7 Best Photo Editors for Computer
When searching for the best photo editor for PC, you’ll find a range of options that cater to both beginners and professionals.
Whether you need basic touch-ups or advanced features, there’s a perfect tool out there for you.
In this guide, we'll explore the top image editing software available, highlighting their unique utilities and performance to help you choose the one that best suits your needs.
1. Icecream Photo Editor
Icecream Photo Editor is designed for both novice and intermediate users who want an intuitive interface and solid features. With its clean layout, this is the best photo editing software with a variety of basic options like cropping, rotating, and resizing.
You can enhance your pictures with built-in filters, adjust brightness and contrast, and fine-tune colors with simple sliders. This is a great option for people who want to make quick and easy changes.
This photo editor has more advanced features, such as the ability to add text, put frames around elements, and draw on them. It can open many types, including common ones like JPG, PNG, BMP, and TIFF. This means that it will work with most of the files you work with.
Pros:
- The interface is uncluttered, making navigation intuitive without overwhelming with too many options.
- Offers a range of features like cropping, rotating, filters, text addition, and drawing.
Cons:
- The software is available only for Windows, limiting its accessibility for Mac or other platforms.
Overall, Icecream Photo Editor strikes a good balance between functionality and ease of use, so it is a solid choice for everyday needs.
2. Canva
Canva is a popular image editor that caters to those with little to no experience.
It features a highly intuitive drag-and-drop interface, perfect for graphics, social media posts, and basic changes. With this photo editing app for PC, you can perform tasks like resizing, cropping, and applying filters with minimal effort.
The excels in its simplicity, offering a wide range of templates and design elements that make creating visually appealing projects fast.
Its collaborative features also allow teams to work together, so it is a great choice for professionals in marketing and content.
Pros:
- User-friendly design with drag-and-drop functionality.
- Access to a variety of templates, icons, and stock elements.
- Available as free photo editing software and online, so you can work from any device.
Cons:
- Some features are locked behind a premium subscription for more advanced options.
While it’s the best free image editor for simple tasks, the capabilities are limited compared to more professional software. However, it’s an excellent app for quick, high-quality results.
3. Microsoft Paint
Microsoft Paint is a basic, built-in free photo editing software for Windows users that has been a staple of the operating system for decades.
With its simple interface, it is designed for quick and straightforward tasks. It allows you to perform simple operations like cropping, resizing, and adding text or simple drawings.
Although its feature set is limited compared to more advanced programs, it is still a great tool for simple tasks like creating illustrations, placing annotations to screenshots, or performing quick changes.
It supports standard formats such as BMP, PNG, and JPG, which makes it versatile for most everyday needs.
Pros:
- Extremely easy with an intuitive and simple interface.
- Built-in and free for Windows, requiring no installation or additional photo editing software.
- Ideal for basic changes and drawing tasks.
Cons:
- Limited compatibility with more complex formats.
- Not suitable for detailed work.
While it’s perfect for quick fixes, Microsoft Paint lacks advanced features like layers, filters, or detailed adjustments, making it less suitable for professional or more complex tasks.
4. Microsoft Photos
Photos is another built-in program for Windows users that comes pre-installed with the operating system.
This photo editing software offers a clean interface, designed for basic tasks. It lets you perform essential operations such as cropping, rotating, and applying filters. Additionally, you can adjust brightness, contrast, and other simple settings to enhance your content quickly.
While its features are not as robust as those of professional programs, it is perfect for casual needs if you have straightforward tasks.
Pros:
- Simple and intuitive interface, easy for anyone.
- Great for quick adjustments and light editing.
Cons:
- Lacks advanced features like layers, masks, or fine-tuned changes.
Photos is ideal for those who want a hassle-free way to enhance and organize their pictures without diving into complex installations.
5 Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Photoshop is the industry standard for processing, offering an unparalleled range of advanced tools for professionals.
From detailed retouching to 3D modeling, this is the software for graphic designers or artists. Its layer-based system and ability to work with multiple formats give you full creative control.
This PC photo editor is equipped with sophisticated features like smart objects, background blur, content-aware fill, and advanced masking, making it the go-to choice for anyone who needs high-level manipulation.
Photoshop’s vast array of plug-ins further enhances its functionality, so it is suitable for nearly every kind of digital art.
Pros:
- Full creative control with layer and mask features.
- Widely recognized as the industry standard in design.
Cons:
- High cost due to subscription pricing model.
- Requires a steep learning curve to master its full capabilities.
However, Photoshop's steep learning curve and subscription-based pricing may be a downside for casual tasks or beginners.
6. GIMP
GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is an open-source alternative to Photoshop, offering powerful tools.
Although it’s not as polished as some commercial software, this is the best free photo editor for PC that delivers a broad range of features such as retouching, layer-based work, and advanced color correction.
