You will rarely find anything free nowadays, especially on the internet. However, if you’re looking for free photo editing tools, then there’s good news for you. There are still a lot of photo editors that you can take advantage of without spending a single cent. Here are some of the best free photo editors for desktop. Some are completely free, others have a feature rich free version.
Best for Beginners
If you aren’t savvy with photo editors, here are the easiest ones you can try. They’re packed with useful features that are easy to understand and use.
1. Microsoft Windows 10 Photos
Microsoft’s free photo editor is exclusive for Windows 10 computers and laptops. It offers basic tools that include an add text to photo option. It is also a good organizing software for all your cherished digital images. If you’re a newbie and you need a user-friendly interface without advanced tools, then this is one of the best free photo editors to choose from.
2. PhotoScape
This photo editor may seem like a total beginner’s choice at first look. However, you’ll find that it has amazing features that you can use to further beautify your images. PhotoScape comes with a GIF creation option, image merging and splitting as well as conversion from one image type to another. Some of its free features include filters and an image cropper. It is highly recommended for those who aren’t very familiar with photo editors. It’s downloadable for desktop and pc for both Windows and Mac users.
3. Photo! Editor
This photo editing program is great at fixing high-quality digital images. It includes an image cropper, light adjustment options and even a caricature tool to give you the best version of your captured image. This free program can also add and remove objects and make professional level adjustments. It even has a red eye touch up tool as well as other features you can use to beautify portraits. Photo! Editor is available for download for Windows desktop and pc users.
4. Image Tuner
This photo editor is very basic. It comes as a free photo editor for desktop and laptops with Windows operating system. If you’re not in the professional photography and graphic design business, you’ll find this program satisfactory. It has an image cropper available in the tools section. You can also convert photo formats and even flip photos. Other available features are colorizing, flip and rotate
5. Paint.net
This is one of the best free photo editors with simple options and a user-friendly interface. It comes with a lot of helpful features like layers and brightness adjustments. It also has an image cropper as well as other effects like cool, blur, emboss, distorted and so on. The main features can be found right across the top of the program. Paint.net also has other special effects for quick photo touch-ups using the drop-down menu. Unfortunately, Paint.net is only available for laptops and desktops with Windows OS.
Best for intermediate Users
If you want a photo editor that’s more than basic, here are the best you could try. These are fit for users who want more tools and know how to use them.
1. Photos Pos Pro
Photo Pos Pro is one of the least-known photo editors but it’s slowly becoming one of the handiest ones out there. It has an easy-to-use add text to photo option along with other features. It is also equipped with the most basic photo editing tools as well as other options that are more common to professionals. Photo Pos Pro is very easy to navigate and you can easily find the tools you need. You can also download it for both Windows and Mac desktops.
2. InPixio
Best fit for experienced users, InPixio is equipped with everything a basic photo editing project will need. It’s free from confusing options which makes the editor easy to navigate and fun. There are free frames along with one-click presets for quick photo enhancements. You’ll also love its before and after view that lets you see the differences after you applied your preferred changes. If you don’t need any complicated photo editing tools, this is the best free photo editor for you. InPixio is available for Windows users but also has an available mobile app.
3. Fotor
Fotor is a great photo editor whether you’re a beginner or a pro. It comes with a wide variety of tools that you can use to make phenomenal photo edits. It also has features that you’ll usually see in expensive cameras or paid versions of photo editing software. With Fotor, you’ll have free access to frames, borders as well as photo effects. It even has one-tap options that can instantly enhance photos without any tweaking or adjustments from the user. Fotor is available for free download for Mac users. You can also enjoy the mobile app version for both Android and iOS devices.
4. Photoshop Express
Photoshop Express is exclusive to Microsoft Window users. It’s packed with almost every feature that the photoshop industry has ever needed. It’s basically a photo studio in one convenient program. It also has an easy-to-use interface so you won’t have to worry about searching for video tutorials on how to use its features. Photoshop Express has all of Adobe’s best tools that can make photo editing and retouching easier. It’s also available for mobile users who have either an Android or iOS device.
