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Photo Editing Software: Best Free & Paid Tools, AI Editors, and Top Choices for 2025
Photo editing has become an essential part of modern digital life. From professional photographers and content creators to students and beginners, everyone needs photo editing software to enhance images, correct colors, remove backgrounds, and create stunning visuals.
Today, there are hundreds of tools available—ranging from free photo editing software to professional AI-powered editors that rival Adobe Photoshop. This complete guide explains everything you need to know about photo editing software in 2024–2025.
What Is Photo Editing Software?
Photo editing software is a type of application software used to modify, enhance, and manipulate digital images. It allows users to adjust brightness, contrast, colors, crop images, remove objects, retouch photos, and apply effects.
Photo Editing Software Meaning
In simple words, photo editing software helps you improve or change photos digitally.
What Is Photo Editing Software Used For?
Photo editing software is commonly used for:
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Image enhancement
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Color correction
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Background removal
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Object removal
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RAW photo editing
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Photo restoration
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Graphic design
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Social media content
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YouTube thumbnails
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Product and real estate photography
Examples of Photo Editing Software
Some popular examples include:
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Adobe Photoshop
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Adobe Lightroom
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GIMP
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Affinity Photo
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Canva
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Luminar
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Capture One
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Corel PaintShop Pro
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Krita
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Darktable
👉 These are commonly cited when asked to name any two photo editing software.
Types of Photo Editing Software
There are different types of photo editing software, depending on usage and skill level.
1. Professional Photo Editing Software
Used by photographers and designers for advanced editing.
Examples:
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Adobe Photoshop
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Adobe Lightroom
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Capture One
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Affinity Photo
2. Free Photo Editing Software
Ideal for beginners and budget users.
Examples:
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GIMP
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Krita
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Darktable
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Photopea (online)
3. AI Photo Editing Software
Uses artificial intelligence for automatic edits.
Examples:
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Luminar Neo
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Canva AI
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Photoshop AI
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Krea AI
4. Online Photo Editing Software
Browser-based editors with no installation.
Examples:
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Canva
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Pixlr
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Photopea
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Fotor
5. Mobile Photo Editing Apps
Designed for smartphones and tablets.
Examples:
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Snapseed
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Lightroom Mobile
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iPhone Photos App
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Android Photo Editors
Best Photo Editing Software in 2025
Top Photo Editing Software (Overall)
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Adobe Photoshop – Industry standard
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Lightroom – Best for photographers
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Affinity Photo – Best one-time purchase
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Luminar Neo – Best AI photo editing software
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Capture One – Best RAW editor
Best Free Photo Editing Software
If you want photo editing software that’s free, these are top choices:
Best Free Photo Editing Software for PC & Mac
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GIMP (open source, powerful)
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Krita (great for digital art)
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Darktable (Lightroom alternative)
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Photopea (Photoshop-like online editor)
👉 Many users search for free photo editing software like Photoshop—GIMP and Photopea are the closest matches.
Best Photo Editing Software for Beginners
Beginners need easy-to-use photo editing software with simple tools.
Best Beginner-Friendly Photo Editors
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Canva
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Apple Photos
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Microsoft Photos
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Luminar Neo
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Adobe Photoshop Express
These tools are often listed as the easiest photo editing software for beginners.
Photo Editing Software for PC (Windows)
Best Photo Editing Software for Windows 10 & Windows 11
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Adobe Photoshop
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Affinity Photo
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Corel PaintShop Pro
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GIMP
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Luminar Neo
Best Free Photo Editing Software for Windows
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GIMP
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Krita
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Darktable
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Microsoft Photos (built-in)
Photo Editing Software for Mac
Does Mac Have Photo Editing Software?
Yes. macOS comes with Apple Photos, a built-in photo editing software.
