Photo Editing: Buying Advice, Tips, and News
-
The Best Photo Editing SoftwareCasual shutterbugs and hardened professional photographers alike need to organize, correct, adjust, and enhance their pictures. We help you choose the right photo editing software for the job, based on our extensive testing of industry heavyweights.
By Michael Muchmore
Our Current Top Tested Picks
Adobe Lightroom Classic
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
Adobe Lightroom Classic remains the gold standard among pro photo workflow software, with top-notch organization tools, state-of-the-art adjustments, and all the output and printing options you could want.
Full Adobe Lightroom Classic ReviewPros
- Excellent photo management and organization tools
- Auto masking for local adjustments
- Face recognition and geo-tagging
- Supports plug-ins
- Capable mobile apps
Cons
- Syncing photos to cloud storage isn't straightforward
Pros
- Excellent photo management and organization tools
- Auto masking for local adjustments
- Face recognition and geo-tagging
- Supports plug-ins
- Capable mobile apps
Cons
- Syncing photos to cloud storage isn't straightforward
Adobe Photoshop
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
Adobe Photoshop is the world's most capable image editing software, with mind-blowing AI effects, strong collaboration features, and unmatched auto-selection tools, all in a helpful and polished interface.
Full Adobe Photoshop ReviewPros
- Vast set of photo correction and manipulation tools
- Cutting-edge generative AI features
- Slick user interface with a lot of guidance
- Mobile and web design capabilities
- Rich drawing and typography options
- Excellent raw camera file support
- Cloud Documents, collaboration features, and Synced Libraries
Cons
- No perpetual license option
- Runs many processes in the background
Pros
- Vast set of photo correction and manipulation tools
- Cutting-edge generative AI features
- Slick user interface with a lot of guidance
- Mobile and web design capabilities
- Rich drawing and typography options
- Excellent raw camera file support
- Cloud Documents, collaboration features, and Synced Libraries
Cons
- No perpetual license option
- Runs many processes in the background
Adobe Lightroom
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
Adobe Lightroom offers most of the same editing tools as professional-minded alternatives in a slick interface, making it the best photography workflow app for serious enthusiasts.
Full Adobe Lightroom ReviewPros
- Simple, clear interface
- Reliably syncs photos to cloud storage
- Color, detail, and light adjustments equal to Lightroom Classic's
- Powerful raw profiles and AI tools
- Strong community features
Cons
- Subscription only
- No local printing or plug-in support
Pros
- Simple, clear interface
- Reliably syncs photos to cloud storage
- Color, detail, and light adjustments equal to Lightroom Classic's
- Powerful raw profiles and AI tools
- Strong community features
Cons
- Subscription only
- No local printing or plug-in support
Adobe Photoshop Elements
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
Adobe Photoshop Elements delivers a robust, user-friendly photo editing experience with powerful AI tools and professional-level features, making it an excellent choice for beginners and enthusiasts alike—at a fraction of the cost of full Photoshop.
Full Adobe Photoshop Elements ReviewPros
- Many powerful image manipulation tools
- Strong face-tagging and geotagging features
- Excellent output options
- Effective search tool
- Helpful guidance for beyond-basic techniques
Cons
- License lasts only three years
- No chromatic aberration corrections or lens geometry profiles
- Little cloud storage for mobile and web syncing
Pros
- Many powerful image manipulation tools
- Strong face-tagging and geotagging features
- Excellent output options
- Effective search tool
- Helpful guidance for beyond-basic techniques
Cons
- License lasts only three years
- No chromatic aberration corrections or lens geometry profiles
- Little cloud storage for mobile and web syncing
Capture One
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
The pricey Capture One extracts superb detail from raw camera files and provides advanced color, layer, and local adjustment tools.
Full Capture One ReviewPros
- Excellent raw file conversion quality
- Fast import speeds
- Automatic batch adjustment tools
- Supports collaboration
Cons
- Interface can get complex, especially with layers
- No face recognition for organization
- Expensive
Pros
- Excellent raw file conversion quality
- Fast import speeds
- Automatic batch adjustment tools
- Supports collaboration
Cons
- Interface can get complex, especially with layers
- No face recognition for organization
- Expensive
CyberLink PhotoDirector
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
CyberLink’s PhotoDirector is a capable all-in-one photo editing and manipulation suite that stands out for its AI wizardry, low price, and support for layers.
Full CyberLink PhotoDirector ReviewPros
- Includes all the core photo editing tools photographers need
- Large, impressive set of AI features with multiple model choices
- Full support for layer-based editing
- Seamless face tagging
- Both the perpetual-license and subscription versions are affordable
Cons
- Interface isn't as slick as that of Adobe’s apps
- Raw conversion and noise reduction tools lag behind top alternatives
- Not as fast as some competitors
Pros
- Includes all the core photo editing tools photographers need
- Large, impressive set of AI features with multiple model choices
- Full support for layer-based editing
- Seamless face tagging
- Both the perpetual-license and subscription versions are affordable
Cons
- Interface isn't as slick as that of Adobe’s apps
- Raw conversion and noise reduction tools lag behind top alternatives
- Not as fast as some competitors
DxO PhotoLab
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
DxO PhotoLab delivers unparalleled noise reduction, lens profile-based corrections, and local adjustments, all without requiring you to import images or pay an ongoing subscription fee.
