Photo editing can change regular photos into stunning pieces of art that captures attention. It is like painting with light and color, revealing the hidden stories in each image. You may be a beginner or an expert, choosing the right photo editing software from a trusted Software Development Company can make a big difference in how your photos shine.
Considering all the photo editors out today, choosing the correct one seems daunting. That’s why this guide exists to point out the best photo editing software for Windows and Mac in 2025, including both free and paid versions from leading Software Development Companies.
Adobe Photoshop
If you are going to work on creative and digital artworks, Adobe Photoshop is the right choice. It is the best photo editing software for PC with its tools, such as Layers, Masking, and wide variety of brushes. This software provides everything from basics to advanced options.
A couple of cool features are Content-Aware Fill, which removes objects smoothly, and AI Neural Filters can change expressions or colorize old photos. Sensei AI by Adobe can also assist you with easy tasks like replacing the sky and selecting tricky objects.
☛ Pros:
- Wide range of tools and features
- Powerful layer-based editing
- Great for photography, art, and design
- Many plugins and add-ons are available
☛ Cons:
- It can be hard for beginners to learn
- Only available with a subscription, meaning ongoing costs
GIMP
The (GIMP) GNU Image Manipulation Program, is a free and open-source photo editing tool for beginners and advanced users. It serves as a great alternative for other expensive software. It works on Mac, Windows and Linux platforms. The merit for GIMP is that it is open-source. So users can adjust the software to fit their own needs and preferences.
The drawback is that its user interface is not simple to use as that of commercial software. But it provides many powerful features, such as layer masks, blending modes and even Photoshop plug-ins. Its flexibility also allows users to run scripts to automate tasks in Python. Its active community provides countless tutorials and plugins are out there to help the user get the most of GIMP.
☛ Pros:
- Free and open-source.
- Versatile editing tools.
- Customizable interface.
- Supports Python scripting and plugins.
☛ Cons:
- The interface can be less intuitive.
- Some features are less polished compared to paid software.
Corel PaintShop Pro
Corel PaintShop Pro has emerged as the popular software application for photo editing and graphic designing, suitable for beginners and professionals. It is developed by a leading Mobile App Development Agency with simplicity in mind. Advanced features are available for those willing to upgrade their skills. It is mostly suited for users wanting an affordable and lifetime payment software rather than an alternative to Adobe Photoshop.
PaintShop Pro also has amazing AI powers like background replacement and artifact removal. It has a SmartClone tool, which allows you to effortlessly combine parts of different images. The software also has a safety editing feature, where all original photos remain intact while making changes.
☛ Pros:
- Simple user interface.
- Affordable one-time payment.
- AI-powered features for faster edits.
- Non-destructive editing.
☛ Cons:
- Windows-only.
- It’s not ideal for large file edits.
Adobe Lightroom
Adobe Lightroom is one of the most used and effective tools for the purposes of organizing, editing, and sharing photographs. It is a fantastic tool for photographers working with bulk amounts of photographs. It does non-destructive editing, meaning you can make edits without altering the original image. This lets you try different changes and go back to the original whenever needed.
The intuitive design of the interface makes navigation simple for the beginner user. Experts can enjoy the professional features. Specialized in the handling of RAW files, Adobe Lightroom offers tonal and color control adjustment for your pictures. It also has cloud-syncing options, so editing a file on your phone, tablet or desktop would not require any integration into the flow.
☛ Pros:
- Excellent photo organization tools.
- Powerful RAW photo processing.
- Non-destructive editing.
- Cloud syncing for multi-device editing.
☛ Cons:
- No pixel-level editing like Photoshop.
- Requires a subscription.
Fotor
Fotor is easy to use photo editing software that is ideal for beginners or anybody who requires prompt edits. Fotor is excellent for creating collages and doing simple adjustments without going into much advanced editing. Fotor offers batch processing so that you can edit multiple photographs at a go, saving loads of time. With one-touch effects and filters, you get to enhance pictures instantly without a need for advance editing skills.
It also comes with several templates, making it perfect for creating social media posts, banners and other online contents. Fotor is good for fast editing, but lacks some of the more advanced functionalities of other software, including layer control and professional retouching tools. But for a person looking for something simple and intuitive, Fotor is a good choice.
☛ Pros:
- User-friendly and beginner-friendly.
- Batch processing for multiple images.
