20 Best Photo Editing Software for Windows, Mac & Mobile

Choosing photo editing software can feel like picking a camera lens blindfolded—every option claims sharpness, speed, and magic. This guide cuts through the noise with a side-by-side look at the 20 stand-out editors for Windows, macOS, and mobile, so you’ll know exactly which program deserves your bandwidth, subscription fee, or one-time purchase.

Photo editors in 2025 come in three flavors: RAW processors that organize and polish thousands of files, layer-based powerhouses built for pixel surgery, and AI-driven apps that fix skies and blemishes before you finish your coffee. We ranked each tool by depth of features, learning curve, price model, cross-platform flexibility, and the strength of its user community. Scroll on to see how the big names—plus a few sleepers—stack up, and grab the perfect match for your workflow. We’ll also flag which picks integrate tightly with hardware like graphics tablets and HDR monitors, making your gear investment pay off.

1. Adobe Photoshop 2025 (Win / Mac / iPad)

Quick Overview

Photoshop 2025 is still the benchmark for pixel-level control and complex compositing. Whether you’re fixing a blemish or designing a billboard, its toolset, cloud sync, and Firefly-powered AI keep it front-and-center in any discussion of the best photo editing software.

Stand-out Features in 2025

Generative Fill & Expand (Firefly 3) – add or stretch any scene with text prompts that respect perspective and lighting.
Neural Filters 2.0 – one-click age shifts, skin smoothing, and colorize, all editable on separate layers.
Content-Aware Tracing – auto-detect edges for faster vector paths.
3D Textures & Materials – paint PBR textures directly onto models for AR and game assets.
Smart Objects everywhere – nest RAW files, Illustrator vectors, or Lightroom adjustments non-destructively.
HDR & CMYK parity – true 32-bit workflow plus print-ready separations in the same document.

Ideal Use Cases

High-end retouching, advertising composites, matte painting, UI mock-ups, infographic design, and any project that mixes photos, vectors, and type in a single layered file.

Pricing & Platform Notes

Plan	What You Get	Monthly Cost*
Photography (20 GB)	Photoshop + Lightroom + Firefly	$9.99
Photography (1 TB)	Same apps, more cloud storage	$19.99
Photoshop Single App	Desktop + iPad + 100 GB	$22.99
Creative Cloud All Apps	20+ Adobe apps	$59.99

*USD, August 2025. All tiers are subscription-only; the iPad version is included and syncs via Creative Cloud.

Pros & Cons Snapshot

Pros

Deepest toolset and plug-in ecosystem
Ubiquitous in creative job postings
Constant AI upgrades and cloud collaboration

Cons

Steep learning curve for beginners
Ongoing subscription costs
GPU-hungry features demand modern hardware

Lightroom vs. Photoshop — When to Choose Which?

Feature	Lightroom Classic / Lightroom	Photoshop 2025
File Management	Built-in catalog & keywords	None (Bridge optional)
Edits	Global + local sliders	Pixel-level layers & masks
Learning Curve	Moderate	Steep
Batch Speed	Import->Cull->Export in minutes	Actions & scripts, slower setup
Printing / CMYK	Limited	Full prepress controls
Best For	Event & travel workflows	Retouching, compositing, design

Why It Made Our List

Photoshop’s blend of legacy tools and bleeding-edge AI means it keeps solving problems no other app can. Pair that with tight integration across Adobe’s ecosystem and you get a cornerstone program every serious creator at least dabbles in—cementing its place among the 20 best photo editing software options available today.

2. Adobe Lightroom Classic & Lightroom (Win / Mac / Mobile / Web)

If Photoshop is a pixel scalpel, Lightroom is the photo librarian, darkroom, and export factory rolled into one. Adobe now ships two flavors—Lightroom Classic for desktop-first workflows and the simply named Lightroom (a.k.a. Lightroom CC) that keeps originals in the cloud and syncs edits to every device. Together they deliver a friction-free RAW pipeline that’s why most working photographers open Lightroom before anything else.

Quick Overview

End-to-end, non-destructive RAW manager with presets, profiles, and AI masking.
Edits sync across desktop, web, iOS, and Android so you can cull on a tablet and polish on a workstation.

Key Features to Highlight

AI Denoise: Removes high-ISO grain while preserving detail—perfect for event shooters.
Adaptive Presets: One-click looks that auto-target subjects, skies, or backgrounds.
Subject / Sky / Background Masking: Select and tweak specific areas without jumping to Photoshop.
Auto-Tagging & Search: Firefly AI recognizes objects and people, making 100 K-image catalogs searchable in seconds.
People View (2025): Face recognition now groups by age progression, handy for family and school photographers.

Best For

Event, travel, landscape, and wedding pros who import hundreds of RAWs, need fast culling, batch edits, social-sized exports, and print proofs—all before clients notice you’re still in your hotel room.

