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Best Free Picture Editor

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  • January 07, 2020
  • 30 min to read
  1. Best Free Picture Editor Software
  2. Best Free Picture Editor Programs
  3. Best Free Picture Editor Reviews
  4. Best Free Picture Editor App

Cutting out the background from photos is a popular photo editing procedure. There are literally dozens of possible uses for PhotoScissors: uploading product images to eBay or Amazon, preparing photos for job seeking or dating websites, replacing a boring background with a more picturesque one or a solid color, creating photo jokes and collages, retouching vacation photos for fun or to make a. Adobe Photoshop Express Editor is a free photo editor. It is jam-packed with features that will allow you to make your images pop. You will be able to remove red-eye, resize images, make color corrections, and more.

GIMP is likely the most popular free photo editor program. It's full of professional features and provides a very friendly and flexible interface. The toolbox, layers, and brushes panes of GIMP are separated from the main canvas so you can truly adjust how you want to work without losing any of the features you need access to. While Pixlr Editor is seen as the best online photo editor like Photoshop, Pixlr X is considered the best free HTML alternative to Photoshop Express. This software was developed as the successor of Pixlr Editor in hopes to avoid obsolescence once Flash is out of the picture. Pixlr, the World's Favorite #1 Online Photo Editor lets you edit photos right in your browser for Free. Experience next level, intuitive photo editing with AI-powered tools for quick yet professional edits. Our editor opens almost any image format such as PSD (Photoshop), PXD, JPEG, PNG (transparent), WebP, SVG and more.

It has become general truth that almost every Internet user who has an account on social networks edits their photos. For this reason, today we will be looking at Top 18 best photo editing software for PC that you will make good use of. Let's get it started!

(Shortlist) Top 10 Photo Editing Software for PC with a Free/ Trial Versions to Download

  1. Microsoft Windows 10 Photos
  2. Luminar
  3. GIMP
  4. Lightzone
  5. Paint.NET
  6. Aurora HDR
  7. Photos Pos Pro
  8. PhotoScape X
  9. Lightroom
  10. Photolemur

1. Microsoft Windows 10 Photos (Windows 10's Built-In App)

This app replaced its predecessor, Windows Photo Gallery. Although the software lost some of the features and tools, it still offers all the basic and essential means of editing your photographs and videos.

The first thing you notice when getting acquainted with Microsoft Windows 10 Photos is the minimalistic interface that is easy to interact with. The photostream is horizontal, which some users may find a bit unusual, but this feature actually contributes to the convenience of the app. You can rest assured that no extra icons will get in your way!

The key tools include Enhance, Contrast, Brightness, Shadow, Tint, Warmth and Filters. With videos, you will be able to add some music as a background, create clips and projects. The software is free so don't hesitate to give it a go!

2. Luminar (7 days fully free)

A great solution for those who are ready to buy editing software and use it regularly, Luminar is also available for a 7-day free trial. It's considered one of the leading software of its category on the market.

Luminar can fix minor drawbacks in your pictures automatically, or you can take control over it and turn to the following tools: brushes, filters, Enhance, Curves and others. The software loses out on some up-to-date features like adding location or face recognition, but the stability and convenience balance up.

You can store your pictures in catalogs or easily import them to the PC files or elsewhere. Luminar supports numerous photo formats, including RAW. Edit your pictures with the help of filters or adjust the colors separately for the best result.

Another decent competitor is GIMP, a true pioneer of photo editing founded back in 2002 and developed to a great extent now. The design has undergone changes – all the tools you will now find in one window! In addition to that, you can choose the background color of the software that will suit your taste the most.

GIMP now operates GEGL, which enhanced its efficiency and work speed. You can process formats like PNG, TIF, JPG, RAW and some others. Take advantage of the split feature that enables you to compare the before and after of your picture and keep your eye on each detail.

Apart from the basic tools, GIMP now can boast with the variety of Transform Tool options, which allow you to work with the scale and perspective within one tool.

For a free photo editing software, Lightzone offers a vast range of great tools and ways to transform images at ease. The list includes sharpening, managing colors, getting rid of the noise, changing brightness, eliminating red eyes, adding glow to the skin and many more.

One of the best features of Lightzone is the ability to undo changes or track them, which enables you to choose what way you like your pictures more. Another quite appealing feature is the quick and smooth processing of RAW format files that allow you to work with the highest quality of your images.

Don't wait around and try this free photo editing software right now!

If you search for a free photo editor to process images on your PC, Paint.Net is a viable solution! The software interface is smartly designed, so you can easily navigate the program. Here you will find numerous tools, such as pen, crop tool, text adding and others. Even the newbies in the world of editing will learn how to handle the app in a split minute.

