If you are looking for the best photo editing software, you have come to the right place! We have done extensive research to find out which photo editing tools are the best on the market. Whether you need to take away the background, and add your baby to a painting, or simply enhance your pictures, and take red eye effects out of your selfies, you will find the best options on this list for doing that. Some of these apps require a download, some of them are only for mobile devices, and some of them are online only, but they have one thing in common. All of the editing software on this list is FREE! Well let’s get started!
1.GIMP
GIMP was originally released in 1995. With GIMP, (GNU Image Manipulation Program) you will have access to a full quiver of professional photo editing features, with an enormous amount of possibilities. GIMP is totally free, cross-platform photo editor, and it is compatible with Windows, GNU/Linux OS X, IOS, and Android. GIMP allows you to change source code, distribute changes, enhance your productivity, and even get support from third-party plug-ins. If you are inexperienced, you will find a plethora of tutorials online for GIMP, and it is the best free photo editor available, no matter how simple or tedious your job is! GIMP can be a little complicated for beginners, but if you have time to learn, it is worth it!
Features
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High Quality Photo Manipulation
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Original Artwork Creation
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Graphic Design Elements
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Programming Algorithms
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Extensible and Flexible
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Compatible with Scribus, Inkscape, and SwatchBooker
2. Paint.net
Paint.NET is a totally free image and photo editing software for PCs that is compatible with Windows only. Run it and you will find yourself engulfed in an ample and intuitive user interface with the ability to create layers, special effects, and a wide variety of other powerful tools.Paint.NET will handle any photo editing load from simple to serious, with a professionally designed user interface and a more than ample tool set!
Features
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Simple, Intuitive User Interface (UI)
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Speedy, Powerful Performance
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Photo Layering Ability
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Active Online Community
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Automatic Updates
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Special Effects
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Absolutely FREE
3. PhotoScape
PhotoScape offers a fun and easy photo editing software that makes an excellent option for the beginner photo editor. PhotoScape is compatible with Windows 98/NT/2000/XP/Vista, and is packed with powerful editing and art tools. The user interface is well designed, very smooth and easy to use. This makes Paint.NET the perfect editing software for people that don’t have a lot of time to learn in-depth tutorials. Whether you are just starting out, or you are an experienced artist, Paint.NET makes the perfect tool for all types of photo editing projects!
Features
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Viewer
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Editor
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Batch Editor
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Animated GIF
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Screen Capture
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Raw Converter
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Face Search, Paper Print, and Much, Much, More
Related: 9 Best Free Photo Collage Makers to Remember Every Special Moment
4. SumoPaint
SumoPaint has two versions. One you can use online, and one you can download. The one online works just fine, so there is no need to weigh down your hard drive with the software. Sumo paint will give you access to over 300 brushes, an online community, and a whole array of symmetry, gravity, gradient effects, and more. You can layer pictures, you can make shapes, and it accepts different file formats. The licensed version will only cost you $19, should you decide to purchase it, and it comes highly recommended from customers that have tried it!
Features
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Easy User Interface (UI)
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Shape Tools
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Online Community for Support
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Over 300 Brushes
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Layer Effects
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Gradient Editor
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Symmetry Creator
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Gravity Effects
5. Photo POS PRO
With Photo Pos Pro, you can easily manipulate photos, remove unwanted objects, fix poor imagery, add frames and collages, and a lot, lot more! You have access to advanced photo effects and stunning text effects, with a whole suite of powerful art tools and editing functions. Photo Pos Pro software is also capable of running additional extensions, plug-ins, and more. The possibilities are endless, and Photo Pos Pro is a favorite of many, and it also comes highly recommended!