Cloud vs. Classic—Important Differences

	Lightroom Classic	Lightroom (Cloud)
File Storage	Local drives you control	Adobe Cloud (1 TB+ plans)
Folder Structure	References existing folders	Creates its own album system
Performance	Faster on high-core desktops	GPU-optimized, lighter UI
Collaboration	Limited	Shareable web galleries & comments
Plug-ins	Extensive third-party	Limited but growing

Pricing & Platform

Plan	Apps Included	Storage	Monthly Cost*
Photography 20 GB	Lightroom, Lightroom Classic, Photoshop	20 GB	$9.99
Photography 1 TB	Same as above	1 TB	$19.99
Lightroom Plan	Lightroom (all devices)	1 TB	$9.99

*USD, August 2025. Mobile app offers core features free; premium unlocks RAW editing and selective masks.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Lightning-fast batch processing and export
Best-in-class cataloging and keyword search
Seamless cross-device syncing

Cons

Subscription-only; no perpetual license
Limited layer/composite tools (pushes you to Photoshop)
Cloud plan can gobble bandwidth on slower connections

Why It’s On the List

No other program balances organization, speed, and quality at Lightroom’s level, which is why it dominates PAA answers to “What do most photographers use to edit?”. If your workflow revolves around volume shooting, Lightroom remains an essential companion to the other contenders on our best photo editing software roundup.

3. Capture One Pro 23/24 (Win / Mac)

When photographers talk color fidelity or tethered speed, Capture One inevitably surfaces. Born inside Phase One’s medium-format labs, the program has matured into a full-blown RAW powerhouse that rivals—and often outpaces—Adobe’s duo. Version 23 introduced Smart Adjustments and Layers on Styles; the 2024 update tightened AI masking and turbo-charged performance on Apple silicon and latest-gen GPUs. If you prize tonal accuracy straight out of camera, this might be the sleeper hit in your shortlist of the best photo editing software.

Overview & Heritage

Capture One’s engine was tuned for Phase One digital backs, so pristine RAW decoding and color science sit at its core. Unlike Lightroom’s catalog-first paradigm, it lets you work in self-contained “Sessions” for client jobs or global catalogs for long-term archives, giving commercial shooters flexible project segregation.

Flagship Features

Tethered Shooting with live view, overlays, and instant adjustments—the industry default on fashion sets.
Color Editor Wheels: Fine-tune hue, saturation, and lightness in targeted ranges with drag-and-drop ease.
Layer-Based Adjustments: Up to 16 layers of curves, luminosity masks, and clone heals, all non-destructive.
Smart Adjustments: AI matches exposure and white balance across a series, perfect for event or e-commerce batches.
Smart Gradients & Keystone: Intuitive gradient masks and perspective fixes rival dedicated plug-ins.

Who Should Use It

Studio, fashion, and product photographers needing rock-solid tethering.
Fujifilm shooters—Capture One’s custom film simulations retain the in-camera look better than competitors.
Colorists and retouchers obsessed with skin tones and subtle tonality.

Pricing Options

License Type	Details	Price*	Upgrade Path
Perpetual	Own version 24 outright; bug-fix updates included	$299	Discounted paid upgrades each major release
Monthly Subscription	Always-current version + mobile app	$24 / mo	Cancel anytime
Annual Pre-pay	12-month commit, lower rate	$179 / yr	Auto-renews

*USD, August 2025.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Best-in-class tethering and color tools
Layer system reduces trips to Photoshop
Session workflow keeps client files clean

Cons

Steeper price than most perpetual licenses
Fewer plug-ins and community presets
Windows GPU support slightly behind macOS optimizations

Why We Picked It

Capture One earns its slot because it solves professional pain points others gloss over—instant tether reliability, surgical color control, and a perpetual option for studios avoiding endless subscriptions. For creatives who live or die by accurate hues, it’s more than an alternative; it’s the standard.

4. Affinity Photo 2 (Win / Mac / iPad)

Serif’s Affinity Photo smashed onto the scene as the buy-once Photoshop alternative, and version 2 doubles down with a faster core engine, unified file format across desktop and iPad, and quality-of-life tweaks pros actually asked for. If the idea of another monthly fee makes your wallet twitch, this perpetual license might be the sweet spot in your hunt for the best photo editing software.

Quick Overview

Pro-grade, layer-based raster editor that mirrors most of Photoshop’s essentials—minus the subscription.
Identical toolset across Windows, macOS, and a surprisingly full-featured iPad build that works with Apple Pencil pressure curves.

Core Tools

Live Filters: Apply Gaussian Blur, Lighting, Shadows/Highlights, and more as non-destructive layers you can reorder anytime.
HDR & Panorama Stitching: Combine multiple exposures or frames with auto alignment and ghost removal.
Focus Merge: Stack macro shots for edge-to-edge sharpness in product or insect photography.
Liquify Persona: Push, pinch, and warp without rasterizing the original layer.
Embedded Documents: Drop entire .afphoto or .psd files into a parent file, mimicking Smart Objects for worry-free up-res or edits.

Use Cases & Audience

Freelancers & Students needing pro tools but living project-to-project.
Graphic Designers who bounce between vector work in Affinity Designer and raster edits here—both apps share a common UI and file format.
Hobby Photographers who want deep retouching but would rather buy lenses than pay for software every month.

