What is the best photo editing software for pc?
Giving the best answer to this is quite challenging. Why?
Because which is the best photo editing software for beginners may different from the expert one.
Similarly, the selection for professional photo editing software to a pro editor obviously will be different from the amateur.
Moreover, the marketplace also boomed with innumerable software for photo editing.
So, it is challenging to choose the best image editing software, especially for the beginner.
And this guide helps you to choose the best software for photo editing.
The best part of this guide is we have selected each of the software based on budget, compatibility, ease of use, and performance.
So, let’s dive into this guide.
25 Best Photo Editing Software for PC
Here is the complete list of the best photo retouching software for Pc.
- Adobe Photoshop
- Adobe Lightroom
- Affinity Photo
- Capture One Pro
- DxO Nik Collection
- DxO PhotoLab 3
- Luminar 4
- Exposure Software Exposure X5
- Corel Paintshop Pro
- Portrait Pro
- ON1 Photo RAW
- Adobe Photoshop Elements
- Gimp
- Paint.net
- Polarr
- Photo Pos Pro
- ACDSee
- Canva
- PhotoScape
- Fotor
- Photoshop Express
- Pixlr
- PicMonkey
- DesignWizard
- Inkscape
01. Adobe Photoshop
Undoubtedly, Adobe Photoshop is the best graphic design software. It is used around the globe by the pro designer.
There is no photo editing workflows you can’t do using this giant editor app.
From basic editing to advance retouching, you can do every retouching workflow efficiently and perfectly.
Photoshop loaded with a lot of advanced tools that let you make the photo pop up removing unwanted objects.
Besides editing, you can also perform to compose digital art, animation, creative project, and vector design.
Indeed, it is a versatile software for photo editor, photographer, and graphic designer.
Features
- Loaded with advanced photo editing tools
- Advanced pen tool and brush tool
- Upgraded Lens Blur tool
- Object Selection tool
- Come with a lot of presets
- Offer batch photo editing
- Advanced layer tool
Pros
- Offer non-destructive editing workflow
- Provide batch photo editing
Cons
- Complex and confusing interface
- Challenging for beginner to use
- Pricy photo editing tool
Supported platform: Both Windows and Mac
Pricing Pla
The individual plan costs you $20.99 per month while the photography plan takes $9.99/month.
Alternatively, if you are a student or a teacher, then you will get a 60% discount.
02. Adobe Lightroom
Lightroom is a perfect photo retouching software for photographer and beginner image editor.
The best side of Lightroom is it is a slider-based photo editing tool. That means this image editor is easy to edit photos.
Plus, Adobe Lightroom has come with a lot of interactive presets that let you create photos the way you want.
Moreover, it lets you store and organize your photo in its library safely.
Indeed, it doesn’t only a photo editing software but also an image organizing tool.
Features
- Featured with a lot of presets and effects
- Come with upgraded raw photo editing tool
- Has creative adjustment tools
- Designed with advanced crop and rotate tools
Pros
- User-friendly photo editing interface
- Quicken the photo editing workflows as it has numerous presets and effects
- Let you organize and store photos
- Offer batch photo retouching as well as non-destructive editing
Cons
- The only cons of this is it is a pricy photo editing software
Supported Platform: Windows, Mac, and Mobile
Pricing Plan
Both the photography (20 GB) and the Lightroom plan cost you $9.99 per month. On the other hand, the 1TB photography plan costs you $19.99/mon.
03. Affinity Photo
Affinity Photo is another professional photo editing software out there. It is solely designed for photographers and image editors.
I listed this software for its great speed, precision, and power.
Affinity Photo has loaded with advanced retouching tools to give a stunning look to your photo.
To retouch a photo preciously, it has come with advanced dodge & burn tool, blemish removing tools, and frequency separation.
Moreover, it has numerous filters and presets to quicken the retouching workflow.
Indeed, it is a complete photo retouching software for professionals.
