Best photo editing apps
Desktop and mobile photo editors, raster image editors and RAW processors, from Photoshop and Lightroom to free open-source tools and one-time-purchase apps.
27 apps, ordered by visits from AppBreakup and how often our research lists each one as an alternative. Open any app to see its alternatives.
All photo editing apps
- Alternatives to Adobe Lightroom
Adobe's photo organiser and RAW editor, in a cloud-synced version and the desktop-only Lightroom Classic.
PaidWindows, macOS, Web, iOS, Android - Alternatives to GIMP
The long-running free and open-source raster image editor for Linux, Windows and macOS.
Open sourceWindows, macOS, Linux - Alternatives to Capture One
A professional RAW editor known for colour rendering and studio tethering.
PaidWindows, macOS, iOS - Alternatives to ON1 Photo RAW
An all-in-one photo organiser, RAW editor and layered editor for Mac and Windows.
PaidWindows, macOS - Alternatives to DxO PhotoLab
A RAW editor built around DxO's lens corrections and DeepPRIME AI noise reduction.
PaidWindows, macOS - Alternatives to darktable
A free, open-source photography workflow app and RAW developer with a lighttable and darkroom.
Open sourceWindows, macOS, Linux - Alternatives to Luminar Neo
Skylum's AI-led photo editor for Mac and Windows, sold as a lifetime licence.
PaidWindows, macOS, iOS, Android - Alternatives to Photomator
A photo editor for Mac, iPhone and iPad that works directly on your Apple Photos library.
PaidmacOS, iOS - Alternatives to Adobe Photoshop
The industry-standard raster editor for retouching, compositing and image manipulation.
PaidWindows, macOS, Web, iOS, Android - SnAlternatives to Snapseed
Google's free mobile photo editor with RAW support, selective tools and non-destructive stacks.
FreeiOS, Android - PaAlternatives to PaintShop Pro
- Alternatives to PhotoDirector
CyberLink's Windows photo editor with one-click AI tools, a free version and a lifetime licence.
Free plan + paidWindows, iOS, Android - Alternatives to ACDSee Photo Studio
A Windows photo manager and editor combining asset management, RAW development and layers.
PaidWindows, iOS - Alternatives to Pixelmator Pro
Apple's Mac and iPad image editor with layers, RAW support and AI tools.
PaidmacOS, iOS - Alternatives to Paint.NET
- Alternatives to Darkroom
A photo and video editor for iPhone, iPad and Mac that works on your Apple Photos library.
Free plan + paidiOS, macOS - Alternatives to PhotoScape X
A free, easy photo editor and viewer for Mac and Windows with batch tools and collages.
Free plan + paidWindows, macOS - Alternatives to VSCO
A photo and video editor known for film-style presets, with a creative community and pro tools.
Free plan + paidiOS, Android, Web - Alternatives to RawTherapee
A free, open-source RAW photo processor focused on high-quality development.
Open sourceWindows, macOS, Linux - Alternatives to Pinta
A simple, open-source drawing and image editor for Linux, Windows and macOS.
Open sourceWindows, macOS, Linux - Alternatives to Adobe Photoshop Elements
Adobe's consumer photo editor with guided edits and an organiser, sold as a fixed-term licence.
PaidWindows, macOS - Alternatives to Picsart
A mobile-first photo editor and AI creative app for social media content.
Free plan + paidiOS, Android, Windows, Web - Alternatives to Aftershoot
AI culling, editing in your style and retouching for professional photographers.
PaidWindows, macOS - Alternatives to Evoto
AI portrait retouching and batch editing software for high-volume photographers.
PaidWindows, macOS, iOS - AcAlternatives to Acorn
An affordable, indie image editor for the Mac with layers and non-destructive filters.
PaidmacOS - Alternatives to Zoner Studio
- Alternatives to Topaz Photo
AI image enhancement for denoising, sharpening, upscaling and face recovery.
PaidWindows, macOS
Our picks by need
Best for most people
Adobe LightroomBest for a free option
GIMPBest for open source
darktableBest for Mac
Capture OneBest for Windows
ON1 Photo RAWBest for Linux
RawTherapeeBest for iPhone and Android
Luminar NeoPopular comparisons
Common questions
What are the best photo editing apps?
Based on how often our research lists them as alternatives and visits from AppBreakup, the leading photo editing apps right now are Adobe Lightroom, GIMP, Capture One, ON1 Photo RAW and DxO PhotoLab.
Are there free photo editing apps?
Yes. GIMP (open source), darktable (open source), Snapseed (free), PhotoDirector (free plan + paid) and Paint.NET (free) have a free option, out of 11 free or freemium apps we track.
Which photo editing apps are open source?
GIMP, darktable, RawTherapee and Pinta.