Pricing & Platform

License	Devices	List Price*	Notes
Universal V2	Win + Mac + iPad	$164.99	One-time; covers all future V2 updates
Single Platform	One OS	$69.99	Good if you never leave desktop
*Serif frequently runs 50 % off promos, dropping the universal license under $85.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Perpetual license, no login required
64-bit, GPU-accelerated engine rivals Adobe for speed
Seamless round-trip with Affinity Designer & Publisher

Cons

Smaller plug-in ecosystem (no native Nik, Topaz)
Fewer tutorials; community is growing but smaller than Adobe’s
No built-in DAM, so you’ll pair it with Lightroom, Bridge, or Explorer/Finder

Why It Made the Cut

Affinity Photo 2 brings 90 % of Photoshop’s power to anyone who hates recurring charges, runs mixed OS machines, or edits on an iPad during commutes. Its relentless updates, modern codebase, and value pricing make it an easy inclusion in our top 20 lineup.

5. DxO PhotoLab 7 (Win / Mac)

If clarity, noise-free detail, and faithful optics rank higher on your wish list than flashy layer tricks, DxO PhotoLab 7 should be on your radar. Version 7 builds on DxO’s decades of lens-benchmark research, adding a re-architected RAW engine and even smarter local adjustment tools, making it a surgical option in any roundup of the best photo editing software.

Overview

Originally spun out of DxO’s image-testing labs, PhotoLab focuses on pristine RAW conversion rather than design work. The app automatically detects a camera/lens combo on import and applies a custom optical profile, correcting distortion, chromatic aberration, vignetting, and softness before you touch a slider. Workspaces are clean—Customize for edits, PhotoLibrary for browsing—and every tweak remains non-destructive.

Stand-out Features

DeepPRIME XD² – Machine-learning demosaicing that removes high-ISO noise while preserving micro-contrast.
ClearView Plus 2 – Enhanced haze and pollution removal with edge-aware masking.
U-Point 2025 – Nik-style local control points now with luminance/color ranges and adjustable fall-off graphs.
Lens Profiles – 80 000+ lab-measured modules auto-loaded on import.
Soft Proof & HDR Display – Preview sRGB, Adobe RGB, P3, and HDR PQ on supported monitors.

Best For

Landscape, wildlife, and night shooters who need maximum sharpness and low-noise files; photographers using specialty glass (super-telephoto, vintage primes) that benefit from DxO’s profile wizardry.

Pricing & Editions

Edition	Key Limits	Price*	Upgrade Cost**	License Type
Essential	Core tools, no DeepPRIME XD²	$139	$79	Perpetual
Elite	Full feature set inc. DeepPRIME XD², ClearView Plus 2	$219	$99	Perpetual

*Launch MSRP, Aug 2025. **From any previous major version. No subscription required.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Best-in-class noise reduction and optical corrections
Fast export speeds with GPU acceleration
Perpetual license—own it outright

Cons

Sparse layer/composite options; you’ll still need a pixel editor for heavy retouching
Interface less intuitive for newcomers vs Lightroom
Limited mobile/cloud syncing

Why Included

PhotoLab 7 nails what many editors gloss over—turning a noisy, color-shifted RAW into a tack-sharp foundation ready for finishing in Photoshop, Affinity, or the print lab. Its single-purchase model, relentless optical science, and upgraded DeepPRIME engine justify its slot in our top 20 list of photo editors worth your money in 2025.

6. Skylum Luminar Neo (Win / Mac)

Skylum’s Luminar Neo keeps turning heads by packing show-stopping effects into a workspace even casual shooters can master in an afternoon. Version 2025 adds a rebuilt engine dubbed “Neuro-Core,” letting its AI modules run up to 40 % faster on Apple silicon and modern NVIDIA RTX GPUs. If you’re after dramatic skies, perfect portraits, or quick commercial mock-ups without diving into layer masks manually, Neo is arguably the fastest route from import to Instagram-ready wow.

Quick Overview

Stand-alone editor and plug-in for Photoshop / Lightroom.
Layer-based but slider-centric; most adjustments happen through AI tools that generate masks automatically.
Non-destructive catalog lets you roll back any step or export JPEG/PNG/TIFF/PSD.

Killer AI Tools

Tool	What It Does	Typical Use
Relight AI	Builds 3-D depth map, re-lighting foreground or background separately	Fix back-lit portraits
Sky AI 2	Swaps dull skies, matches horizon haze & lighting	Landscape makeovers
Noiseless AI	Removes sensor grain while preserving texture	High-ISO indoor shots
GenErase	In-paint objects with Firefly-powered fill	Remove tourists, power lines
Portrait Bokeh AI	Creates adjustable depth-of-field blur	Smartphone headshots
Layer Clone Stamp	Traditional pixel repair when AI guesses wrong	Product retouching

Ideal Users

Enthusiasts who value punchy, share-worthy images over technical micromanagement.
Social media managers needing fast batch looks.
Wedding or real-estate shooters wanting dramatic enhancements without outsourcing.