Features
- Fully-loaded with advanced photo retouching tools
- Design with a lot of filter layers
- Advanced raw photo editor
- Has pro lens correction tools
- Integrated with noise reduction and hot pixel removal tools
- It has a lot of vector and text tools
Pros
- Offer batch photo processing
- Let you edit raw photos
- Affordable price
Cons
- The interface of this tool is complex
Supported platform: Windows, Mac, and iOS
Pricing Plan
The price of Affinity Photo is only $24.99.
04. Capture One Pro
Capture One Pro is another pro photo editing software for beginners.
If you are looking for a complete photo editing solution, then choosing this app can be your best decision.
This ultimate photo editing app has covered with every tool you need to retouch a photo perfectly. Thanks for its innumerable adjustment tools, layer system, powerful masking tools, and tools for color correction.
Besides, the performance of noise reduction tools is incredible which lets you take high-quality ISO shots. Plus, the customizable interface of this software makes your editing workflow more sound and thorough.
Therefore, this versatile photo retouching software also lets you organize photos.
Features
- Advanced layer system
- Upgraded exposure, saturation, and contrast tool available
- Featured with a lot of presets and styles
- Enhanced luminosity masking tool
- Loaded with basic color tools, skin tone editing, and color balance tool
- Lens correction and noise reduction tools
Pros
- Let you organize photos perfectly
- Customizable editing workspace
Cons
- Difficult software to understand
- The interface of this program is complex
Supported platform: Windows, macOS
Pricing Plan
For single-user, the price varies based on the number or the camera type. For all cameras, you need to cost $20 per month. On the contrary, you should spend $9.99 both for FujiFilm and Sony cameras.
For group use, the price will be different based on the user number.
05. DxO Nik Collection
DxO Nik Collection is another best image editing software for amateurs.
It is not a software but a collection of 7 plugins both for photoshop and lightroom.
These seven plugins let you create impressive effects and give you better control over the editing workflow.
The plugins it includes:
- Color Effex Pro
- Silver Effex Pro
- Viveza
- Analog Effex Pro
- HDR Effex Pro
- Dfine
- Sharpener Pro
The Nik Collection uses U Point technology that offers you powerful tools to edit photos precisely.
You can perform the photographic enhancement and corrections with ease and quickly using this tool.
Pricing Plan
For using this collection of seven plugins, you need to spend $149. To upgrade this software, it takes about $79.
05. DxO PhotoLab 3
DxO PhotoLab 3 is the ultimate solution for correcting your photo color correction.
If you want to give a natural and colorful look to your photo, then this is the tool you get.
The HSL tool of this software lets you incredibly manage photo color.
Apart from that, the DxO ColorWheel is another color adjustment tool that lets you select eight separate colors including orange and purple.
At the same time, the DxO ColorWheel also helps you to adjust different color values as well as tints and transition to create a distinctive effect.
In short, it is one of the most advanced color correction tool out there.
Features
- Come with advanced U point technology to do local adjustment precisely
- Integrated with advanced brush tool
- Come with upgraded automatic repair tool
- Featured with spot weighted correction
Pros
- Offer batch photo processing
- Let you customize photo editing interface
- Let you correct red-eye perfectly
Cons
- Don’t have history panel
Supported Platform: Mac and PC
Pricing Plan
For life-time using, you need to spend $129 to get this software. To upgrade this tool, it costs you $69.
06. Luminar 4
Luminar 4 is so far the best photo retouching software on our list.
It is for those photographers who don’t have so much time to retouch a photo hours after hours on PS. Thanks for its AI enhancement tools that save time and quicken the retouching workflow.
Luminar 4 comes with an AI Sky enhancement tool that lets you change the effect of a photo changing the existing sky of your photo.
The best part of this tool is it has come with a lot of Ai retouching tools including skin enhancer and portrait enhancer.
In short, this software designed for advanced retouching in mind.
Moreover, the interface of this software is also intuitive that perfect for amateur photographers. Now, let’s check out some incredible features of this AI photo editor.
