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18 Best Free Photo Editing Software for Windows PC in 2024
Are you tired of scrolling through social media and feeling envious of others' amazingly beautiful photos? Don't let a lack of photography experience or editing knowledge hold you back. With the right free photo editing software, you can transform your pictures into works of art without spending a fortune.
We've done the research and gathered a list of the 18 best free photo editing software for Windows PC in 2023. These software options range from beginner-friendly to advanced, allowing you to edit your pictures to your heart's desire. So why wait? Start sharing your memories on social media with confidence and join the photo editing revolution today!
- Snapshot of Our Top 3 Free Photo Editing Software
- How to Choose the Best Free Photo Editing Software
- How We Test the Free Photo Editing Software on Our List
- 18 Best Free Photo Editing Software for Windows PC in 2024
- Best Free Photo Editing Software Comparison Chart
- How to Edit Pictures
- Download the Best Photo Editing Software for Free
- Best Free Photo Editing Software FAQ
Snapshot of Our Top 3 Free Photo Editing Software
1. PhotoDirector Essential - Best Overall
PhotoDirector Essential is the best free photo editing software available. It is an all-in-one tool for organizing and editing images with an incredible mix of tools and unique features. Although it offers advanced features, PhotoDirector Essential remains very easy to use, with a variety of AI-powered tools to apply complicated-looking edits with a single click. Detailed Review >
2. MyEdit Image Editing Tool - Best for Online Editing
MyEdit is the best free photo editing software found online. It is easy to access and use and has AI-powered tools for fast and accurate results. Detailed Review >
3. Promeo - Best for Templated Graphic Ads for Social Media
Promeo is the best free photo editor for busy creators and influencers. Jump-start the creative process by customizing a beautifully designed template with text, stickers, filters, and animations. Detailed Review >
How to Choose the Best Free Photo Editing Software
We’ve narrowed the field of suitable programs you can use to edit pictures, but how do you choose the very best free photo editing software for your needs? Below are a few things to look out for in a free photo editor:
Features
The free photo editing software on our list cover everything you need to edit pictures, whether you need social-media-friendly templates, layer editing, text tools, or only the most basic tools. Explore the features for each to make sure the one you choose allows you to edit pictures the way you want.
Budget
Of the free photo editing software on our list, some are completely free, some offer slightly pared-back free versions, and others are intended more as “try before you buy.” If you need a free photo editor, make sure the tools and features you use the most to edit pictures are available in the free version. If you are testing different platforms to purchase in the future, make sure the premium version is within your budget before you spend time learning the free photo editing software.
Skill Level
It’s important to choose the best free photo editing software for your skill level. Even if you have aspirations of using professional software to edit pictures, you need to start with a tool that is beginner-friendly. Otherwise, you could spend months trying to become familiar with a program and give up on your dreams of editing images in frustration. And if you have more experience editing images, don’t settle for a program that only offers easy, one-click solutions that allow little creative control.
How We Test the Free Photo Editing Software on Our List
Why trust our opinion on the best free photo editing software? Below we discuss how we tested and ranked software to find the 18 best free photo editors.
Test Key Features
We edit pictures using all the key features of the software we review. We test the basic features found in every free photo editing software, so we can do a direct comparison. Then we edit pictures with the tools that make the software unique.
Compare Versions
When we test free photo editing software, we compare the free and premium versions to see what is included and what is reserved for only paid subscribers.
Analyze Reviews
We read critic reviews and user reviews to get a good idea of how others view the free photo editing software. This helps us verify our tests. We use reviews from trusted sites to compile our rankings of the best free photo editing software.
18 Best Free Photo Editing Software for Windows PC in 2024
1. PhotoDirector Essential
Best For: Empowering creators of all experience levels to edit pictures into studio-quality masterpieces
Key Features
- Harness the power of AI to instantly enhance photos, or use text-to-image tools to generate brand-new content
- Reshape, repair, and enhance your complexion, figure, and overall appearance with photo retouching tools
- Animate your photos easily with anchor points and make your own GIFs
- Quickly create dynamic slideshows with just a few clicks
G2 Rating: 4.3/5
Beginner-Friendly Tools: 5/5
Price: Free
*Premium subscription available for $3.33/month
Why We Picked It
PhotoDirector Essential is the best free photo editing software because it combines Lightroom's photo processing and organization functions with Photoshop's powerful editing, enhancement, and altering tools. This free photo editor offers AI-powered tools and Guided modules that lower the learning curve and help you produce high-quality photo effects in a few clicks.
