Best Free Photo Editing Software

Movavi Photo Editor

  • Intuitive tools for quick and easy photo editing

  • AI: retouching, background swap, object removal, and more

  • Atmospheric effects, color correction presets, and caption settings

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Edited by
Ben Jacklin
45595

Free photo editing software gives anyone a chance to improve their shots without paying for premium tools, and it surprised me how far these programs have come in the last few years. I’m Ben Jacklin, and I’ve been into photography for 8 years, so I’ve tried a long list of editors on laptops, phones, and tablets.

Some programs suit newcomers who just want quick fixes, while others suit people who enjoy precise color work or deep control over RAW files. In this guide, I look at popular free photo editors and point out what each one does well.

How to choose photo editing software

Many people open a photo editor and freeze when they see a crowded toolbar, so I paid the closest attention to how clean each program felt on first launch. A clear layout helps you get started faster, especially when you only need simple fixes and don’t want every specialist tool staring at you at once.

I also checked how each editor treats basic tasks. Quick retouching tools matter, and so does a simple way to remove small objects. Cropping and straightening tools need to respond well, since these are often the first fixes people apply.

RAW files add another layer. Some programs read them with ease, while others drop support or restrict adjustments. I tested how deeply each editor can work with a RAW image, since photographers often rely on fine control over light and color.

Free versions differ a lot. Some cut out export formats, others block key tools behind a paywall, and a few update rarely. I reviewed each editor with those limits in mind, so readers can see what they gain for free and where the borders sit.

Free photo editing tools recommended for beginners

  • Movavi Photo Editor
  • GIMP
  • Darktable
  • Raw Therapee
  • Photopea
  • Faststone
  • Apple Photos
  • Canva
  • Fotor
  • Pixlr

Best free photo editing software

1. Movavi Photo Editor

Why users choose it: The brand Movavi holds a strong name online, and many people mention how they reach admirable results in minutes. They trust it for quick family shots, small product photos, and everyday fixes because the toolset feels clear and steady.

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Unique features

  • AI fixes for portraits
  • Fast object erasure
  • One tap color styles
  • Clear background switcher

I placed Movavi at the top because it sets a clear standard for free photo tools. The layout greets you with a wide canvas, clean side panels, and tools that sit in simple groups so nothing feels hidden. Color tuning sits in one area, portrait repair in another, and the AI features cut through routine edits with surprising accuracy.

I found its background swap quicker than expected, and the new color presets add a small spark to dull shots. The program works with RAW files, though the controls stay straightforward. You also get quick object cleanup, sharpness control, captions, and small touches that help with casual edits.

Pros:

  • Simple layout

  • Quick tool response

  • Good starter set for RAW files

  • Many presets

Cons:

  • Trial adds a watermark

2. GIMP

Why users choose it: GIMP appeals to people who want to shape their software and workflow without restrictions. Its active community keeps improving scripts, plugins, and fixes, while constant updates and a transparent roadmap reassure creators that it will continue evolving. Users often praise its depth and ability to tackle tasks from photo restoration to graphic design, all without a price tag.

Unique features

  • Fully scriptable workflows in multiple languages
  • Advanced color management for printing and digital media
  • Non-destructive filters and transformations
  • Extensive plugin and extension support

Continuing my exploration of the best free photo editors, GIMP takes the spotlight next. It is a tool for those who crave flexibility and control. It works across Linux, macOS, Windows, and more, and I really appreciate this cross-platform utility.

Users can alter the source code, add scripts, or install plugins, creating a highly personalized environment. The interface spreads options across floating panels that can be reorganized freely. Layers, masks, filters, and brushes sit ready for precise edits, while color management ensures consistent reproduction for print or screen.

RAW support is built in, and automation is possible through Python, Perl, or Scheme scripts. Testing its features for restoration and graphic design, I found its cloning and healing tools highly precise, and the non-destructive filter workflow makes experimentation safer.

The 3.0.6 update brings in many useful elements to this free photo editing software, like improved sliders and strengthened stability across systems.

