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16 Best Free Photo Editing Software for Mac | 2023 Review
As a photographer, you go to great lengths to capture the perfect shot. Finding the right setting, waiting for that time of day when the light is perfect, and composing your shot will go a long way toward creating great photographs, but these steps alone are not enough.
The best free photo editing software for Mac can erase grain and blur, fix bad lighting, swap backgrounds, add text, erase distracting objects, and much more.
We have done the testing and research to bring you the 16 best free photo editing software for Mac. This guide takes an in-depth look at each one, from key features to pros and cons, so you can make an informed decision about which free Mac photo editor is best for you.
- Snapshot of Our Top 3 Free Photo Editing Software for Mac
- How to Choose the Best Free Photo Editing Software for Mac
- How We Test the Best Free Photo Editing Software for Mac
- 16 Best Free Photo Editing Software for Mac
- Best Free Photo Editing Software for Mac Comparison Chart
- How to Edit Photos on Mac With PhotoDirector
- Download the Best Photo Editing Software for Mac for Free
- Best Free Photo Editing Software for Mac FAQ
Snapshot of Our Top 3 Free Photo Editing Software for Mac
1. PhotoDirector Essential - Best Overall
PhotoDirector is a professional-grade free Apple photo editor made with the consumer in mind. With AI-powered tools and Guided Edits, anyone can make stunning photography and swoon-worthy social media posts, regardless of skill level. Detailed Review >
Click the button below to see for yourself why PhotoDirector is the best free photo editing software for Mac.
2. MyEdit
MyEdit is the best free photo editing software for Macs found online. This free Apple photo editor offers powerful AI features, including AI-generated content and image enhancements. Detailed Review >
3. Photoscape X
Photoscape X is one of the best free photo editing software for Macs for beginners. This free Mac photo editor lets you edit photos with excellent color tools and batch editing features. Detailed Review >
How to Choose the Best Free Photo Editing Software for Mac
Compatibility - Always check the system requirements of any free Mac photo editor before downloading. Besides making sure the software you choose will edit photos on Mac, make sure it is optimized for your particular model, and that your computer has enough hard drive space.
Skill-Level - The best free photo editing software for Macs vary greatly when it comes to ease of use. If you have little editing experience, don’t over-extend yourself and edit photos with software meant for advanced users. Choose a free Apple photo editor with options for both beginners and pros, so you don’t need to learn a new system as your skill level changes.
Features - Write a list of the tools you will need in a free Apple photo editor. Are you a professional photographer who needs an option with tethered shooting, or simply cropping photos for Instagram? Do you prefer one-click options or the control of precise manual edits? With so many options, you are sure to find the best free photo editing software for Mac for your needs.
How We Test the Best Free Photo Editing Software for Mac
Read below to find out how we tested and ranked the best free photo editing software for Mac on our list.
Compare Similar Features - We try out the same common features found in all of the best free photo editing software for Mac so we can compare apples with apples.
Compare Overall Features - Next, we try out the features that make each free Mac photo editor unique. We take into consideration the overall number of features and how well they work.
Rate Ease of Use - For our “Beginner-Friendly Tools” rating, we weigh both the number of tools found in each free Apple photo editor with how many are easy to use.
Analyze Outside Reviews - To help us rank free Apple photo editors impartially, we use an outside reviewer score and average it with the “Beginner-Friendly Tools” rating. We also read outside reviews to help make sure our findings line up with others. This helps us eliminate user errors or technical difficulties when testing the best free photo editing software for Mac on our end.
16 Best Free Photo Editing Software for Mac
1. PhotoDirector Essential
Best For: Users of any skill level to edit photos easily with Photoshop-like tools
Key Features:
- Guided edits and AI-powered tools for beginners
- AI photo retouching for face, skin, and body
- AI Image and Sticker Generators create images from a text prompt
- Thousands of creative assets including templates, photo animations, and stickers
Compatibility: Mac, Windows
Shotkit Rating: 5/5
Beginner-Friendly Tools: 5/5
Price: Free
*Premium subscription available for $3.33/month
Why We Picked It
PhotoDirector Essential is a free Apple photo editor that offers a comprehensive range of features for both professional and amateur photographers. It is the best free photo editing software for Mac available because you get the advanced image editing features of Photoshop and the image management features of Lightroom in a single, easy-to-use application. This free Mac photo editor comes with unique video-to-photo, photo animation tools, and glitch art, which involves separating, layering, and combining the colors of your original photos to create unique aesthetics.
