for different kinds of projects.

  6. Vector Tools

    Includes vector drawing tools, allowing users to create and edit vector graphics within the same application.

  7. Scripting

    Supports AppleScript and JavaScript automation, enabling users to automate repetitive tasks and workflows.

Badges & Trophies

Promote Acorn. You can add any of these badges on your website.

SaaSHub badge
Show embed code
SaaSHub badge
Show embed code

Videos

What you MUST know about Acorns Investing

Acorns App After 9 Months| Acorns Investing App Review 2019

My Acorn Investment Aggressive Portfolio App After 1 Year

Social recommendations and mentions

We have tracked the following product recommendations or mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you see what people think about Acorn and what they use it for.
  • Apple Acquires Pixelmator
    This is in no way a criticism of this news, but if Pixelmator isn't for you, check out Acorn: https://flyingmeat.com/acorn/ It fits my concept of an image editor better, coming from stuff like Photoshop 4.x-6.x and The Gimp. - Source: Hacker News / almost 2 years ago
  • Cancel Adobe if you are a creative under NDA with your clients
    Everyone always forgets about Acorn. :( https://flyingmeat.com/acorn/. - Source: Hacker News / about 2 years ago
  • Plz Help Me Find A Simple Extension for Photos.
    See if Acorn fits your requirements https://flyingmeat.com/acorn/. Source: over 3 years ago
  • App to strip EXIF data from photos?
    If you are on the Mac, check Acorn https://flyingmeat.com/acorn/. Source: over 3 years ago
  • I need a MS Paint alternative for combining images
    If you want something with more of a retro feel, I actually like Acorn. It actually reminds me of early versions of Photoshop before Adobe started bloating it into what it is today. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Using: Has() as a CSS Parent Selector and much more
    MozJPEG is truly magical. My image editor of choice Acorn added it and I've been using it heavily ever since when I want to share a screenshot of reasonable fidelity but would rather it not be 3.8MB. https://flyingmeat.com/acorn/ I would like to see a decent true successor to JPEG which does stuff like alpha channels, but the annoying extend-embrace-extinguish approach Google used with WebP has turned me off of... - Source: Hacker News / almost 4 years ago
  • Solo domain game hex map step 1
    If I didn't have the art assets that Thorfinn Tait released I would probably use HexKit or Tiled to create the map art and then bring that into Designer or Acorn and add the other necessary components. Source: about 4 years ago
  • Tools for Graphic Design
    I'm a Mac guy. For really simple things, I use Preview. For more complicated things, I prefer Acorn from Flying Meat. It's a poor-man's Photoshop. These days, work provides me with Adobe Creative Suite, so I sometimes use Photoshop. Source: about 4 years ago
  • Open source tools?
    I share your general hatred of Adobe products. I only use them on someone else's dime. And I prefer proprietary tools from smaller companies and open source tools when possible. For example, just yesterday, I needed to do a quick edit of an image, my go-to for that is Acorn from Flying Meat. I've been using it as a poor-man's Photoshop with a web-centric focus since Version 1 or 2. But, yesterday, I needed it on a... Source: over 4 years ago
  • Mac Apps That You Have Been Using For Long Time
    Acorn- a lightweight and clean alternative to photoshop. Https://flyingmeat.com/acorn/. Source: over 4 years ago
  • How to Draw Sub Cutaways in MS Paint
    My favourite application for simple graphics editing is Acorn. I feel like itโ€™s the spiritual successor to PSP. Itโ€™s really really nice. https://flyingmeat.com/acorn/ (PSP itself is still around, but it has turned to sh*t unfortunately.). - Source: Hacker News / over 4 years ago
  • WebP has been Proposed to Become Default in WordPress 6.0. Whats your opinion on this?
    Sorry. Should have linked the app. https://flyingmeat.com/acorn/. Source: over 4 years ago
  • Mac Power Users 630: Preview Deep Dive
    Mac OS X 10.7 Lion: the Ars Technica review | Ars TechnicaRevert changes to PDFs and images in Preview on Mac - Apple SupportTitlebar Renaming (Screenshot)General Preference Pane (Screenshot)Pixelmator ProAcorn 7PDFpenPDF ViewerLiquidTextiOS 8 Screenshot Reveals New Healthbook, Preview and TextEdit Icons - MacRumors. Source: over 4 years ago
  • Photoshop Alternative for Mac?
    Gimp is free. Pixelmator and Acorn are good alternatives. Source: over 4 years ago
  • Photoshop?
    I use it on occasion. I prefer Acorn. For really simple things (crops, file conversions), I often use Preview. Source: over 4 years ago
  • Adobe tricks users into a 12 month contract
    Convenience link: https://flyingmeat.com/acorn/ I also loved this but from their FAQ:
      Does Acorn use a subscription?
    - Source: Hacker News / over 4 years ago
  • Does anyone else get frustrated by the little things after switching from Windows?
    If you want to get more out of your screenshots get Acorn (https://flyingmeat.com/acorn/) it can take screenshots where every screen element is on a separate layer with alpha channels. Acorn is also a fast, great image editor btw. Source: almost 5 years ago
  • Photo editing software
    +1 The Photos app specifically supports all the mentioned tasks: denoising* (removing grain), filters, red eye removal. It pretty much supports all the things needed for photo enhancement. White balance, (de)vignetting, exposure/contrast/highlight/shadow manipulation, spot removal, selective color correction etc. Everything is non-destructive. What it does not support are compositing features. There are no... Source: almost 5 years ago
  • App similar to the Windows paint app?
    There's Pinta (free), MyPaint (free), and Acorn ($40, right now 50% off). Source: about 5 years ago
  • What's a good inexpensive alternative to Photoshop for making occasional web graphics with fonts?
    After seeing "Acorn" in the App Store, I visited their website and there do provide a 14-day trial. Downloaded it and at first glance it looks like a very nice lightweight Photoshop substitute ... https://flyingmeat.com/acorn/. Source: over 5 years ago