Another upside of Paint.NET is a rather fresh feature – translucent pallets that don't get in your way while you're editing. However, those of you who disapprove of this feature can just turn it off.

All the necessary means of editing an image you will find in the Adjustment section, where you will be able to work with the color and brightness. Removing red eyes is also one of the key elements of the section. Although Paint.NET hasn't provided some extra tools like adjustment layers, it is great for simple photo manipulations.

This software meets all the standards of an up-to-date editing app – Aurora HDR offers an impressive number of tools and features, including Curves, Enhance, Dodge & Burn, Color Adjustment and a lot of opportunities with the HDR effect.

Aurora HDR operation is based on AI and transforms your average pictures into highly detailed images with a variety of layers to them due to the emphasis on HDR. The results look clear and sharp, the key objects stay in the foreground.

Use creative filters for a change in the mood of the picture. The software has plug-in options with Apple Photos, Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom; the users can process RAW files and maintain the highest quality of their works. You can get Aurora HDR for a free trial.

Produced by Power of Software, Photos Pos Pro appears to be a powerful program for editing and retouch. It offers an abundance of features and useful tools, both basic and out-of-the-ordinary; the app also enables you to create collages and even web pages, so that you can show all your creativity and bring your ideas to life.

The strongest side of Photos Pos Pro is the convenience and simplicity of the interface; the navigation will be no problem even for kids. Professional photographers will take advantage of its compatibility with the RAW format. If this is the first time you work within Photo Pos Pro, don't hesitate and watch the step-by-step tutorials offered by developers.

All the outstanding features are only available in a paid version, although you can get a free trial.

Do you like to apply filters and presets instead of adjusting each detail separately? Then PhotoScape is a great option for you, since it offers numerous effects from film to bokeh, from HDR to Surrealistic effect. The list of filters makes PhotoScape stand out in the crowd of competitors.

Nevertheless, there are tools for photo processing that allow you to work on each aspect in depth. Change the size, brightness, contrast and other settings in a picture. Another upside of PhotoScare is that it enables you to create GIFs, a feature that many other photo editing software won't offer.

Windows 10 and macOS users can download PhotoScape for free; still, if you want to appreciate all the best tools PhotoScape has come up with, you can enjoy the paid version.

Most of us have heard of this photo editing giant – made by Adobe, Lightroom makes one of the most convenient and rich-in-tools software for editing and retouching.

Lightroom operates as cloud storage, which implies that you can keep your images within the app. Take control over all the basic settings: brightness, contrast, shadows, whites and blacks, color adjustment, clarity, sharpness and much more. Change the size and rotate the picture, add presets and frames. Also, be sure to try to create your own presets and share them with others! The variety of features will impress you.

Import images directly from your digital camera or SD card and get to work straight away. Save edited photos in any format you like.

This is one of the best photo editing software for PC with free a download option. Photolemur is rather new on the market compared to the above-mentioned apps. However, this software is not inferior, for it offers you a quick automatic edit with the help of the Enhance tool. You can also smoothen the skin with Enhance Face and make a portrait look more appealing.

Photolemur has a secret – it operates based on AI that conducts an analysis of a photo and creates a unique way to improve its quality.

The users can process many photos at once, which saves time and effort. Just use the Enhance tool and the work is done! Starcraft 2 is now free. The software is available for free download, but not without a watermark in your picture.

11. Pixlr (Web or Mobile Versions)

This photo editor runs in the browser, which has both its pros and cons. The good thing about it is that you don't depend on any device or OS, the bad one – the app won't operate without Flash and you'll have to get used to the advertisement.

You can import photos from your PC or from Facebook, which may save you some time if you're in a hurry. Adop reader free download. Another remarkable advantage of Pixlr is the customizability of the interface, which implies that the program will meet your unique demands and preferences in terms of design.

Pixlr can offer many advanced features for transforming your photos. For example, within Pixlr users can apply layers, use brushes, adjust light settings or manage colors. Quite a bargain for a free editor!

As you can see from the name of the software, its main goal is to process RAW files in the most efficient and sophisticated way, so that the photos could maintain their quality and look even better after editing.

RawTherapee is perfect if you want to modify the exposure, shadows, color settings, temperature, contrast and some other aspects. You can also manipulate the format and resize the photo.

Those of you who prefer to complete several tasks at once may be disappointed that RawTherapee allows you to process only one file at a time. Nonetheless, the well-thought design makes you enjoy the process and dive into it fully.