Remove pesky objects and people with AI object removal and content-aware fill - which automatically fills in the missing part of the picture once an item has been removed. Restore old photographs with one click, remove blemishes, whiten teeth, apply blur effects, create stunning panoramas, and much more. Besides tools for editing images, you can also use this free photo editing software to find and create new content. Browse millions of high-quality stock images to use in your projects, or generate images from a text prompt using AI.
Bottom Line
PhotoDirector Essential is the best free photo editing software on this list. It is very beginner-friendly but also has all the advanced editing tools for more experienced editors. Not to mention, it’s always at the forefront of the latest photo trends and technology because of regular updates.
Download the best free photo editing software now and see why PCMag said it gives, “Adobe a run for its money…”
Check out these related topics for photo editing:
- 15 Free Photoshop Alternatives With Similar Features in 2023
- Social Media Profile Picture Maker (Plus 10 Comparable Alternatives)
- 5 Best Online Cartoonizer Tools | Transform Your Photos into Cartoons for Free
2. MyEdit Image Editing Tool
Best For: Basic edits and generating AI images online
Key Features:
- Convert images to JPG or PNG
- Automatically transform your images into cartoons using 11 different cartoon/anime styles
- Accurately remove backgrounds and objects from images with one click
- Use AI to upscale, enhance, denoise, and deblur images to instantly improve quality and resolution
Compatibility: Web Browser
Overall Rating: 4.5/5
Beginner-Friendly Tools: 4.5/5
Price: Free
*Premium subscriptions available for $4/month for Image and $7/month Image and Enhancer
Why We Picked It
MyEdit is the best free photo editing software found online. It offers powerful AI tools but is incredibly simple for beginners. It includes an image converter, basic tools for editing images like rotate, crop, flip, and resize, plus advanced features to remove distractions or upscale photos. We were highly impressed with the background and object remover tools, which were more accurate than in some more extensive paid software.
We also loved using this free photo editing software for its unique AI effects and generative content. You can apply fun filters to your images, for example, turning your profile pic into anime, changing your outfit, or turning your house into LEGO theme. You can also create high-quality AI content from text prompts.
Bottom Line
You can use all of MyEdit’s tools completely free - including AI generative content. While most free photo editors either don’t include AI content or give you a limited number of credits, MyEdit’s credits reload daily.
Try MyEdit for free today (and tomorrow, and the day after that, and….you get the idea).
3. Promeo
Best For: Templated graphic ads for social media
Key Features:
- Access millions of free stock images
- Add animated elements to posts with motion titles and stickers
- Easily remove objects or backgrounds with AI Auto Cutout
- Choose from a diverse library of color filters and LUTs to instantly change the feel of your image
Compatibility: Windows
Google Play Rating: 4.6/5
Beginner-Friendly Tools: 4.5/5
Price: Free
*Premium subscription available for $2.50/month
Why We Picked It
Promeo is one of the best free photo editing software for beginners or content creators. It is incredibly simple to use - just pick a template, customize it, and share it to your favorite platforms. Promeo is unique compared to other free photo editors because you can not only edit pictures but create short video posts as well. You can also add eye-catching animated elements to static posts, ads, invites, and flyers.
We also loved using this free photo editing software for its unique AI effects and generative content. You can apply fun filters to your images, for example, turning your profile pic into anime, changing your outfit, or turning your house into LEGO theme. You can also create high-quality AI content from text prompts.
Bottom Line
We found customizing a template with text, stickers, LUTs, and images is easy with Promeo. We were also impressed with what you get in the free version (all titles, stickers, and LUTs, plus 1 million stock videos and 2 million images). Should you decide to upgrade, the premium version is very affordable.
Download this free photo editing software with the link below, and start editing images into animated, eye-catching posts today.
4. Photoscape X
Best For: Batch editing images
Key Features
- Create stunning panoramic photos with ease using a built-in panorama tool
- Quickly remove blemishes, spots, and other imperfections with a spot-healing brush
- Add a touch of vintage charm with light leak effects that emulate the look of old film cameras
Compatibility: Windows, Mac
TechRadar Rating: 4.5/5
Beginner-Friendly Tools: 4.5/5
Price: Free
*Pro version available for $39.99
Why We Picked It
This is not just a free photo editor, but also a photo viewer, GIF creator, screen capture device, RAW image converter, and more. It comes with several automatic color effects for editing images, such as a color splash tool, selective color adjustments, and a color replacement effect. We found it to be one of the best free photo editing software if you typically make the same edits to multiple photos because many of its tools offer a batch editing option.