Subscription vs. Lifetime License

Plan	Seats	Cost*	Perks
Lifetime	1	$199	Own forever, minor updates free
Pro Subscription	2	$9.95 / mo	Continuous upgrades, 10 GB cloud space
Max Subscription	5	$14.95 / mo	1 TB cloud, plus HDR Merge & Panorama add-ons

*USD, August 2025.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Industry-leading sky and relight tools save hours.
Clean interface; no prior Photoshop knowledge needed.
Works as a plug-in, so you can chain it into existing workflows.

Cons

AI renders can look over-processed if you’re heavy-handed.
Catalog is basic—no face recognition or advanced keywords.
GPU-intensive; older laptops may lag with Relight or GenErase.

Why It’s Worth Considering

For photographers who’d rather create than calibrate, Luminar Neo delivers headline-grabbing effects in a few clicks, earning its place among the best photo editing software options this year. Drop it in as a plug-in or run it solo—either way, the ROI on time saved is hard to ignore.

7. ON1 Photo RAW 2025 (Win / Mac)

ON1 Photo RAW markets itself as the “all-in-one” answer to Lightroom and Photoshop, and 2025’s release edges closer to that claim. The program opens RAW files, catalogues them, applies AI-powered adjustments, and even lets you stack pixel layers—all inside a single window. For shooters who bounce between organizing, retouching, and graphic overlays, that Swiss-army-knife approach makes it a serious contender for the best photo editing software crown.

Overview & All-in-One Positioning

Unlike editors that split tasks across separate apps, ON1 wraps a full digital asset manager (DAM), RAW developer, and layer compositor into one workspace. The interface uses “Personas” similar to Affinity’s: Browse, Edit, and Resize, so you can switch roles without exporting TIFFs.

Key Features

Super Select AI – Paint a loose stroke; the AI finds subjects, skies, or objects and builds masks automatically.
Resize AI 2025 – Uses generative detail synthesis to enlarge prints up to 1000 % without stair-step artifacts.
NoNoise AI 3 – Tackles high-ISO grain with a new Tone Preserve slider for shadow detail.
PortraitPerfect – Auto-detects faces, offering skin smoothing, eye enhancement, and subtle slimming.
Full Layer Workflow – Blend modes, smart filters, and text—no round-trip to Photoshop required.

Best For

Wedding and portrait photographers needing quick cull-to-album turnaround.
Print shops and poster designers who frequently upscale files.
Lightroom refugees who miss layers but hate subscriptions.

Pricing & Plug-in Suite Bundles

Plan	License Type	Price*	Includes
Photo RAW 2025	Perpetual	$129.99	Core app + future 2025 updates
ON1 Everything	Subscription	$7.99 / mo	Photo RAW + 1 TB cloud
Professional Plugin Bundle	Perpetual	$179.99	Resize AI, NoNoise AI, Effects, HDR as stand-alone or PS/LR plug-ins
*USD, Aug 2025.

Pros & Cons

Pros

True layers inside a RAW editor
Strong AI masking and upscaling
Own-it-forever option plus cheap sub plan

Cons

Heavier on GPU than Lightroom Classic
Import speed slower on massive catalogs
Smaller preset marketplace vs Adobe

Why We Ranked It

ON1 Photo RAW 2025 punches above its weight by merging cataloging, deep AI tools, and pixel layers without locking you into a single ecosystem. That versatility secures its spot in our top 20 list.

8. Corel PaintShop Pro 2025 Ultimate (Windows only)

Corel’s veteran editor remains a fan-favorite among hobbyists who want Photoshop-style layers without Adobe pricing. The 2025 Ultimate edition folds in video capture, RAW developing, and a pile of creative plug-ins, making it a surprisingly complete package for Windows users hunting for the best photo editing software that doesn’t require a subscription.

Quick Overview

PaintShop Pro is a layer-based raster editor with vector shapes, adjustment layers, and extensive script automation. The Ultimate bundle adds AfterShot Lab for RAW processing, Creative Collection brushes, and new AI modules—delivering a one-stop shop for photos, graphics, and light video work.

New in 2025

MultiCam Capture 4 – record screen + webcam + mic streams simultaneously for tutorials or gaming overlays.
AfterShot Lab Integration – non-destructive RAW edits now live inside the main workspace.
AI Megapixel – upsize images up to 4× with face-aware sharpening.
Refine Hair Mask – improved edge detection for pets, fly-aways, and composite work.

Target Audience

Budget-conscious Windows photographers, scrapbookers, and crafters.
Side-hustle creators who need graphics, quick video intros, and print layouts in one dashboard.

One-time Pricing & Upgrade Policy

Edition	MSRP*	Upgrade Price	License Type
PaintShop Pro 2025	$69.99	$49.99	Perpetual
PaintShop Pro 2025 Ultimate	$89.99	$64.99	Perpetual + bonus bundles

*Corel often runs 30 – 40 % holiday discounts.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Pay once; no recurring fees.
Ships with extras: ParticleShop brushes, Highlight Reel video creator, dozens of LUTs.
Familiar Photoshop-like interface eases learning.

Cons

Windows-only; no Mac or mobile sync.
UI feels dated compared to newer rivals.
AI tools slower on low-end GPUs.