Best Photo Editing Software for Mac
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Adobe Photoshop
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Affinity Photo
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Luminar Neo
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Capture One
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Apple Photos
Best Free Photo Editing Software for Mac
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GIMP
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Darktable
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Krita
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Photopea (browser-based)
Apple Photo Editing Software Explained
Apple Photos is Apple’s default photo editing software for macOS, iPhone, and iPad.
Features:
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Basic editing tools
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Filters
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Portrait enhancements
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iCloud sync
👉 Many users ask: “Is Apple’s photo editing software good?”
It’s great for basic edits but limited for professional work.
Adobe Photo Editing Software
Adobe dominates the photo editing industry.
Adobe Photo Editing Software List:
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Photoshop
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Lightroom
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Lightroom Classic
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Photoshop Express
Is Photoshop the Best Photo Editing Software?
For professionals—yes. However, many users prefer non-subscription photo editing software.
Photo Editing Software Without Subscription
If you want a one-time purchase photo editing software, consider:
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Affinity Photo
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Corel PaintShop Pro
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ON1 Photo RAW
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Capture One (perpetual license)
These are popular among users who dislike monthly subscriptions.
AI Photo Editing Software (2024–2025 Trend)
AI photo editing software is transforming the editing process.
What AI Can Do:
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Remove backgrounds automatically
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Enhance images with one click
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Restore old photos
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Remove people and objects
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Upscale images to 4K or 8K
Best AI Photo Editing Software
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Luminar Neo
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Photoshop AI
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Canva AI
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Krea AI
Photo Editing Software for RAW Files
Photographers working with RAW images need advanced tools.
Best RAW Photo Editing Software
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Adobe Lightroom
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Capture One
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Darktable (free)
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ON1 Photo RAW
Photo Editing Software for Special Uses
For YouTube Thumbnails
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Canva
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Photoshop
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Photopea
For Real Estate Photography
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Lightroom
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Luminar Neo
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Photoshop
For Jewelry Photography
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Photoshop
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Affinity Photo
For Old Photo Restoration
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Photoshop AI
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Luminar Neo
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GIMP
Open Source Photo Editing Software
Open source photo editing software is free and community-driven.
Best Open Source Editors:
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GIMP
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Krita
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Darktable
Ideal for users who want free professional photo editing software.
Photo Editing Software Features
Common features include:
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Layers
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Masks
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Filters
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RAW support
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AI enhancements
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Background removal
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Object removal
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Presets
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Color grading
👉 These help identify the features of photo editing software.
History of Photo Editing Software (Brief)
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1990s: Early tools like Photoshop 1.0
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2000s: Desktop dominance
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2010s: Cloud and mobile editing
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2020s: AI-powered photo editing
Photo Editing Software Comparison (Quick)
| Software | Free | AI | Subscription |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photoshop | ❌ | ✅ | Yes |
| GIMP | ✅ | ❌ | No |
| Affinity Photo | ❌ | ❌ | No |
| Luminar Neo | ❌ | ✅ | Optional |
| Canva | ✅ | ✅ | Optional |
Which Photo Editing Software Do Professionals Use?
Professional photographers mostly use:
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Adobe Photoshop
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Lightroom
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Capture One
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Affinity Photo
These are considered industry standard photo editing software.
Best Photo Editing Software 2024–2025
Top Picks:
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Best Overall: Adobe Photoshop
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Best Free: GIMP
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Best AI: Luminar Neo
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Best for Beginners: Canva
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Best One-Time Purchase: Affinity Photo
How to Choose the Best Photo Editing Software
Consider:
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Skill level
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Budget
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Platform (PC, Mac, Linux)
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AI features
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Subscription vs one-time payment
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RAW support
Final Thoughts
Photo editing software is no longer limited to professionals. With free photo editing software, AI editors, and easy-to-use tools, anyone can enhance photos in 2025.
Whether you want:
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The best free photo editing software
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A Photoshop alternative
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AI photo editing software
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Or a beginner-friendly photo editor
There’s a perfect solution available for you.
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