Bottom Line
In our research, we found most users like editing images with Photoscape X because it is so quick to use. However, the confusing layout makes it difficult to find the tools you need. It also lacks support for a wide variety of formats, and it freezes when handling RAW files. That being said, this is very robust for free photo editing software, and it’s beginner-friendly once you learn the layout.
5. Pixlr
Best For: Beginners to learn layer editing
Key Features
- Create stunning designs with pre-made templates in a variety of social-media-friendly sizes
- Make picture collages with tons of unique collage grids
- Improve skin tones and remove blemishes with a range of skin retouch tools
Compatibility: Windows, Web Browser
G2 Rating: 4.4/5
Beginner-Friendly Tools: 4.5/5
Price: Free
*Premium subscriptions available for $0.99/month for Plus, $4.90/month for Premium, and $9.91/month for Team
Why We Picked It
Pixlr's lightweight free photo editing software works well for beginners and more experienced editors in need of a quick solution for editing images. The software supports layers and masks and includes customizable brushes and visual effects. With this versatile free photo editor, you can create graphic designs from a template, edit pictures, make collages, and even generate AI images from text.
Bottom Line
Though Pixlr rarely crashes, ad-heavy banners and poorly navigable pages reduce the functionality and aesthetic appeal of the platform. The free photo editing software is very robust, and you can get unlimited downloads and remove ads for a mere dollar a month. However, you may notice that the program renders slowly, resulting in frustrating, inconsistent movements of your mouse or touchpad.
6. Fotor
Image from Fotor.
Best For: Creating profile pics
Key Features
- Improve images instantly with 1-Tap Skin Retouch, 1-Tap Enhance, and AI Enlargement
- Create the perfect profile pic with AI Avatar Generator and Circle Crop
- Add depth and focus to your photos with various blur tools, including radial and tilt-shift blur
Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Web Browser
G2 Rating: 4.2/5
Beginner-Friendly Tools: 4.5/5
Price: Free
*Premium subscriptions available for $3.33/month for Pro and $7.50/month for Pro+
Why We Picked It
This free photo editing software is easy to navigate, and a first-time user would have no problem finding the features they need. It offers several different interfaces, including a graphic designer, photo editor, collage maker, and AI content creator. Fotor offers some unique and fun tools such as Face Swap, an NFT Creator, and new Image Extension tools.
Bottom Line
Since our last review of Fotor, the free photo editing software has added tons of new generative AI and one-tap features and lowered its price considerably. However, using the free version is still troublesome, since many tools are only available with a subscription, and there are annoying ads and pop-ups which caused our computer to lag. You’ll also have a watermark on your downloads, even if you stick to non-premium tools, and you only get 5 credits total for AI-generative content. If you are looking for the best free photo editing software for AI content, we suggest MyEdit, because free credits reload daily.
7. BeFunky
Best For: Editing images with overlays and frames
Key Features
- Choose from a massive amount of image overlays and textures to customize images
- Enhance your photos with a variety of unique filters and art effects
- Access over 1 million free stock images to use in your projects
Compatibility: Web Browser
G2 Rating: 4.2/5
Beginner-Friendly Tools: 4/5
Price: Free
*Premium subscription available for $5.99/month
Why We Picked It
As the name suggests, BeFunky is one of the best free photo editing software for infusing personality into your images. It comes with an excellent selection of themed overlays, artistic filters, graphics, frames, and text tools. It also has portrait retouching tools to add make-up, whiten teeth, slim features, erase blemishes, and more.
Bottom Line
Proficient editors will likely wish for more options, especially in the free version. We found entire sections were paid-only, however, they weren’t labeled as such. We had to click on each tool to see if it was a premium feature or paid, taking up valuable time. BeFunky's is a free photo editing software designed for editing images quickly, however, we found the pop-up tips that appeared with every tool were extremely tedious.
