Best tool for · Image & design
What's the best photo editing tool?
Retouching and pro image editing.
First hour with Adobe Photoshop: setup checklist in the profile.
Short comparison
| Tool | Pricing model | Free plan | Starting price | Difficulty | Output rights | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GIMP | Free, open source | Yes | Free, open source | 3/5 | Not a content generator | Free Photoshop-style editing |
| Adobe Photoshop | Paid plans only | Trial only | US$22.99/mo, annual plan billed monthly | 4/5 | Not a content generator | Professional retouching and compositing |
| Affinity | Free | Yes | Free | 3/5 | – | Pro design without a subscription |
| Photopea | Free plan + paid plans | Yes | See official site | 2/5 | – | Opening PSDs without Photoshop |
| Adobe Lightroom | Paid plans only | Trial only | See official site | – | – | Editing large batches of photos |
| Pixlr | Free plan + paid plans | Yes | See official site | – | – | Quick edits on any device |
Ranked by fit for solo businesses: tools we profile in depth first, then those used in our research notes, then the rest. Affiliate status never changes the order. See all 6 photo editing tools with a ranked shortlist.
Quick answers
What's the best photo editing tool?
Our overall pick is Adobe Photoshop: Professional retouching and compositing.
What's the best free photo editing tool?
GIMP, which has a free plan or free version. Free Photoshop-style editing.
Which photo editing tool is easiest for beginners?
Photopea, rated 2/5 to learn.