RawTherapee enables you to make presets and save the needed settings to apply them to another file. This is a nice free option if you don't feel like buying a photo editor program.

13. DarkTable

This software takes the leading position as far as the number of tools is concerned – here you will be able to crop, rotate, work with curves, adjust white balance and much more. In each separate section, the users will find the corresponding tools.

Process RAW files at ease – bring out new layers and angles in a picture. With DarkTable you can make the colors pop out or emphasize sharpness and natural beauty.

This is a decent opponent to Lightroom, although you don't have to pay in order to use DarkTable. It's powerful and simple at the same time, and that is a fact.

14. InPixio

Bring your pictures to a new level with InPixio – smartly designed and useful photo editor. You will be able to apply filters and designs, as well as create frames or just crop your images. Needless to say, such basic features as brightness, contrast and color managing are all here.

The app has numerous versions and updates, which lets you pick the best one with the most suitable interface and tools. The customers can choose between InPixio Photo Clip 8 and InPixio Photo Clip 8 Professional, the second offering 100+ effects, a handle of frames and text adding features.

One of the high points is the change of background – the software can automatically wipe it or you can paint it on your own. Bring the most important details into focus with the focus tool. Feel sure about InPixio? Don't wait and purchase it now.

Another famous photo editor for PC is definitely worth your attention – you will take advantage of the minimalistic design and all the necessary tools for better image processing. Create a masterpiece by working on clarity, white balance, saturation, curves and so on. For portrait photographers, Picktorial offers a variety of features to improve the skin or make it smooth.

Brushes and gradients make up a great basis for your adjustments and creative deeds. The interface may appear similar to the Lightroom's, but it is more of an advantage. Choose the visibility for each tool.

The most attention developers paid to color adjustments – you will make great use of the Color Mask tool and other opportunities to render this aspect of your picture.

Do you like your images out-of-the-ordinary and bizarre? Want to stand out on Instagram? Well, then Polarr is the best software you will find. It's popular for its impressive effects that have no equivalent on the market.

Creating your own filters and using editing tools for face makes the basis, while unusual effects like light leaks and flares spice up the software. Brushes, color masks, enhance, vignette, curves – all of them allow you to process your pictures the best way and get the needed results.

Users can customize the interface, change dark or white mode or create a new colorful design. Free animation package. There is only paid subscription available, although very affordable -- $2,49 a month for quality photo retouch and editing.

ON1 photo editing software aims at providing the best services for those who want to make a change with their photography. If you need time to make acquaintances with ON1 – take advantage of a 30-day free trial.

The app is great to manage RAW files, it adds depth and sharpness to a picture to an extent suitable for each user. You can organize photos the way you find it convenient and pick those that you would like to work with.

Mac and Windows users can purchase the software and enjoy the whole range of features and tools. Want to make the grass look greener? No problem! Irritated by those red eyes? There will be no more! Change the contrast, blur the background, manage colors and never stop creating with ON1.

18. Photopea (Online app)

We close our list with this advanced photo editing software that is in no way worse than all the previous options. The design resembles that of Photoshop and boasts with its simplicity and minimalism. Every tool is kept in its own place and can be reached easily, so you don't have to worry about losing the essential brushes or settings.

You can manage photos with the help of layers, brushes, filters, crop-and-rotate tools and many others. Save your settings to apply them as a preset later. Erase whatever you dislike in your image or add new elements or even text.

Photopea is a decent solution for those of you who need a cheaper alternative to Lightroom or Photoshop. Here it is, waiting for you to download it and get down to creating beautiful pictures!

We hope these variants of editing software will bring out your creativity and imagination!

Using a photo editor app can help you edit your photos with ease and allow you to create high-quality small size images to share on the web.

Here we will consider the list of the top 15 best free photo editing apps in 2020 to get a perfect job done:

Read on for the detailed analysis of each app.

Top 15 Best Free Photo Editor Apps

You're convinced that you want to get a photo editor software, but not sure where to start. There are many free online photo editor programs to choose from. We've narrowed down the best free photo editor that you can use without paying a hefty price.

1. Adobe Photoshop Express Editor

Best Photo Editing Software Overall

Although Photoshop can be a bit intimidating, its sister product Adobe Photoshop Express Editor is an altogether different animal. All the tools are readily accessible and easy to use.

Adobe Photoshop Express Editor is a free photo editor. It is jam-packed with features that will allow you to make your images pop. You will be able to remove red-eye, resize images, make color corrections, and more.

It works right from your browser or mobile app. Editing photos is a snap with tools to balance color, resize, crop, change lighting, rotate, and more. The interface is appealing yet user-friendly. Our only gripes are that it was designed in Flash and not HTML5, and image formats can be somewhat limited.