8. PhotoPad
Best For: Resizing images
Key Features
- Add color to black-and-white images and bring new life to old photos
- Quickly and easily remove blemishes, spots, and other imperfections
- Choose from a selection of clipart and fonts to add creative elements to your photos
Compatibility: Windows, Mac
G2 Rating: 4.1/5
Beginner-Friendly Tools: 4/5
Price: Free
*Premium versions available for $60 for Home, $70 for Pro, or $3.88/month for unlimited updates
Why We Picked It
We found PhotoPad to be one of the best free photo editing software thanks to its image resizing and upscaling tools. PhotoPad uses AI-powered tools to resize images without loss of quality. It comes with a liquid resize effect that will change the aspect ratio of your image with no distortion, and a Super Resolution tool to upscale images losslessly. This free photo editor has some features usually limited to premium software, such as a blur tool, drawing tools, and creative effects like warp, paint, and embroidery.
Bottom Line
PhotoPad is very beginner-friendly and comes with lots of learning tools such as a help manual, video tutorials, user forums, and technical support reps. However, it has only very basic tools for editing images and is not meant for experienced editors or photographers. We prefer our choice for the best free photo editing software, PhotoDirector because it offers beginner-friendly tools, lots of learning tools, and advanced features.
9. Ashampoo Photo Optimizer
Image from TechRadar.
Best For: Correcting perspective distortions
Key Features
- Add a touch of drama to your photos with implosion/explosion effects
- Fine-tune the tonality of your images by adjusting brightness, contrast, and more
- Easily crop and rotate your photos to perfect composition
Compatibility: Windows
CNET Rating: 4.1/5
Beginner-Friendly Tools: 4/5
Price: Free
*Premium version available for $15
Why We Picked It
This is the best free photo editing software for fixing vertical and horizontal distortions and straightening horizons with one click. You can also use Ashampoo Photo Optimizer to enhance your photos by optimizing colors, contrasts, and exposure times for single images or multiple images at once. We like that it also has manual adjustments so you can edit pictures with precision.
Bottom Line
Ashampoo Photo Optimizer has a clean UI, and no tool is more than 2 clicks away, making it easy to find what you need. In our test, we were grateful for manual sliders, because its namesake auto-optimization tool was hit-or-miss. It’s also missing advanced tools such as layer editing. We recommend our pick for the best free photo editing software, PhotoDirector, as a better quick and easy solution for editing images. While both programs offer one-click optimizations and manual sliders, only PhotoDirector has advanced features.
10. Photo Pos Pro
Image from fixthephoto.
Best For: Text effects for graphic designs
Key Features
- Remove and replace unwanted backgrounds
- Choose from a variety of frame and collage templates
- Quickly and easily remove red eye from your portraits
Compatibility: Windows
TechRadar Rating: 4/5
Beginner-Friendly Tools: 4/5
Price: Free
*Premium version available for $49.99
Why We Picked It
Photo Pos Pro is one of the best free photo editing software for its stunning text effects, including an array of font styles, effects, and textures such as gel, chrome, metal, etc. It comes with some fun special effects, such as dispersion, pencil sketch, motion effects, and a unique “pop-out of picture” effect.
Bottom Line
Photo Pos Pro has 2 modes to cover any skill level. Beginners can choose the Novice mode for easy one-click solutions, while experts can enjoy manual editing tools. However, the Novice mode lacks important features like layer editing, and the Expert mode has a steep learning curve. They are also very different in layout, so you can’t switch back and forth easily between the two. We prefer the functionality of the best free photo editor, PhotoDirector, where there is one easy-to-use mode, and every tool has both automatic and manual options.
11. Canva
Image from Canva.
Best For: Graphic design
Key Features
- Add text and graphics to your photos to create memes
- Use Magic Edit to add AI-generated content to your own images
- Create mockups or logos with the transparent image background tool
Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Web Browser
PCMag Rating: 4.5/5
Beginner-Friendly Tools: 3.5/5
Price: Free
*Premium version available for $119.99/year
Why We Picked It
If you have no graphic design experience but need to create marketing materials or social media posts for your brand or company, this is the free photo editor for you. Start with a photo or template, then browse Canva’s thousands of filters, frames, graphics, stickers, and text options to add some flair. This free photo editing software also has an image enhancement tool that can brighten and sharpen images in one click, or you can fix individual elements with adjustment sliders.
Bottom Line
There are millions of design assets available in the free photo editing software, although Canva saves the best stuff for premium subscribers, including background and object removal tools. While it’s a great tool for graphic design, it has very limited tools for editing images.
