Best Photo Editing software
Retouch, edit and organize photos.
15 apps
Top Photo Editing apps ranked by the community
Remini, owned by Bending Spoons, is a mobile and web app that uses AI to enhance photos and videos: it sharpens blurry or low-resolution images, restores old pictures and improves faces. It can also generate AI portraits of you in different styles from a few selfies, including professional headshots. The app can be used for free with limits, and a subscription unlocks more processing and features.
8 Remini alternativesPros
- Sharpens blurry or low-resolution photos in a tap
- Restores old pictures and enhances faces
- Available on iOS, Android and the web
Cons
- Free version is limited, with frequent prompts to subscribe
- Face enhancement can look artificial or alter features
Cost / LicenseFreemiumProprietaryCategoriesAffinity is a professional creative app from Canva that merges the former Affinity Designer, Photo and Publisher into one program with vector, pixel and layout workspaces. It is free to download for Windows and macOS, while its optional Canva AI tools require a paid Canva plan. It suits designers who want an alternative to Adobe subscriptions and can import PSD, PDF and IDML files.
12 Affinity alternativesPros
- Free download combining vector, pixel and layout workspaces in one app
- Imports PSD, PDF and IDML files from Adobe workflows
- Professional tools without a mandatory subscription
Cons
- Canva AI tools require a paid Canva plan
- Smaller plugin and training ecosystem than Adobe’s
- Imported Adobe files can need manual adjustments
Cost / LicenseFreemiumProprietaryCategoriesAdobe Photoshop is a professional image editor used for retouching, compositing, graphic design and digital painting. It combines layers, masks, adjustment layers, Camera Raw processing and a large plugin ecosystem with Firefly-powered tools such as Generative Fill and object removal. It runs on Windows and macOS, with web, iPad and iPhone versions that sync through Creative Cloud.
12 Adobe Photoshop alternativesPros
- Industry standard for retouching and compositing
- Generative Fill and object removal powered by Firefly
- Vast ecosystem of plugins and tutorials
Cons
- Subscription only, which adds up over time
- Steep learning curve for beginners
- Demanding on hardware with large files
Cost / LicenseFree trialProprietaryCategoriesAdobe Lightroom is a non-destructive photo editor and organizer for processing RAW files, adjusting color and light, and managing large libraries with ratings, keywords and AI-based search. The cloud-based Lightroom syncs edits across desktop, web and mobile, while Lightroom Classic keeps catalogs on the local disk. Presets, masking and AI removal tools serve both enthusiasts and professionals.
9 Adobe Lightroom alternativesPros
- Non-destructive RAW editing with powerful masking
- Library tools with ratings, keywords and AI search
- The cloud version syncs edits across desktop, web and mobile
Cons
- Subscription only, with no perpetual license
- Choosing between Lightroom and Lightroom Classic can be confusing
- Cloud storage adds to the cost for large libraries
Cost / LicenseFreemiumProprietaryCategoriesGIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is a free, open source image editor used for photo retouching, image composition and digital artwork. It offers layers, masks, selection tools, a wide range of filters and scripts and plugins in Python or Script-Fu. GIMP 3.0 added non-destructive filters and a refreshed interface, and it is a common Photoshop alternative for people who want to avoid subscriptions.
12 GIMP alternativesPros
- Free, open source and available on Windows, macOS and Linux
- Layers, masks, filters and scripting in Python or Script-Fu
- Non-destructive filters since version 3.0
Cons
- Interface and workflows differ from Photoshop, which slows switchers
- Fewer AI and generative tools than commercial editors
Cost / LicenseFreeOpen sourceCategoriesPhotopea is an image editor that runs entirely in the web browser and closely follows the Photoshop interface. It opens and saves PSD files, reads formats such as XCF, Sketch, XD, PDF and RAW, and supports layers, masks, adjustment layers, vector shapes and smart objects, with files processed locally. It is free to use with ads, and an optional Premium account removes ads and adds a few extras.
8 Photopea alternativesPros
- Runs in the browser with no installation
- Opens and saves PSD files, and reads XCF, Sketch and XD
- Familiar interface that closely follows Photoshop
Cons
- The free version shows ads
- Slower than desktop apps with large, complex files
Cost / LicenseFreemiumProprietaryCategoriesPlatformsPixelmator Pro is an image editor designed for macOS that brings photo editing, retouching, illustration and graphic design into one app. It offers non-destructive layer-based editing, RAW processing and machine learning tools for upscaling, denoising, background removal and automatic enhancement. Pixelmator was acquired by Apple in 2024, and the app is sold on the Mac App Store.
9 Pixelmator Pro alternativesPros
- Native Mac design with a clean interface
- Machine learning tools for upscaling, denoising and background removal
- Combines photo editing, painting and vector design
Cons
- No version for Windows or Linux
- Fewer plugins and pro integrations than Photoshop
Cost / LicensePaidProprietaryCategoriesPlatformsKrita is a free, open source digital painting program developed by the KDE community for illustrators, comic artists, concept artists and texture painters. It offers customizable brush engines, a brush stabilizer, layers and masks, a wrap-around mode for seamless textures and frame-by-frame 2D animation. It runs on Windows, macOS and Linux, with a version for Android tablets and Chromebooks.
