Best Easy Photo Editing Software Mac
- January 02, 2020
- 22 min to read
- Best Easy Photo Editor For Mac
- Free Easy Photo Editing Software
- Best Easy Photo Editing Software Mac Lightworks
But that’s not nearly enough to knock it off our list of the best free photo editing software for Mac. Where you can use it: Mac, Windows, Linux. Why we love it: Fotor is designed to be a straightforward, easy-to-use photo editing platform with one-touch results. At that, it succeeds brilliantly.
There is a long list of photo editing software solutions available today that beginner as well as professional photographers can use. That is great news, but what is the use if you have to spend hours trying to figure out just how to use the software? So, to ensure that all your valuable time goes toward taking your pics to the next level, here are easy-to-use photo editing software solutions.
1. Luminar 4
With the help of artificial intelligence (AI), Luminar makes tricky editing jobs much easier. Unlike many other similar tools for which you need to pay a monthly subscription fee, Luminar 4 requires only a one-off payment which includes any ongoing updates.
Its library module, presets (called Looks), advanced masking, batch processing, adjustable gradient and layered editing are just a couple of the features that make Luminar 4 so unique. All things considered, with Luminar 4, image retouching becomes much more accessible and simple. This tool is really easy to use and boasts a long list of cool features.
✅ Pros
The AI editing tools can help you to work faster
The interface is intuitive
It supports basic file organisation
It can be used as a standalone photo editing app or as a plug-in for Apple Photos, Adobe Lightroom or Adobe Photoshop
✖️ Cons
The metadata and export options can be improved
It is difficult to tell which features each panel offers without first clicking on it
2. Adobe Photoshop Elements
This specific photo editing software solution is very popular among busy non-professional photographers who are searching for a tool that will help them to put their creativity to the test. Adobe Elements uses artificial intelligence (AI) to choose which videos and photos to include in your collages. So, it is a great tool if you want to create collages of your favourite family memories, but always have a difficult time deciding which pics to pick.
However, while it is one of the simplest Adobe tools to master, there are other photo editing software solutions on the market that are easier to use.
✅ Pros
It is compatible with both PCs as well as Macs
There are many stunning templates that you can use to create a collage
Features are easy to access thanks to the new home screen
It offers automated slideshows and collages
It supports HEIF files
Guided edits has a step-by-step guide that lets you work on your photos directly
✖️ Cons
You must first sign in with your Adobe ID before you can use the software
Not so many new features have been introduced with the latest update
3. Aurora HDR
As HDR is tricky to get right, Aurora HDR is a great tool to get. Its wide range of different HDR effects will help you to create natural results. In a single click of a button, you can apply one of the many Looks. Though, if you would like to play around more, you can use the masking and layer features to add extra edits.
✅ Pros
It is very easy to use and has an intuitive interface
You can effortlessly undo any changes that you have made or even go back to your original picture
It can be used as a standalone app, Apple Photos extension, or plug-in to Adobe Lightroom or Adobe Photoshop
It has a batch processing feature that you can use to import many images or folders
✖️ Cons
It is not a full-featured image editor
4. Photolemur
Among all the other photo editing software solutions mentioned in this list, Photolemur is the easiest to use. What makes it so simple to use is that about 90% of it is fully automatic. Thanks to its artificial intelligence (AI), you can create great pics without having to struggle with manual editing. This makes it the ideal photo editing tool for amateur photographers who do not necessarily have the skill to make custom edits.
✅ Pros
It offers impressive batch enhancement
It supports a wide range of image formats including RAW image format
✖️ Cons
It does not offer zoom tools
While GIMP is not as easy to use as some of the other tools already mentioned, it is still simpler than Photoshop. If it does not boast a specific tool, you can rest assured as updates are introduced regularly. That being said, it does offer loads of features including brushes, layers and filters.
✅ Pros
It has many high-quality tools and features
It can virtually open all image files
✖️ Cons
The interface could be more sleek and streamlined
6. Pixlr
Pixlr is an online photo editor that has received hundreds of five-star reviews online already. While it does not offer so many options, you can use it to perform all the editing tasks that other standard photo editors can complete.
✅ Pros
As it is a web app, there is no need first to download a big programme
The app is easy to navigate and use
✖️ Cons
If you have grown used to Adobe, you will find that it lacks the same level of sophistication
It is not the most powerful web app for photo editing
The interface is slightly outdated
7. Paint.NET
You might be taken aback that this simple tool has made this list. While it was initially just planned to replace the basic Microsoft Paint software, it has actually become an impressive photo editing tool. All in all, it is a functional software solution that focuses more on actual photo editing as opposed to creativity.
✅ Pros
Paint.NET boasts a big selection of handy tools and special effects
The user interface is modern, yet easy to use
If you get stuck, there is a big online network that can help you
✖️ Cons
It is only available for Windows users
8. Photos for MacOS
Sometimes you do not need to look too far to find the right photo editing tool. If you use a Mac, Apple Photos offers more than enough functionality to create high-quality photos. While it might be simple to use, rest assured there is nothing simple about the editing tools on offer. Over the years the editing tools have developed and today they are not bad at all. That being said, do not grow too excited just yet as it does miss a couple of handy features.