12. Photopea
Best For: Photoshop users on a budget
Key Features
- Access a variety of drawing tools including pens/brushes, path selections, and an automatic rectangle tool
- Remove blemishes and other imperfections with healing/spot brushes
- Automatically create a lovely ombre effect with one-click gradients
Compatibility: Web Browser
Software Advice Rating: 4.6/5
Beginner-Friendly Tools: 3/5
Price: Free
*Premium version available for $8 for 30 days, $15 for 90 days, or $50 for one year (Teams pricing is also available for teams of 5, 20, and 50)
Why We Picked It
Edit pictures or create graphic designs from scratch using this free photo editing software. It comes with design assets such as stock images and templates and has a large selection of filters and adjustments. It supports Photoshop files and has a similar feature set and interface, though slightly pared back.
Bottom Line
This free photo editor is too complex for beginners. During our test, we suffered through a lot of trial and error, because Photopea lacked real-time previews of effects. However, it’s a great budget-friendly option for advanced users, especially those looking for a Photoshop alternative. Every tool is available for free. The premium version does not add any features, but enhances the editing experience by increasing storage, removing ads, providing email support, and keeping track of more steps in your history.
13. Paint.NET
Image from Paint.net.
Best For: Layer editing
Key Features
- Copy and paste pixels from one part of an image to another with the clone stamp tool
- Draw smooth, precise shapes and lines with drawing tools for Bezier curves
- Add depth and dimension when editing images with powerful gradient tools
Compatibility: Windows
FixThePhoto Rating: 3.5/5
Beginner-Friendly Tools: 4/5
Price: Free
Why We Picked It
This free photo editing software has adjustment tools so you can tweak brightness, contrast, saturation, hue, and curves. You can make an image sepia-toned or black-and-white, apply blur, or sharpen images. You can also edit pictures with perspective and tilting with the unique 3D Rotate/Zoom effect.
Bottom Line
This is not a replacement for more professional software, but Paint.NET is one of the best free photo editors for beginners who want to learn more advanced editing techniques. Our one major complaint when testing this free photo editing software was with the text tools. You can’t make changes to the text once it is added - something that almost every other free photo editor will allow.
14. Movavi Photo Editor
Best For: Object removal
Key Features
- Improve the sharpness of your photos with tools that can automatically or manually enhance clarity and detail
- Easily remove objects and backgrounds with AI
- Correct light and color by adjusting exposure, brightness, contrast, and more
Compatibility: Windows, Mac
FixThePhoto Rating: 3.5/5
Beginner-Friendly Tools: 4/5
Price: First 10 images are free, then $49.95/year or $69.95 for a lifetime license
Why We Picked It
Movavi Photo Editor is a free photo editing software that allows you to manually edit pictures by tweaking the color, brightness, contrast, and saturation of your photo. You can also apply Magic Enhance for one-click edits, or add text, titles, and captions for fully customized photos.
Bottom Line
Movavi Photo Editor has a good amount of AI-powered features, but some of the results fall short of expectations. It is software intended for beginners to edit pictures with ease, and it delivers on that front. However, it is not completely free photo editing software. You can edit 10 photos for free, but they will be watermarked.
15. InPixio Photo Studio
Image from inPixio Blog.
Best For: Adding and editing frames
Key Features
- Replace skies and backgrounds with ease
- Reduce noise and improve image quality by removing unwanted grain
- Remove unwanted objects from your photos with object removal
Compatibility: Windows, Mac
Capterra Rating: 3.9/5
Beginner-Friendly Tools: 3.5/5
Price: Free
*Premium subscriptions available for $49.99/year for Studio, $59.99/year for Studio Pro, and $99.99/year for Studio Ultimate
Why We Picked It
InPixio is a free photo editor known for its one-click AI editing solutions. It has a collection of over 100 customizable frames, all of which are included in the program’s limited free version, along with filters, textures, and vignettes. All of InPixio’s tools are automatic, but you can edit pictures in manual mode for more precise control.
Bottom Line
InPixio Photo Studio reserves most of its tools for the paid versions, but if you simply need to edit pictures by cropping, adjusting, or adding a frame or filter, then the free photo editing software will work for you. InPixio’s premium versions still pale in comparison to many of the free photo editors on our list.
16. GIMP
Image from Gimp Workshop on YouTube.
Best For: Advanced editors and illustrators
Key Features
- Improve the dynamic range of your photos with tone mapping
- Enhance your designs with a variety of graphic design elements, including brushes, shapes, and textures
- Create original artwork with tools designed for digital painting and illustration
Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux
G2 Rating: 4.3/5
Beginner-Friendly Tools: 3/5
Price: Free
Why We Picked It
GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is a free photo editor that features a surprisingly well-rounded amassing of features that rival those of Photoshop and similar paid programs. The software comes well-stocked with advanced features like layer editing functions, masking, color management features, and effects.
