15 Best Photo Editing Software

A great photo often needs a little polishing before it’s ready to share or print. Maybe the lighting’s off, a small detail needs fixing, or you just want the colors to pop on Instagram. With more people editing photos, especially content creators on platforms like Instagram, which saw a 7% rise in creators in 2024, having the right editing tool makes a big difference. The global photo editing software market, now valued at $2.37 billion, is projected to hit $3.29 billion by 2032, growing steadily at 4.8% CAGR.

But what is fueling this expansion? A combination of increased social media usage, smarter AI-powered tools, and more individuals, both pros and casual users, editing on phones and cloud-based platforms.  Whether you need deep control or just a few quick adjustments, this blog explores the best photo editing software for all kinds of users and styles.

Factors to Keep in Mind While Selecting Photo Editing Tools

1. Ease of Use: Seek something which is easy to navigate, user-friendly, and easy to use.
2. Editing functions: Prefer simple tools, filters, layering, RAW editing, or AI to perform the functions properly according to your needs.
3. Compatibility: It must run smoothly on any phone, tablet, or any computer without burning down.
4. Pricing: Make sure whether it is free, monthly subscription, or a single payment, and how many features it comprises.
5. Performance: It must be able to cope with big files without slowing down or crashing.
6. Cloud and Sync: Useful if you switch devices or want automatic backups.
7. Support and Updates: Regular updates and helpful support make the tool more reliable and easier to use.

List of Top Photo Editing Software

1. Adobe Photoshop

• Website: https://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop.html
• Best For: Professional photographers and designers
• Platforms Supported: Windows, macOS

Adobe Photoshop has remained the go-to software for photo editing, graphic design, and digital art for over three decades. It offers unmatched versatility, allowing users to perform detailed photo manipulation, retouching, compositing, and illustration.

Its advanced features like layer masks, smart objects, and blend modes give professionals full control over their creative process. Photoshop is widely used across industries, including photography, publishing, marketing, and fashion, making it a must-have tool for serious creators.

Key Features:

• Advanced layer and mask support
• Content-aware fill and object removal
• AI-powered neural filters
• Integration with Adobe Creative Cloud

Pricing:

• Photoshop Plan: $22.99/month
• Photography Plan (with Lightroom): $19.99/month

2. Adobe Lightroom

• Website: https://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop-lightroom.html
• Best For: Photo enhancement and color correction
• Platforms Supported: Windows, macOS, Android, iOS

Adobe Lightroom is a photography-focused software designed to streamline photo editing and organization. It provides powerful tools for adjusting lighting, color balance, sharpness, and tone with non-destructive editing, allowing users to preserve their original files.

Lightroom’s library and tagging system make it easy to organize thousands of photos, and its batch processing capabilities are perfect for editing entire albums. It’s ideal for photographers who prioritize image quality and workflow efficiency.

Key Features:

• Presets and batch editing
• RAW image support
• Cloud storage and sync
• Mobile and web app support

Pricing:

• Lightroom Plan: $9.99/month
• Photography Plan (with Photoshop): $19.99/month

3. Canva

• Website: https://www.canva.com
• Best For: Social media creators and small businesses
• Platforms Supported: Web, Android, iOS

Canva is an intuitive design platform that simplifies photo editing for everyone, from students to entrepreneurs. While it’s primarily known for graphic design, Canva includes easy-to-use photo editing tools such as filters, cropping, brightness adjustments, and background removal.

It excels at creating visual content like social media graphics, presentations, posters, and more. With thousands of templates and drag-and-drop functionality, Canva makes it easy for anyone to create polished visuals without prior design experience.

Key Features:

• One-click filters and effects
• Background remover (Pro)
• Thousands of templates
• Collaborative features

Pricing:

• Free version available
• Pro Plan: $15/month

Also Read: YouTube Alternatives

4. Skylum Luminar Neo

• Website: https://skylum.com/luminar
• Best For: Professional photographers and hobbyists
• Platforms Supported: Windows, macOS

Luminar Neo is a cutting-edge photo editor that integrates artificial intelligence to simplify complex editing tasks. It’s known for its unique AI tools like sky replacement, face enhancement, and light relighting, which allow users to create professional-level edits in seconds.

With both beginner-friendly templates and advanced editing capabilities, Luminar Neo bridges the gap between simplicity and depth. It’s especially favored by landscape and portrait photographers who want stunning results with minimal manual effort.