Features
- Come with AI sky replacement tool to give a dramatic look to your photo
- Detail Enhancer tools
- Ai skin enhancer and portrait enhancer tool
- Lens correction tools
- Profession portrait retouching tools
Pros
- Easy to use
- Customizable photo retouching tools
- Make photo retouching workflow more sound and fast
- Offer non-destructive editing workflow
- Batch photo processing
Cons
- The function of the library is not so great
- There is a limitation of spot healing tools
- The Ai enhancement tools eat up the power and make the retouching workflow slow
Supported Platform: PC and Mac
Pricing Plan
To get this amazing retouching software, you need to spend $89.
07. Exposure X5
Exposure X5 is another simplest photo editor app on our list. It has some unique and creative tools that you can’t find.
You can customize each of the tools of this image editing software. It includes numerous presets to give a stunning look to your portrait.
Remarkably, you can adjust each of the preset and reuse them to quicken the editing workflow.
Besides, Exposure X5 has unique editing tools including film grain, a lot of overlays, and tilt-shift effects.
Features
- Designed with 3D masking tool
- Advanced raw photo editor
- Provide non-destructive editing layers
- B&W photo processing
- Five hundred plus presets available
Pros
- Let you customize each of the presets
- User-friendly interface
Cons
- For organizing photos, it doesn’t have the GEO-tagging system
- The raw processing tool is not enough powerful
Supported Platform: PC and Mac
Pricing Plan
For getting Exposure X5, it costs you about $119 while the bundle pack takes $149.
08. Corel PaintShop Pro
Corel Paintshop Pro is another ultimate photo editing app for photographers. It has come with exclusive photo editing tools that make retouching work more efficient.
To give an enticing look to your photo, it has come with powerful and creative tools. The AI tool, retouching tools, and HDR editing systems makes this app versatile.
Besides offering these features, it also offers batch processing to quicken the editing workflows.
Features
- 360-degree image editing
- Retouching and restoration tools
- Ai photo enhancement tools
- HDR effects
- Advanced SmartClone tool
- Refine brush tool
- Presets and plugins
- Photo painting tool
- Raw image editing
Pros
- User intuitive interface
- Advanced photo editing tools
- Advance copy and paste system
Cons
- Supports on only windows
Supported Platform: PC
Pricing Plan
PaintShop Pro 2020 costs you $69 to get this app.
09. Portrait Pro
PortraitPro is the best portrait photo editing software for beginner photographers. It was solely designed for enhancing the portrait photo.
The new ClearSkin skin smoothing tool lets you make the portrait skin smooth and helps you to remove blemishes at the same time.
To give a beautiful look to your portrait, it has come with makeup tools to apply lipstick and more.
Therefore, the Ai face detection tool, improved light tool, and eye enhancement tool helps to give life to your photo.
To sum up, it is one of the best retouching software on our list.
Features
- Advanced skin smoothing tool
- AI face detection tool
- Makeup tools
- Improved relighting tool
- Designed with advanced photo recognition technology
- Come with Smart Filter
Pros
- Offer raw image processing
- Complete portrait retouching tool
- Automatic photo batch processing
Cons
- Sometimes it brings over-smooth result
Supported Platform: Windows and Mac
Pricing Plan
The price of PortraitPro is $44.95.
10. ON1 Photo Raw
ON1 Photo Raw is considered one of the best Lightroom alternative out there. According to some experts, the raw photo processing system is great than the LR.
It has come with four different filters that let you create incredible photo effects. Also, ON1 Photo Raw has brought AI photo enhancement tools that make the retouching work more thorough.
To sum up, it has everything you need to make your photo stunning.
Features
- Raw processor
- Featured with three latest AI tools including AI Match, AI-powered features, and AI Auto
- Slider based photo editing tools
- Included numerous newest presets and styles
Pros
- Let you organize photos
- User-friendly photo editing app
- Comparatively affordable
Cons
- Raw processor is not enough well as the Luminar 4 performs
Supported Platform: Windows, Mac and mobile devices
Pricing Plan
On1 Photo RAW takes about $49.99 to get this app.
11. Adobe Photoshop Elements
Adobe Photoshop Elements is the best vector design software for amateur photographers. It has loaded with most of the features of Photoshop but easier to use.