The newly added text-to-image tools use the power of AI to generate high-quality images and stickers from a text prompt. This free Apple photo editor also supports layer editing options and other powerful tools like advanced color replacement, panorama photo merge, and dispersion effects. You also get easy adjustment tools like tone, white balance, level, curve, split toning, and HDR effects.
Bottom Line
PhotoDirector Essential is the best free photo editing software for Mac that is suitable for professional use but easy enough for beginners. Using the software's guided edits, you can add effects and create professional-level images in seconds. This free Mac photo editor also includes photo management and efficient workflow features, including tethered shooting, soft proofing, GPS photo logs, and AI facial recognition.
To give your photos a unique and engaging edge, download the best free photo editing software for Mac today by clicking the link below.
Check out these related topics for editing:
- How to Make a Video Collage for Free
- 17 Best Free Photo Editing Software for Windows PC in 2023
- Best AI Photo Editors
2. MyEdit
Best For: Users who want a quick and easy way to edit photos online
Key Features:
- Cartoonizer effect with 11 cartoon style presets
- Crop, flip, rotate, and resize images with basic editing tools
- Deblur and Denoise images in one click
Compatibility: Web Browser
Overall Rating: 4.5/5
Beginner-Friendly Tools: 4.5/5
Price: Free
*Premium subscriptions available for $4/month for the Image Editor, and $6/month for the Image and Audio Editor
Why We Picked It
MyEdit is our pick for the best free photo editing software for Mac found online. Its powerful AI tools are simple enough for first-time users, but the accuracy and quality of the tools make it a great option for any skill level. This free Apple photo editor has several AI-generation tools such as an AI Avatar Generator, AI Image Generator, and AI Scenes, a unique tool that can turn your home into a LEGO house, or your yard into a tropical jungle.
We found the background removal tool in this free Mac photo editor was highly accurate, and the content-aware fill after removing objects left no sign of residue.
Bottom Line
Edit pictures with all of MyEdit’s impressive tools for free. Most free Mac photo editors found online don’t offer the quality or advanced features of downloadable software, but MyEdit is a welcome exception. Easy to use, fast, and affordable, we recommend it as one of the best free photo editing software for Mac for any skill level.
3. Photoscape X
Best For: Batch editing and converting images
Key Features:
- Over 100 light leaks/effects
- Slice a photo into several pieces using the photo splitter tool
- Spot healing brush for fixing small imperfections
Compatibility: Mac, Windows
Capterra Rating: 4.6/5
Beginner-Friendly Tools: 4.5/5
Price: Free
Why We Picked It
If you often need to apply quick edits to multiple photos at once, then Photoscape X is the best free photo editing software for Mac for you. Photoscape X has multiple tabs dedicated to batch edits, such as Batch Resize, Batch Rename, and Batch Format Change. Merge, crop, combine, and resize photos, then add stickers, filters, or text. The free Apple photo editor also has some impressive color tools, such as Point Color (choose one color to highlight and make the rest of the photo back and white), Selective Color (change vibrancy up or down of each color you choose), and Replace Color (replace one color with another throughout the photo).
Bottom Line
Photoscape X has an unusual interface that differs significantly from other free Apple photo editors and may take some getting used to. However, despite the confusing layout, the program remains beginner-friendly. This free Mac photo editor has many outstanding editing tools, but it lags behind our top two options due to format support and export quality. Photoscape X lacks HDR and EXIF information support and tends to freeze if editing multiple RAW files.
4. Picsart
Best For: Creating custom photo collages
Key Features:
- Turn your images into cartoons with AI cartoon filters
- Photo filters and AI-powered effects for one-click solutions
- Instantly upscale images with AI enhance
Compatibility: Mac
G2 Rating: 4.5/5
Beginner-Friendly Tools: 4.5/5
Price: Free
*Premium subscriptions available for $5/month for Plus and $7/month for Pro
Why We Picked It
Picsart is one of the best free photo editing software for Mac for making your photos look more professional and playful. It has an emphasis on creative features that are great for social media, like frames, templates, and graphical elements. Moreover, this free Apple photo editor has a social network within it, where you can explore other users' work, follow them, and share your own artwork.