Why Listed

PaintShop Pro 2025 Ultimate earns its spot because it packs serious editing muscle, RAW workflow, and multimedia add-ons into a wallet-friendly, perpetual license. For Windows users who’d rather spend money on lenses than monthly software, it’s a practical contender in our top 20 roundup.

9. ACDSee Photo Studio Ultimate 2025 (Windows)

Juggling a decade’s worth of JPEGs is pointless if you can’t find the right shot—ACDSee built its name solving that exact problem. The 2025 Ultimate edition layers modern AI editing on top of its lightning-fast Digital Asset Management (DAM), giving Windows users an organizer-plus-editor that competes with the best photo editing software without forcing a full Adobe stack.

Overview & Legacy as Organizer

ACDSee’s database-free browser scans existing folders instantly, meaning you’re not waiting on lengthy imports. Keyword sets, color labels, and facial recognition (now version 2.0) keep even 4 TB archives searchable. Flip to Edit mode and you’ll find non-destructive Develop tools, pixel layers, and vector text—no exports required.

Notable Tools

Spectrum AI Selection – click once to mask skies, subjects, or water with edge-aware precision
Blend Cloning – samples multiple sources to heal complex patterns
Liquify – warp areas while preserving surrounding pixels
Light EQ & Color Wheel – zone-based tone shaping and targeted HSL tweaks
Media Mode – Netflix-style thumbnail browsing for faster culling

Who It Suits

Photographers who live in Windows Explorer, shoot big volumes, and need rapid tagging, culling, and occasional composite layers without leaving one program.

Pricing (Perpetual & 365 Subscription)

Plan	License	Cloud Storage	Price*
Ultimate 2025 Perpetual	Own forever	—	$149
ACDSee 365 Home	Annual sub	100 GB	$89 / yr
ACDSee 365 Personal	Monthly sub	1 TB	$8.90 / mo

*USD, August 2025; includes future point updates while active.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Blazing-fast folder browsing, no catalog bloat
Layers + RAW develop in one interface
Buy-once option still available

Cons

Windows-only, no mobile companion
UI feels crowded for small monitors
AI tools lag Adobe speed on weaker GPUs

Why It’s Here

ACDSee Photo Studio Ultimate 2025 balances pro-grade organization with capable layer editing at a fair one-time price—perfect for shutterbugs who value speed and ownership over cloud bells and whistles.

10. GIMP 2.10 / GLIMPSE (Win / Mac / Linux)

Looking for Photoshop-style layers without spending a cent? The GNU Image Manipulation Program—better known as GIMP—remains the flagship of free, open-source photo editors. GLIMPSE is a community fork that tweaks the interface and bundles popular plug-ins, but both share the same rock-solid GEGL engine and cross-platform builds.

Overview

GIMP 2.10 brings 16-bit per channel precision, multi-threading, and a modern dark theme. Files save in its native .xcf format, while exports cover JPEG, TIFF, PNG, PSD, and WebP. GLIMPSE ships with a cleaned-up toolbar and single-window mode enabled by default, easing the transition for newcomers.

Key Capabilities

Layer masks, groups, and blend modes
Smart selection tools: Foreground Select, Fuzzy Select, Scissors
GEGL filter stack for near-non-destructive edits
Path tool for vector shapes and clipping
Batch scripting via Python-Fu and Script-Fu
RAW hand-off to Darktable or RawTherapee

Learning Curve & Community Add-ons

GIMP’s interface can feel quirky, but thousands of YouTube tutorials and Reddit threads cover every corner. Must-have extensions include:

G’MIC (500+ creative filters)
Resynthesizer (Content-Aware Fill clone)
Beautify and BIMP for batch processing

Ideal For & Limitations

Best for students, Linux users, and hobbyists who need serious layer work on a shoestring budget. Limitations include no native CMYK workflow, slower PSD round-trips, and occasionally clunky text handling.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Free forever, no ads or telemetry
Huge plug-in ecosystem, active dev community
Runs on almost any hardware

Cons

Interface less polished than commercial rivals
Steeper learning curve, fragmented documentation
Advanced color management requires manual setup

Why Worth Trying

If you’re testing the waters of photo retouching or need a backup editor that respects your wallet and operating system choice, GIMP (or its GLIMPSE remix) delivers surprising power—solidifying its place among the 20 best photo editing software options of 2025.

11. Darktable 4 (Win / Mac / Linux)

Free, open-source, and packed with pro-grade color science, Darktable 4 gives budget-minded shooters a Lightroom-style workflow without the price tag. The 2025 build compiles natively on Apple silicon, supports Vulkan/Metal acceleration, and keeps CPU temps low even when chewing through 50-megapixel RAWs.

Overview

Darktable organizes photos in a light-table view, then hands them to the darkroom for non-destructive edits stored as sidecar .xmp files. Edits use scene-referred color management from capture to export, so highlights don’t clip and LUTs stay predictable across HDR screens.