The best side of this adobe product is it has integrated with AI technology that known to us as Sensei. This automates the photo editing workflows and makes the retouching work easy.
Another best feature of this software is you don’t need to pay the subscription fee.
Features
- Comes with automatic photo editing tools
- 1-click subject selection
- Auto color correction tool
- AI skin smoothing and object remover tools
- Improved collage creator tools
Pros
- Has a lot of photo editing tools
- Advanced geotagging system
- Let you organize photos
- Allow you to share your works on social media
Cons
- Absent of lens correction
- Limited social sharing option
Supported Platform: Mac and Windows
Pricing Plan
Photoshop Elements is comparatively cheap than other adobe products. You can get this software spending $99.99 for lifetime use.
12. GIMP
Do you want to use Photoshop for free? Then, use GIMP to enjoy that has a lot of features as Photoshop offers.
Gimp offers the same features as Photoshop does. There is also no difference between the gimp interface and the Photoshop interface.
But GIMP lets you edit photos for free as it is an open-source photo editor.
As it offers Photoshop alike photo editing tools, GIMP is considered as the best free Photoshop alternative.
Features
- Adjustable photo editing interface
- Powered by photo enhancement tools
- Included advanced retouching tools
- Support a lot of file formats
Pros
- Free to use
- Ease to edit photos
Cons
- Don’t have enough upgraded tools as Photoshop has
Supported Platform: Windows, Mac, and Linux
13. Paint.Net
Paint.Net is another free photo editing software for beginners. It has a user-friendly interface, a layer system, and a lot of retouching tools.
Paint.Net can handle a lot of images at once perfectly. Besides, it has loaded with effect tools, color correcting tools, and other basic editing tools.
However, Paint.Net is not perfect for advanced retouching tools. Moreover, you can’t perfectly correct the color of this tool.
If you are a hobbyist, then I recommend you use this software for photo editing. Otherwise, it is better to use other software on our list.
14. Polarr
Polarr is another free versatile photo editing app on our list. The interface of this image editor is customizable and easy to use.
There has a lot of photo adjustment tools including light, color, vignette, lens, and perspective available. Also, it has numerous photo masking options including color mask, luminance mask, gradient mask, and so on.
Therefore, this simple photo editing app also offers face and skin retouching tools, spot removal, and auto enhancement tools.
Like other apps, Polarr also offers batch photo editing.
Polarr is compatible with Mac, Windows, and iOS. To get the pro version of this software, you need to cost $3.99 each month.
15. Photo Pos Pro
Photo Pos Pro is another remarkable free photo editing software on our list. This free image editor designed especially for beginners.
Though it is a free photo editor, it has a lot of functions for retouching. It has color correcting tools, collage creator, and tools for creating invitation cards.
For performing retouching workflows, it has a customizable brush as well as healing tools to remove acne, blemishes, and so on.
In short, it may be a free Photoshop alternative.
Pros
- Adjustable interface both for beginners and professionals
- Better functionality
- Offer educational tutorials to learn
Cons
- The tools are not enough improved
- Slow performance
Supported Platform: Windows
Price: Free
16. ACDSee Photo Studio Ultimate
Photo Studio Ultimate is one of the best photo management software out there. The new face recognition technology makes it more impressive to organize photos.
The raw editing, HDR, face recognition, blended cloning allow you to edit photos the way you want.
Features
- Latest face recognition tool
- Upgraded photo management tool
- Better functionality
- Automatic blended layer
- Numerous layer effects
- Advanced batch convert tool
Pros
- Advanced skin-enhancement tools
- A good array of image editing tools
- Geotagging system
Cons
- The noise and lens correction tools are not enough qualitative.
- Confusing interface
Supported Platform: Windows, Mac, iOS
Pricing Plan
If you choose a subscription plan, then it takes $8.90 per month. I recommend you choose the best seller plan that lets you use this app for life-time spending $89.95.
17. Canva
Canva is the best photo editing software for bloggers. To enrich your blog, it offers thousands of free photos.