Pros:

  • Completely free and open-source

  • Highly adaptable interface and tools

  • Strong support for RAW and layered files

  • Integrates with other free creative software like Scribus and Inkscape

Cons:

  • Initial setup can overwhelm newcomers

  • Many features require learning curves

  • Occasional performance issues on very large files

3. Darktable

Why users choose it: Reddit discussions often highlight Darktable’s precision and depth. Photographers enjoy the control over RAW files without licensing fees. Many users agree that the app has a somewhat steep learning curve, but cannot deny that the payoff is worth it once they understand the module system and masks. Some individuals praise the automation scripts for saving hours in batch editing. Reviews note that Darktable outperforms paid alternatives once mastered, though beginners should expect an initial period of trial and error.

Unique features

  • Non-destructive editing across the entire workflow
  • Full RAW file support: CR2, NEF, RAF, HDR, and more
  • GPU-accelerated operations through OpenCL
  • Tethered camera integration for live view capture
  • Lua scripting for repetitive batch operations
  • Exports to multiple formats, including JPEG, TIFF, PFM, and EXR
  • Multi-language translations are updated regularly

Next in line of the best free photo editing tools is Darktable. An open-source program for photographers who want control over RAW files without altering the original shots. It works like a digital lighttable and darkroom: you can organize images, inspect details, and adjust exposure, color, and tone with precision.

The screen separates library tools from development modules. Sliders, panels, and masks let you tweak light and color extensively, while caches and GPU support keep changes quick even on large files.

Pros:

  • Originals remain untouched at every stage

  • Handles large collections without lag

  • Precise color management using ICC profiles

  • Open-source and expandable through scripts and modules

Cons:

  • Tough learning curve; new users may feel lost

  • Dense interface that requires adjustment

  • Some camera models have partial tethering support

4. RawTherapee

Why users choose it: What is word of mouth? Users seem to dig RawTherapee’s raw‑editing engine. Many individuals say it gives serious control over colour and detail. But they also warn that its interface can be pretty intimidating if you’re not used to technical tools. A few complaints pop up that the program sometimes feels sluggish or even crashes, so it’s smart to save often. Still, the fact that it’s totally free earns a ton of respect. For power users, that’s a pretty big deal.

Unique features

  • ACES-based Gamut Compression to tame highly saturated colors
  • De-fisheye transformation with manual scale control
  • Dehaze option in raw black point management
  • HDR DNG (floating-point) import support

RawTherapee is also an open‑source, free RAW image editor. It supports RAW files from a great variety of digital cameras. It is a tool for everyone! Both curious beginners who want to dig into how digital imaging works and serious photographers who demand fine control - they all can obtain the benefits of RawTherapee.
It gives you a rich kit of editing tools: exposure, color correction, noise removal, tone mapping, and more, so you can make your photos look just the way you want. What impresses me is how much creative freedom you get when you learn its tricks.
Yes, there’s a learning curve, but the user community is genuinely welcoming. There’s RawPedia, forums, and helpful people ready to answer questions. If you’re willing to read up and experiment, RawTherapee rewards you with very precise image control.
The 5.12 update (May 28, 2025) added a “Dehaze” setting in the black‑point tool, a de‑fish option for fisheye lenses, and a Gamut Compression tool based on the ACES color system. Another highlight: it now supports demosaiced floating-point DNGs, which is great for HDR workflows.

Pros:

  • Completely free under GPLv3

  • Precise and flexible colour tools

  • Advanced RAW processing options

  • Cross-platform: works on Windows, macOS, Linux

Cons:

  • Not easy for first-time users

  • Performance can lag with large RAW files

5. Photopea

Why users choose it: Not many free photo editing software have a great online reputation, but Photopea has quite a good name. Many people love the tool for giving near-professional editing features without payment. Social media creators, students, and freelancers like it for flexibility and quick access. People often say it’s one of the best free alternatives to the costly Photoshop®. It can handle many file types and produce high-quality edits without cluttering your computer with any installs.