Stand-out Modules

Filmic RGB: maps sensor data to display gamut while protecting detail
Color Calibration: per-channel gray balancing and gamut compression
Diffuse or Sharpen: wavelet-based noise removal and micro-contrast
Spot Removal: heals dust spots with edge-aware blending
Lua Scripting: automate exports, watermarks, or tethered capture triggers

For Whom

Ideal for photographers who:

Prefer open-source ecosystems (Linux users, privacy advocates).
Need deep RAW control—especially astro, landscape, and high-dynamic-range work.
Want a catalog but hate vendor lock-in; everything stays in plain folders.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Completely free; no ads, no telemetry
32-bit float pipeline rivals paid converters
Active community releasing styles and scripts weekly

Cons

Interface density can overwhelm newcomers
No layer compositing; external editor required for heavy retouching
Documentation scattered across wikis and GitHub issues

Why Included

Darktable 4 makes our list because it proves you don’t need a subscription—or even Windows—to achieve world-class RAW edits. Its scene-referred workflow, constant community innovation, and cross-platform parity cement it as a legitimate contender among the best photo editing software available today.

12. Apple Photos + Pro Editing Extensions (Mac / iOS / iPadOS)

Apple’s built-in Photos app has quietly morphed from a simple camera roll into a competent, cloud-synced editor. Pair it with third-party “Extensions” from Capture One, Pixelmator, and others, and you get a surprisingly capable workflow that lives across Mac, iPhone, and iPad.

Quick Overview

Zero-setup library: every shot is auto-imported and synced via iCloud.
Edits are non-destructive and propagate instantly to all devices.
Extension architecture lets you summon pro-level tools without leaving Photos.

Key Tools

Live Text & Visual Lookup extract text or identify subjects on the fly.
Depth-map editing for Portrait-mode images—adjust bokeh after the fact.
Memories 2025 auto-builds highlight reels with licensed music tracks.
Clone & Repair brush now supports Apple Pencil pressure on iPad.
One-tap “Enhance” leverages Apple Neural Engine for smart tone balancing.

Best For

Mac/iPhone owners who want effortless organization, quick tweaks, and occasional deep dives via extensions—no separate DAM or export hoops.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Free, pre-installed, and perfectly integrated with iOS camera.
Blazing fast on Apple silicon; edits render in real time.
Family Sharing makes collaborative albums painless.

Cons

Limited layer/composite functions—even with extensions.
Locked to Apple ecosystem; no Android or Windows version.
5 GB free iCloud tier fills up quickly.

Why It Made the List

Seamless sync, hardware acceleration, and one-click access to heavyweight extensions earn Apple Photos a spot among the best photo editing software options—especially for users already invested in the Apple universe.

13. Google Photos (Android / iOS / Web)

If you already shoot with your phone—or shuttle JPEGs between devices—Google Photos is the closest thing to an always-on darkroom that lives in your pocket. The app backs up every frame, applies smart enhancements powered by the same Tensor AI that drives Pixel phones, and makes sharing as simple as dropping a link. Because it runs equally well in a browser, on iPhone, or on the cheapest Chromebook, Google Photos remains a staple for casual shooters and social media managers alike.

Overview

Google Photos combines unlimited* cloud backup (at reduced “Storage saver” quality) with AI-driven search so accurate you can type “sunset dog beach” and surface shots from five years ago. All edits are non-destructive and can be rolled back anytime.

Notable Features 2025

Magic Editor: Generative retouching to reposition subjects or extend backgrounds.
Portrait Light & Blur: Add studio-style lighting and depth to any photo, not just Portrait mode.
Auto-Enhance 2.0: One-tap tone, contrast, and color balancing.
Cinematic Photos: Creates slow-pan 3-D animations for Reels and Shorts.

Suited To

Everyday snappers, parents, bloggers, and anyone who values friction-free sharing over pixel-peeping control.

Storage & Pricing

Tier	Space	Monthly Cost (USD)	Notes
Free	15 GB total Google account	$0	Shared with Drive/Gmail
Google One 100 GB	100 GB	$1.99	Add family members
Google One 1 TB	1 TB	$6.99	VPN + gold support
Google One 2 TB	2 TB	$9.99	10% Google Store credit

*Original-quality uploads count against quota.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Best-in-class AI search and auto-organization
Cross-platform; no software to install on desktop
Effortless album sharing and collaboration

Cons

Compression on free “Storage saver” tier
Limited manual controls compared to Lightroom Mobile
Privacy concerns for sensitive work

Why Worth Considering

Google Photos nails the basics—backup, quick fixes, and share-anywhere links—while sprinkling in headline AI features that keep your feed fresh. For many users, that balance of convenience and clever editing earns it a rightful place among the 20 best photo editing software options of 2025.

14. Snapseed (Android / iOS)

Powerful enough for professionals yet simple enough for weekend shooters, Snapseed turns any smartphone into a pocket darkroom. The free Google-owned app packs desktop-grade tone curves, selective masking, and non-destructive “Stacks” into an interface you can master during a coffee break.

Overview

Free mobile editor with 30+ adjustable modules and RAW (.DNG) support.
Non-destructive workflow: every edit lives in a Stack you can reopen, tweak, or copy to another image.

