Are you looking for the best photo editing software?
Congratulations! You are in the right place. Whether you’re a professional photographer, an enthusiastic beginner, or someone looking to enhance their social media presence, this guide comprehensively reviews 10 top photo editing software options to help you make an informed choice.
Adobe Photoshop is the industry-leading photo editing software designed for photographers, graphic designers, and digital artists. Its comprehensive features allow for advanced image manipulation, creative design, and professional-level retouching.
Key Features
Photoshop stands as the industry standard, boasting unrivaled layering, masking, and retouching tools. Its layer based editing system is powerful enough to handle the most intricate creative projects. For example, in commercial advertising photography, its advanced selection and compositing features can seamlessly blend different elements, creating captivating visuals. The latest version leverages Adobe Sensei, an AI engine, to introduce features like Sky Replacement and refined edge selections, streamlining complex workflows.
Pricing
There are several Creative Cloud plans that include Photoshop. You can purchase it as a standalone app for US$22.99/mo. for the annual paid monthly plan or opt for annual billing at US$263.88/yr.

Adobe Lightroom is a powerful photo editing and management software designed specifically for photographers. It offers non-destructive editing, making it easy to enhance images while preserving the original files. Lightroom excels in organizing, editing, and sharing photos seamlessly across devices.
Key Features
Lightroom is an all-in-one online solution for image cataloging, RAW processing, and editing. It offers customizable sliders, gradient and brush adjustments, and a vast library of presets. With presets, you can achieve various looks, such as a vintage or high-contrast style, with a single click. The software also supports face detection, facilitating efficient photo organization.
Pricing
You can purchase Lightroom with an annual plan starting at US$9.99/mo for the annual paid monthly plan or US$119.88/yr

Capture One Pro is a professional-grade photo editing and RAW image processing software, trusted by photographers for its superior color grading, tethered shooting, and advanced editing capabilities. It’s ideal for studio work and large-scale photography projects.
Key Features
Developed by Phase One, Capture One Pro specializes in RAW image editing. Its layer-based local adjustment system allows for easy visualization and modification of changes. The software offers sharp and noise-free RAW conversions, and its advanced color editing and annotation features enhance the editing experience.
Pricing
No, Capture One Pro is not free, but it does offer a free 30-day trial. You can also get a free perpetual license if you subscribe for five years.

Corel PaintShop Pro is a versatile photo editing software designed for photographers and hobbyists seeking advanced editing tools at an affordable price. With AI-powered features, graphic design tools, and intuitive workflows, it’s a great alternative to Adobe Photoshop.
Key Features
PaintShop Pro offers a range of features, from AI-enhanced presets to graphic design templates. It includes tools for blur, fix, and a variety of brushes, color palettes, textures, and backgrounds. The software is continuously updated with new features, including powerful AI-powered tools.
Pricing
Corel PaintShop Pro is not free, but it does offer a free 30-day trial.

Affinity Photo is a professional photo editing software that offers powerful tools for image manipulation, retouching, and compositing at a one-time affordable cost. It’s a strong competitor to Adobe Photoshop, favored by photographers, designers, and digital artists.
Key Features
Affinity Photo competes with Photoshop in terms of features, offering cloning, healing, retouching tools, and an inpainting tool for object removal. It supports layers, masks, smart objects, and color management, along with decent RAW file conversion. The software’s HDR tone mapping and workspace tools are particularly impressive.
Pricing
All downloads are free and will offer a 7-day trial on start-up, as well as the option to purchase a perpetual licence.

Paint.NET is a free, lightweight photo editing software ideal for beginners and casual users. Despite its simplicity, it offers robust tools for image editing and supports plugins to extend its functionality. It’s perfect for quick edits and creative projects.
Key Features
Paint.NET provides a simple and intuitive interface with features like layers, filters, and plugin support. It offers basic editing tools, making it suitable for quick touch-ups and social media image preparation.
Pricing
Free download and install on Windows

Darktable is a free, open-source photography workflow application designed for non-destructive editing of RAW and JPEG files. Popular among professional and amateur photographers, it offers a robust set of tools for managing, editing, and enhancing photos.
Key Features
Darktable is primarily a RAW photo editor that also offers photo organization features. It includes tools for lens and perspective correction, selective color correction, and tethered shooting. The software supports non-destructive editing, allowing for easy reverting to the original image.
Pricing
completely free

Pixlr is a versatile, web-based photo editing tool that offers both simplicity and advanced editing features. It’s an excellent choice for beginners, casual users, and professionals who prefer editing photos without downloading software. With Pixlr X (beginner-friendly) and Pixlr E (advanced editing), it caters to diverse needs.
Key Features
Pixlr offers a wide range of photo editing tools, including layers, red eye removal, and a variety of filters. It has both a basic editor and a retro vintage editor, providing different options for image customization.
Pricing
Pixlr is a strong competitor to many desktop photo editing tools. Not only is it free, but it’s also web-based and offers advanced photo editing features that can rival even the most popular desktop apps.

Photopea is a free, browser-based photo editing software that mirrors the functionality of Adobe Photoshop. It’s perfect for users seeking advanced editing tools without requiring downloads or subscriptions. With support for PSD files and various formats, it’s a versatile option for both beginners and professionals.
Key Features
Photopea closely resembles Photoshop in functionality, supporting layers, masks, smart objects, and a wide range of editing tools. It supports numerous file formats, making it convenient for working with different types of images.
Pricing
Photopea has a free plan with limited features and a Premium plan for $5 per month.

Fotor is an easy-to-use online photo editing tool that offers a wide range of features for enhancing and retouching images. It’s perfect for users who want to quickly edit photos with minimal effort while still accessing advanced features like HDR effects and AI-driven tools.
Key Features
Fotor offers a simple drag-and-drop interface with features like color balance adjustment, cropping, and a variety of filters and effects. It also supports RAW photo conversion and provides design templates for creating collages and graphics.
Pricing
Fotor pricing: Free; premium plans are $8.99/month for additional features and AI credits, or $19.99/month for Brand Kits and more AI credits.

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