👆 Special Features:

  • Crop
  • Rotate
  • Remove Red and pet-eye
  • Auto-Fix
  • Text Tool
  • Blemish Removal
  • Corrections
  • Customization
  • Perspective Correction
  • Pop-Color Tool
  • Image Resize
  • Watermark Images
  • JPEG Quality Output
  • Looks
  • Borders

PROS:

  • Simple and complex customization
  • Easy to use
  • Compatible with other Adobe Products
  • Gives you the edits you need to improve photos significantly

⛔️ CONS:

  • Some features require creative cloud membership that has a fee
  • The photo organizer tool is a separate app

2. Canva

Best Photo Editing App for Social Media

Canva is an easy to use photo editor app that allows users to create graphics and edit photos by merely dragging and dropping. It takes no time at all to build a design from scratch, and you don't have to be a pro to learn how to use this free photo editing software. It has tons of features that will help you create the ultimate design or touch up your pre-existing photos.

One of the best features of Canva is its extensive library of templates. Within minutes you can drop your photos into a preset layout and then style it using dozens of fonts, illustrations, graphics, colors, and design elements.

With Canva, you can create stunning pieces quickly that you can share, print, or export. This online photo editor also comes complete with built-in support using search, tabs, and articles to find help with any issue.

👆 Special Features:

  • Photo Straightener
  • Image Cropper
  • The Ability to Add Text
  • Speech Bubble Maker
  • Transparency Tool
  • Photo Enhancer
  • Photo Blur
  • Photo Vignette
  • Design Grids
  • Free Icons
  • Photo Frames
  • Web Wireframe
  • Stickers
  • Badges
  • Add Texture

PROS:

  • Great for marketing photos on social media
  • Make and design ebooks
  • Excellent for web presentations
  • Tons of great features for free
  • Saves project history

⛔️ CONS:

  • Unable to remove an image's background
  • Needs to increase font size

3. Resizing.app

Best Photo Resizer

One of our favorites is an online image resizer, called Resizing.app. The company has a straightforward website and process to resize images online within seconds. One of the coolest features is the ability to export your newly sized image into a different format.

Resizing.app couldn't be easier to use. You simply drag and drop your images into the box on the home page. Then you select how you want to resize your image (by width, by height, custom size, by percentage, or by the largest side of the image). You can choose to compress your image for quality assurance and then just pick your new file format (jpg, png or webp). Once you hit the save button, your new image is saved to your computer. Voila' all done. No frills but also no hassles.

Unfortunately, this online service does not have any additional photo editing capabilities to go along with resizing. But hey! It's free, and we like free and simple.

If you resize your images and photos regularly, we highly recommend you to add the Resizing extension to your Google Chrome; it is also entirely free.

👆 Special Features:

  • Resizing by width, by height, custom size, by percentage, and by the largest side of the image.
  • Compress a photo
  • Crop an image
  • Convert an image to JPEG, PNG, WEBP
  • Optimize a picture

PROS:

  • Free
  • Easy to use
  • Online
  • Convert TIFF and HEIC files into JPEG, PNG or WEBP
  • Has extention for Google Chrome

⛔️ CONS:

  • Doesn't have any additional photo editing capabilities

4. inPixio

Another app we tested looking for the best free photo editor was inPixio. In reviews, inPixio earns high marks for usability, features, support, speed, and pricing. It has some fantastic tools to fix perspective (straighten buildings), image correction, dehaze, and you can even edit metadata right within the app to add headlines, captions, and copyright details.

inPixio also offers a free tool to remove the background from an image. It works pretty well if the photo has a clear color distinction between what you want to remove and what you want to keep. inPixio is fun to use, although it may not rank as the best free photo editor on the block, it is worth checking out.

To purchase the full program, you will need to select either the inPixio Photo Studio 10 for $49.99 or inPixio Photo Studio Professional version for $59.99. The price is for the full software you can install and use on your Mac or Windows PC.

Looking for one for your Mac? Read our review of the best mac photo editor.

👆 Special Features:

  • Eraser
  • Correction Patch
  • Cloning stamp
  • Cutter
  • Retouching and Correction
  • Perspective correction
  • Film grain module

PROS:

  • Tools for retouching photos, resizing, removing backgrounds, cropping, fixing sharpness, trimming, and adding filters.
  • Share images within the app.
  • Erase objects easily from photos.
  • No ads.
  • It doesn't 'push' you to upgrade.
  • Special effects to enhance your images.