8 Krita alternativesPros
- Free, open source painting app with powerful brush engines
- Brush stabilizer and wrap-around mode for seamless textures
- Frame-by-frame 2D animation built in
Cons
- Not designed for photo editing
- Can be demanding on hardware with large canvases
- No version available for iPad
Cost / LicenseFreeOpen sourceCategoriesPaint.NET is a free image editor for Windows that began as a student project to replace Microsoft Paint and grew into a capable photo editing tool. It supports layers, blend modes, unlimited history and a wide set of effects and adjustments, and a large community library of plugins adds new effects and file formats. It is appreciated for its fast startup and simple interface.
6 Paint.NET alternativesPros
- Free, quick to start and simple to use
- Layers, blend modes and unlimited history
- Large library of community plugins
Cons
- Available only on Windows
- Lacks the advanced tools of professional editors
Cost / LicenseFreeProprietaryCategoriesPlatformsdarktable is a free, open source photography workflow application that acts as a virtual light table and darkroom for RAW files. It offers non-destructive editing with a scene-referred pipeline, parametric and drawn masks, color calibration tools, tethered shooting and a tagged image library. It runs on Linux, Windows and macOS and suits photographers who want advanced RAW processing without a subscription.
6 darktable alternativesPros
- Free, open source RAW processing with no subscription
- Scene-referred pipeline with advanced masks and color calibration
- Runs on Linux, Windows and macOS, with tethered shooting
Cons
- Steep learning curve and a dense interface
- No mobile apps or cloud sync
Cost / LicenseFreeOpen sourceCategoriesCapture One is a photo editing and asset management application known for its RAW color rendering and tethered shooting, used in studio, fashion and commercial photography. It offers layer-based local adjustments, advanced color editing, sessions and catalogs for organizing shoots, and live sharing tools for clients. It runs on Windows and macOS, with an app for iPad and iPhone.
7 Capture One alternativesPros
- Renowned RAW color rendering and advanced color tools
- Fast, reliable tethered shooting for studio work
- Layer-based local adjustments and session workflows
Cons
- Pricing is high for hobbyist photographers
- Steep learning curve for newcomers
- Fewer mobile and cloud features than Lightroom
Cost / LicenseFree trialProprietaryCategoriesLuminar Neo is a photo editor from Skylum that relies on AI tools to simplify complex edits such as sky replacement, portrait retouching, relighting and object removal. It works as a standalone app on Windows and macOS or as a plugin for Lightroom Classic and Photoshop, with extensions for upscaling, background removal and noise reduction. It targets photographers who prefer fast results to manual masking.
7 Luminar Neo alternativesPros
- AI tools make sky replacement and relighting quick
- Works standalone or as a plugin for Lightroom Classic and Photoshop
- Portrait retouching and object removal with little manual work
Cons
- Some tools come as extensions on top of the base app
- Can feel slow with large photo libraries
- AI results can look artificial without careful tuning
Cost / LicenseFree trialProprietaryCategoriesPixlr is a family of browser-based image tools, including an advanced layer-based editor, a quick editor for simple adjustments and a template-based designer for social graphics. It adds AI tools for background removal, generative fill and image generation, and is also available as mobile apps. Free use is supported by ads, with Premium plans unlocking more AI credits and tools.
8 Pixlr alternativesPros
- Browser-based editors for quick fixes or layered work
- AI background removal, generative fill and image generation
- Template-based designer for social graphics
Cons
- The free version shows ads
- AI features run on limited credits without Premium
- Less precise than desktop editors for detailed retouching
Cost / LicenseFreemiumProprietaryCategoriesRawTherapee is a free, open source program for developing RAW photos on Windows, macOS and Linux. It focuses on image quality, with several demosaicing algorithms, advanced noise reduction, color management and detailed tone and color tools, all applied non-destructively through processing profiles. It includes a file browser and batch queue but no catalog, so it suits photographers who organize files themselves.
6 RawTherapee alternativesPros
- Free, open source RAW development with fine-grained controls
- Several demosaicing algorithms and advanced noise reduction
- Batch queue and processing profiles for consistent results
Cons
- No catalog or library management
- Technical interface with a steep learning curve
Cost / LicenseFreeOpen sourceCategoriesProcreate is a raster painting app built for iPad and Apple Pencil, used by illustrators, comic artists, letterers and hobbyists. It offers many customizable brushes, layers and blend modes, time-lapse recording of each artwork and Animation Assist for simple frame-by-frame animation. It is sold as a one-time purchase, and its developer has committed to keeping generative AI out of the app.
6 Procreate alternativesPros
- Responsive brush engine built for Apple Pencil
- One-time purchase with no subscription
- Time-lapse recording and Animation Assist built in
Cons
- Limited to iPad and iPhone, with no desktop version
- No vector tools for scalable artwork
Cost / LicensePaidProprietaryCategoriesPlatforms
