Photo Editing Software
Best Photo Editing Software in 2026: Pro, AI and Free Options
The best photo editors for product photos, ads, portraits and RAW files — Photoshop, Lightroom, Affinity, AI tools and free alternatives compared.
From quick product-photo cleanups to full RAW workflows, here are the photo editors worth using — including excellent free options.
Our picks at a glance
No paid rankings · prices not shown (they change often)
- 1Adobe PhotoshopBest professional photo editor
- 2Adobe LightroomBest for photographers' workflows
- 3Affinity (by Canva)Best one-app Adobe alternative
- 4Capture OneBest for colour & studio work
- 5Luminar NeoBest AI quick edits
- 6CanvaBest for simple marketing edits
- 7GIMPBest free Photoshop alternative
- 8PhotopeaBest free in the browser
- 9darktableBest free RAW editor
The best photo editing software
Adobe Photoshop
Best professional photo editorDetails pending editor verificationThe industry-standard image editor, now with Firefly-powered Generative Fill.
What we like
- Best-in-class retouching, compositing and masking
- Generative Fill and Generative Expand
- Desktop, web and iPad versions
Watch out for
- Subscription only
- Steep learning curve for beginners
Adobe Lightroom
Best for photographers' workflowsDetails pending editor verificationPhoto organising and RAW editing for photographers, on desktop and mobile.
What we like
- Catalogue, keyword and batch-edit large photo libraries
- AI masking and noise reduction
- Syncs edits across devices (cloud version)
Watch out for
- Subscription only
- Lightroom vs Lightroom Classic can be confusing
Affinity (by Canva)
Best one-app Adobe alternativeDetails pending editor verificationProfessional vector, photo and layout tools, now owned by Canva.
What we like
- Pro-level vector, pixel and page-layout tools
- No Adobe-style subscription for the core app (per Canva's relaunch — confirm current terms)
- Opens PSD and other common formats
Watch out for
- Plans and features changed after the Canva acquisition — check the official site
- Smaller plugin and tutorial ecosystem than Adobe
Free option: check site
Visit official site for Affinity (by Canva) (opens in new tab)Official websiteCapture One
Best for colour & studio workDetails pending editor verificationProfessional RAW editor known for colour handling and tethered shooting.
What we like
- Excellent colour tools
- Industry favourite for tethered studio shooting
- Layers and advanced masking
Watch out for
- Professional price point
- Learning curve
Luminar Neo
Best AI quick editsDetails pending editor verificationAI-first photo editor from Skylum for fast, one-click enhancements.
What we like
- AI sky replacement, relighting and portrait tools
- Beginner-friendly
- Works standalone or as a plugin
Watch out for
- Less suited to detailed professional retouching
Canva
Best for simple marketing editsDetails pending editor verificationTemplate-driven design platform for social posts, ads, presentations and brand assets.
What we like
- Huge template library for every social and ad format
- Magic Studio AI tools (generate, edit, resize, write)
- Real-time collaboration and Brand Kit on paid plans
- Free plan good enough for many small businesses
Watch out for
- Less precise than pro tools for print and complex vector work
- Brand Kit, background remover and premium assets need a paid plan
GIMP
Best free Photoshop alternativeDetails pending editor verificationFree, open-source image editor for Windows, Mac and Linux.
What we like
- Completely free and open source
- Layers, masks, filters and plugins
- Major 3.0 release modernised the app
Watch out for
- Learning curve, especially for Photoshop users
- Fewer AI features than commercial tools
Photopea
Best free in the browserDetails pending editor verificationFree browser-based photo editor that opens PSD, XCF, Sketch and more.
What we like
- Runs in the browser — nothing to install
- Photoshop-like layout and PSD support
- Optional paid account removes ads
Watch out for
- Ad-supported on the free version
- Performance depends on your browser and device
darktable
Best free RAW editorDetails pending editor verificationFree, open-source RAW photo workflow — a Lightroom alternative.
What we like
- Free and open source
- Non-destructive RAW editing and cataloguing
- Cross-platform
Watch out for
- Steep learning curve
Photo editing for websites and ads
- Export web images as WebP or AVIF and resize to the display size — it's one of the easiest speed wins.
- Keep a consistent crop ratio for product images.
- Write descriptive alt text for accessibility and SEO.
- Disclose AI-generated or heavily altered images where platform rules require it.
Related: Best graphic design software · Best AI image generators
Frequently asked questions
What is the best free alternative to Photoshop?
GIMP is the most complete free desktop alternative, and Photopea offers a Photoshop-like editor in your browser that opens PSD files.
Photoshop or Lightroom?
Lightroom is for organising and adjusting many photos quickly (exposure, colour, RAW). Photoshop is for detailed pixel editing, retouching and compositing. Many photographers use both.
Editors & researchers
Our editorial team researches, tests and fact-checks every guide. Articles are reviewed against our editorial policy before publishing and re-reviewed on a schedule.
Related guides
Graphic Design Software
Best Graphic Design Software in 2026: From Canva to Adobe
The best design tools for ads, social posts, brand assets and website design — Canva, Adobe, Figma, Affinity and free options — with honest pros, cons and who each suits.
AI Image Generators
Best AI Image Generators in 2026: For Ads, Blogs and Social
The best AI image generators compared — Firefly, Midjourney, ChatGPT, Gemini, Ideogram and Canva — on quality, text rendering, editing and commercial-use terms.
Video Editing Software
Best Video Editing Software in 2026: For YouTube, Ads and Pros
The best video editors for YouTube, short-form ads, UGC and professional projects — free, subscription and one-time-purchase options with honest trade-offs.