⛔️ CONS:

  • The background removal tool doesn't always yield perfect results.
  • Some users complain that it does not work as advertised.
  • Puts watermarks on images with the free version.
  • Cannot batch edit.
  • Works by installing multiple modules.

5. Instasize

If you are in the market for the best free photo editing app, you will want to check out Instasize. The app was designed for social media and influencers who want to create eye-catching, creative photos, and videos for their social feeds. The software includes dozens of visually stunning filters, color editing tools, and you can even edit your videos with it.

Instasize has a broad fan base of more than 500,000 users. The plethora of editing tools also include photo retouching features, fonts, and text editing. The free version is limited, but if you are willing to pay $4.99/month, the Premium version is loaded with goodies.

👆 Special Features:

  • Collage maker
  • Naturally enhancing filters
  • Advanced editing adjustments
  • Borders
  • Beauty tools: edit blemishes, whiten teeth, remove redness, etc.
  • Social media formats
  • Pro fonts and text editor
  • Video editing

PROS:

  • Geared toward creating engaging content for social media.
  • Dozens of useful features, including backgrounds, beauty enhancements, borders, and filters, to make content creation easy.
  • Create collages in a snap.
  • Automatic resizing for social media formats.
  • Fast and easy to use.

⛔️ CONS:

  • The free version is stripped down and includes ads.
  • Some users complain about the ads and some glitches.
  • Only works on mobile devices, no app for PC or Mac.

6. Adobe Photoshop Lightroom

A well-known name in the photo game is Adobe, which makes dozens of photo enhancement and editing products. One such app is the Adobe Photoshop Lightroom app.

This product is a cloud-based product where you can upload batches of images and edit them together. It wouldn't be from Adobe without excellent photo editing tools built-in, and if you run into trouble, they have online tutorials to walk you through it all.

You can edit photos easily with all the expected features, share photos, take pictures from inside the app and sync them across all your devices. The Premium version cost is $9.99/month, which may be more than most users want to pay. If you want access to all the creative cloud apps, that figure balloons to $52.99/month.

👆 Special Features:

  • Preset creation
  • Split Toning
  • Tone Curve
  • Batch editing on desktop
  • Camera
  • Healing Brushes
  • RAW Editing
  • Cloud Storage
  • Sync Presets & Profiles

PROS:

  • Runs on Mac, Windows, Android, and iOS.
  • Easy to use, clean interface.
  • Create albums to organize all your photos.
  • Built-in presets to make editing easy.

⛔️ CONS:

  • Costly to use cloud storage.
  • May be too much for some users.

7. Fotor

Best Free Photo Editing App Online

Fotor is a photo editor software that allows you to utilize its photo editing suite to create top-notch photos. In just a few clicks you can adjust the color, size, lighting and more. It also has an HDR effect for your advanced editing needs.

The magic of Fotor is its extensive library of one-click filters to enhance and liven up any photo. Although Fotor is not as powerful as Photoshop and not as feature-rich as GIMP, it holds its own with a solid set of skills such as RAW file processing, borders, frames, color enhancement, and lighting adjustments.

If you like Fotor, there is also a Pro version you can purchase. However, it only works on the Windows platform. Read our review of the best windows photo editor.

👆 Special Features:

  • Image Shape
  • Fonts
  • Stickers
  • Align
  • Drop Shadow
  • Transparency
  • CLone
  • Color Picker
  • Photo Collage
  • Filters
  • HDR
  • Beauty Retouching

PROS:

  • Has web, mobile and desktop version
  • Smart filters and effects
  • Collage maker
  • Raw file converter
  • Has a social network

⛔️ CONS:

  • Lots of ads
  • Inability to edit photos at a deeper level
  • Incompatible with creating images from scratch

8. VSCO

Best free picture editor pc

VSCO is another contender in our line-up of the best free picture editing apps. VSCO is a minimalistic app with a simple interface and powerful features. Its best feature is the vast library of filters to enhance your images and make them share-worthy.

You can do so within the VSCO social media channel. Yes, they have their own social network but you aren't limited to just that one. VSCO also offers some other photo editing tools such as adjusting color, balance, highlights, cropping, and spot healing. The free version is limited to only ten filters, which isn't very many compared to the 200+ you get with the paid version. A VSCO premium membership costs $19.99/year.

👆 Special Features:

  • Filters
  • Clarity
  • Tint
  • Fade
  • X-Skew
  • Y-Skew
  • Skin Tone
  • Highlights Tint
  • Shadows Tint

PROS:

  • Includes its own social network to share images.
  • Easy to use interface.
  • Excellent editing tools with the paid version.
  • Powerful camera features like ISO, exposure, white balance, and focus.
  • Save images in RAW format.
  • Video editing.
  • Create montages easily.
  • The ability to share from within the app.

