20 Free Photo Editing Software Packages
Photo editing has become an essential part of digital life, whether you’re a professional photographer, a designer, or a hobbyist. Fortunately, a wide variety of free photo editing software is available, offering tools to edit, retouch, and enhance your photos without spending a penny. This comprehensive guide highlights some of the best free photo editing software, complete with URL links, features, and insights to help you choose the right tool for your needs.
1. GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program)
GIMP is one of the most powerful free photo editing software available, often compared to Adobe Photoshop for its wide range of features. It’s ideal for professionals and advanced users who require detailed editing capabilities.
Key Features:
- Advanced editing tools for retouching and image manipulation.
- Supports layers, masks, and customisable brushes.
- Open-source and highly extensible with plugins.
- Compatible with multiple file formats, including PSD (Photoshop).
URL: https://www.gimp.org
2. RIOT (Radical Image Optimisation Tool)
RIOT is an image compression tool perfect for compressing images for websites to make pages load faster and improve overall website performance. It has a batch processing feature that is useful for fast bulk processing of images. I use RIOT a lot for image compression for website use.
Key Features:
- Advanced output settings such as JPEG, WEBP, PNG & GIFF outputs
- Supports Removal of Metadata is needed
- Good compression algorithms
- Batch processing is fast & powerful
URL: https://riot-optimizer.com
3. Affinity Photo – Free trial (has been up to 6 months)
While not free after the trial, its low price for a perpetual licence means it is well worth mentioning for people looking for an alternative to Photoshop. Affinity image editing software provides exceptional speed, power, and precision and includes all the necessary tools for editing and retouching images, building multi-layered compositions, and more. It’s very similar to Photoshop and even opens native PSD files, which is a massive bonus.
Key Features:
- Very similar features to Photoshop, even opens PSD files
- Trial Version, then a very low-cost perpetual license
- Extensive features like Photoshop (layers etc.)
- Updated frequently with new features
URL: https://affinity.serif.com
4. Phohttps
Photopea is a browser-based photo editor that mimics Adobe Photoshop’s interface and functionality. It’s perfect for users who need advanced editing without downloading software. It is a good solution for people on a laptop or the go.
Key Features:
- Supports PSD, XD, Sketch, and other file formats.
- Layer and mask functionality.
- Works directly in your browser, with no installation required.
- Great for quick edits and online workflows.
5. Paint.NET
Paint.NET is a Windows-based photo editor with a user-friendly interface. It’s more advanced than Microsoft Paint but less complex than GIMP, making it great for beginners and intermediate users.
Key Features:
- Supports layers and blending modes.
- Simple and easy-to-navigate interface.
- Extendable with plugins for additional functionality.
- Lightweight and fast performance.
6. Canva (Free Plan)
Canva is a web-based design tool combining photo editing and graphic design features. Its drag-and-drop interface makes it beginner-friendly and great for social media posts, presentations, and banners.
Key Features:
- Easy-to-use drag-and-drop editor.
- Thousands of pre-designed templates.
- Essential photo editing tools, including filters and adjustments.
- Free stock photos and graphics are available.
7. Fotor
Fotor is an online photo editor and design platform offering tools for basic editing and creating collages. It’s simple and perfect for users looking for quick edits.
Key Features:
- Essential editing tools, such as cropping, resizing, and colour adjustments.
- Filters and effects for creative enhancements.
- Built-in collage maker.
- Cloud storage for saving projects.
8. Pixlr (Free Plan)
Pixlr is a versatile browser-based photo editor that is available in two versions: Pixlr X for beginners and Pixlr E for advanced users. Both versions are lightweight and work directly in your browser.
Key Features:
- Supports layers and blending modes (Pixlr E).
- Intuitive interface with AI-powered tools.
- Extensive library of filters, effects, and overlays.
- Accessible from desktop and mobile devices.
9. Krita
Krita is a free, open-source program primarily designed for digital painting but also offers robust photo editing capabilities. Illustrators, artists, and photographers widely use it.
Key Features:
- Advanced brush and painting tools.
- Layer-based editing and masking.
- Customisable interface for a tailored workflow.
- Open-source and extendable with plugins.
