Products like Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Lightroom lead the photo editing industry, but they carry a steep learning curve, a subscription price, and more tools than most people ever touch. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the 11 best free photo editing software.
Capturing a scene is only the first step toward a perfect image. You still need to tweak exposure, contrast, and color to get there. Our overall pick is GIMP, and the 11 tools below will get you most of the way without costing you a penny.
What Is the Best Free Photo Editor?
GIMP is the best free photo editor overall — a fully free, open-source Photoshop alternative with layers, masks, curves, and clone tools, running on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
© Cotton Bro
What Makes the Best Free Photo Editing Software?
The best free editing software will be an application that provides a wide range of professional photo editing abilities. The most important factor is that these adjustments are accurate and up to a high standard.
Some photo editing software can seem to have endless adjustments, but if they don't make believable edits, they can ruin our photographs. Believable edits will mimic how light and color can change inside the camera through different exposures, film types, or other color management.
So, when looking for the best free photo editing software, we will rate each software based on the adjustments they provide and how effective they are.
© George Milton
11 Best Free Photo Editing Software
Here is our list of the best and most popular free editing programs available. If you’re looking for quality editing software to help enhance your images, look no further.
1. GIMP
| Platforms |
Platforms
Windows, macOS, Linux
|
| Free Tier |
Free Tier
Fully free and open source — no paid tier
|
| Raw Support |
Raw Support
Not native — open in darktable or RawTherapee first, then hand off to GIMP
|
| Layers |
Layers
Yes, including non-destructive layers added in GIMP 3.2
|
| Best For |
Best For
General-purpose photo retouching and image composition
|
GIMP (the GNU Image Manipulation Program) is our list’s best free photo editor. It’s an open-source photo editor and offers powerful image editing. Anyone with a bit of programming knowledge can create features they can use in the future. And people do! Every new release brings something new to the platform.
This photo editing software comes packed with all the image-enhancing features you would expect from other expensive platforms. If you can’t do a photo edit with GIMP, you probably can’t do it anywhere.
The toolkit is full of great features like layers, masks, curves, and levels. And there are Clone Stamp and Healing tools to fix blemishes. The software even allows you to apply changes to isolated areas.
The interface is simple to access and understand. It’s even easier to understand if you’re familiar with premium versions of photo editing software. The single-window mode lays out the toolbars and canvas in an Adobe-style layout.
There is a massive array of plugins to get the best out of your image. And all are free to download! GIMP is available for Linux, macOS, and Windows users. Make sure to read our in-depth Gimp comparison with Photoshop for more info.
Not for: anyone who wants to open the app and start cropping in ten seconds. GIMP's toolset runs deep, and that depth comes with a real learning curve. If you just need quick, simple edits, look further down this list first.
2. Darktable
| Platforms |
Platforms
Windows, macOS, Linux
|
| Free Tier |
Free Tier
Fully free and open source — no paid tier
|
| Raw Support |
Raw Support
Yes — a dedicated RAW developer, not a general pixel editor
|
| Layers |
Layers
No — non-destructive module stack instead of layers
|
| Best For |
Best For
Managing and non-destructively developing large RAW shoots
|
Darktable is one of the best photo editors around. You can use it for both simple adjustments and professional editing. It has tools like those you would find in Lightroom and Darktable’s catalog takes ideas from Lightroom as well.
You can import your images into the program via a database. You can then use non-destructive tools to get the most from your pictures. You are not restricted to JPEG images. You can quickly and automatically convert RAW files.
There are some powerful tools to be found. For example, Darktable offers lens and perspective corrections. Beginners may find it slightly technical and not as simple to use as other programs. But you get a lot of features to play with.
Although Darktable may not be as powerful as other paid software, it does the job well. And there are no ads or annoying, locked premium features. Darktable is available in 21 languages. And its open-source download is compatible with Linux, macOS, and Windows operating systems. Here is our in-depth comparison of Darktable vs Lightroom.