Bottom Line
Overall, Picsart is one of the best free photo editing software for Mac with excellent social media features and tools powered by AI. However, if you want to use the background remover, animation maker, or premium stock images, you’ll need to purchase a subscription. It also lacks features for professional users like RAW image support found in our choice for best free photo editing software for Mac, PhotoDirector.
5. Pixlr
Image from ThePhotoFinishes.com.
Best For: Beginners or experienced editors who need a quick solution
Key Features:
- A collage maker with customizable grids
- Themed design templates in a wide range of aspect ratios
- Color Replace, Color Picker, and Color Fill for local color adjustments
Compatibility: Web Browser
G2 Rating: 4.4/5
Beginner-Friendly Tools: 4.5/5
Price: Free
*Premium subscriptions available for $.75/month for Plus and $4.90/month for Premium
Why We Picked It
Pixlr’s web-based free Apple photo editor has some professional tools like customizable brushes and a selection of cutting tools like shape, lasso, drag, and magic. There are also tools for painting and drawing, fine-tuning color tools, and support for layer editing. This free Mac photo editor features tools for different skill levels, so you can choose to make automated edits or spend some time applying manual changes to your photos.
Bottom Line
Pixlr's advanced features fall somewhere in the middle of other free Mac photo editors of its kind. The free version contains a lot of intrusive ads, however, for only 75 cents a month you can remove the ads and receive unlimited downloads.
6. Pixelmator Pro
Image from Pixelmator Pro Tutorials.
Best For: Using with built-in Mac apps and Apple tools
Key Features:
- Supports RAW photos from over 600 digital cameras
- Instantly remove any color from photos
- Edit photos with precise clarity and texture adjustments
Compatibility: Mac
SoftwareHow Rating: 4.3/5
Beginner-Friendly Tools: 4.5/5
Price: 7-Day free trial, then $34.99
Why We Picked It
Pixelmator is a robust free Apple photo editor offering various high-end editing features. The pro features you get with Pixelmator include layer editing, retouching, vector, and AI tools. In addition, this free Mac photo editor offers various pens, pencils, and brushes for precision image enhancements. The software has complete macOS integration and allows users to easily pull photos from apps like Mail, Messages, AirDrop, Notes, FaceTime, and Photos.
Bottom Line
Pixelmator has many professional tools but lacks quite a few found in our best free photo editing software for Mac, PhotoDirector. But like PhotoDirector, we found it easy to use, with an intuitive user interface and plenty of free tutorials. The free Apple photo editor is only available for a quick 7-day trial, however, the cost for Pro is affordable.
7. Fotor
Image from Fotor.
Best For: Beginners interested in AI text-to-image tools
Key Features:
- Support for batch processing
- Remove unwanted objects with a few clicks
- Graphic design and photo collage interfaces
Compatibility: Mac, Windows, 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 $7.49/month for Pro+
Why We Picked It
Fotor is one of the best free photo editing software for Mac for beginners. The editing platform is easy to use, and navigating the menus and editing tools is quick and easy. All effects and edits are automatic, with a slider to adjust intensity. The stand-out feature of this free Apple photo editor includes support for importing and exporting various high-resolution image formats. Fotor is a RAW image converter and can be used to view EXIF data images.
Bottom Line
Fotor is available on any device from your web browser or as a more stable download for Mac or Windows. It is an excellent free Mac photo editor for novices and offers some fun filters and effects. However, unlike our top choice PhotoDirector, it will not grow with you as your skills increase. We also found many user complaints regarding the free trial and deceptive business practices.
8. PhotoPad
Image from Softonic.
