Best Photo Editing Software
Top photo editing software ranked by transparent trust scores.
8 products ranked
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Top Pick
9.4
Excellent
Adobe Photoshop
Ranked #1 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
#1
9.4
Excellent
Consensus
Compare
Ranked #1 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Unmatched raster editing capabilities
- Unmatched industry standard
- AI Generative Fill is game-changing
Cons
- Subscription-only pricing model
- Subscription only
- Resource-heavy, requires a powerful computer
Don't buy this if…
- Photoshop is optimized for raster/pixel work; for vector graphics like logos that need to scale, use Illustrator or a vector tool instead.
- Photoshop requires an ongoing Creative Cloud subscription with no option for a permanent license.
#2
9.2
Excellent
Consensus
Compare
Ranked #2 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Superior RAW processing engine
- Seamless cloud sync across devices
- AI masking and selection tools
Cons
- Subscription only no perpetual license
- 1TB cloud fills quickly with RAW files
Don't buy this if…
- Shooting in RAW format can fill the 1TB cloud storage quickly with just a few thousand images.
#3
9.0
Excellent
Consensus
Compare
Ranked #3 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- One-time purchase no subscription
- Photoshop PSD compatible
- Professional-grade features
Cons
- Smaller plugin ecosystem
- Less AI automation than Photoshop
Don't buy this if…
- While Affinity reads PSD files, complex Photoshop files with advanced features may not convert perfectly.
#4
8.7
Excellent
Consensus
Compare
Ranked #4 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Best-in-class color science
- Professional tethered shooting
- 24-range color editor
Cons
- Steep learning curve
- Expensive compared to alternatives
Don't buy this if…
- Capture One's interface is designed for professional workflows and may overwhelm hobbyist photographers.
#5
8.5
Excellent
Consensus
Compare
Ranked #5 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- One-click AI sky replacement
- AI portrait retouching
- Affordable with powerful AI tools
Cons
- Can feel sluggish on older hardware
- AI results sometimes look artificial
Don't buy this if…
- AI enhancements like sky replacement can produce unrealistic results that require manual refinement.
#6
8.3
Good
Consensus
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Ranked #6 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Completely free and open source
- Cross-platform availability
- Extensive plugin support
Cons
- Dated unintuitive interface
- Steep learning curve
Don't buy this if…
- GIMP's non-standard interface differs significantly from Photoshop and requires relearning common workflows.
#7
8.1
Good
Consensus
Compare
Ranked #7 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Gorgeous native Mac interface
- ML-powered one-click enhance
- Affordable one-time purchase
Cons
- Mac only no Windows or web
- Limited professional features
Don't buy this if…
- Pixelmator Pro is exclusively available on macOS and iPad with no Windows or web version.
#8
7.9
Good
Consensus
Compare
Ranked #8 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- All-in-one no subscription needed
- AI masking and sky swap
- Built-in photo browser
Cons
- Can be slow with large catalogs
- AI features lag behind Adobe
Don't buy this if…
- Processing speed degrades noticeably when the photo catalog grows beyond 50,000 images.
Quick Comparison
How We Rank
Composite trust score from expert reviews, user sentiment, complaint analysis, and value assessment.
Trust Score
Weighted composite of all factor scores
Expert Score
Aggregated expert review ratings
User Sentiment
Community votes and review analysis
Value Score
Price-to-performance ratio
Freshness
Recency of reviews and data
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