Bottom Line
GIMP falls short in one significant area: user optimization. The loaded interface often feels overwhelming, and beginners and intermediate editors may struggle to find solutions for complicated editing techniques. Additionally, this free photo editing software offers little help for its users outside of the community discussion panels.
17. Adobe Express
Best For: Social media
Key Features
- Easily crop your photos to achieve the perfect composition
- Remove unwanted backgrounds with one click
- Add AI textures to text using a descriptive prompt
Compatibility: Web Browser
PCMag Rating: 3.5/5
Beginner-Friendly Tools: 3.5/5
Price: Free
*Premium subscription available for $9.99/month
Why We Picked It
Adobe Express is an all-in-one free photo editing software, graphic design tool, video editor, and PDF editor. The free photo editor even includes a limited amount of Adobe Stock images and Adobe Fonts. But we like it most for its polished and fully customizable templates.
Bottom Line
This free photo editor helps non-designers create professional-looking social media posts. Although Adobe Express is similar to Canva, we placed Canva on top because it offers more photo editing tools. Adobe Express also lacks support for layer editing, and only accepts JPG format.
18. Darktable
Image from Darktable.
Best For: Lightroom users on a budget
Key Features
- Easily retouch your photos with tools that can fix exposure, color, and more
- Add location data to your photos with geotagging support
- Reduce noise and improve image quality with denoise tools
Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux
FixThePhoto Rating: 3.5/5
Beginner-Friendly Tools: 3.5/5
Price: Free
Why We Picked It
Darktable is an open-source and completely free photo editor. We think it’s the best free photo editing software for professional photographers because it offers support for tethered shooting and RAW image processing for over 400 cameras. It also has some photo management tools and handles up to 10,000 images. This free photo editing software is great for editing images with professional-level color adjustment tools, hot pixel fixes, masking, and blending with precise control over all tools and effects.
Bottom Line
While Darktableoffers many learning tools like user forums, video tutorials, and instructional posts, it will take time for beginners to get familiar with the free photo editing software. It is often compared to Adobe Lightroom, and it is a worthy alternative to Lightroom for those intent on saving some money. Its cataloging features are not as robust as Lightroom’s, however, Darktable offers more tools for editing images.
Best Free Photo Editing Software Comparison Chart
| Software | OS | Beginner-Friendly | Advanced Features | AI Tools | Organizational Tools | Free Download |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PhotoDirector Essential | Windows, Mac | Yes | Tons of advanced effects and tools for editing images like layer editing, color adjustments, blur tools, chroma key, 360-degree editing, animation effects, panorama stitching, and more | Yes | Yes | |
| MyEdit Image Editing Tool | Web Browser | Yes | Background and object removal, denoise, deblur, | Yes | No | Download |
| Promeo | Windows | Yes | Background and object removal, motion graphics | Yes | No | Download |
| Photoscape X | Windows, Mac | Yes | Blur tools, brushes, photo stacking, special effects, masks, panorama stitching | No | No | Download |
| Pixlr | Windows, Web Browser | Yes | Advanced color tools, dispersion/liquefy effects, layer editing, masks | Yes | No | Download |
| Fotor | Windows, Mac, Web Browser | Yes | Tilt-shift, blur tools | Yes | No | Download |
| BeFunky | Web Browser | Yes | No | No | No | Download |
| PhotoPad | Windows, Mac | Yes | No | Yes | No | Download |
| Ashampoo Photo Optimizer | Windows | Yes | Manual color temperature adjustments | Yes | No | Download |
| Photo Pos Pro | Windows | Yes | Yes - In Expert Mode only (Special effects, motion effects, path text effects, layer editing) | No | No | Download |
| Canva | Windows, Mac, Web Browser | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Download |
| Photopea | Web Browser | No | Photoshop-like tools for editing images with layers, healing brushes, dodge/burn, gradients | No | No | Download |
| Paint.NET | Windows | Yes | Layer editing, special effects | No | No | Download |
| Movavi Photo Editor | Windows, Mac | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Download |
| InPixio Photo Studio | Windows, Mac | Yes | No | Yes | No | Download |
| GIMP | Windows, Mac, Linux | No | Layer editing, masks, advanced color adjustments, brushes and drawing tools | Yes | No | Download |
| Adobe Express | Web Browser | Yes | No | Yes | No | Download |
| Darktable | Windows, Mac, Linux | No | Advanced color adjustment tools, hot pixel fixes, masking, and blending. | No | Yes | Download |
PhotoDirector Essential
vs
OS
Windows, Mac
-
Beginner-Friendly
Yes
-
Advanced Features
Tons of advanced effects and tools for editing images like layer editing, color adjustments, blur tools, chroma key, 360-degree editing, animation effects, panorama stitching, and more
-
AI Tools
Yes
-
Organizational Tools
Yes
-
How to Edit Pictures
Here’s how to edit pictures using the best free photo editing software, PhotoDirector. Download it by clicking the link below and follow along:
- Launch PhotoDirector and choose Organize and Adjust. Under the Library tab, click Import in the bottom left of the screen, then Photos. Choose the photo you would like to edit and click Open.