Not for: complete beginners who just want a quick fix. darktable's database-driven, non-destructive workflow rewards photographers who already think in terms of RAW processing, and it's not the fastest tool to pick up cold.
3. RawTherapee
| Platforms |
Platforms
Windows, macOS, Linux
|
| Free Tier |
Free Tier
Fully free and open source — no paid tier
|
| Raw Support |
Raw Support
Yes — best-in-class demosaicing and deep RAW controls
|
| Layers |
Layers
No — non-destructive, sidecar-file RAW processing rather than layers
|
| Best For |
Best For
Advanced RAW processing for enthusiasts through professionals
|
RawTherapee is a free, open-source editing software that is a favorite among photographers who prefer free photo editing software. It constantly updates its software to add more relevant and necessary adjustments its users recommend.
RawTherapee puts emphasized support into RAW processing. This is important as free software can often overlook one of the most important steps in photo editing software. On top of this, special attention is paid to color correction. You will find color card abilities. These are crucial for professional photographers and studio shoots.
There is a learning curve in RawTherapee, like most of the free photo editing software on this list. Thanks to its community-oriented approach, there is plenty of information online to find directions to the actions you want.
Not for: anyone who wants a polished, guided interface out of the box. RawTherapee puts RAW processing depth ahead of ease of use, so budget some time with the forums before you're fully comfortable.
4. Canva
| Platforms |
Platforms
Web browser, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
|
| Free Tier |
Free Tier
Free plan with core design/photo tools, templates and stock assets, no watermark
|
| Raw Support |
Raw Support
No — JPG/PNG only
|
| Layers |
Layers
No pixel-level layers, clone brush or smart selectors — a design-tool workflow instead
|
| Best For |
Best For
Turning photos into social, print and marketing graphics, not pixel-level editing
|
Canva is a free online photo editor. That means you don’t need to download anything to your desktop. But even though it saves you space, it limits your access when away from the internet. There is free cloud storage, but it is limited.
Canva is the best free photo editing software for changing your images into documents for presentations, social media, print products, and marketing. You can easily create cards, posters, and invitations with various templates.
You still won’t find pixel-level retouching tools like layers or clone brushes here (Canva is a design tool first). But its free tier now bundles an AI-powered photo editor alongside the sliders, so basic tint, vignette, sharpening, and brightness adjustments come with one-click AI cleanup too. The heavier AI tools, Magic Eraser, Background Remover, and Magic Edit, sit behind Canva Pro.
It’s one of the best free online photo editors for users looking for an easy-to-use interface to add graphic design to their photos. There are several paid plan options, but most individuals and small teams can get by with the free version. You also have limited access to templates, images, and storage.
Not for: photographers who need real pixel-level retouching. No layers, no clone stamp, no RAW support. Canva is built for turning a finished photo into a graphic, not for correcting the photo itself.
5. Adobe Photoshop Express
| Platforms |
Platforms
Web, Windows, iOS, Android
|
| Free Tier |
Free Tier
Free core editing (crop, exposure, filters); RAW import and offline editing need Premium
|
| Raw Support |
Raw Support
Premium only — the free tier has no RAW support
|
| Layers |
Layers
No — no adjustment layers, blending modes or smart objects, even in Premium
|
| Best For |
Best For
Fast mobile photo touch-ups
|
You most likely know Adobe Photoshop as a professional (and expensive) editing software platform. But they have a free version called Photoshop Express that works on your mobile device.
The free version of Adobe Photoshop Express is a trimmed-down version of Photoshop. It edits JPEGs, PNGs, and TIFFs, and it now opens RAW files directly too — Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fujifilm, and most other major camera formats are supported, so there's no need to convert them first.
Even with a scaled-back version, you get many editing features you expect from Adobe, like masks and even the Liquify tool. But you miss other essential tools that some of the rivals supply. Apart from that, the Adobe Photoshop Express interface and controls are polished and work well.
Photoshop Express does shine with its simple, one-touch effects. What we find interesting is the Pop Color tool. It allows you to change the hue of any image quickly. And we like to use the Fill Light tool to boost lighting conditions for any photos that fall short.