Unique features

  • Works entirely online; no installs.
  • Full PSD support and compatibility with over 40 file types.
  • Advanced RAW editing, layers, masks, adjustment layers, and vector tools.
  • AI-assisted background removal and content generation.

Photopea is a free photo editor platform that is launched straight in your browser. No downloads required. Every file stays on your device, so nothing uploads online. Also, it uses your CPU and GPU to open images instantly. You get a full set of tools, from simple cropping to advanced layering, masking, and blending. It reads PSDs perfectly and accepts a raft of formats like PNG, JPG, SVG, PDF, AI, and more.

RAW files from cameras such as DNG, CR2, NEF, or ARW open without a hitch, letting you tweak exposure, colors, and contrast. There’s AI at your disposal, too, from one-click background removal to generating image content from text. Students, small business owners, or social media fans all find it useful. Professionals can rely on it for serious design work without spending a cent.

Pros:

  • Works on any device with a modern browser.

  • All premium-like tools are free.

  • Fast local performance; files never leave your device.

  • Suitable for both casual edits and professional projects.

Cons:

  • Can feel cramped on small screens.

  • Heavy projects may slow older computers.

  • The free version may irritate you with too many frequent ads.

6. Canva

Why users choose it: Canva is reputable, too, and is heavily discussed by both amateurs and professionals on Reddit and similar forums. People love it for its straightforward drag-and-drop layout and an endless pool of templates. Online chatter also shows that customers value Canva’s team collaboration tools and the ability to mix graphics, text, and video all in one place.

Unique features

  • AI-powered image generation and text-to-image tools
  • Built-in printing and merchandise options
  • Extensive media libraries with photos, videos, and audio
  • Real-time collaboration on designs, presentations, and boards

My journey towards finding the best free photo editor software continues with Canva, which feels like a playground for ideas. You can create posters, social media graphics, resumes, or even entire websites without installing a thing.

Its layout spreads tools, templates, and media libraries across a clean interface that’s easy to explore. AI can turn text into images, and swapping photos, graphics, and fonts happens in seconds. Collaboration comes alive here – tag teammates, assign tasks, and tweak designs together in real time. Printing integrates directly, so your flyers, mugs, or shirts can arrive at your door without extra steps.

Canva combines an end-to-end platform with thousands of stock images, videos, soundtracks, and fonts. With such a handy photo editor, producing visuals for presentations, infographics, social posts, or videos on the web, iOS, or Android becomes literally effortless.

Pros:

  • Works entirely in-browser; no heavy software needed

  • Templates cover personal, professional, and educational projects

  • Easy to mix graphics, video, and audio in one file

  • Free plan offers broad functionality

Cons:

  • Some advanced tools require a paid plan

  • Heavy projects can slow older devices

  • Template-heavy approach may feel restrictive for custom designs

7. Fotor

Why users choose it: On Reddit, many folks praise Fotor because its AI sidekick “Sisi” lets you talk or type commands for edits – no tech skills needed. Others say they use it to clean up their photo libraries fast, thanks to bulk resizing, background removal, and file conversion. Some enjoy turning selfies into cartoons or paintings just by choosing a filter. But a few also warn: they canceled trials and still got charged.

Unique features

  • One-click AI Background Remover and Object Eraser
  • Batch editor for up to 50 images at once
  • Generative AI: text > image + image expansion + face generation
  • Cartoon/painting filters powered by AI
  • Portrait retouch with red-eye removal, wrinkle smoothing, and more

Fotor greets you with a clean, browser-hosted workspace. Here, you can crop, adjust colour, and retouch portraits without installing anything. The interface places sliders for brightness, saturation, and contrast alongside AI tools like background removal and object erasure. You can upload up to 50 images at once and apply edits in bulk via its batch editor.

The AI editor also supports text‑to‑image generation, meaning you can type a prompt and let Fotor draw something new for you. Portrait retouching works well: Fotor smooths skin and removes blemishes with a few clicks. It’s also available as a Windows app, which gives you even more effects to play with – such as vintage filters, HDR, and double-exposure.

