15 Best Photo Editing Software in 2022

Taking pictures is only half the battle. Photo editing software can not only optimize photos with unsatisfactory shooting results, but also add special effects to various photos or pictures to increase interest, or integrate multiple photos into one picture for easy printing or display. Whether you're a professional photographer or a casual user who takes pictures with a digital camera or mobile phone, photo editing software can help you bring out the best in your photos.

In this guide, we'll share the 29 best photo editing software. They are suitable for a variety of budgets and operating systems. You can use them on PCs and Macs, as well as on phones and tablets. Whether online or offline.

We recommend these 29 best photo editing software based on factors such as user interface simplicity, productivity, features, ease of use, platform usability, and more. Hope it helps those who need a free and effective photo editor. Come and find out.

1. Fotor

Fotor photo editor is very easy to use, with a variety of unique photo effects and filters to apply to your images.

There are options in the editor interface, such as crop, rotate, resize or fine-tune your uploaded images. There are also plenty of photo effects sections to choose from, such as Classic, Vintage, Lens Flare, and more. In addition, it has some additional tools such as one-tap enhancement of photos, automatic removal of photo backgrounds, colorization of black and white photos, and more.

Fotor is a broad program that's great for beginners and those who want more personality to their images.

2. Photoshop

Photoshop is a very professional photo processing software. It has a very wide range of applications in both work and life.

For professional purposes such as graphic design, web design, post-production, commercial retouching, etc., you can directly use Photoshop to complete the task or cooperate with other software to make the work more refined. For ordinary users, Photoshop can also quickly handle common image tasks, such as photo retouching, image cropping, and GIf animation creation.

Whether it is size editing, image development adjustment, providing multiple layers for non-destructive photo editing, fine-tuning the details in the picture with a large number of brushes, or combining multiple pictures layout to a new drawing by providing a variety of drawing and layout tools, using Photoshop can be done perfectly.

Advantages:

• Excellent and professional image editing skills, ideal for those working in the design industry.
• It is perfectly compatible with Adobe's own software. Many other picture software and picture viewing software can also directly open and view files in PSD format.
• A large number of materials in the PSD format are available for download on the Internet, which can greatly improve work efficiency.

Disadvantages:

• A large number of professional tools require personnel with a certain basic knowledge of image editing to operate and use.
• For novice users, a relatively long learning cycle may be required to deeply master the use of the software.

3. GIMP

GIMP is short for The GNU Image Manipulation Program. It is the best open-source photo editing program on the Internet for an easier photo editing experience.

GIMP is a free image manipulation software known for providing all the main features of Adobe Photoshop. It includes almost all the functions required for image processing, ranging from image processing tools to filters to component modules.

GIMP can not only cut out images, add text effects, process images, add masks, sharpen and blur, overlay layers, change image size, etc., but also have a lot of fool-like functions, such as one-click smart cutout, one-click filter, one-click resize, etc. It can meet almost all of our daily photo editing needs.

Advantages:

• Ability to open any image file type.
• Supports most Photoshop plug-ins and various imported tools.

Disadvantage:

• Not suitable for deep editing of pictures.

4. Canva

Canva is an online image editing software that allows people to easily design images for specific scenarios, such as social media images, posters, blog featured images, menus, gift certificates, and more. The best part about this online photo editor is the neat interface that feels very responsive. Therefore, you can edit images without delay. Also, it has very simple drag-and-drop controls to crop and resize images easily.

In addition to being an online tool, Canva's photo editor has a lot of free or paid template materials, which can be used quickly with just one click. Even if you have never designed a picture before, you can modify the template to make beautiful pictures.

5. Pixlr

Pixlr is one of the most popular online photo editing software for windows 10. It offers two options, Pixlr X and Pixlr E, for you to choose from. Pixlr Express shows only the most basic tools to beginners, while Pixlr Editor is an advanced interface for those who need to be more specific and have a lot of work.

Pixlr is a simple and intuitive photo editor, offering tons of picture editing features. Its most innovative feature is its adaptability to mobile devices, making it easy to use on the go on any iOS or Android device. Plus, it has an excellent desktop version.

6. PicMonkey

PicMonkey is a widely used online photo editor known for its simpler user interface. The user interface of this photo editor is divided into four sections - Edit, Retouch, Design, and Collage. All of this can be done on PicMonkey's homepage.

The PicMonkey editing interface is not only simple and straightforward but also includes a lot of features, from basic editing to overlays and themes. Whether you are a professional user or a regular user, you will quickly like its editing interface. Additionally, it offers a variety of effects and filter options for the photos you choose.

PicMonkey is very interesting for basic use. Those who are creative can get a free version of the program on the website. Get started with just a few clicks!

7. Affinity Photo

Affinity Photo is an image processing software very similar to Photoshop, designed to help photographers and designers complete image processing tasks more easily. It can perform image processing and graphic design and can complete most of the photo editing needs. At the same time, it also has several tools specially designed for photo manipulation.

In addition to the image processing function, Affinity Photo can also be used with its own Affinity Designer, which can be said to be a good alternative to Photoshop.

8. Paint.NET

Don't mistake it for Microsoft Paint which comes with Windows PCs by default. Paint.NET is an innovative, free, and professional tool that makes editing your photos and other images very easy. When you need something more than regular Paint but not as heavy as Photoshop, Paint.NET is what you can use.