Not for: desktop-first editing or anyone who wants the full Photoshop toolset. This is a mobile-first app with a deliberately trimmed feature set; reach for GIMP or darktable if you're working at a computer.
6. Pixlr
| Platforms |
Platforms
Web, iOS, Android, desktop app
|
| Free Tier |
Free Tier
Free tier with ads; Plus/Premium removes ads and adds AI credits
|
| Raw Support |
Raw Support
Limited — basic RAW opening online, not a full RAW workflow
|
| Layers |
Layers
Yes — Pixlr E supports layers, masks and blend modes
|
| Best For |
Best For
Browser-based general editing plus AI background/object removal
|
Two other great photo editing programs are Pixlr Express (for quick, one-click edits) and Pixlr Editor (for advanced, layer-based editing). If you have heard of Pixlr editor, these are the successors of that popular platform, now rebuilt around AI tools. And there are plenty of improvements.
The former software ran off Flash software, but Pixlr Express and Editor work in any modern browser. That means you are not limited to any browser and there are no unnecessary downloads on your end.
This free photo editing software can make detailed changes to color, saturation, and vignette effects. On top of that, sharpening and blurring your images is a breeze. It features layers—which many of these free software lack—and you can paint and draw on top of your images. These advanced tools are perfect for mixed media and other creative endeavors.
Pixlr Express is nice to play around with due to its sleek design. Those who like Photoshop Express will see similarities in its interface. You can download the desktop app for a Windows PC. Apps are also available for Android and iOS. Core editing stays free, but Pixlr now gates its AI tools and ad-free experience behind paid Plus and Premium plans starting around $2/month.
Not for: anyone who wants Pixlr's AI tools or an ad-free session without paying. Those now sit behind the Plus and Premium tiers.
7. PhotoScape X
| Platforms |
Platforms
Windows, macOS
|
| Free Tier |
Free Tier
Free edition available; PhotoScape X Pro is a paid upgrade for advanced batch/RAW/layer tools
|
| Raw Support |
Raw Support
Yes, with deeper RAW tools in the Pro upgrade
|
| Layers |
Layers
Basic object/layer editing free; complex layer editing in Pro
|
| Best For |
Best For
All-in-one editing — RAW conversion, brushes, filters, batch tools
|
PhotoScape X is a free photo editor that offers a long list of tools for image processing. PhotoScape does not have as many features as Photoshop. But it’s an all-in-one photo editing software. This editor might look simple, but it comes packed with impressive features. A few of them are RAW conversion, brushes, filters, and clone stamps.
This editing software is a good option for beginners because it enhances your images with just one click. And their website offers video tutorials for anyone who needs a little help.
PhotoScape X is also perfect for creating original content for social media or marketing campaigns. The program offers collage, stickers, text, and photo merging tools.
The free version of this photo editing app does not come with advanced features. But it offers a paid version with unlimited access to more advanced tools. PhotoScape X is available for macOS and Windows users.
Not for: anyone still running Windows XP/7/8 or an older Mac. PhotoScape X needs Windows 10+ or macOS 13+; older machines need to fall back to the legacy PhotoScape 3.7.
8. Photo Pos Pro
| Platforms |
Platforms
Windows
|
| Free Tier |
Free Tier
Free for personal and commercial use, with a paid Premium upgrade
|
| Raw Support |
Raw Support
Yes
|
| Layers |
Layers
Yes — layers, custom brushes and healing tools
|
| Best For |
Best For
Simple to intermediate retouching and collages — a lighter Photoshop alternative
|
Photo Pos Pro is advanced photo editing software. It’s perfect for users of all levels to achieve professional results. This software is a good option if you’re looking for a smart-looking, simple, and user-friendly interface. It allows you to work intuitively with one-click filters and image-enhancing tools.
This top-quality editor also features advanced editing tools for adjusting tone curves and levels. It comes with brushes, layers, and layer masks for advanced edits. Other features include selection tools, gradients, object removal, and RAW file support.