- Click Adjust from the top menu, then Manual.
- When you are done editing images, you can click Create in the bottom left to save your changes as a preset, or click the blue Export button to save your image.
You can also choose Stock Photos if you don’t have a photo of your own you wish to use.
From here you can edit pictures from color to Black and White, or adjust white balance, tone, shadows, sharpness, saturation, and more. To update the look of an image automatically, click Presets and explore the selection of filters.
Using PhotoDirector’s Guided Tools makes editing images with advanced tools and adding visual effects effortless and straightforward. Anyone can edit pictures with these tools in a matter of minutes.
Here’s how to edit pictures with effects using PhotoDirector’s Guided Tools:
- Launch PhotoDirector and choose Edit. Click on the Guided tab, then drag and drop your image onto the preview screen.
- Scroll through all the categories and decide which tools you need to edit pictures. For this example, we will choose Sky Replacement.
- Select which sky template you would like to use. If you choose a sky with a cloud symbol in the bottom left corner, it will be animated. Click on any sky and it will automatically replace the sky in your photo. You can try out as many as you want.
- Use the Sky Replacement Settings to make any adjustments.
- Click the blue Export button, then save your image as a New Photo File or New Video/GIF File if you used an animated sky.
For more information on editing images with PhotoDirector, go to the full tutorial here.
Download the Best Photo Editing Software for Free
Whether you enjoy snapping photos on your phone or have built a career as a professional photographer, you should demand the best from your free photo editing software. Creating extraordinary Photoshop-like effects doesn't rely on having the most expensive, complex photo editing software around.
PhotoDirector is the best free photo editor that allows you to animate photos, remove unwanted objects, change backgrounds, and edit pictures with amazing special effects. There are even beautification tools like body-slimming, skin smoothing, and teeth whitening. With so many tools and effects for editing images, PhotoDirector is surprisingly easy to use, with guided edits and tutorials when you need them.
No matter how much experience you have, PhotoDirector makes it easy to edit pictures with basic tools or advanced visual effects. From one-click corrections to AI-powered sky replacement and more, PhotoDirector guarantees an unmatched editing experience.
Download PhotoDirector by clicking the link below and get started editing images for free today!
Best Free Photo Editing Software FAQ
1. What features should I look for in free photo editing software?
The top ten features you should look out for in the best free photo editor are:
- User-Friendly
- Organizational tools
- Color correction and filters
- Layer editing
- AI-powered tools
- Content-Aware editing
- Photo animation
- Beautifying tools
- Color effects
- Light effects
For a free photo editor that checks all of these boxes, try PhotoDirector by clicking the link below.
2. Should I pay for photo editing software?
Some free photo editors like PhotoDirector Essential offer advanced features, but it is an exception to the rule. If you want to add photo effects or edit pictures with layers, you will benefit from paying for quality software. PhotoDirector has paid software that includes a 4,000,000+ stock library and lots of extra creative assets.
Whether you pay to edit images or stick with a free photo editor is completely dependent on your needs and what kind of edits you want to make. If you’re editing images with simple adjustments like cropping, rotating, or flipping, then a basic free photo editor should be fine.
Try editing images with the best free photo editing software by clicking the link below.
3. What is the best paid photo editing software for Windows PC?
- PhotoDirector 365 (paid version)
- Adobe Photoshop
- Skylum Luminar 4
- DxO PhotoLab
- Adobe Lightroom
If you want to edit pictures with paid software, check out our article about the Best Paid Photo Editing Software on Windows for an in-depth look at each.
Try the best Windows photo editing software today by clicking the link below.