Best For: Resizing images with no quality loss
Key Features:
- Touch-up tools to remove red-eye, whiten teeth, and remove blemishes
- Pre-designed collage layouts
- Apply effects and filters to only part of an image
Compatibility: Mac, Windows
G2 Rating: 4.2/5
Beginner-Friendly Tools: 4/5
Price: Free
*Premium versions available for $50 for Home, $60 for Pro, or $4.44/month for unlimited updates
Why We Picked It
PhotoPad is one of the best free photo editing software for Mac for its upscaling features, which include AI-powered tools such as Super Resolution and Liquid Resize effect. It has some unique and helpful features like a Passport photo tool and the ability to colorize black and white photos. The free Mac photo editor also offers a good selection of clipart, fonts, frames, collage templates, and drawing tools.
Bottom Line
This free Apple photo editor makes it very easy to edit photos but also comes with tons of learning tools and technical support. However, PhotoPad is not for advanced users, and the free version is not available for commercial use. Our top free Apple photo editor, PhotoDirector, is equally beginner-friendly with a plethora of learning aids but also has features for more advanced users.
9. Darktable
Image from Darktable.
Best For: Those looking for a free alternative to Adobe Lightroom
Key Features:
- Support for sRGB, Adobe RGB, XYZ, and linear RGB color spaces
- RAW image processing for over 400 popular cameras
- Search images by tags, stars, color labels, and more
Compatibility: Mac, Windows, Linux
Shotkit Rating: 4.2/5
Beginner-Friendly Tools: 4/5
Price: Free
Why We Picked It
This is one of the best free photo editing software for Mac, giving you extremely precise control when you edit photos. It includes advanced tools such as masking, blending, hot pixel fixes, denoise, and many more. It also supports tethered shooting and handles 10,000 images. This free Mac photo editor saves your image metadata and processing settings and comes in 21 languages.
Bottom Line
Of the three open-source free Apple photo editors on our list, Darktable landed on top. While they all have a learning curve, this is the best free photo editing software for Mac because of its customer support and learning tutorials. We found it extremely fast to edit photos with Darktable and didn’t experience the lag or freezing that accompanies a lot of open-source software. However, we also found the layout confusing, and the tool groupings seemed almost random.
10. Canva
Best For: Social media influencers with no design experience
Key Features:
- Over 250,000 free templates in 100 categories
- Includes logo creation and brand kits
- Lighting, saturation, and deblur enhancements
Compatibility: Mac, Windows, Web Browser
PCMag Rating: 4.5/5
Beginner-Friendly Tools: 3.5/5
Price: Free
Premium subscriptions available for $119.99/year for Pro and $149.90/year for Teams
Why We Picked It
Canva is the best free photo editing software for Mac for graphic design projects. You can edit photos from a blank slate and use Canva’s many fonts, colors, backgrounds, and shapes to design your look. This free Apple photo editor is browser-based with an intuitive, user-friendly interface. We found the free version is perfect for home users and beginners.
Bottom Line
While we love Canva for design, this free Apple photo editor lacks some essential features needed to edit photos. There aren’t any manual editing tools, no support for layers, and no AI tools. However, since it is free, Canva could be a good design tool to use alongside one of the more feature-rich free Mac photo editors further up on our list.
11. Krita
Image from The Web Factor.
Best For: Animators and illustrators on a budget
Key Features:
- Includes 3 different brush stabilizers
- Create seamless patterns with Wrap-Around Mode
- Animation studio with onion-skinning, export-to-video, and stop-motion tools
Compatibility: Mac, Windows, Linux
Capterra Rating: 4.5/5
Beginner-Friendly Tools: 3.5/5
Price: Free
Why We Picked It
Krita is one of the best free photo editing software for Mac for photographers, artists, illustrators, graphic designers, and animators. It’s a fantastic alternative to Photoshop for professionals on a budget and even has a similar user interface. This entirely free Apple photo editor offers a huge selection of brushes, textures, vector images, and more for creating unique effects for your photos.
Bottom Line
This free Mac photo editor offers some of the most advanced tools on our list. However, Krita is not the best free photo editing software for Mac for beginners. It’s also not for anyone who just wants to edit photos and has no need for advanced graphic design or illustration tools.
12. GIMP
Image from GIMP.