Signature Tools

Selective Adjust (Control Point) – tap an area, pinch to set radius, then fine-tune brightness, contrast, or saturation.
Healing – swipe away blemishes, dust, or tourists.
Curves & Levels – full RGB curves plus film-style presets.
RAW Develop – exposure, WB, and detail sliders for imported DSLR or mirrorless files.
Expand – content-aware canvas extension that fills in missing edges.

Ideal Users

Mobile photographers who want granular control beyond Instagram filters.
Reporters and social managers needing quick, high-quality edits in the field.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Free, no ads or subscriptions
Precision masking on a touch screen
Saves custom Looks for batch consistency

Cons

No cloud catalog or desktop sync
Layer compositing limited to double-exposure trickery

Why It’s On The List

Snapseed’s mix of pro-level sliders, touch-friendly masking, and zero cost makes it a must-install companion to any “best photo editing software” toolkit—especially when creativity strikes far from your desktop rig.

15. VSCO (Android / iOS)

VSCO has evolved from “that film-look filter app” into a creative suite that blends tasteful presets, advanced color sliders, and its own social feed. For mobile shooters chasing a cohesive aesthetic without wrestling layers, it’s a pocket favorite that still merits a spot among the best photo editing software picks.

Overview

Film-inspired presets and community-driven inspiration in one minimalist interface.

Key Features

300+ film presets with intensity slider
HSL panel and split-tone controls
Grain, fade, and borders for analog vibes
Montage tool stitches photos + video clips

Best For

Creators curating an on-brand Instagram or TikTok feed with consistent, moody tones.

Pricing

Free tier: basic presets and tools
VSCO Membership: $29.99 / yr unlocks full preset library, HSL, Montage

Pros & Cons

Pros

Gorgeous presets right out of the box
Built-in community for inspiration
Cons
No RAW export; JPEG only
Editing tools stop short of retouching

Why Included

VSCO nails quick, stylish color grading on mobile, making it an essential aesthetic tool in 2025.

16. InShot Photo & Video Editor (Android/iOS)

You may know InShot for trimming TikTok clips, but its photo workspace has quietly become a one-stop shop for on-the-go edits, collages, and meme-ready exports. Because it handles stills and video in the same timeline, influencers can build a matching carousel or Reel without juggling separate apps.

Overview

InShot wraps cropping, color sliders, and layer-style overlays inside a swipe-friendly interface. Edits are non-destructive until you hit “Save,” and resolution options go up to your device’s native megapixels.

Highlight Features

Collage Maker with adjustable borders and ratio presets
Background Blur that auto-detects subject edges for portrait-style depth
Sticker & Text Library updated weekly with GIFs and animated fonts
Batch Canvas Ratios—tap to switch between 1:1, 4:5, 9:16 without re-editing
Export Controls for resolution, bitrate, and frame rate (when working with video)

Ideal For

Creators pumping out Stories, Reels, or Pinterest pins who need quick branding consistency.

Pros & Cons

Pros

All-in-one photo + video timeline
Huge asset library, no design skills required

Cons

Watermark on free tier
No RAW or curve adjustments

Why Worth a Look

If your workflow lives on a phone and ends on social media, InShot’s balance of speed, stickers, and export flexibility makes it a handy companion in any list of the best photo editing software for 2025.

17. Pixlr E & X (Web / Mobile / Desktop)

Fire up any browser and you’re two clicks from a capable editor—no downloads, no sign-ups. Pixlr ships in two flavors: Pixlr X for quick, template-driven fixes and Pixlr E for layer-based, Photoshop-style control. Both run on HTML5, so they work on Chromebooks, shared PCs, or even an iPad in Safari, making them a handy plan B when you’re away from your main rig.

Key Tools

Remove BG: one-click background knockout with edge refinement
Generative Fill: Firefly-powered content synthesis for extending canvases
Adjustment Layers: curves, HSL, and selective color in Pixlr E
Template Designer: thousands of pre-sized social posts, ads, and thumbnails

Best For

Students, Chromebook users, or anyone needing a fast, no-install editor on borrowed hardware.

Pricing

Plan	Ads	Extra Assets	Monthly Cost*
Free	Yes	Limited	$0
Premium	No	20M+ stock elements	$1.99
Creative Pack	No	Premium + AI batch tools	$7.99

*Billed annually, August 2025.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Runs in any modern browser; zero footprint
Surprisingly deep layer support in Pixlr E

Cons

Requires steady internet for large files
20 MB max upload on free tier

Why It’s Listed

Pixlr proves “nothing to install” doesn’t have to mean “toy editor,” earning its slot among the best photo editing software for quick, cross-platform work.

18. Fotor 2025 (Web / Win / Mac / Mobile)

Fotor began life as a one-click filter playground; the 2025 build graduates into a full graphic creator that lives everywhere—browser, desktop, and phone. A drag-and-drop canvas, stock asset library, and sprinkle-of-AI tools make it a practical middle ground between Canva’s design focus and Lightroom’s photo purity. Because edits sync through your Fotor account, you can start a YouTube thumbnail on a work PC, tweak it on the bus, then publish from an iPad.

Overview

Template-rich editor that blends photo corrections, design layouts, and light retouching in a single workspace.