Key Features:

• AI sky and skin enhancement
• Layer-based editing
• Presets and templates
• Non-destructive workflow

Pricing:

• Subscription: $9.95/month
• Lifetime License: $159 (one-time)

5. Affinity Photo

• Website: https://affinity.serif.com/en-us/photo/
• Best For: Designers and photographers on a budget
• Platforms Supported: Windows, macOS, iPadOS

Affinity Photo is a professional-grade photo editing application that provides nearly all the tools you’d expect from Photoshop but without the subscription fees. It includes a robust set of features such as advanced retouching, RAW editing, and 360-degree image editing.

Its lightning-fast performance and one-time purchase model make it a favorite among freelancers, hobbyists, and professionals who want high-quality results on a budget. The software also supports PSD files, making it a seamless transition for Adobe users.

Key Features:

• Advanced selection tools
• RAW development
• HDR merge and panorama stitching
• PSD compatibility

Pricing:

• One-time purchase: $69.99

6. GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program)

• Website: https://www.gimp.org
• Best For: Advanced users and budget-conscious creatives
• Platforms Supported: Windows, macOS, Linux

GIMP is a powerful, open-source alternative to Photoshop, offering a comprehensive suite of editing tools for free. It supports layers, masks, filters, and plugins, giving users a high level of control over their edits.

While it may require a steeper learning curve than beginner tools, it rewards users with flexibility and customization. GIMP is frequently used by artists, illustrators, and editors who prefer open-source platforms and community-driven development.

Key Features:

• Advanced editing with plugins
• Layer and path support
• Custom brushes and patterns
• Support for many file formats

Pricing:

• Free

7. Pixlr

• Website: https://pixlr.com
• Best For: Casual users and social media managers
• Platforms Supported: Web, Android, iOS

Pixlr is a lightweight, browser-based photo editor designed for quick and easy image enhancement. It features both a basic version (Pixlr X) for fast edits and a more advanced version (Pixlr E) for layer-based editing.

Its AI-powered tools, like background removal and automatic enhancement, make it ideal for social media creators and small businesses looking for speed and simplicity. It doesn’t require any installation, making it accessible on almost any device.

Key Features:

• AI background remover
• One-click effects
• Templates and overlays
• No downloads required

Pricing:

• Free version available
• Premium: $9.99/month

8. Fotor

• Website: https://www.fotor.com
• Best For: Beginners and bloggers
• Platforms Supported: Web, Windows, macOS, Android, iOS

Fotor is a beginner-friendly online photo editor that offers powerful one-click editing tools for color correction, skin smoothing, and image enhancement. Its interface is clean and simple, making it ideal for users who want professional-looking results without diving into complex features.

Fotor also includes design and collage tools, positioning it as a versatile solution for bloggers, students, and casual editors who need fast results with minimal learning.

Key Features:

• AI photo enhancer
• Collage maker
• Basic retouching tools
• Batch processing

Pricing:

• Free version available
• Pro Plan: $8.99/month

9. Snapseed

• Website: https://snapseed.online
• Best For: Mobile photography lovers
• Platforms Supported: Android, iOS

Snapseed is a free, high-quality photo editing app created by Google for mobile devices. It offers a wide variety of professional tools, including selective adjustments, healing, lens blur, and RAW development.

With its intuitive swipe-based interface and deep editing control, Snapseed appeals to both casual users and mobile photography enthusiasts. It’s considered one of the most complete editing apps available on Android and iOS.

Key Features:

• 29 editing tools
• RAW and JPEG support
• Selective adjustment
• Healing and perspective tools

Pricing:

• Free

10. Photopea

• Website: https://www.photopea.com
• Best For: Designers without access to Photoshop
• Platforms Supported: Web

Photopea is an online photo editor that closely resembles Photoshop in both layout and functionality. It supports PSD, XCF, and Sketch files, offering full support for layers, smart objects, and advanced editing tools.

As a web-based application, it’s perfect for quick, professional edits when you don’t have access to installed software. Its fast performance and compatibility with Adobe file formats make it a favorite among designers and students.

Key Features:

• PSD and Sketch support
• Layer and mask editing
• Adjustment layers
• Web-based interface

Pricing:

• Free version with ads
• Premium: $5/month

11. Picsart

• Website: https://www.picsart.com
• Best For: Influencers and social media creatives
• Platforms Supported: Android, iOS, Web

Picsart is an all-in-one creative platform that blends photo editing, video editing tools, and design tools into one user-friendly interface. It features AI filters, trendy stickers, effects, and collage capabilities, making it a hit among social media users.