Best For: Professional photographers and graphic designers
Key Features:
- Large selection of customizable brushes
- Remove imperfections with clone/healing tools
- Create icons and graphic elements for mockups and UI components
Compatibility: Mac, Windows, Linux
G2 Rating: 4.3/5
Beginner-Friendly Tools: 3.5/5
Price: Free
Why We Picked It
GIMP is an open-source, cross-platform, and entirely free Mac photo editor with a library containing various effects and filters. Professional editing tools include layer masks, animation tools, precise selection tools, and transformation features, such as shear, scale, and crop. This is the best free photo editing software for Mac for high-quality image manipulation with retouching and restoring tools and a handy split-screen that lets you preview effects before application.
Bottom Line
This is one of the best free photo editing software for Mac due to its advanced features. However, it remains near the bottom of our free Mac photo editors because it is not user-friendly. GIMP has a bit of a learning curve, and the interface is cluttered. We also discovered that some of the advanced effects could result in lag, which doesn’t happen with a free Apple photo editor optimized for Mac-specific technologies like our top choice, PhotoDirector.
13. Adobe Express
Best For: Social media posts
Key Features:
- Basic video editing tools
- Extensive library of customizable templates
- Instant Resize for different platforms
Compatibility: Web Browser
PCMag Rating: 3.5/5
Beginner-Friendly Tools: 4/5
Price: Free
*Premium subscription available for $9.99/month
Why We Picked It
Edit photos and add graphic design elements to create stunning social media posts in minutes using this free Apple photo editor. Adobe Express comes with basic tools to edit photos like a background remover, photo animation tools, and a crop tool. However, professionally-designed templates are definitely the crowning jewel of this free Mac photo editor.
Bottom Line
Adobe Express is one of the best free photo editing software for Mac for those with no design experience to create professional-looking posts. However, it is not a free Apple photo editor for intermediate or advanced users. For one thing, it only accepts JPG format and images below 16MB. It also doesn’t support layer editing. For better format support and beginner-friendly layer editing tools, try the best free photo editing software for Mac, PhotoDirector.
14. Movavi Photo Editor
Best For: Restoring old or damaged photos
Key Features:
- Replace or remove backgrounds, people, and objects
- RAW image support
- Add sharpness and remove blur from images
Compatibility: Mac, Windows
Fix the Photo Rating: 3.5/5
Beginner-Friendly Tools: 3.5/5
Price: Free for the first 10 images then $49.95/year or $69.95 for a lifetime license
Why We Picked It
Movavi Photo Editor is one of the best free photo editing software for Mac for beginners. It can remove noise, blur, fold lines, stains, and colorize black-and-white photos. You can also edit photos with image retouching tools such as blemish removal, a make-up tool, and a teeth whitener. This free Mac photo editor offers tons of AI-powered one-click tools to deliver high-quality results to those with no photo editing experience.
Bottom Line
Although Movavi Photo Editor uses AI-powered technology, it lacks tagging and organizational tools. Also, it does not have a free version but is limited to 10 watermarked images. In our updated list of free Mac photo editors, we moved it below Krita, GIMP, and Adobe Express, which all have a free-forever version.
15. Picktorial
Best For: Color correction and photo management for photographers
Key Features:
- Sharpen features, remove blemishes, and smooth skin
- RAW image support for over 500 cameras
- Digital asset management
Compatibility: Mac
Fix the Photo Rating: 3/5
Beginner-Friendly Tools: 4/5
Price: Free
*Premium subscription available for $4.99/month
Why We Picked It
Picktorial is a non-destructive free Mac photo editor that works as a standalone app or as an extension for Apple Photos. It’s the best free photo editing software for Mac for organizing your images in a way that suits you. The software includes metadata which can automatically arrange the pictures according to dates, camera models, and exposure settings. This free Apple photo editor also features an extensive range of filters that improve the overall look of your images.
Bottom Line
Picktorial is designed to offer a smooth and unobtrusive experience while you edit photos. It is easy to use, and its intuitive interface enables you to navigate seamlessly between various functions. However, it is not the best free photo editing software for Mac if you need complex photo retouching or layer editing. For those tools and more, try our top free Apple photo editor, PhotoDirector.
16. Apple Photos
Image from Apple.
