Free and open first

Best Photo Editing Software in 2026

The photo editor that fits your work depends on the adjustments you make and the control you want over each image. Compare AI retouching and batch editing with layer editing, masking tools, and RAW photo support. Platform availability and cloud sync can help you assess where an editor fits, while free plans and paid-from prices offer cost points to compare. Photopea, darktable, and RawTherapee are among the options shown. Think about whether you work with RAW files, process groups of images, or rely on layers and masks, then match those needs with the listed platforms and plan details.

159 apps
Research read 28 Sept 2026
How the order is worked out

1

ImageMagick

Free plan Open source APILinuxMac+2

ImageMagick offers broad image-processing tools for command-line workflows and software integrations, without a software charge.

9.1 Free plan Visit site
2

Luminance HDR

Free plan Open source LinuxMacSelf-hosted+1

Luminance HDR provides HDR creation, editing, and batch-processing tools in a free desktop application. Prebuilt installation options are documented for Windows, Linux, and macOS.

9.1 Free plan Visit site
3

Avidemux

Free plan Open source LinuxMacWeb+1

8.5 Free plan Visit site
4

Adobe Photoshop
by Adobe Photoshop
Free plan AndroidiPhoneMac+2

Photoshop brings detailed image editing, compositing, and generative tools together across several platforms.

7.7 7-day trial Visit site
5

Adobe Lightroom
by Adobe Lightroom
Free plan AndroidiPhoneMac+2

Choose Lightroom if you need photo editing and organizing across desktop, web, and mobile, with RAW support, batch editing, masking, AI retouching, and cloud sync.

7.7 Free plan · 7-day trial Visit site
6

Photopea
by Photopea
Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+4

7.6 Free plan Visit site
7

Fotor

Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+3

7.6 Free plan Visit site
8

Adobe Creative Cloud
by Adobe Creative Cloud
Free plan WebWindowsMac+2

7.6 Free plan Visit site
9

Picsart
by Picsart
Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+3

Picsart offers broad platform coverage with layers, masking, batch work, cloud sync, and AI retouching.

7.6 Free plan · paid from $10.50/mo (annual) Visit site
10

Evoto AI
by Evoto AI
Free plan AndroidiPhoneMac+2

Evoto AI covers several photography workflow stages and offers batch editing, Lightroom Classic workflows, and a trial.

7.6 Free plan · paid from $89/yr · 7-day trial Visit site
11

Photoroom
by Photoroom
Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+2

Choose Photoroom if you want a multi-platform photo editor with batch editing, layers, masking, cloud sync, and AI retouching.

7.6 Free plan Visit site
12

darktable

Free plan LinuxMacWindows

darktable provides a broad raw-image workflow, with database organization, non-destructive editing, and several export paths at no cost.

7.5 Free plan Visit site
13

GIMP
by GIMP
Free plan LinuxMacWindows

GIMP combines photo editing, artwork creation, and scripting tools in a free multi-platform program. Check the stated platform requirements and RAW support limitation against your needs.

7.5 Free plan Visit site
14

RawTherapee
by RawTherapee
Free plan LinuxMacWindows

RawTherapee focuses on image development, with raw support, batch processing and editor integration at no cost.

7.5 Free plan Visit site
15

Pixlr
by Pixlr
Free plan AndroidiPhoneWeb

Pixlr brings editing, design and AI generation together across browsers and mobile devices, with a free editor and paid plans from $1.99 per month.

7.5 Free plan Visit site
16

VSCO
by VSCO
Free plan WebiPhoneAndroid

Pick VSCO if you want a multi-platform photo editor with batch editing, RAW support, cloud sync, and AI retouching.

7.5 Free plan · paid from $2.49/mo (annual) · 7-day trial Visit site
17

PhotoPad

Free plan AndroidExtensioniPhone+4

Choose PhotoPad if you want a broad set of photo editing and creative tools, including RAW support and direct uploads to listed services.

7.5 Free plan Visit site
18

PaintFE

Free plan WebWindowsMac+1

PaintFE offers its listed editing capabilities under a free, MIT-licensed plan without an account or subscription. Consider that cloud sync is not included.

7.5 Free plan Visit site
19

RapidRAW
by RapidRAW
Free plan AndroidLinuxMac+1

Choose RapidRAW if you want a free desktop RAW editor with sidecar edits, GPU adjustments, and local AI tools.

7.5 Free plan Visit site
20

Canon Digital Photo Professional
by Canon Digital Photo Professional
Free plan APIiPhoneMac+1

Canon Digital Photo Professional offers a free desktop set centered on RAW processing, organization, and batch editing.

7.5 Free plan Visit site
21

Ribbet
by Ribbet
Free plan WebWindowsMac+3

Choose Ribbet if you want image editing across its listed desktop, mobile, and web platforms, with layers, masking, cloud sync, and AI retouching.

7.5 Free plan · paid from $6.42/mo (annual) · 14-day trial Visit site
22

Photomator

Free plan iPhoneMac

Photomator combines RAW support, nondestructive adjustments, AI selections, and repair tools for Apple platforms.

7.4 Visit site
23

BeFunky
by BeFunky
Free plan AndroidiPhoneWeb

BeFunky combines photo editing, collages, and template-based design, with AI tools and a large stated stock-photo library.

7.4 Free plan · paid from $6.99/mo (annual) Visit site
24

easyHDR

Free plan LinuxMacWindows

Choose easyHDR if you need HDR merging and tone mapping with RAW support, batch processing, or single-photo enhancement.

7.4 Visit site
25

Showfoto

Free plan LinuxMacWindows

Showfoto offers a broad set of editing tools and local-file workflows at no cost. Its database limitation is important for anyone who needs image versioning.

7.4 Free plan Visit site

#1Places #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 on this list can be bought by the makers of the software on it. See the price

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