Features
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Powerful Professional Tools
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Background and Object Removal
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Photo Enhancers
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Ability to Paint and Create
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Stunning Text Creator
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Highly Customer Recommended
6. Pixlr Editor
If you’re working with a limited amount of space on your hard drive, or you just want something simple or temporary to use, Pixlr Editor software may be the way to go. If you have ever used photo editing software, the Pixlr user interface will be of a walk in the park! As soon as you get to the Pixlr Editor website, you’re asked to upload a photo that you want to work with. Once you get your photo loaded, you’ll see a toolbar to the left with all of your standard art tools like paintbrush, pencil, eraser, circles, squares, lassos, and more. There are lots of fun fonts, effects, and powerful tools right there at your fingertips. Definitely worth checking out!
Features
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Easy User Interface (UI)
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No Heavy Downloads
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Large Selection of Fonts
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Redeye Tool
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Effects, Drawing, Painting, and More
Related: The 10 Best Free Cloud Storage Services
7. Photoshop Express Editor
Photoshop needs no introduction, as they’ve been around for a long time and come highly recommended by people all across the world. The Photoshop Editor Express will not cost you a penny, is compatible with iOS, android, or Windows version 8 or higher. It gives you a full spread of professional editing tools! You can fix blemishes, add effects, crop, straighten, rotate, you name it. There’s a text tool for adding text to images, a customization tool, borders, and lots more. Highly recommended for artistic collages and in general it is the perfect, free photo editor app!
Features
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Easy User Interface
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One Touch Filters
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Adobe Noise Reduction Pack
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Borders, Stunning Looks Features, and Auto Fix
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Raw Image Support
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Highly Recommended by Users
8. Snapseed
Snapseed is a powerful photo editing app that allows users to add filters, apply effects, and add frames, while offering image balancing and custom enhancements. Snapseed comes highly recommended, and is a known favorite when it comes to enhancing images on the go! Easily tune any photo to the right consistency with precision and confidence, while Pro level editing tools are right at your fingertips. Available for Android OS 4.4 or higher, and IOS 9.0 or later, and Windows 10/8/7/ and XP.
Features
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Easy and Fun User Interface
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Tons of Effects and Custom Enhancement Options
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Crop, Rotate, and Flip
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Frames, Light Balancing, and More
9. PicsArt
PicsArt is a known favorite. Even though you can play with templates and effects, that would seem like more of a photo enhancement app for kids, PicsArt actually packs some pretty powerful editing power. Cut out images, layer them onto different backgrounds and then share them to Instagram with the touch of a button. If you need more advanced options, you can tap into the photo editor, which has 1,000’s of amazing features. As soon as you pick up your PicsArt app you will be emerged in a full suite of editing fun and intrigue! Highly recommended by customers, and guaranteed hours of amusement!
Features
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Easy to Use and Fun for All Ages
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Share Instantly to Instagram
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1000’s of Powerful Editing Features
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Crop, Stretch, Add Effects, and More
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Cut Out People or Objects and Add them to Different Backgrounds
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Consumer Favorite for Years Now
10. PhotoLayers
With Photo Layers, also known as Photo Montage for IOS, you can layer up to 11 pictures together at the same time. Enhance the color, transparency, and brightness of your pictures, and then layer them into an original work of art! There is a powerful background eraser, that users are swearing by as one of the best and easiest apps out for a iOS or android. Fun to play with, easy-to-use, and 4.5 star rated, Photo Layers is definitely worth checking out!
Features
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Excellent for Photo Montages!
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Color Enhancements
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Background Eraser
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Add Text to Pictures
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Center, Flip, Move, Combine and More
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Layer Up to 11 Pics, to Create the Coolest Artwork
Well, we’ve managed to put all of the best photo editing applications and software on one page! We were familiar with some, experienced with some, and we did research to find out about the rest, but rest assured, all of the best editing software can be found right here in this top 10 list. Every photo editing app on this page comes highly customer recommended, with high ratings, and robust features. I would have to say that our favorites on the list are GIMP, (simply because you can do anything with it and its very powerful software) and PhotoScape.
Our favorite mobile applications would have to be Photo Layers and PicsArt, mainly because of the possibilities and popularity of them! In conclusion, this top 10 list will get you well on your way to being as artistic as you want to be, whether you’re a professional editor, or a happy-go-lucky collage and montage creator! Have fun!