4. How much does photo editing software cost?
Prices can vary quite a bit. There are completely free photo editors, some are purchased with a one-time fee, and others offer subscriptions that are charged monthly or annually. We included a comparison chart with prices in our Best Photo Editing Software in 2023 article to help you better understand the cost.
5. What is the best photo editor for free?
PhotoDirector Essential is the best free photo editing software available. You can use it for free as long as you want, and even have access to the premium features found in PhotoDirector 365 for 30 days. This free photo editor has advanced features with plenty of manual tools to make precise edits. It is also beginner-friendly with automatic, AI-powered options for those with less experience editing images.
To start editing images with the best free photo editor available today, click the link below.
6. What is the easiest free photo editor?
PhotoDirector Essential is the easiest free photo editor. It has a clean, intuitive user interface, guided edits, and lots of tutorials and blogs with step-by-step instructions for every feature.
Click the link below and learn how to edit pictures into share-worthy content using the best free photo editing software for beginners.
7. Is there a free version of Photoshop?
No, Photoshop is not a free photo editor. It has a 7-day free trial, but after that, it is $20.99 per month.
8. What is the closest thing to Photoshop that's free?
PhotoDirector Essential is the closest thing to a free version of Photoshop you can find. Check out our blog 19 Free Photoshop Alternatives With Similar Features in 2023 for more information on free photo editing software to rival Photoshop.
If you want to edit pictures with Photoshop-like features but without the hefty price tag, click the link below and download PhotoDirector for free.
9. What is the best photo editor for beginners?
PhotoDirector is the best way to edit pictures for beginners. The free photo editor comes with AI-powered tools that let beginners make professional-looking edits with one click. Its tools and features are easy to find and very user-friendly.
Download PhotoDirector by clicking the link below, and start editing images right away - no experience necessary!
10. Does Windows have a free photo editor?
We recommend trying third-party software, such as PhotoDirector instead of Microsoft Photos. Microsoft Photos is the free photo editing software that comes pre-installed on Windows 10 and 11 devices. Similar to Apple Photos, it has basic tools to edit pictures, such as crop, rotate, a handful of filters, and HSL adjustments. You can also draw on images.
However, if you need free photo editing software with cool special effects, and the ability to make photo projects such as slideshows and collages, PhotoDirector is best.
Try the best free photo editing software available on Windows and Mac by clicking the link below.
11. What are the 5 basics of photo editing?
The 5 basics of editing images are:
- Cropping - Helps your subject stand out, improves the composition, and cuts out unnecessary or distracting parts of your photo.
- Color Balance - Fixes an image to make it appear more natural, or changes the mood of an image (for instance, to make it warmer or cooler).
- Brightness and Contrast - Corrects lighting that is too low or too bright, and increases or decreases shadows.
- Filters - Turns your photos into a work of art, or makes them look vintage. They are also an instant way to change color, balance, brightness, and contrast!
- Re-sizing - If you plan to print your images, then keep them full-size. If you plan to upload them to a blog or social media page, you need to resize your images. Saving every photo full-size will cause you to run out of storage space very quickly.
12. Is editing photos hard?
If you have a beginner-friendly and intuitive free photo editor like PhotoDirector, then editing images can be easy.
PhotoDirector is a user-friendly free photo editor with one-click tools and handy adjustment sliders that allow you to edit pictures like a professional with little effort!
Download PhotoDirector with the link provided and see how easy editing images can be.
13. How do I get better at editing?
Get better at editing images by downloading PhotoDirector for free and practicing. PhotoDirector has online tutorials for every feature with simple step-by-step instructions.
Learn how to edit pictures with advanced tools in no time by clicking the link below.
14. Which website is free to edit photos?
MyEdit is the best free photo editor found online. Just visit the site and start editing images with no signup required. It has all the basic tools you need to edit pictures, like crop, flip, rotate, and resize, plus powerful AI tools for more advanced edits like object/background removal, a Cartoonize Effect, deblur, and denoise.
Click the link below and try MyEdit’s incredibly fast and accurate AI editing tools and generative AI features for free.
15. Which online photo editor is 100% free?
MyEdit is a 100% free photo editor you can access with your web browser. You don’t need to put in your payment details, or even sign up to use MyEdit’s powerful AI-based tools.
Get completely free access to powerful AI tools - including generative AI content - by clicking the link below.
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- Best Photo Editing Apps
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- Photo Editors Reviewed
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