Paint.NET offers a wide range of features and tools, similar to GIMP, but with a less complex interface. This software takes all the most important aspects of a photo editing program and condenses them into a simple yet powerful editor. Paint.NET comes with layer support, built-in special effects to instantly enhance photos, support for unlimited history to help you find and fix bugs, and more.

Because it provides advanced tools in a simple format, Paint.NET is a great place for beginners to get started. This will provide an easier learning curve for those looking to incorporate new editing elements into their projects.

Advantages:

• The latest version is only 6.0 MB and runs fast on the computer.
• Has tons of special effects such as Warp, Blur, Glow, Emboss, Contour, and Red Eye Removal.
• Can layer and adjust settings.

9. Photo Pos Pro

Both beginners and photo editing veterans can get a lot of use out of Photo Pos Pro. What makes this software unique is that it offers different interface options depending on the skill level of your photo editing program. If you're just getting started, you can apply a simple interface to the tool that gives you access to core tools without overwhelming you with some case-specific resources.

Comprehensive tutorials and tips are also provided at each step of the process. You can even program the tool to apply certain effects with a single click instead of having to manually set everything up.

Advantages:

• Supports most image format types, including password-protected types.
• Support image precision repair and editing.
• Can create computer graphics.

10. PhotoScape

This is one of the top-rated free photo editing software on the Internet. PhotoScape combines many available features with a minimalist user interface, so you don't have to deal with a lot of toolbars. Not only is it a photo editor with basic photo editing and batch editing functions, but it can also be used as a photo viewer for viewing photos and creating slideshows.

You can move to a viewer, batch editor, animated GIF creator, or RAW converter to view or edit your images without any distracting elements. The Mac and Windows 10 versions of PhotoScape provide users with enhanced features such as HDR, Symphony, and more.

Advantages:

• More than 20 commonly used cutting ratios are preset under the cutting tab, and circular cutting is supported.
• Built-in "Puzzle" function. You can restore the cut pictures according to the given mode, which can be done directly by dragging and dropping visually.
• Can make GIF animation, and preset a variety of transition effects.

11. Photopea

Photopea is an online version of Photoshop. No registration or payment is required. You can retouch images directly on your browser. It almost perfectly follows the original Photoshop experience, such as the software's interface, and the same dark skin as Photoshop.

In the use of the software, it also has the same layout as the desktop software, including toolbars, layers, palettes, menus, and other tools can be used. And what's even more surprising is that you can also use shortcut keys in Photopea to speed up the drawing efficiency.

As a free online application, Photopea is very convenient to use. Not only without downloading any software, but also without registering an account, you can use it directly by opening a browser, which greatly improves the convenience of use.

Of course, you can also register to use it. After registration, your settings will be saved to the cloud, synchronizing the environment to different devices. Support to create and open local files, you can choose the size from the template or customize the canvas size, you can adjust the canvas. After completing the task, various formats can also be exported, including PSD, JPG, PNG, etc.

For amateur Photoshop users, Photopea software can be said to be a very good alternative to Photoshop web pages. Whether you are doing some image cropping, beautification, or simple retouching, this tool can do the job. No more expensive Adobe suite subscriptions. For professional users, although Photopea has very comprehensive functions, it is definitely not a substitute for complete Photoshop due to its lack of details and performance, but you can use it as a temporary auxiliary tool.

Disadvantages:

• Due to limitations on the web, the size that Photopea can handle is limited. If you deal with larger-sized PSD files, such as posters, exhibition boards, and other printed materials, you will feel the obvious lag.

• The mouse icon is not perfect. For some tools such as text tools, pens, etc., Photopea does not adapt to the mouse icon. Sometimes it can be uncomfortable to use.

12. PhotoFiltre

PhotoFiltre is another flexible editing and drawing program. It's perfect for those who want to get everything done. You can access different filters and special effects with the click of a button. All these filters and special effects can be applied to your pictures.

Also, if you want to try illustration, there are paint and brush tools available. PhotoFiltre also has a batch process to edit multiple photos at once.

13. Pixelmator Pro

Pixelmator Pro is an image processing software for Mac. Unlike PS and Affinity, which are suitable for professional use of image processing software, Pixelmator Pro is a photo editing software that is more suitable for the general public.

Pixelmator Pro uses machine learning to simplify the process of retouching images. Intelligently enhance photos by training learning algorithms on millions of photos. With its ML enhancements, you can create the perfect photo in one click without any design skills. You can also choose different filters, make targeted color corrections, etc., to adjust the picture to your favorite style.

If you are a person who likes to retouch pictures but does not want to learn too many professional skills, it is highly recommended to start with Pixelmator Pro, which is not only cheap but also easier to use.

14. SumoPaint

SumoPaint is not your typical online photo editor. With an interface and toolset almost indistinguishable from Photoshop, it's real power in the world of free photo editing software options. SumoPaint offers a large number of tools with almost all plugins and editing features you need, such as color pickers, information about images, and more.

Also, you can have as many windows as you want and manage them easier as if you were using a full-fledged editor installed on your PC.

.

15. LazPaint

LazPaint is built for Windows and Linux. It is another open-source photo editing program with similar features and interfaces quality to GIMP. Users claim the interface is easier to use than GIMP, with less clutter and more visually appealing access to the most important functions.

It offers many of Photoshop's core features without too many advanced tools to keep users off. It's great for beginners or those who want to play with some basic photo editing steps.

• Summing Up

Those are the 15 best free photo editing software. You can use them to edit images. With easy-to-use editing tools and tons of ready-to-use filters and effects, they let you beautify your photos without going through a steep learning curve. Just choose one to try.