⛔️ CONS:

  • Requires a paid subscription for the best features.
  • Only works on mobile devices, no app for PC or Mac.
  • Not as good for social media image creation.
  • Pushes upgrading.
  • No option to take selfies with the app.
  • No zoom features.

9. BeFunky

BeFunky is much more than just a free photo editor. With easy to use features, this photo editor app provides high-quality results whenever you use it to edit photos or make collages. You'll have fun using this software for years to come.

Using the myriad of free collage layouts and design elements, you can quickly create a new Facebook banner or other social media image. The program is an online photo editor but also supports a handy mobile app. Integrations allow you to save your masterpiece to Dropbox or Google Drive and share it on Facebook, Pinterest, or Twitter. BeFunky's drag-and-drop functionality makes it a breeze to use.

👆 Special Features:

  • Collage
  • Crop
  • Resize
  • Digital Art
  • Cartoonizer
  • Enhance DLX
  • Font Pairing
  • Create Wallpapers for Your Device
  • Edit and Replace Colors
  • Batch Processing

PROS:

  • Complete control of your work
  • Easier than most programs to use
  • Privacy
  • Editing tools have variety

⛔️ CONS:

  • No eraser tool
  • Additional content has a cost

10. Pixlr

You can't beat the convenience factor of a powerful photo editor that runs in your browser, and Pixlr delivers. Pixlr is a great way to have a convenient photo editor at your fingertips that is user-friendly and can provide the professional-looking images you imagined.

Pixlr is a Photoshop clone that offers a generous treasure trove of image-editing features along with the ability to import photos from Facebook. Pixlr has also been compared to GIMP in terms of functionality and user interface. Although it may be overkill for some, it's just the right balance of form and functionality for others.

👆 Special Features:

  • Edit Photos Using Dropbox
  • Layers
  • Filters
  • Adjustments
  • Texts
  • Fonts
  • Magic Wand
  • Lasso
  • Brushes
  • Eraser
  • Object Transform
  • Color Replace
  • Digital Painting
  • Image Retouching
  • Digital Inking
  • Photo Collage
  • Effects

PROS:

  • Available on desktop and mobile
  • Supports layers and masks
  • Customize the interface

⛔️ CONS:

  • Some ads

11. Snapseed for Android and iOS

Best Photo Editing App for Professional Photographers

Snapseed is a free online photo editor designed for the serious photographer who wants to enhance their photos professionally. Its primary focus is on providing filters that will change the effects. You can also share your creations with its export tool.

The software uses stacks/layers of edits so you can remove, arrange, or apply them at will. These stacks can be saved as a 'look,' meaning a style which you can then use to apply to other photos. Compared to other apps, Snapseed shines with an impressive array of filters, brushes, and nondestructive editing tools that will delight any serious photo editing buff.

👆 Special Features:

  • Pre-Made Filters
  • Looks
  • Tools
  • Export

PROS:

  • Nondestructive editing
  • Selective edit brushes
  • Photographic filters

⛔️ CONS:

  • More suitable for experienced users
  • No auto-save

12. PhotoScape

PhotoScape was designed for the beginner, but don't let that fool you; it is a powerhouse of features and functionality. Although the layout of PhotoScape is a bit clunky, the tools are solid, and along with retouching features, you can easily add filters to your images, create animated GIFs, batch edit photos, create slideshows and more using dozens of free templates.

The list of accolades is impressive for a free photo editor app.

PhotoScape gives you the ability to create stunning images with access to multiple tools. Enhancing your photos becomes more convenient, and you aren't disappointed by a system that doesn't deliver. It has your basic features and more advanced ones such as Batch Processing, Font pairing, and Digital Art.

👆 Special Features:

  • Viewer
  • Editor
  • Batch Editor
  • Page
  • Combine
  • Animated GIF
  • Print
  • Splitter
  • Screen Capture
  • Color Picker
  • Rename
  • Raw Converter
  • Paper Print
  • Face Search

PROS:

  • Plenty of Features
  • Effects Preview
Best free picture editor

VSCO is another contender in our line-up of the best free picture editing apps. VSCO is a minimalistic app with a simple interface and powerful features. Its best feature is the vast library of filters to enhance your images and make them share-worthy.

You can do so within the VSCO social media channel. Yes, they have their own social network but you aren't limited to just that one. VSCO also offers some other photo editing tools such as adjusting color, balance, highlights, cropping, and spot healing. The free version is limited to only ten filters, which isn't very many compared to the 200+ you get with the paid version. A VSCO premium membership costs $19.99/year.

