Top 10 Photo Editing Software PC
You’re probably familiar with the term photo editing, but you may not know what that actually means or how to do it. Luckily, there are plenty of photo editing software options out there which can help you enhance or completely alter your pictures, all without having to be an expert! Whether you’re looking to spice up your social media photos or have a specific need to do so professionally, here are the top 10 best photo editing software for PC options on the market today, and how they can improve your photos overall.
1) Lightroom Classic CC
Adobe’s Lightroom Classic CC is an easy-to-use tool with a ton of photo editing features, including non-destructive processing and new HDR technology. The software integrates with other Adobe products, like Photoshop CC, for even more editing options. You can download a free trial to see if it works for you or buy it outright for $10 a month through Adobe’s Creative Cloud plan (which also includes access to Illustrator CC and InDesign CC). For mobile users, there are several apps available that have offline functionality so you can do some light photo touchups on your phone or tablet while traveling. Check out iOS and Android versions to start with. Also be sure to check out Lightroom 6, which has many of these same features at half the price ($5 per month).
2) Affinity Photo
Affinity Photo is one of my favorite apps for editing photos, and it’s free! Although you can use it to create entire images from scratch, it’s ideal for editing and tweaking existing pictures. This app has a broad range of tools to help improve images with its intuitive interface. I’ve used Affinity Photo for a number of years now, and I can honestly say that it’s great for beginners—as well as experts. The main drawback is that you need a Creative Cloud subscription to access all of its features, but if you’re willing to pay a bit extra per month then Affinity Photo offers excellent value. If you do sign up for Adobe CC, consider also picking up Lightroom so that your photos are stored in an environment designed to offer maximum flexibility when working on them. It might seem like overkill at first glance, but once you see what both programs have to offer then you’ll quickly realize how seamless they work together. One reason why I like Affinity Photo is because it supports multiple layers; another bonus is its powerful effects engine (including a basic blur filter). There are dozens of plug-ins available through the Mac App Store—and plenty more via third-party vendors online.
3) Photoshop
When it comes to photo editing software, Photoshop is at or near top of every list. Developed by Adobe in 1988, Photoshop was originally a raster graphics editor for bitmap images and has grown into a powerful tool that can be used to edit any kind of image. It is often used by graphic designers and digital photographers as a professional tool because it contains many advanced image manipulation tools. Despite its considerable capabilities, Photoshop is also easy to learn, making it one of the most popular types of photo editing software out there. Not only that, but Adobe makes learning Photoshop easier than ever with an array of books and online tutorials you can find with just a quick search.
4) PaintShop Pro X8
PaintShop Pro X8 is an excellent piece of software, enabling you to accomplish all manner of tasks with ease. Its simple user interface enables even novice users to take advantage of its features and functionality, allowing them to quickly master it. For example, thanks to its Quick Selection Tool feature, novice users can accurately and efficiently select objects in photos with ease. Once they have selected an object or an area in a photo that needs editing or adjustment, they can proceed by applying certain effects and adjustments to it. To edit photos like a pro, you should use good software like PaintShop Pro X8. If you want more information about how you can improve your photo editing skills using PaintShop Pro X8 click here now!
5) Pixlr Editor (online)
Pixlr Editor is one of my favorite online photo editors. It has a very similar interface to Photoshop, and it even allows you to upload your own PSD files, if you want to. The software also makes it easy to share your photos online by uploading them directly to Twitter or Facebook without ever leaving Pixlr Editor. My only complaint about Pixlr Editor is that sometimes when I upload a large photo for editing, it takes awhile for Pixlr Editor to open it—but that’s not a big deal when you take into account all of its other features. With so many great free photo editing tools available on the Web today, I think Pixlr Editor is definitely worth checking out!
6) Luminar
Luminar is a fun, powerful photo editor. It lets you edit pictures in multiple ways (adjusting curves, removing blemishes, adding vignettes, etc.) and offers Instagram-like tools for creating artful pictures (think filters or lens flare). Luminar also has an intuitive interface that makes it easy to use. With both premium and free options available, Luminar is certainly worth checking out if you want a new photo editing experience. Check out our Luminar review for more information. In addition, you can download Luminar from its website if you’re running Windows 8 or 10. However, note that I don’t think it’s compatible with all versions of Windows 8/10 yet since we have some users reporting problems with 64-bit versions of Windows 8/10 who say they can’t get past installing Luminar on their PC no matter what they try. The only solution seems to be using the 32-bit version of your operating system instead—at least until they fix these issues.
7) Pixelmator Pro
Pixelmator Pro is a full-featured photo editing software that’s easy to use and offers a wide range of customization options. Users say it’s especially ideal for image retouching, as well as for cropping and removing backgrounds. Although it’s best for Mac users, Pixelmator Pro also works with PCs. It costs $59 on its own or $79 when bundled with Aperture and iPhoto.
8) ON1 Photo RAW 2018
ON1 Photo RAW 2018 is a top photo editing software because it gives users an easy way to edit and organize images, provides high-quality raw processing and non-destructive editing, and doesn’t require any expertise or previous knowledge of photo editing to use. The intuitive interface makes photo editing simple for everyone, whether you’re new to photo editing or just looking for an easier experience than Photoshop. You can crop, straighten, rotate, or adjust perspective; retouch skin and other blemishes; blur backgrounds; fix red eye; alter colors; merge multiple photos into a panorama shot; remove dust spots with clarity that far surpasses traditional tools such as cloning brushes. And it’s all done without losing original image quality.
9) Fotor (online – free version available too!)
Fotor offers a ton of useful photo-editing options and provides easy and fast editing. It’s a one-stop shop for everything from cropping to removing blemishes, making it an ideal software option for beginners. If you have no idea where to start, Fotor is also great because it allows you to easily choose between many different edits with just one click. The downside is that some features are locked behind a paywall, but most users can get by with the free version without feeling left out.
10) CyberLink PhotoDirector 8 Ultra
A great all-in-one photo editor and video editor that has something for everyone. It’s easy to use and it can handle any kind of task you throw at it. A go-to photo app for many experts, they love how well it handles fine details and effects while giving you so much control over your editing process. On top of all that, there are plenty of built-in templates to give your photos some extra pop without a lot of effort from you. Another bonus: An overhauled user interface makes a huge difference in its ease of use, including a more intuitive experience for mobile devices like smartphones and tablets!