Photo Pos Pro is excellent for beginners because it has a help system that includes a quick-start guide and several image-enhancing tutorials.
The one limitation of Photo Pos Pro is that it only allows you to export at a maximum image size of 1024 x 1024 px. But it’s still a fantastic option to create smaller files. Photo Pos Pro is available for download for Windows users and Mac users with an emulator. There is a paid premium version available.
Not for: anyone printing or publishing at full resolution. The 1024×1024px export cap on the free version rules out large prints and most stock or client work.
9. BeFunky
| Platforms |
Platforms
Web, iOS, Android
|
| Free Tier |
Free Tier
Free tier with core tools and templates; BeFunky Plus unlocks premium features
|
| Raw Support |
Raw Support
No — JPEG, GIF, BMP, PNG and AVIF only
|
| Layers |
Layers
Yes — multiple layers with a proprietary .BFD project format
|
| Best For |
Best For
Quick photo effects, collages and social graphics
|
BeFunky is an online photo editing tool created for users of all levels. It comes with a user-friendly interface that helps you easily find each editing tool. This app might seem basic, but it allows photographers to achieve professional results.
The program allows you to see editing effects on the photo in real time. And you can find all your edits in the image’s history, letting you undo or redo modifications at any time. The photo editing section comes with a wide range of tools for resizing, cropping, and adjusting exposure and contrast. There is also a background remover, textures, and portrait touch-up tools.
BeFunky is also an excellent tool for marketing and social media content. Besides the photo editor, there is a collage maker and a graphic design section. It offers many templates to create cards, flyers, invitations, etc. Also, BeFunky offers access to stock images.
This online editor is also an excellent option for inexperienced users. It offers dozens of tutorials for photo editing and collage-making. Plus, you can also find a section with design tips and techniques. Unfortunately, it doesn’t support RAW files. And you have to buy the premium version of the photo editor for features like batch editing and AI enhancements.
The program is also available for download as a mobile version for iPhone and Android devices. You can also access it as a Chrome extension to edit your Google photos.
Not for: RAW shooters, or anyone who needs batch editing or the AI tools without upgrading to BeFunky Plus.
10. Fotor
| Platforms |
Platforms
Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
|
| Free Tier |
Free Tier
Free plan edits and exports without a watermark; Fotor Pro adds advanced AI/batch features
|
| Raw Support |
Raw Support
Yes on the desktop app only — not available in the browser version
|
| Layers |
Layers
Limited — not a full layer-based raster editor
|
| Best For |
Best For
Quick AI-assisted enhancement, background removal and batch editing
|
Fotor is a free photo editing software that easily removes backgrounds, blemishes, and wrinkles in portraits. It also comes with plenty of visual effects. But Fotor’s free Basic plan now exports every image — JPG, PNG, or PDF — with a watermark and at standard (non-HD) resolution. You need a paid Pro plan for HD, watermark-free exports.
Fotor’s free plan is fine for quick, casual edits you’re not planning to publish anywhere serious. Overall, Fotor is a fun, free photo editor. But it’s not a program for professional photo editing.
The best thing about Fotor is that you can run it through your browser instead of taking up space on your hard drive. But remember to use Fotor on Google Chrome rather than Safari. Some of the adjustments are limited while using Safari. Fotor has apps available for Windows, macOS, Android, and iPhone.
Not for: anyone publishing finished work straight off the free plan. The Basic tier watermarks every export and caps resolution below HD.
11. Paint.net
| Platforms |
Platforms
Windows
|
| Free Tier |
Free Tier
Fully free download; an optional paid Microsoft Store copy supports development
|
| Raw Support |
Raw Support
Not native — needs a third-party LibRaw-based plugin
|
| Layers |
Layers
Yes — full layer support
|
| Best For |
Best For
Lightweight general image editing with a Photoshop-like layer workflow
|
The best free photo editor software is often the simplest. With Paint.NET, this simplicity is key. Not only is it free, but it’s also quick and easy to operate. Although the name sounds like Microsoft Paint, it is a dedicated photo editor.