Pros:

  • Accessible directly in your web browser

  • Strong AI features to speed up complex edits

  • Workflow saves time for large sets of photos

  • Rich asset library: filters, templates, icons, fonts

  • Works on Windows, plus mobile on iOS/Android

Cons:

  • Ads on the free version can distract

  • Some important tools sit behind a paid tier

8. Pixlr

Why users choose it: Customers speak well of Pixlr. Characteristics like flexibility and simplicity earn many accolades. People also highlight its suitability for bloggers, social media curators, and casual photographers who want quick edits. Many remark that the AI options elevate it beyond standard online editors, which allows users to explore creative angles without extra applications.

Unique features

  • AI inpainting (fill in missing or removed areas)
  • Scaling / AI upscaling for sharper results
  • Denoising / AI noise reduction
  • Sticker creation (custom or AI-generated)
  • Generative expand (extend canvas intelligently)
  • AI-powered object removal
  • Quick style and color suggestions

Pixlr presents itself as a browser-based editing platform that merges design tools with artificial intelligence for desktop and mobile. Its layout splits core editing functions into straightforward panels, while advanced features like AI background removal, object erasing, and image expansion sit a click away. You can experiment with brightness, contrast, layers, text overlays, and filters, all without installing software. AI-powered generators also allow creating new elements directly within the workspace.

Pixlr also offers a set of creative overlays and preset effects that help images pop instantly, while its text tools let you combine fonts and styles freely. Layers can be adjusted individually, giving a sense of depth usually reserved for more complex software. The AI-assisted suggestions for color adjustments or style changes make experimentation feel natural. You can export finished work in multiple formats without extra hassle.

Pros:

  • Accessible through web, iOS, and Android platforms

  • Free edition covers a broad spectrum of adjustments

  • AI-assisted edits shorten repetitive tasks

Cons:

  • Free version limits high-resolution exports and some tools

  • Occasional delays when applying complex operations

  • Learning certain functions can take extra trial

9. FastStone Image Viewer

Why users choose it: FastStone Image Viewer is quite reputed on the Web. One of the strongest benefits is the app’s speed and a good array of editing features. Many users mention how quickly it opens large folders without freezing. People also appreciate that it doesn’t bombard you with ads or unnecessary prompts. The combination of quick performance and useful tools keeps photographers and casual editors returning regularly.

Unique features

  • Multiple resampling methods
  • Sketch and oil painting filters
  • A healing brush
  • Clone stamp
  • Lossless JPEG edits

A small, unassuming free photo editor at first sight, with an old-school website, FastStone Image Viewer is surprisingly popular. It is a fast, stable, user-friendly image browser, converter, and editor.

Its interface mimics a familiar file explorer but opens advanced options once a picture is chosen. You can crop, resize, tweak colors, remove red-eye, annotate, and convert images in batches. Full-screen display hides menus until triggered, showing details, thumbnails, and functional controls along the screen’s edges.

Slideshows accommodate music and over 150 transition patterns. The program supports formats from BMP and GIF to RAW types like CR2, NEF, and DNG. It simplifies bulk adjustments, renaming, and file conversion. Some users may accuse FastStone of being legacy and unattractive, but the updates show up with amazing regularity.

Pros:

  • Works in installed and portable modes

  • Recognizes an extensive selection of image types

  • Slideshow tools with adjustable transitions

  • Allows precise color corrections and simple annotations

Cons:

  • The user interface looks dated

  • Minimal video and audio handling

  • No online collaboration or cloud storage

10. Apple Photos

Why users choose it: Many users gravitate toward Apple Photos because it blends everyday editing with effortless organisation. People mentioning it on specialized review platforms often say they appreciate how little maintenance it needs. Their photos just appear everywhere, already sorted, already backed up. And for quick edits, Memories, shared albums, or simply keeping years of images under control, it quietly gets the job done without extra software.