The program supports numerous file formats and provides a high degree of customization through plugins and scripts. The open-source nature allows you to adapt the app to your needs, so it is a great choice for those who prefer a highly customizable tool.
Pros:
- Completely free photo editing software with no subscription or one-time purchase fee.
- Advanced features such as layer support, masks, and scripts.
Cons:
- Steep learning curve, particularly for new users.
- The interface can be unintuitive compared to commercial alternatives.
Despite its capabilities, GIMP has a less clean design, and beginners may find it challenging to navigate.
7. Luminar Neo
Luminar Neo is a photo editor for PC designed with both novice and professionals in mind. It offers a blend of ease of use and advanced AI-powered tools.
Its innovative features like sky replacement or portrait enhancement make it the best option for those seeking to speed up their operations without sacrificing quality.
The layers and non-destructive workflow allow you to perform changes without altering the original image. This is a huge advantage for those working on multiple versions of a project.
The AI tools can automatically enhance pictures, but you still have full control over every adjustment.
Pros:
- Non-destructive editing with layers and masking tools.
- One-time purchase option is more affordable than subscription-based software.
Cons:
- Some features may feel limited for those who are used to more comprehensive programs like Photoshop.
- Can require a powerful computer for smooth performance with high-resolution files.
Though Luminar Neo provides professional-grade tools, its relatively low price point makes it more accessible than other high-end free photo editors for PC.
Keyboard shortcuts
This can be a time-consuming process, especially with detailed adjustments. Keyboard shortcuts can save a lot of time and effort, allowing you to work more efficiently and focus on your creative vision.
Here’s a list of common combinations that are supported in almost any photo editor for PC:
General Shortcuts
- Ctrl + O: Open a file
- Ctrl + S: Save a file
- Ctrl + Z: Undo
- Ctrl + Shift + Z: Redo
- Ctrl + C: Copy
- Ctrl + V: Paste
- Ctrl + X: Cut
Zoom and Navigation
- Ctrl and +: Zoom in
- Ctrl and -: Zoom out
- Spacebar (hold): Pan around the image
- Ctrl + 0: Fit to screen
- Ctrl + 1: Zoom to 100%
Selection Tools
- M: Rectangular Marquee Tool
- L: Lasso Tool
- W: Magic Wand Tool
- Ctrl + A: Select all
- Ctrl + D: Deselect
- Shift + Ctrl + I: Invert selection
Layers and Adjustments
- Ctrl + J: Duplicate a layer
- Ctrl + E: Merge layers
- Ctrl + Shift + N: Create a new layer
- Ctrl + L: Levels
- Ctrl + U: Hue/Saturation
- Ctrl + B: Color Balance
Brush and Eraser
- B: Brush Tool
- E: Eraser Tool
Transformation
- Ctrl + T: Free Transform
- Shift + Ctrl + T: Repeat Transform
- Ctrl + Shift + Alt + T: Transform with duplication
Quick Mask and Modes
- Q: Toggle Quick Mask Mode
- Tab: Hide/Show all panels
Tips on using photo editing software
- Work non-destructively. Set layers or create a copy of the original file so you can always revert back.
- Crop thoughtfully. Employ cropping to improve composition, like following the rule of thirds.
- Tweak brightness and contrast. Ensure your image has balanced highlights and shadows.
- Use color correction. Adjust white balance, temperature, and saturation to bring life to your creations. Avoid over-saturating.
- Experiment with curves. Set the tonal range for precise control over highlights, midtones, and shadows.
- Play with presets or filters. Employ them as a starting point, then fine-tune to suit your vision.
- Maintain a style. Stick to a cohesive look if you’re working on a series.
- Know when to stop. Over-processing can make pictures look unnatural.
FAQ
- What is the optimal hardware configuration for running a photo editor smoothly?
- A high-performance CPU (Intel i7/i9 or AMD Ryzen 7/9), at least 16GB RAM (preferably 32GB for large files), a dedicated GPU (NVIDIA RTX 3060 or higher), and an SSD for fast read/write speeds.
- What is the difference between 8-bit, 10-bit, and 16-bit color depth in photo editing?
- Higher bit-depth images (10-bit and 16-bit) allow for better accuracy and reduced banding compared to 8-bit pictures.
- How do profiles (sRGB, Adobe RGB, ProPhoto RGB) affect the process?
- Different profiles set the colors that can be utilized in an element. For the web, sRGB is the standard. For print, Adobe RGB has a wider range of shades, and ProPhoto RGB has the most options.
Conclusion
The right photo editor for PC will depend on what you need and how good you are at using it.
There are a lot of tools on the market that can help you make your creative ideas a reality, from simple ones for beginners to professional-grade ones.
The best apps on this list will give you everything you need to produce beautiful pictures, whether you're fixing up a simple portrait or working on complicated graphic designs.
Tech Writer and Photography Aficionado
