Internet publication for photographers and designers Creative Bloq compiled a list The 16 best photo editor apps different programs for editing images. It includes both popular Lightroom and Photoshop, as well as lesser-known, but worthy of attention counterparts.
The best free photo editors
Some programs and services in this section are paid versions with additional features or contain optional built-in purchase.
1. Fotor
- platform: Web, iOS, Android, macOS, Windows.
Whether you work alone at the table or not, Fotor provide everything you need for basic manipulation of images. Editor is available in the browser, as well as desktop and mobile programs. A rich set of tools certainly enough for most of your creative needs.
In Fotor convenient to quickly adjust photos with one button. But you can also resize, crop, rotate, and align the image and remove the background manually.
In addition, the editor is equipped with convenient tools for retouching, which removed red-eye effect and wrinkles. There is even a function to work with HDR and Tilt-Shift-editor (imposes special blur effect) in case you want to give pictures epic.
Fotor →
2. Pixlr
- platform: Web, iOS, Android.
Pixlr is positioned as "the most popular online photo editor in the world", that probably is associated with it for free. At the same time, the service boasts 600 effects, overlay options and frameworks. With Pixlr can perform all typical picture editor operations, from cropping and resizing to remove red-eye, and whiten teeth.
If you're used to Photoshop, and then quickly learn Pixlr, because both editors are very similar interfaces.
Pixlr →
3. GIMP
- platform: Linux, Windows, macOS.
GIMP stands for GNU Image Manipulation Program (a program for image manipulation on the basis of GNU). This photo editor with open source debuted on Unix-platforms, and is now available on all popular desktop operating systems.
GIMP offers an impressive tool. Inside it easy to find all the usual facilities, including brushes, color correction, and copy tools, selection and improvement.
The team that controls the GIMP development has worked well over the compatibility: in the editor can work with all popular formats without any problems. The program includes a user-friendly file manager that resembles Adobe Bridge.
GIMP →
4. Paint.net
- platform: Windows.
Paint.net - surprisingly functional and useful free tool. The developers have focused on ease of use and develop it as a photo editor rather than a drawing program.
Yet in Paint.net has many special effects that allow to change the perspective of easily mixed and move pixels on the canvas to duplicate the selected areas, and so on.
Great choice of selection tools, support for layers and settings such as curves and brightness / contrast do Paint.net beautiful alternative to Photoshop photo editing. Especially if you can do without the latest additions to Adobe toolbox.
paint.net →
5. sumo Paint
- platform: Web.
Sumo Paint - very functional browser photo editor. In it contains all the basic features typical of desktop programs. And subscribing to the paid version for $ 9 a month, you can install a desktop application and Sumo Paint.
To start the online editor, you will need Adobe Flash Player. So use Sumo Paint on iOS will not work.
The list of tools and options Sumo Paint includes brushes, pencils, shapes, text, cloning, gradients and more. Everything is easy to find on a floating toolbar, similar to the same panel in Photoshop.
At the same time there are limitations that can scare off some users in the editor. The most important of them - it supports only one color of RGB mode. With color CMYK, the which is used in the printing, Sumo Paint does not work. Because of this, the editor is only suitable for working with photos to the screen.
Sumo Paint →
6. Photo Editor by Aviary
- platform: Web, iOS, Android.
Aviary - nicely designed app that is perfectly balanced between serious editing capabilities (removal of deficiencies skin whitening, resizing and variants correction) and decorative functions (stickers, color superposition and adding text). This program does not look gaudy or infantile.
Photo Editor by Aviary →
Top Paid photo editors
1. Photoshop CC
- platform: Windows, macOS.
- cost of: $ 9.99 per month.
The latest version of Photoshop CC is, without a doubt, an impressive photo editor. Probably the best of all. But for each month of use have to pay.
Photoshop CC users are an endless number of hands, filters, Fonts, tools, automatic and manual correction, as well as all sorts of interface customization. It offers an advanced system of layers, different blending modes and more.
If you're a fan, then for your needs most of Photoshop will simply excess capacity. But professionals will find here everything you need to solve problems of any complexity.
Photoshop CC →
2. Adobe Lightroom CC
- platform: Windows, macOS.
- cost of: $ 9.99 per month.
Adobe Lightroom allows you to concentrate the work in one place, manage, and share the results with any device. Many creative people prefer this editor Photoshop, after using Lightroom is easier to make simple edits routine and work with RAW-files.
With Lightroom you can store images on a computer, iPad, iPhone or Android-powered device and even automatically send them to your phone repository the program immediately after the creation. Synchronization occurs by itself. So, when you make changes in one place, they will automatically appear on other devices.
Adobe Lightroom CC →
3. Luminar 2018
- platform: MacOS, Windows.
- cost of: $ 69.