Using Canva, you can create social media posts and blog posts. It has also a lot of free infographic templates to enrich your blog post.
To make infographics what you need to do is just click on any of the templates and customize it. Also, you can create logos, business cards, presentations, and so on using Canva.
The best part of Canva is it is completely free to use. Also, you can upgrade your plan to enjoy the full features of this app.
Canva is perfect only for basic photo editing including cropping and resizing. For retouching, it doesn’t have any advanced tools.
I recommend this app highly for creating social media posts, infographics, and post for blogging. For retouching, you can use any of the above software.
Features
- Thousands of free photos
- Numerous free infographic templates
- Templates for creating social media posts
- Cropping and resizing tools
Pros
- Customizable infographic templates
- Social sharing option
- User-friendly interface
Cons
- Not perfect for retouching workflows
Supported Platform: Online based
Pricing
It is both free and paid. The pro plan takes $9.95 per month to use Canva. Also, you can group use this software spending $30 per month. However, you can also pay yearly.
18. PhotoScape
PhotoScape is another free photo editing app for beginners. Thanks for its user-friendly interface that enables amateur to perform retouching workflows.
The list of basic photo editing tools is long beyond your imagination. You can perform cropping & resizing, adjust white balance, remove unwanted objects, drawing texts, and so on.
Also, it has a batch photo processing system as well as filters to make the editing easy.
To sum up, it is an impressive tool for the newbie to create amazing photos.
Features
- Raw converter tool
- A range of filters
- Loaded with numerous basic image editing tools
- Batch photo editor
Pros
- Extremely easy to use
- Completely free
Cons
- Lacks of advanced retouching tools
- Limited basic image editing options
Supported Platform: Mac and Windows
Price: Free
19. Fotor
Fotor is the next level photo editing software for creating an amazing photo. You can’t find an alternative to this app that offers a lot of features for free.
The interface of Fotor photo editor is intuitive and easy to understand. Anyone can use this tool to change the look of the photo.
For performing basic editing, it has come with a 1-tap enhancement tool, crop & resize tool, and background removing option.
On top of that it has featured with a lot of retouching tools including blemish remover, wrinkle remover, red-eye remover, and teeth whitening. Using these editing options, you can easily beautify your portrait photo.
Besides, it has innumerable effects to create aesthetic photos with ease and fast. Moreover, you can create collage, frames, and so on using Fotor.
Pros
- Perfect for amateur photographer
- Simplest interface
- Easy to edit
Cons
- Not perfect for dedicated graphic design work
- Don’t let you create photos from scratch
Supported Platform: Windows, Mobile, and Online
Price: Free
20. Photoshop Express
Photoshop Express is a free image editing tool compatible both on desktop and mobile devices. It has innumerable editing tools to create impressive photo than others.
To create comprehensive visual content, it lets you edit, retouching, and make collages. The quick fix tool lets you remove blemishes, adjust exposure, and contrast to bring your creative zeal to the next level.
The amazing part of this tool is it lets you connect with Photoshop to perform advanced editing workflow.
Furthermore, you can share your work with the world through social media channels.
Features
- Auto-fix tool
- Includes a lot of effects
- Collage photo creator
- Spot healing tool to remove imperfections
Pros
- Intuitive interface
- Easy to use
- Run-on weak PC
Cons
- Lacks of pro retouching tools
- Don’t let you edit raw photos
Supported Platform: Windows, Mac, and Mobile devices
Price: Free
Conclusion
The long list of photo editing software I provided is perfect both for beginners and experts. Needless to say that Adobe Photoshop is the best tool among them. But it is not the whole room.
So, which is the best photo editing software for pc on this list?
I recommend you to use Luminar 4 as it has got cover everything you need for retouching.
Which software are you using on this list? Have I missed any? If yes, then let me know your opinion by leaving a comment.
If you find this post helpful, then share the portion with your friends so that they can also get benefited from this.
General FAQ
What software do most photographers use?
Most photographers use Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom, Capture One, and Luminar 4 for photo editing.
What is the best free photo editing app for PC?
Gimp is the best free photo editing app for PC.