Unique features

  • Smart curation that hides duplicates, screenshots, and low-value shots
  • Memories: auto-generated highlight videos with music and cinematic transitions
  • Powerful Live Photo effects (Loop, Bounce, Long Exposure)
  • Full iCloud sync across Apple and Windows devices
  • Third-party editing extensions integrated directly into the editor
  • Smart Albums and automatic media-type sorting

Rounding out my lineup is Apple Photos… A tool that wraps your entire photo library into a calm, well-organised space. It lays out your best shots upfront, hides the clutter, and groups everything into clear views that feel familiar on any Apple device. The search engine is surprisingly sharp, type a face, a place, or even an object, and it brings up the right moments in seconds.

Editing stays pleasantly straightforward: lighting, colour, curves, selective tweaks, filters, and Portrait mode adjustments all sit within reach. If you want something stronger, extensions from apps like Pixelmator or Photoshop plug right in and feed the edits back to your library.

With iCloud Photos keeping everything synced across Mac, iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, and even Windows, it becomes a system you don’t really think about. It just keeps your memories ready wherever you are.

On top of that, features like Memories, shared family libraries, and automatic highlights add a bit of warmth to the technical side, turning your photo archive into something that feels alive.

Pros:

  • Clean, familiar layout across all Apple devices

  • Great everyday editing tools with optional pro-level extensions

  • Excellent search and smart auto-grouping

  • Effortless syncing via iCloud

  • Strong tools for organising large libraries

Cons:

  • Mac-only as a full editor (Windows access is limited to iCloud)

  • Heavy reliance on iCloud space for big libraries

  • Fewer advanced manual controls than pro-grade editors

Comparison table of free photo editors

Software

OS

Key features

Pros and cons

Best for

Movavi Photo Editor

Windows, macOS

Basic editing, retouching, background removal, filters

Pros: easy editing, quick retouch, object removal, support RAW import

Cons: limited advanced controls

Beginners / casual users

GIMP

Windows, macOS, Linux

Layers, masks, filters, painting tools, plugins

Pros: powerful free editing, layers support, plugin-ready, RAW support

Cons: steeper learning curve

Intermediate / advanced

How to choose a photo editor

  • Identify what you actually need: basic touch-ups, creative manipulations, or detailed RAW adjustments.
  • Match the software to your operating system to avoid wasted downloads or incompatibility issues.
  • Inspect the workspace: some programs give clear, simple panels, while others offer detailed tool clusters.
  • Check available editing facilities: crop, color curves, red-eye removal, selective corrections, or object elimination.
  • RAW format support matters if your camera shoots professional-grade files.
Movavi Photo Editor
Easily enhance images and get professional-grade results in a snap.
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*The trial version of Movavi Photo Editor has the following restrictions: you can save up to 10 images with added watermark, screenshots are disabled.

Movavi Photo Editor

Frequently asked questions

Is free photo editing software safe to use?

Yes. Most of the big free editors are legitimate. Just make sure to download them from their official sites. And when you install, don’t blindly click Next – skip any optional extras you don’t need.

Can I do professional work with free photo editors?

You really can. Tools like Darktable or RawTherapee let you fine-tune color, exposure, and more. For high‑end effects, you’ll spend more time, but clients will still get clean, polished images.

Which free photo editor is closest to Photoshop®?

GIMP and Photopea feel most like Photoshop®. GIMP gives you serious offline power. Photopea runs in your browser and mimics Photoshop’s® layout – great if you jump between devices. But these tools are notoriously known for their hard learning curve.

Do free photo editors support RAW images?

Definitely – some do it very well. Darktable and RawTherapee let you open RAWs natively. Others may require plugins or extensions. Always check before importing large batches from a camera.

What’s the best free photo editor for beginners?

Go with Movavi Photo Editor, Fotor, or Apple Photos if you’re just starting. Their tools are easy to spot, and you don’t need to dig into dense menus. You can crop, apply effects, or clean up a portrait without getting lost.

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