👆 Special Features:

  • Filters
  • Clarity
  • Tint
  • Fade
  • X-Skew
  • Y-Skew
  • Skin Tone
  • Highlights Tint
  • Shadows Tint

PROS:

  • Includes its own social network to share images.
  • Easy to use interface.
  • Excellent editing tools with the paid version.
  • Powerful camera features like ISO, exposure, white balance, and focus.
  • Save images in RAW format.
  • Video editing.
  • Create montages easily.
  • The ability to share from within the app.

⛔️ CONS:

  • Requires a paid subscription for the best features.
  • Only works on mobile devices, no app for PC or Mac.
  • Not as good for social media image creation.
  • Pushes upgrading.
  • No option to take selfies with the app.
  • No zoom features.

9. BeFunky

BeFunky is much more than just a free photo editor. With easy to use features, this photo editor app provides high-quality results whenever you use it to edit photos or make collages. You'll have fun using this software for years to come.

Using the myriad of free collage layouts and design elements, you can quickly create a new Facebook banner or other social media image. The program is an online photo editor but also supports a handy mobile app. Integrations allow you to save your masterpiece to Dropbox or Google Drive and share it on Facebook, Pinterest, or Twitter. BeFunky's drag-and-drop functionality makes it a breeze to use.

👆 Special Features:

  • Collage
  • Crop
  • Resize
  • Digital Art
  • Cartoonizer
  • Enhance DLX
  • Font Pairing
  • Create Wallpapers for Your Device
  • Edit and Replace Colors
  • Batch Processing

PROS:

  • Complete control of your work
  • Easier than most programs to use
  • Privacy
  • Editing tools have variety

⛔️ CONS:

  • No eraser tool
  • Additional content has a cost

10. Pixlr

You can't beat the convenience factor of a powerful photo editor that runs in your browser, and Pixlr delivers. Pixlr is a great way to have a convenient photo editor at your fingertips that is user-friendly and can provide the professional-looking images you imagined.

Pixlr is a Photoshop clone that offers a generous treasure trove of image-editing features along with the ability to import photos from Facebook. Pixlr has also been compared to GIMP in terms of functionality and user interface. Although it may be overkill for some, it's just the right balance of form and functionality for others.

👆 Special Features:

  • Edit Photos Using Dropbox
  • Layers
  • Filters
  • Adjustments
  • Texts
  • Fonts
  • Magic Wand
  • Lasso
  • Brushes
  • Eraser
  • Object Transform
  • Color Replace
  • Digital Painting
  • Image Retouching
  • Digital Inking
  • Photo Collage
  • Effects

PROS:

  • Available on desktop and mobile
  • Supports layers and masks
  • Customize the interface

⛔️ CONS:

  • Some ads

11. Snapseed for Android and iOS

Best Photo Editing App for Professional Photographers

Snapseed is a free online photo editor designed for the serious photographer who wants to enhance their photos professionally. Its primary focus is on providing filters that will change the effects. You can also share your creations with its export tool.

The software uses stacks/layers of edits so you can remove, arrange, or apply them at will. These stacks can be saved as a 'look,' meaning a style which you can then use to apply to other photos. Compared to other apps, Snapseed shines with an impressive array of filters, brushes, and nondestructive editing tools that will delight any serious photo editing buff.

👆 Special Features:

  • Pre-Made Filters
  • Looks
  • Tools
  • Export

PROS:

  • Nondestructive editing
  • Selective edit brushes
  • Photographic filters

⛔️ CONS:

  • More suitable for experienced users
  • No auto-save

12. PhotoScape

PhotoScape was designed for the beginner, but don't let that fool you; it is a powerhouse of features and functionality. Although the layout of PhotoScape is a bit clunky, the tools are solid, and along with retouching features, you can easily add filters to your images, create animated GIFs, batch edit photos, create slideshows and more using dozens of free templates.

The list of accolades is impressive for a free photo editor app.

PhotoScape gives you the ability to create stunning images with access to multiple tools. Enhancing your photos becomes more convenient, and you aren't disappointed by a system that doesn't deliver. It has your basic features and more advanced ones such as Batch Processing, Font pairing, and Digital Art.

👆 Special Features:

  • Viewer
  • Editor
  • Batch Editor
  • Page
  • Combine
  • Animated GIF
  • Print
  • Splitter
  • Screen Capture
  • Color Picker
  • Rename
  • Raw Converter
  • Paper Print
  • Face Search

PROS:

  • Plenty of Features
  • Effects Preview

⛔️ CONS:

  • Redundant Interface

13. Paint.NET

Paint.Net started as a built-in program on the Windows platform and evolved into its own standalone photo editing software with an innovative user interface that supports many features. This photo editor can be extended through plug-ins to give a wide variety to what the photo editor app can do.