URL: https://krita.org
10. Darktable
Darktable is an open-source alternative to Adobe Lightroom, designed for non-destructive photo editing and raw image processing. It’s ideal for photographers who need to organise and edit large batches of photos.
Key Features:
- Non-destructive editing workflow.
- Advanced raw photo editing tools.
- Colour correction, retouching, and lens correction.
- Cross-platform compatibility (Windows, macOS, Linux).
URL: https://www.darktable.org
11. RawTherapee
RawTherapee is another excellent free option for processing raw images. It offers a range of tools for professional-grade photo editing and colour grading.
Key Features:
- Supports non-destructive editing.
- Advanced colour correction and noise reduction.
- High level of control over exposure and tone curves.
- Batch processing for multiple images.
12. Inkscape
While Inkscape is primarily a vector graphic editor, it can be used for photo editing tasks like cropping, resizing, and adding text or elements.
Key Features:
- Vector-based editing for scalable graphics.
- Supports image cropping and overlaying text.
- Advanced path and node tools for design precision.
- Open-source and cross-platform.
URL: https://inkscape.org
13. Snapseed
Snapseed is a free mobile photo editor developed by Google. Its professional-grade features and intuitive interface make it a favourite among mobile photographers.
Key Features:
- Wide range of filters and effects.
- Precision editing with brush tools.
- Supports raw image editing.
- Available on Android and iOS.
14. Polarr
Polarr is a lightweight photo editor that is available as a web app, desktop software, and mobile app. It offers advanced editing features and AI-powered tools.
Key Features:
- AI-powered auto-enhancement tools.
- Wide range of filters and adjustments.
- Facial retouching features.
- Works offline on mobile and desktop.
15. BeFunky
BeFunky is a browser-based photo editor and graphic design tool with a user-friendly interface. It’s ideal for creating social media graphics and enhancing images.
Key Features:
- One-click photo enhancement tools.
- Collage maker and design templates.
- Essential retouching tools, including blemish removal.
- Works seamlessly on all devices.
16. iPiccy
iPiccy is a browser-based photo editor that combines photo editing, retouching, and graphic design in one platform.
Key Features:
- Intuitive photo editing tools.
- Retouching features, such as teeth whitening and blemish removal.
- Built-in collage maker.
- Works directly in your browser without installation.
URL: https://ipiccy.com
17. Gravit Designer
Gravit Designer is a vector graphic design app offering photo editing capabilities. It’s great for both design and light editing tasks.
Key Features:
- Layer-based editing with vector tools.
- Precise cropping and resizing options.
- Customisable effects and filters.
- Cloud integration for saving projects.
URL: https://designer.gravit.io
18. Luminar Neo (Free Trial)
While Luminar Neo is not entirely free, it offers a trial version with access to some of its advanced photo editing features. It’s a great way to explore its AI-powered tools.
Key Features:
- AI-powered editing for sky replacement, skin enhancement, and more.
- Intuitive interface suitable for beginners.
- Supports raw file editing.
URL: https://skylum.com/luminar
19. Photoscape X
Photoscape X is a versatile photo editor with various tools for editing, enhancing, and organising photos. It’s beginner-friendly and available for Windows and macOS.
Key Features:
- Tools for colour adjustments, cropping, and retouching.
- Collage and slideshow maker.
- Batch editing for multiple photos.
- Fun effects and filters.
URL: https://www.photoscape.org
20. ON1 RAW – (Free Trial)
While this is only a 30-day trial, it’s a very powerful image editing and management software package that I use weekly. It’s a good alternative to Adobe Lightroom or Photoshop at a much-reduced price. The AI features are convenient and quick for editing photos, such as rapid auto-masking of objects, people or animals for easy editing.
Key Features:
- AI masking for rapid editing.
- Cataloguing Tools for Image Management
- Batch editing for multiple photos.
- Feature packed & Easy to Use
- Low-cost alternative to Lightroom/Photoshop
URL: https://www.on1.com
Conclusion
Whether you’re a professional photographer, an aspiring designer, or someone who enjoys editing photos as a hobby, there’s no shortage of free photo editing software to suit your needs. Explore these resources and take your photo editing skills to the next level—all without breaking the bank!
Are you looking for free software to edit photos and images? If so, this is an excellent page to bookmark containing a list of 20 photo editing software packages that are free to download and use or offer a trial period.