The program has been around for a while. But it’s still a great photo editing tool for minor changes. There’s no need to use advanced software when all your image requires is a crop. What you find are handy photo editing functions. A few of them are layers, filters, and plugins created by their enthusiastic community. You will also notice a great 3D rotation and zoom function.
It doesn’t have every feature you can dream of in a photo editor. But it’s enough for basic edits in an easy-to-use program. Paint.NET is available exclusively for Microsoft Windows.
Not for: Mac or Linux users, or anyone who needs RAW processing or layer-based masking beyond simple edits.
How to Choose the Right Free Photo Editor for You
With 11 options above, the fastest way to decide is by the job you need done, not by feature-count:
- Want a full Photoshop alternative (layers, masks, curves, clone tools)? Go with GIMP.
- Shoot RAW and want a Lightroom-style workflow? Darktable or RawTherapee are both built around RAW processing first.
- Editing for social media or marketing, not pixel-level retouching? Canva or BeFunky are faster for turning a photo into a finished graphic.
- Editing from your phone? Adobe Photoshop Express is the only mobile-first pick here.
- Just want the simplest one-click fix, no learning curve? Paint.NET (Windows-only) gets out of your way fastest.
- Want an all-in-one desktop app with RAW, batch, and collage tools? PhotoScape X or Photo Pos Pro cover the most ground in one download.
If you're still unsure, start with GIMP. It is our top pick overall: the only editor here that gives you layers, masks, curves and clone tools for nothing, on Windows, macOS and Linux, and it is the one you are least likely to outgrow. Reach for Canva instead only if you already know your work is social graphics rather than photo retouching.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is free photo editing software as good as Photoshop?
For most everyday edits, yes. GIMP alone covers layers, masks, curves, and clone tools, which is most of what a typical photographer actually uses in Photoshop. What free software doesn't match is Adobe's wider ecosystem (Lightroom sync, Creative Cloud plugins), and tools like Canva and Pixlr gate their most advanced AI features behind a paid tier.
Which free photo editor is best for beginners?
Canva and BeFunky have the gentlest learning curves, with drag-and-drop interfaces and one-click filters. GIMP and RawTherapee are the most powerful tools on this list, but they ask for more patience to learn.
Which free tool works best with RAW files?
darktable and RawTherapee are both built around RAW processing first. GIMP handles RAW conversion too, and Adobe Photoshop Express now opens RAW files directly from Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Fujifilm cameras without converting them first.
Can I edit photos without installing anything?
Yes. Canva, Pixlr, BeFunky, and Fotor all run entirely in your browser, with no download required.
What restrictions should I watch for in the free versions?
A few of these tools cap what you get for free: Fotor's Basic plan watermarks every export and caps resolution below HD, Photo Pos Pro's free version caps exports at 1024×1024px, and Pixlr and BeFunky both gate their AI tools (and, on Pixlr, an ad-free session) behind a paid plan.
Do any of these work on a Mac?
GIMP, darktable, RawTherapee, Canva, Adobe Photoshop Express, Pixlr, PhotoScape X, BeFunky, and Fotor all run on macOS. Paint.NET is Windows-only.
Conclusion
GIMP is our overall pick. It's the only free tool on this list that genuinely replaces Photoshop's core toolset, layers, masks, curves, and clone tools included, and it runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Start there if you want one program that can grow with you.
If GIMP is more than you need, go by the job: darktable or RawTherapee for RAW-heavy workflows, Canva or BeFunky if you're editing for social media rather than pixel-level retouching, or Adobe Photoshop Express if you're working from your phone. Every tool above is free to use today. Install the one that matches what you're actually shooting and editing, and switch if it stops fitting. Match it to your editing style and you won't need to pay for Photoshop or Lightroom to get professional results.
If you decide to pay to use Adobe Lightroom instead, try our Effortless Editing with Lightroom course to make your photos truly striking!