Best For: Organizing iPhone photos
Key Features:
- Powerful search function that makes it easy to find photos
- Fix red-eye in one click
- iPhone-specific tools to edit photos taken in Portrait mode or Live Photos
Compatibility: Mac
PCMag Rating: 4/5
Beginner-Friendly Tools: 3/5
Price: Free
Why We Picked It
Apple Photos is a free Mac photo editor that organizes images automatically with AI-powered sorting. You can also create manual albums, store them in iCloud and access them anytime from your Mac, iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV. This free Apple photo editor comes with a few built-in tools to edit photos, such as crop, rotate, filters, and auto-enhance.
Bottom Line
We think Apple Photos is a great place to sort, crop, delete, and organize your photos before uploading them into one of our best free photo editing software for Mac found higher on this list. While its sorting and metadata tools are excellent, you can only edit photos with the most basic of tools, which is why we recommend using it in tandem with a more comprehensive free Apple photo editor.
Best Free Photo Editing Software for Mac Comparison Chart
| Software | OS | Beginner-friendly | Color Tools | AI-Generated Content | Layer Editing | 360-degree Editing | Free Download |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PhotoDirector Essential | Mac, Windows | Yes | Advanced color replacement, color splash tool, easily adjustable tone, white balance, level, curve, split toning, and HSL & HDR effects. | Includes AI-generated stickers and images created from text prompts | Yes | Yes | |
| MyEdit | Web Browser | Yes | AI image enhancement | Image generator, Scene generator, and Avatar generator | No | No | Download |
| Photoscape X | Mac, Windows | Yes | Manage white balance and gradient temperature of image, Color Picker tool, Color Fill | No | Yes | No | Download |
| Picsart | Web Browser | Yes | HSL adjustments, light adjustments | Images, logos, backgrounds, avatars, videos, GIFs | No | No | Download |
| Pixlr | Web Browser | Yes | Precise changes to color and saturation, tools to tweak vibrancy | Images | Yes | No | Download |
| Pixelmator Pro | Mac | Yes | Histogram, white balance, hue, and saturation sliders, color balance wheel, color adjustment layers | No | Yes | No | Download |
| Fotor | Mac, Windows, Web Browser | Yes | Basic adjust, Fine Tune, temperature, tint, and RGB curve adjustment | Images, faces, avatars | Yes | No | Download |
| PhotoPad | Mac, Windows | Yes | Adjust the color balance, exposure, levels, brightness, contrast, colorize black and white images | No | Yes | No | Download |
| Darktable | Mac, Windows, Linux | No | Built-in ICC profile support for sRGB, Adobe RGB, XYZ, and linear RGB color spaces. | No | Yes | No | Download |
| Canva | Mac, Windows, Web Browser | Yes | Sliders for brightness, contrast, and saturation | No | No | No | Download |
| Krita | Mac, Windows, Linux | No | ICC profiles and LUT color management | No | Yes | No | Download |
| GIMP | Mac, Windows, Linux | No | Top-notch color management in conjunction with SwatchBooker | No | Yes | No | Download |
| Adobe Express | Web Browser | Yes | None | Images | No | No | Download |
| Movavi Photo Editor | Mac, Windows | Yes | HDR lighting, white balance, colorize black and white photos | No | Yes | No | Download |
| Picktorial | Mac | Yes | Color mask, curves adjustment, white balance, highlights, and shadows | No | No | No | Download |
| Apple Photos | Mac | Yes | White balance, curves, selective color tool, RGB adjustment | No | No | No | Download |
PhotoDirector Essential
vs
OS
Mac, Windows
-
Beginner-friendly
Yes
-
Color Tools
Advanced color replacement, color splash tool, easily adjustable tone, white balance, level, curve, split toning, and HSL & HDR effects.
-
AI-Generated Content
Includes AI-generated stickers and images created from text prompts
-
Layer Editing
Yes
-
360-degree Editing
Yes
-
How to Edit Photos on Mac With PhotoDirector
Here is a step-by-step guide for how to edit photos with the best free photo editing software for Mac, PhotoDirector:
Download PhotoDirector for free by clicking the link below and follow along:
- Open PhotoDirector and click Organize and Adjust from the Launch Screen. Click Import from the bottom left. Choose Photos, then choose the photo you want to edit and click Open.
