Best Photo Editing Software: Library, Pixel and Free Options Compared

Most photographers need two kinds of software: one for organising and developing images, and one for pixel-level work when a photograph needs more than global adjustments. Some tools do both reasonably well. Others specialise. This roundup is organised by the job, because the question “which is best?” depends on whether you shoot ten images a week or ten thousand.

How we chose these: each pick is included because it is widely used for the job described, and the assessment draws on its public feature set, pricing structure and documented capabilities. These are editorial judgements. We have not tested every product here in the same way, and we say where a pick is only listed in our directory.

For large RAW libraries

Adobe Lightroom

Our favourite for working through large libraries, with strong cataloguing, presets and batch export. It is not a layer-based editor. Choose the cloud or desktop version according to how you store files. Read the Lightroom review.

Capture One

A professional RAW editor often chosen for tethered studio shooting and colour control. It has a dedicated following among commercial photographers. We have not reviewed it for this edition; see the software directory for its official site.

For retouching and compositing

Adobe Photoshop

The most complete pixel editor for retouching, compositing and print. Its layer and mask systems are unmatched in mainstream software, and its learning curve is steep. See the Photoshop review.

Affinity Photo

A strong alternative for retouching, RAW development and compositing. It is fast, non-destructive and now available in the free Affinity app. Its ecosystem is smaller than Adobe’s. See the Affinity Photo review.

Pixelmator Pro

A macOS-focused photo editor with a polished interface and capable retouching tools. It appeals to Mac users who want something lighter than Photoshop. We have not reviewed it for this edition.

Free and open options

Photopea

A browser-based editor that handles layers, masks and PSD files, and it is free to use with an advertising-supported interface. It is useful for occasional edits and for people who cannot install software. Check its current terms and privacy practices before uploading client images.

GIMP

A free, open-source editor with a long history and a large plugin community. Its interface is different from commercial tools, and it has improved considerably over time. It is a strong choice for people who want a capable pixel editor at no cost.

Summary table

How to decide

If your work is mostly RAW libraries, start with Lightroom and add a pixel editor only when you need one. If retouching is your core skill, Photoshop or Affinity Photo will serve you better. If you edit a few photos a month, a free editor covers most needs. Our photo editing workflow tutorial explains how to combine two tools without duplicating effort.