Stand-outs

AI Enlarger – upscale up to 4× without muddy edges
Cartoonizer & Art Styles – convert portraits into comic or oil-paint looks
Batch HDR Merge – fuse exposure brackets, then apply presets in bulk
Brand Kit – save fonts, colors, and logos for one-click consistency

Target Users

Small businesses, bloggers, and side-hustle sellers who juggle product photos, promos, and social graphics but don’t want Photoshop complexity.

Pricing Tiers*

Plan	Key Limits	Monthly Cost
Free	Ads, basic tools, 20 design credits	$0
Pro	100 K templates, AI Enlarger, 100 GB cloud	$3.99
Pro+	All Pro features, 1 TB cloud, priority AI queue	$7.99
*Billed annually, August 2025.

Pros & Cons

Pros — cross-platform, generous template library, fast AI upscaler.
Cons — limited layer control, watermarks on free exports, internet required for advanced AI.

Why Selected

Fotor’s blend of quick design layouts and genuinely useful AI photo tricks earns it a spot in our best photo editing software list—especially for entrepreneurs who need social-ready visuals in minutes, not hours.

19. Paint.NET (Windows)

Paint.NET started as a college replacement for Microsoft Paint and has grown into a surprisingly capable raster editor that still launches in under two seconds on budget hardware. Its plug-in community fills gaps left by the lean core, making it a handy fallback when you just need to tweak, annotate, or layer a few images without firing up heavyweight suites.

Overview

Freeware Windows editor with a familiar toolbar, unlimited undo, and tabbed documents—no learning curve for MS Paint graduates.

Core Features

Layer support with blend modes and opacity
Adjustment suite: Curves, Levels, Hue/Sat, Vibrance
Effects: Gaussian Blur, Sharpen+, Frosted Glass
Plug-in API—install Alpha Mask, RAW importer, and AI Denoise add-ons

Ideal For

Students, office users, and low-spec PC owners needing quick retouches, memes, or screenshots.

Pros & Cons

Pros: Tiny download, lightning fast, huge free plug-in library, entirely free.
Cons: Windows-only, no 16-bit color, limited text and vector tools.

Why On The List

Paint.NET proves you don’t need a monster GPU or monthly fee to handle everyday edits, securing its seat among 2025’s best photo editing software options.

20. Canva Photo Editor (Web / Desktop / Mobile)

Canva may be famous for slide decks and social posts, but its built-in Photo Editor has matured into a legit image-tuning hub that runs in any browser, the desktop app, or your phone. If you already lean on Canva for layouts, the new editing suite means fewer side trips to other software and faster hand-offs to teammates.

Overview

Drag-and-drop canvas with non-destructive adjustments that sync across devices
Seamlessly switch from editing a RAW import to dropping it into a presentation, Reel, or print flyer

Major Photo Tools

Magic Edit: Firefly-powered generative fill for removing or adding objects
Background Remover: One-click cut-outs with edge refinement sliders
Style Transfer: Apply consistent brand looks or artistic vibes in a single tap
Curves, HSL, and blur modules now live under “Edit Photo” for finer control

Best For

Marketers, teachers, side-hustlers, and anyone who values speed and on-brand consistency over deep pixel surgery.

Pricing

Plan	Monthly Cost*	Key Perks
Free	$0	Core editor, 5 GB cloud
Pro	$12.99	Brand Kit, Background Remover, Magic Edit
Teams (5 seats)	$29.99	Shared asset library, approval workflow
*USD, billed yearly.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Runs everywhere, no steep learning curve
Huge template + stock library baked in
Real-time collaboration and commenting
Cons
Limited layer masks; not ideal for high-end retouching
Offline desktop mode still requires periodic internet check-ins

Why Ranks in Top 20

Canva’s Photo Editor nails the “good enough, right now” sweet spot, letting non-designers polish images and publish them without ever leaving the platform—an invaluable edge for fast-moving brands and classrooms alike.

Choosing Your Perfect Editor

With 20 contenders on the board, the “best” photo editing software really comes down to matching features to your reality—budget, hardware, and workflow style. Start by asking three quick questions:

Do you value AI speed or manual precision?
- AI-heavy apps (Luminar Neo, Canva, Google Photos) crank out share-ready images in seconds.
- Precision tools (Photoshop, Capture One, Darktable) give you surgical control but ask for more seat time.
Are you allergic to subscriptions?
- Perpetual licenses: Affinity Photo, DxO PhotoLab, ON1 Photo RAW, PaintShop Pro.
- Subscription-only: Adobe lineup, Google One storage, VSCO Membership.
Where will you edit most often?
- Desktop horsepower: layered composites, tethered shooting, CMYK print prep.
- Mobile convenience: quick social posts, cloud sync from the couch.
- Hybrid cloud: Lightroom, Apple Photos, Fotor sync edits across every screen.

Balance those answers against your computer’s GPU, your need for cataloging versus layers, and how steep a learning curve you’re willing to climb. There’s no shame in running two apps—many pros pair Lightroom for bulk work with Photoshop or Affinity for pixel surgery.

Ready to gear up? Swing by Electronic Spree for laptop deals, pen displays, and color-calibrated monitors that make whichever editor you choose sing. Happy editing!