- Click Adjust. Choose the Manual tab, then hit the Crop icon under Regional Adjustment Tools.
- Open the Global Adjustment Tools menu by clicking on the arrow next to it.
- Scroll through the different color tools and adjust as necessary.
Crop photo as needed by moving the corners of the crop box around your image.
For more information on how to edit photos with PhotoDirector, the best free photo editing software for Mac, click here.
Download the Best Photo Editing Software for Mac for Free
The best free photo editing software for Mac should bring out the best aspects of your photos while removing imperfections and distracting elements. It should also be intuitive and easy to use so you can get the most out of the advanced features available.
PhotoDirector Essential is all of the above. That's why we consider it the best free photo editing software for Mac. This product offers an extensive range of professional photo editing tools and features to streamline your workflow. If you need support for high-resolution formats, layer editing features, and precision selection tools, PhotoDirector is the free Mac photo editor you need to try.
Download PhotoDirector Essential by clicking the link below and edit photos into studio-quality works of art today.
Best Free Photo Editing Software for Mac FAQ
1. What is photo editing?
Photo editing is the process of digitally manipulating your photos to fit your specific requirements. Using photo editing software, you can correct imperfections, enhance colors, add effects, and so much more. With the right editor, you can give your photos a unique personality, making them more engaging.
2. What features should I look for in the best free photo editing software for Mac?
Features you should look for in the best free photo editing software for Mac are
- Beginner-Friendly
- Color adjustment tools
- Filters and effects
- Background removal/sky replacement
- AI-Powered tools
- Beautification tools
- Layer editing
- Text tool
- Light effects
- Video-to-Photo features
For a free Mac photo editor that checks all of these boxes, we recommend PhotoDirector Essential.
3. Does Mac have a free photo editor?
All the products on this list are free Mac photo editors, but PhotoDirector Essential. is the best free photo editing software for Mac. It has the best combination of advanced features and ease of use. It even includes photo management features and AI-generated content.
4. Is there a photo editor that comes with Mac?
Yes, Apple Photos is a free Apple photo editor that comes built-in on all Macs. Read more about Apple Photos above in our list of the best free photo editing software for Mac.
5. Is there a free program like Photoshop?
We recommend PhotoDirector as the best free alternative to Photoshop. To learn more, read 15 Free Photoshop Alternatives With Similar Features in 2023
6. What can I use instead of Photoshop for Mac for free?
PhotoDirector, the best free photo editing software for Mac, is also an excellent free Photoshop alternative. Check out 15 Free Photoshop Alternatives With Similar Features in 2023 for more ideas.
7. Does Apple have a photo editor like Photoshop?
No, Apple does not have a professional-level photo editor like Photoshop, which is why we recommend PhotoDirector. It is the best free photo editing software for Mac, with Photoshop-like tools that are accessible to users of any budget or skill level.
8. Can I use Photoshop for free forever?
No, Photoshop only offers a 7-day free trial.
9. Is iPhoto as good as Lightroom?
iPhoto (which is an older version of Apple Photos, the built-in free Mac photo editor) has image search and organizational tools that almost match the Adobe software. It also ensures better privacy than Lightroom. However, for batch edits and professional camera integration, Lightroom is better.
10. What photo editing software should a beginner use?
Beginners should use PhotoDirector to edit photos on Mac or Windows. PhotoDirector is beginner-friendly, with an intuitive user interface, guided edits, and a robust Learning Center. PhotoDirector is the best free photo editing software for Mac because it offers both one-click options and manual options for almost every tool and will grow with you as your editing skills progress.
11. What is equivalent to Photoshop on a Mac?
PhotoDirector is our top choice for the best Photoshop alternative for Mac. Check out How to Photoshop Pictures Without Photoshop for more information on how to edit photos with PhotoDirector and achieve Photoshop-like results.
12. Is there a free photo editing app for Mac?
PhotoDirector is the best free photo editing software for Mac. With guided edits and AI-powered tools, it is a great way for beginners to edit photos with pro-level results.
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