5. RawTherapee
One thing to love about this photo editor is that it can support your image even if it is a raw file. It also has an attractive but user-friendly interface with a variety of useful photo editing tools. RawTherapee can accommodate advanced color handling as well as non-destructive editing. You can also find a batch editing and parallel editing facility in this handy program. Simply put, it has all the features that a professional photographer would need. RawTherapee is free for Windows, Linux and Mac desktops only.
6. Luminar
Luminar is one of the most trendy photo editors for 2018. It has an intuitive interface that makes it easy for both experienced users and pros to navigate. Whether it’s for personal or business use, this free photo editor has all the features that can produce stunning images. It is capable of single edit photos as well as batch editing. Another thing you may like about this software is that it’s available whether you use a Windows or Mac desktop.
7. Darktable
This free photo editor sort of resembles the features available in Adobe Lightroom. It has basic adjustments and tools including an image cropper. If you’re looking for instant changes to your photos, Darktable also has filters and effect presets. It can handle both jpeg and raw files so there’s almost no reason why this free photo editor won’t work for you. It also offers other tools like perspective and lens corrections. It’s available for Mac, Windows and other operating systems for desktops and laptops.
8. Pixlr
If you’re looking for a great in-browser photo editor with a wide array of features, then Pixlr is a great option. It comes with the most basic tools like an image cropper, add text to photo option, as well as complicated features like layers and transparency. It also has a “history” option where you can view all the past actions you did to your photo. Once you’re happy with your photo, Pixlr can also send it directly to your Facebook. Pixlr is also downloadable via iOS or Android mobile devices.
9. Picasa
This is another free photo-editing program that not only lets you edit your photos. You can also share, organize and print your preferred images directly from the program. It has the basic editing tools along with a user-friendly layout. One more thing to love about this editor is that it can support a variety of image formats like PSD, JPEG, BMP, GIF and even movie files. You can download Picasa for Windows desktops and laptops.
10. Corel Paintshop Pro 2018
Corel PaintShop Pro 2018 is packed with features that you will find necessary if you’re into digital photography. It has a color enhancement tool as well as other customization tools like an image cropper. This is one of the best free photo editors out there if you’re looking for something versatile. If you’re a graphic designer you’ll also find this handy because of the add text to photo option. This is available for Windows desktops only.
11. On1 Perfect Effects
If you want a photo editor that can make snappy touch-ups and effects in one click, On1 Perfect is a must-try. It has 170 filter effects that you can choose from with just a few clicks. This photo editing program is also one of the best picks for most professional photographers. It has an image cropper tool along with other easy-to-use features. While there is no mobile app for this yet, On1 Perfect Effects is downloadable and free for both Mac and Windows.
12. Portrait Pro
This free photo editor specializes in makeup and portrait touch-ups. If you’re into digital photography, you will find this free program as a great best friend. It has a user-friendly layout with advanced editing tools for perfecting photos. It even has a face-detection capability that makes your work easier for you. If you usually work with people’s portraits, this is the best program for you to try. Portrait Pro is available for desktops with Windows or Mac operating systems.
Best for Advanced Users
If you’re a pro user looking for a photo editor for business purposes like social media management and e-commerce, these are the best ones to use.
1. Inkscape
Inkscape is getting a little old, and the user interface isn’t great but it has the ability to add text to photo, copy and paste styles and cloning. It’s also compatible with a wide variety of image formats. A pencil tool is also available along with other manipulation tools that can help you further personalize your images. This is free for both Mac and Windows desktops.
2. Pixia
Pixia is one of the best multi-purpose but free photo editors out there. Whether it's portraits, digital photography or e-commerce, this free photo editor is packed with a variety of useful tools. It also allows you to save your finished projects in different formats. It even has an image cropper, overlays, concealing features and full-color graphics. Although the tool panels may look a bit complicated for new users, it can be mastered with a bit of practice. Pixia is available for Windows desktops only.
3. GIMP
GIMP or GNU Image Manipulation Program is probably the best free photo editor out there. It has an add text to photo option, an image cropper, an assortment of brushes along with other tools. It is a highly versatile photo editor that you can use for making graphic designs or editing images. You can also use it as a paint software or an image format converter if you wanted to. The best part is that it’s available for free download whether you’re a Windows, Mac or Linux desktop user.
Professional Photo Editing Assistance
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