Full DxO PhotoLab ReviewPros
- Best-in-class noise reduction
- Clear interface
- Excellent camera and lens characteristic corrections
- Geometry fixes
- Powerful local adjustments
- Doesn't require importing
Cons
- Few photo organization or workflow tools
- No AVIF, HDR, HEIF (Android), or JXL support
Pros
- Best-in-class noise reduction
- Clear interface
- Excellent camera and lens characteristic corrections
- Geometry fixes
- Powerful local adjustments
- Doesn't require importing
Cons
- Few photo organization or workflow tools
- No AVIF, HDR, HEIF (Android), or JXL support
Photopea
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
Photopea is a free, surprisingly capable online clone of Adobe Photoshop that gives you the option to pay for AI tools and upgraded online storage.
Full Photopea ReviewPros
- Replicates many Photoshop features
- Works directly in a browser
- Clear interface and good help resources
- Supports raster and vector editing
Cons
- Some actions feel slow
- Lacks some advanced Photoshop capabilities
Pros
- Replicates many Photoshop features
- Works directly in a browser
- Clear interface and good help resources
- Supports raster and vector editing
Cons
- Some actions feel slow
- Lacks some advanced Photoshop capabilities
Skylum Luminar Neo
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
Skylum Luminar Neo provides novel AI photo editing tools and a vast selection of effects and adjustments, all in a clear and pleasing interface.
Full Skylum Luminar Neo ReviewPros
- Unique AI photo-fixing tools
- Simple, pleasing interface
- Lots of adjustment tools, effects, and filters
- Supports layers and masking
Cons
- Some operations are slow
- No face recognition or keyword tagging
Pros
- Unique AI photo-fixing tools
- Simple, pleasing interface
- Lots of adjustment tools, effects, and filters
- Supports layers and masking
Cons
- Some operations are slow
- No face recognition or keyword tagging
Zoner Studio
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
Zoner Studio offers a comprehensive suite of capable photo correction, effect, and workflow tools at a low price, along with Photoshop-like layer editing capabilities.
Full Zoner Studio ReviewPros
- Full workflow and layer editing solution
- Reasonable price
- Lots of adjustments, corrections, and effects
- Unique auto-zoom culling tool
- Browser-like tabbed interface
- AI auto-masking
- Above-average video editing capabilities
Cons
- Lacks some state-of-the-art tools
- No face-tagging
Pros
- Full workflow and layer editing solution
- Reasonable price
- Lots of adjustments, corrections, and effects
- Unique auto-zoom culling tool
- Browser-like tabbed interface
- AI auto-masking
- Above-average video editing capabilities
Cons
- Lacks some state-of-the-art tools
- No face-tagging
Latest Photo Editing Stories
We want to hear your thoughts on the tools you use to perfect your digital snapshots, create amazing influencer videos, and more. One lucky respondent will get a $250 Amazon gift card.
Think twice before letting AI touch your photos. One bad edit could tank your credibility—or trigger a legal nightmare.
Don’t leave your photos scattered on various camera cards and phones. The top online photo storage services we've tested can keep them all together, accessible from anywhere, and easy to share.
Apple is accused of violating Illinois law by collecting users' biometric information without consent. After several efforts to get the case thrown out, a judge ruled that it must go ahead.
It's not Photos, it's not OneDrive: it's a brand new app that does a bit of both.
Casual shutterbugs and hardened professional photographers alike need to organize, correct, adjust, and enhance their pictures. We help you choose the right photo editing software for the job, based on our extensive testing of industry heavyweights.
Google also adds a personalized gallery of images from around the web, with the option of saving them in Pinterest-like collections.
Apple Photos combines powerful AI-powered editing, professional-grade tools, and seamless ecosystem integration, making it the best free photo editor for most Apple users.
$0.00
Macs support a wide assortment of top-notch photo editing software. Based on ease of use, capabilities, and performance, these are the top photo editing apps for macOS we've tested.
Adobe's photo editing lineup has confused photographers for years. I break down the key differences in features, AI tools, organization, syncing, and workflows to help you choose the right version.
The popular creative tools plan to offer software within Google's AI chatbot.
The AI image-editing tool will also appear inside Workspace apps, starting with Slides and Drive.
CyberLink’s PhotoDirector is a capable all-in-one photo editing and manipulation suite that stands out for its AI wizardry, low price, and support for layers.
$39.99 Per Year
Whether you're a casual snapshot taker or a budding pro photographer, these are the top photo editing apps for your phone.
Photoshop is a photo editing powerhouse, but you can still fill some gaps in its functionality with add-ons. These are our favorite plug-ins for everything from applying film looks to improving noise reduction.
Adobe Photoshop is the finest photo editing software out there, but it's expensive. The top Photoshop replacements we've tested can do what you need for less money.
The Wardrobe feature lets you try virtual combinations of your own clothes to make a new outfit.
The touch-sensitive Camera Control button on Apple's iPhone 17 and 17 lineups takes some practice, but these tweaks will help you capture better photos than ever before.
Google adds seven new features designed to tweak faces from your smartphone.
The MacBook Neo is small, cheap, and more powerful than expected—but can it survive Lightroom, Final Cut Pro, and real creative work? I tested it to find out.
