Photo editing tools
Retouching and pro image editing. 6 tools we track, checked .
Short answer page: What's the best photo editing tool?
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.
- 1
GIMP
Pick this if you want free Photoshop-style editing.
Free, open-source image editor.
Free, open source · Free plan: Yes · Free, open source · Difficulty 3/5
- 2
Adobe Photoshop
Pick this if you want professional retouching and compositing.
Industry-standard image editor with Generative Fill.
Paid plans only · Free plan: Trial only · US$22.99/mo, annual plan billed monthly · Difficulty 4/5
- 3
Affinity
Pick this if you want pro design without a subscription.
Professional design, photo and layout app from Canva.
Free · Free plan: Yes · Difficulty 3/5
- 4
Photopea
Pick this if you want opening PSDs without Photoshop.
Free browser-based editor that opens PSD files; paid removes ads.
Free plan + paid plans · Free plan: Yes · Difficulty 2/5
- 5
Adobe Lightroom
Pick this if you want editing large batches of photos.
Photo organizing and editing with AI masking and denoise.
Paid plans only · Free plan: Trial only
- 6
Pixlr
Pick this if you want quick edits on any device.
Browser and mobile photo editor with AI tools.
Free plan + paid plans · Free plan: Yes
Side-by-side
| 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 |
"Starting price" is shown only for tools we profile in depth, where we read the official pricing page on . For the others, check the official site.