"It's like getting a Bentley and looking for cheap used mismatched tires." Gene you forgot to add "There is no free lunch."

Now screwing up any car with significantly unmatched tires is not wise, but traditionally women do get a free lunch when the check is handed to the man. Poof, analogies mess up thinking, so I ask you Gene, with a perfectly good mind why do you screwup your thinking and communications to others with analogies? Use facts and references that stick to the subject like flypaper.

Free programs from "open source" are often excellent. Many use the basic tools to trim and polish an excellent photo taken by a Bentley camera or a pocket camera with a one-inch sensor and computer designed zoom lens.

With the advent of Ai in photo processing and older plugins such as Topaz low cost and free edit programs work miraculous image changes. Gimp is of course an example of FREE ever-improving Open Source software that for most people and has abilities riveling PS which is like a Bentley built on an outmoded chassis.

Here PS wins, but only in some areas, and Gimp is declared great for most of the "car owners"
https://www.pcworld.com/article/3509458/gimp-vs-photoshop-we-compare-the-leading-free-and-subscription-image-editors.html

Another comparison and PS wins only by a squeak 97% vs 96% for Gimp
https://comparisons.financesonline.com/gimp-vs-adobe-photoshop-cc

Alternatives to Michelin Tires for your Bentley camera:
https://www.digitaltrends.com/photography/best-photoshop-alternatives/

Never forget that new tires that you can afford are better than driving on bald tires because you can not afford those Adobe PS tires that you will pay for monthly forever and even after your death because the dead can not cancel their subscription.