Whether you’re creating Instagram stories or YouTube thumbnails, Picsart’s playful and fast-paced environment helps users produce eye-catching content in minutes.

Key Features:

• AI filters and effects
• Template-driven editing
• Collage and sticker maker
• Drawing tools

Pricing:

• Free version available
• Gold Plan: $13/month

12. Darktable

• Website: https://www.darktable.org
• Best For: Serious photographers and open-source fans
• Platforms Supported: Windows, macOS, Linux

Darktable is a professional-grade, open-source photo workflow software focused on non-destructive RAW photo editing. It is particularly useful for photographers who shoot in RAW and want a Lightroom alternative that’s completely free.

The software offers detailed control over color management, exposure, noise reduction, and sharpening. Its modular design lets users personalize their workspace and editing workflow.

Key Features:

• RAW file processing
• Powerful color tools
• Tethered shooting
• Modular interface

Pricing:

• Free

13. BeFunky

• Website: https://www.befunky.com
• Best For: Beginners and students
• Platforms Supported: Web, Android, iOS

BeFunky is a versatile online editor designed for fun, fast, and creative editing. It provides users with a broad range of tools including AI enhancements, digital art effects, and collage layouts.

Its clean interface makes it easy for anyone to apply professional-looking edits, even without prior experience. BeFunky is especially popular among students, casual users, and bloggers for its simplicity and effectiveness.

Key Features:

• AI photo enhancer
• Collage and design tools
• One-click edits
• Creative templates

Pricing:

• Free version available
• Plus Plan: $14.99/month

14. InPixio Photo Studio

• Website: https://www.inpixio.com
• Best For: Hobbyists and home users
• Platforms Supported: Windows, macOS

InPixio Photo Studio is designed to make photo editing accessible and enjoyable for everyday users. It provides easy-to-use tools like background removal, object erasing, and automatic enhancement.

Users can quickly improve vacation photos, remove unwanted elements, or create photo montages. InPixio focuses on usability and convenience, making it an excellent choice for beginners.

Key Features:

• Background and object removal
• One-click enhancement
• Photo restoration tools
• Filter presets

Pricing:

• Photo Studio Pro: $39.99/year

15. Paint.NET

• Website: https://www.getpaint.net
• Best For: Windows users who need more than basic editing
• Platforms Supported: Windows

Paint.NET is a lightweight yet capable photo editing software for Windows that fills the gap between basic tools like MS Paint and advanced editors like Photoshop.

It features layer support, unlimited undo, special effects, and a robust plugin ecosystem. It’s popular among users who want quick edits without the complexity of professional software.

Key Features:

• Layer-based editing
• Plugin support
• Built-in effects
• Fast performance

Pricing:

• Free

How to Choose the Right Photo Editor

• Skill Level: Canva, Snapseed, and Fotor are the options to consider as a beginner. Photoshop or Luminar can be the choice of professionals.
• Purpose: Creators of social media require quick and fashionable programs such as Picsart or Pixlr. Photographers require RAW, such as Lightroom or Darktable.
• Budget: In case of cost concerns, excellent cost-free solutions are GIMP, Photopea, and Darktable.
• Platform: Ensure that your tool is compatible with your device and OS.
• Cloud vs. Local: Cloud tools are great for collaboration. Local apps offer better performance.

Conclusion

We all capture a photo to have one moment, but editing makes that moment pop just like we recollect it. Having good photography skills and being a tech-savvy person is not required to make your photos pretty. It is all about getting a tool that fits in and does the job without frustrating.

No matter whether you need a photo editor to do work, as a hobby, or merely to show off to your friends, community, and Instagram followers, there is an app to suit your needs. Just try some, go on trusting your eye, and enjoy editing as much as the photo.

FAQs

1. Which photo editing software is best for beginners?

Canva, Fotor, and Snapseed are great for beginners due to their simplicity.

2. What’s the best free photo editor?

GIMP, Snapseed, Photopea, and Darktable offer powerful features without cost.

3. Can I edit RAW photos for free?

Yes, tools like Darktable, Snapseed, and GIMP support RAW editing.

4. What is a good Photoshop alternative?

Affinity Photo, GIMP, and Photopea are solid alternatives.

5. Is there a good online photo editor?

Yes, Pixlr, Photopea, and BeFunky work great in browsers with no download needed.