Summary of the public mentions of Acorn

Acorn, a Mac-exclusive image editing and graphic design software, has maintained a consistent reputation for being a reliable and affordable alternative to Adobe Photoshop since its introduction in 2007. It falls under various product categories including image editing, graphic design, and digital drawing and painting. Over the years, public opinion has evolved, yet it frequently circles back to several core observations.

Firstly, Acorn is praised for its affordability and accessibility, making it a favored choice among hobbyists and artists on a budget. With a perpetual license currently priced at $39.99 and regular sales offering the software at even lower prices, it presents itself as a cost-effective Photoshop alternative. This has been particularly highlighted by users who prefer avoiding Adobe's subscription model or dependency on costly software.

Despite its budget-friendly pricing, Acorn does not significantly compromise on features. Users appreciate its comprehensive toolset which includes layer styles, non-destructive filters, curves and levels, blending modes, and more. These features equip the software with enough capabilities to cater to basic and moderate image editing needs, reinforcing its reputation as a "poor-man's Photoshop."

However, Acorn is subject to criticism regarding its user interface, which some users feel appears somewhat outdated, reminiscent of older Mac interfaces from the OSX Tiger era. Nevertheless, despite this critique, users commend its efficiency in managing CPU usage. Acorn is noted for providing a seamless and responsive user experience with minimal cursor lag and rendering delays, positioning it favorably against more resource-intensive competitors.

Its exclusivity to the Mac operating system is both an asset and a limitation. While Mac users can leverage its full potential, Windows users find themselves excluded unless they are prepared to invest in Apple hardware. This limitation is often mentioned alongside competitor products such as Pixlr, Affinity Photo, and GIMP, which offer cross-platform availability and thereby address a wider audience.

In reviews and forums, Acorn is commonly compared to Pixelmator, another renowned Mac-exclusive app. The software choice often comes down to personal preference over specific features or UI design, with some users preferring Acorn for its simplicity and others favoring Pixelmator for additional functionalities. Nonetheless, for users seeking a simple, retro-feeling application resembling early Photoshop versions, Acorn is frequently recommended.

Overall, Acorn holds its ground in a competitive market by consistently delivering value for Mac users seeking a robust yet economical photo editing and graphic design tool. Its enduring presence and ongoing updates further affirm its viability as a handy alternative to more costly and complex software.

Do you know an article comparing Acorn to other products?
Suggest a link to a post with product alternatives.

Suggest an article

Acorn discussion

Log in or Post with

Is Acorn good? This is an informative page that will help you find out. Moreover, you can review and discuss Acorn here. The primary details have not been verified within the last quarter, and they might be outdated. If you think we are missing something, please use the means on this page to comment or suggest changes. All reviews and comments are highly encouranged and appreciated as they help everyone in the community to make an informed choice. Please always be kind and objective when evaluating a product and sharing your opinion.