If you are looking for an alternative to Lightroom for a reasonable price in the format of one-time payment, pay attention to the latest version of Luminar 2018. This photo editor is packed with tools to quickly and easily correct such nuances, distortion, chromatic aberration, and ragged edges. You will also receive 40 non-destructive filters (you can cancel at any time) to transform images.
In addition, Luminar 2018 includes a set of professional tools that allow you to bring photos to the highest possible quality. Among them - the manual optical correction, layers with different blending modes, masks, stories and most panel best - support Photoshop plug-in and the ability to convert Lightroom presets for use in Luminar.
Luminar 2018 →
4. Affinity Photo
- platform: MacOS, Windows, iOS (iPad).
- cost of: 49.99 dollar (Windows, macOS), 19,99 dollar (iPad).
Available on Windows, iPad and macOS with no subscription doing Affinity Photo by Serif alternative to Photoshop, which can afford each.
The latest version is able to boast a lot of cool features, including integration into the HDR photos, editing the 360-degree images, recording macros and batch processing of files. A tone mapping adjustment will allow you to turn any photo - whether in ordinary picture JPG or photo in HDR - in a dramatic scene with the details, the existence of which you do not suspected.
Affinity Photo →
5. PaintShop Pro
- platform: Windows.
- cost of: 79.99 dollar (basic version), $ 99.99 (premium version).
PaintShop Pro was advantageous to replace Photoshop for the past 20 years and still not losing ground. In 2018 the editor looks easier, simple and innovative than ever before. It offers project templates, built-in snapshot correct part of the screen, the gradient tool and improved support for graphics tablets and styluses.
You can buy a more expensive version of PaintShop Pro 2018 Ultimate, to get a few extra features. These include professional tools for working with RAW-files, the automatic photocorrection and screen recording.
PaintShop Pro →
6. Acorn
- platform: MacOS.
- cost of: 29.99 dollars.
Editing Acorn debuted back in 2007 and has provided both amateurs and professionals with limited resources excellent software for photo processing. Among other tools editor supports layers styles, non-destructive filters (you can cancel at any time), curves, levels, blend modes, and more.
6 Acorn offers a wonderful combination of the filter interface, with which you can create unique effects. You can even save and modify their filters after you close and re-open the image.
Acorn →
7. Photoshop Elements
- platform: Windows, macOS.
- cost of: 99.99 dollar.
This is a simplified alternative to Photoshop CC, which is reflected in the rapid and Guided Edit modes. But its functionality might be enough for you. Also, do not need to pay a subscription for Elements.
In 2018 Photoshop Elements offers enhanced management capabilities and intelligent photo-editing tools. For example, the program can reveal eyes closed, print pictures, and easily share them on social networks.
Photoshop Elements →
8. DxO Photolab
- platform: Windows, macOS.
- cost of: 129 euros (basic version), 199 euros (premium version).
DxO Photolab performs only a certain type of problem, but does it well. Its results are impressive, but the editor is too specific and sometimes difficult to use. This is probably the best RAW-converter of all, but that's all I was capable of DxO Photolab.
DxO Photolab automatically corrects various degrees of distortion, chromatic aberration, vignetting and blurry edges, typical for most digital cameras.
You can choose an image from your computer and specify conversion settings / correction or use one of the presets. DxO Photolab demonstrates excellent results. Nevertheless, this program can not replace a full-fledged editor.
DxO Photolab →
9. Camera +
- platform: IOS.
- cost of: $ 2.99 (iPhone), 4,99 dollar (iPad).
Preloaded on the iPhone app "Camera" not ideal. Yes, it allows you to take good pictures, but does not allow control over creativity.
In this respect, it wins Camera +. This program consists of two parts: a camera and a photo editor with a huge range of advanced features. Camera + does not limit you to edit the new images. You can also import into her old photos and breathe new life into them.
Camera + →
10. Pixelmator
- platform: MacOS, iOS.
- cost of: 29.99 dollar (macOS), 4,99 dollar (iOS).
Pixelmator - a fast and powerful photo editor. Through the use of libraries macOS program seamlessly integrates with iPhoto and iCloud. The editor is also embedded images export function to Facebook and Flickr.
The Pixelmator, you can find tools to adjust hue, saturation, shadows, light and contrast. The program offers 150 built-in filters. You can open and save images in many popular formats, including PSD, TIFF, PDF, and PNG.
When you work with Photoshop files program recognizes layers. This allows you to collaborate with colleagues who use Adobe products.
Pixelmator →
11. Handy Photo
- platform: IOS, Android.
- cost of: $ 2.99.
The main distinguishing feature of the program Handy Photo - interface located at the corners of the radial menu. It is designed in such a way so as not to occupy the central area of the screen. effects is controlled by a swipe.
Handy Photo - it is a powerful photo editor. Its interface does not fit all, but it's worth the opportunities that you get. For example, Move Me tool allows you to cut out objects, move, resize, or rotate.
Handy Photo →
see also
- 6 different programs for video editing →
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- 11 programs for MacOS, that should be in every →