- Pre-made templates for quick editing.
- Offers various filters and effects.
☛ Cons:
- Lacks advanced editing tools.
- Limited customization options.
Affinity Photo
Affinity Photo is a professional photo editor developed by a professional Software Development Company. This software provides impressive set of tools without needing subscription. It provides sophisticated editing capabilities such as HDR merging and panorama stitching.
It comes with a non-destructive workflow that implies no change to the original image. It is optimized for performance. Thus, it can be used on large file sizes and extensive edits. Advanced tools such as in painting for erasing unwanted elements, as well as a wide range of inclusive adjustment options makes Affinity photo stand out among other software available for photographers and graphic designers.
☛ Pros:
- Professional-grade feature set.
- Non-destructive editing.
- Simple user interface.
- Can handle large and high-resolution files.
☛ Cons:
- No built-in cloud storage.
- Lacks design templates.
Pixlr
Pixlr is a free, online photo editing platform with a very broad range of resources from basic to advanced photo editing. It is most suitable for all those users who want to make quick edits or who produce social media graphics without needing to download software. Pixlr has two versions:
- Pixlr X: basic
- Pixlr E: advanced.
You can pick the one according to your needs
The interface is easy and quite intuitive. Pixlr also provides AI-based tools like background removers, which simplify intricate edits. Pixlr may lack the comprehensive feature list of professional applications, but its ease of use and accessibility ensure that it remains a favorite option for everyday photo editing.
Pixlr is online, so you do not need to install anything. This makes it a great option for editing on the go or when you are using a computer that doesn’t have editing software.
☛ Pros:
- Simple user interface.
- Free online editor.
- AI effects and filters.
- Cross-platform support.
☛ Cons:
- Only available online.
- Some features are behind a premium subscription.
CyberLink PhotoDirector 365
CyberLink PhotoDirector 365 is a photo editing software developed by a leading Mobile App Development Agency. This software uses AI to simplify and automate many photo editing tasks. With AI tools, you can quickly remove unwanted objects, replace background and even retouch faces with ease.
PhotoDirector’s subscription model includes regular updates, so you will always have access to new features and improvements. The software has a clean and simple user interface, making it accessible to beginners and experienced editors. It also provides efficient performance and a good selection of creative tools.
☛ Pros:
- AI-powered editing tools.
- Fast and efficient performance.
- User-friendly interface.
- Features for animated effects and video-to-photo editing.
☛ Cons:
- Some features require a subscription.
- Limited graphic design tools.
Canva
Canva is a simple software that is perfect for beginner. It is not just an advanced photo editor. with It lets you to drag-and-drop interface for creating social media posts, presentations, marketing materials, and so on. The editing features include filters, effects and text overlays minimally for quick edits and designs.
Canva’s power is in its large database of templates and design elements so that you can produce professional grade visuals in no time. Though it is not for heavy image editing like Photoshop, it is suitable for creating visually stunning content for social media and presentations. Canva has a free version with many features but some advanced templates and assets are reserved for the Pro plan.
☛ Pros:
- User-friendly, drag-and-drop interface.
- Great for social media and marketing materials.
- Extensive template library.
- Beginner-friendly.
☛ Cons:
- Lacks high-end photo editing tools.
- Certain features are exclusive to the Pro version.
DxO PhotoLab 8
DxO PhotoLab 8 is a professional photo editor popular for its excellent RAW processing capabilities. It’s particularly favored by photographers working with RAW files. Because it offers powerful tools for noise reduction and color rendering. The software excels at improving image details and keeps photos natural and sharp.
Options such as DeepPRIME noise reduction and ClearView Plus are ideal for landscapes and low-light photography, which enhance contrast without adding oversaturation. The U-Point technology of DxO enables you to apply very specific and targeted adjustments without all the masking. This makes it ideal for photographers who need detailed control over their edits.
☛ Pros:
- Excellent RAW processing.
- AI noise reduction tools.
- User-friendly interface.
- Great for selective edits.
☛ Cons:
- A bit expensive.
- Lacks some tools found in other professional editors.
Final Thoughts
The right photo editing software varies based on your unique needs. Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom provide professional features. Canva and Fotor are perfect for beginners looking for ease of use. Both have strengths in what they can offer, from complex editing to rapid adjustments. To make mobile editing even better, working with a Mobile App Development Agency can offer customized solutions for mobile creativity on the go.