While it provides a clean layout and powerful tools, this program is not for beginners. It boasts of a main working window with the tools corralled into their own movable windows. The program uses layers to keep everything organized. A design aficionado will be disappointed with the lack of some features, but for most users, it's a great solution.

👆 Special Features:

  • Layers
  • Unlimited Undo
  • Special Effects
  • Powerful Tools
  • Unlimited History

PROS:

  • Innovative Interface
  • Keyboard Shortcuts for Tools and Menu Items
  • Font Previews

⛔️ CONS:

  • Little Control Over Text
  • Minimal Layer Effects
  • Few Brush Options

14. GIMP

Best Open-source Photo Editor

GIMP is open-source software and a favorite among many graphic designers. GIMP has often been compared to Photoshop. While it shares many of the same features and functionality of the popular photo editing software, GIMP is free.

Some of the highlights are a plethora of brushes to choose from, filters, and even plugins to make the software more desirable. GIMP also supports animation. Because of all this, GIMP is by far our pick for the best free photo editor.

👆 Special Features:

  • Color Correction
  • Skin Retouching
  • Eyes Brightening
  • Customizable Interface
  • Graphic Design Elements
  • Original Artwork
  • Photo Enhancement
  • Inkscape
  • Swatch booker

PROS:

  • Compatible With Many File Types
  • Developer Support
  • User-Friendly Interface
  • Open Source Code

⛔️ CONS:

  • Functionality

15. Photo Pos Pro

Photo Pos Pro is excellent for creating computer graphic designs and text that will pop. It is a powerful software that can be mastered by advanced and beginner photo editors. The system has a program that offers assistance for beginners who need step by step instructions.

With Photo Pos Pro, you get the best of both worlds, the choice of a beginner or expert interface. Photographers will love the support for RAW files, the many filters, and retouching tools. Both the novice and pro interfaces are a bit confusing and cluttered. It's a very personal preference when picking the best free photo editor for you.

👆 Special Features:

  • Filters
  • Layers
  • Masks
  • Curves
  • Scripts
  • Effects
  • Brushes
  • Frames and Collages
  • Text Effects
  • RAW Files Support
  • Remove, Erase, and Replace Backgrounds

PROS:

  • Great For Any Level of Experience
  • Superb Help and Tutorials
  • Manual Editing and Automatic One-Click Editing Balance

⛔️ CONS:

  • Large Learning Curve
  • Software Glitches

How to Choose The Best Free Photo Editor?

When it comes to choosing the best photo editor software, there are many things to take into account. The top features to look at are the file formats, organizing tools, photo sharing, and standard editing tools. These items are significant for those who're interested in doing photo editing whether it is for pleasure or career.

File Formats

File formats like jpg, gif, and png are essential to have if you're uploading your photos to the Internet. These formats allow you to compress the file size of the images to publish them on the web.

Organizing Tools

Having a free online photo editor should come with tools to help keep you organized. It is essential to have features that will keep track of your photos by using thumbnail previews, search, and naming schemes.

Best Free Picture Editor Software

Standard Editing Tools

Having the basics is vital to being successful at photo editing and utilizing the photo editor software of your choice. Some of the typical tools you'll need are adjusting brightness and contrast in your photos, crop, resize, and rotating the images. They should be easy to catch onto and fast to use.

Searching for how to resize images without losing quality? Follow our step-by-step guide on how to do it at no time.

Best Free Picture Editor Programs

Photo Sharing

We all know how eager we get to post our work and personal photos online. With the right program, it will reduce the time it'll take to upload the image online. That will decrease the need to have a photo editor software that has blogging tools to get your photos posted.

If you want to edit your photos like a PRO, check out the following presets of ours. Alternatively, you can leave it to professionals; FixThePhoto is one of the best photo editing companies to assign your photo retouching tasks.

Finding the best free photo editor is what will set you apart with your photography whether it's a hobby or your career. Choose from these free online photo editor apps to enhance your photos with a few simple clicks. The best part about photo editor online software is that you don't have to break the bank with these free, high-quality programs and can do it from any device, because they are web-based.

Related Articles:

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5 Free Image Resizer Apps for You in 2020
5 Tips on How to Optimize Images for Web

Best Free Picture Editor App

Launchberg editors pick and review products independently. We may earn affiliate commissions when you purchase an item via our links—it helps support our testing.





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