✅ Pros
It is very simple to use
It has the basic edits such as red eye removal, crop and white balance
✖️ Cons
It is only available for Mac OS
You cannot adjust the brush
It does not offer a history panel
While it does offer a good selection of filters, graduated filters are not included
9. XnView
If you use Windows, XnView is a handy image viewer, converter, photo editor and browser to add to your arsenal of tools. What is more, it supports over 500 image file formats!
✅ Pros
If you get stuck, you can consult the Online Help file, forum or FAQ page
The user interface is very practical
It supports a wide range of file formats that include GIF, JPEG, and PNG
✖️ Cons
Some users have reported that the controls are a bit too sensitive
It is only compatible with Windows
10. IrfanView
Like most of the other photo editing tools, IrfanView boasts an intuitive interface which makes it ideal for novices. While it may not offer every single feature that other professional photo editors boast, it is still powerful enough to satisfy most of your requirements. And, if you are searching for a more specialist feature, you might just be able to find a plug-in that can help.
✅ Pros
You can use it to create slideshows
It offers watermarking
It supports plug-ins
✖️ Cons
While the interface is easy to use, its appearance is a bit dated
11. AirMagic
No list with photo editing software solutions will be quite complete without a tool especially for drone lovers. As drones offer a different perspective, there are many other elements that must be considered when modifying the pics taken by a drone.
The magic quality of AirMagic is that it has been specifically created to edit the photos captured by drones. In fact, it will read the metadata or the photos taken by your drone automatically and then apply the modifications that match your particular model of drone.
✅ Pros
It uses artificial intelligence to deliver the best results
It supports JPG, RAW, PNG and TIFF file formats
You can edit your final photo with the use of a practical side-by-side view
✖️ Cons
The colour can appear exaggerated and in some instances there is a blue tint visible
When it comes to your website, images are incredibly important. Whether you’re a photographer wanting to show off their portfolio or a business owner that wants to add a personal touch to their site, photos can add visual interest, help you tell your story, and otherwise enhance your website.
But, before you upload them to your site, you need to edit the photos so that they match the look and feel you want your brand to portray. You also need to edit the photos to ensure that all images have the same dimensions for a more unified look.
On top of that, editing your images before uploading them to your site, will help reduce the file size which will have a positive impact on your site loading times and in turn help you rank better in search engines.
All of this brings us to today’s topic: the best photo editing software in 2020. With the proper photo editing software you will not only be able to crop the images to the right dimensions and ensure the file size won’t slow down your site but you will also be able to adjust the lighting and highlight the key elements in your photos.
Below, you will find the best photo editing software that’s available in 2020. They range from free to paid and most of them can be used on Mac, Windows, and Linux computers.
Best Photo Editing Software for Photographers (both PC and Mac compatible)
Photoshop
When it comes to photo editing software, Adobe Photoshop is usually the first program that comes to mind. It is a complex program that offers features such as non-destructive editing, layers, filters and blend modes, and the healing tool among others.
Photoshop lets you easily adjust the brightness and contrast of your photos, adjust the levels, fine-tune the shadows and highlights, and so much more.
It is available for Mac and Windows computers and you can get it as a part of Adobe’s CC subscription. You can purchase a single app subscription for Photoshop only, a subscription for Photoshop and Lightroom as well as a subscription for the entire suite of Adobe’s apps.
WP Paint — WordPress Image Editor
The WP Paint plugin is an image editing plugin for WordPress that has over 1000 active installations and 5-star ratings. It’s a browser based HTML5 image editor that allows you to easily edit images in your WordPress library.
The plugin has an intuitive desktop-like interface and supports features such as layer management, the ability to add custom text to images, apply blur effects, adjust image brightness or contrast, and more.
Lightroom
Lightroom is another favorite among photographers and a part of Adobe’s suite of programs. Where Lightroom shines is its ability to batch edit the photos which is a huge time-saver when you’re working with hundreds of photos.
Lightroom makes it easy to organize all your photos: you can add keywords and your own metadata. Additionally, Lightroom comes with face detection which helps with photo organization.
You will also find several presets and filters that you can apply to your photos and save time during the edit process and there are hundreds of presets available online that you can download.
Lightroom is available on Mac and Windows computers and you can get it as a single subscription, a subscription in combination with Photoshop or as part of Adobe CC library subscription.
Affinity Photo
If you’re not a fan of the subscription model, Affinity Photo is a great contender. It supports RAW and HDR editing and comes equipped with the tools and features that you’re used to seeing in Photoshop.
When working with photos, you can adjust the white balance, brightness, saturation, and apply a variety of filters. You can also stitch panoramic images, batch process multiple files, and more. Keep in mind that similarly to Photoshop, Affinity Photo also offers graphics and vector editing tools in the same application.
Affinity Photo is available for Mac, Windows, and iOS devices for a one-time payment which includes lifetime updates.
Gimp
Gimp is a free and open-source program that comes with features rivaling those found in Photoshop. In fact, Gimp is often quoted as the free Photoshop alternative. It can edit photos and includes tools such as layers and non-destructive editing, retouching and creative compositions.
Gimp includes all the standard photo editing tools such as brightness, saturation, curves, and more. You can also install third-party plugins which add even more features to Gimp.
Gimp works on Windows, Linux, and Mac computers. It’s a great solution if you’re on a budget but still want to be able to edit or enhance your photos.
Capture One
Capture One is a RAW photo editing software that supports all major camera brands. As far as the features go, Capture One is on par with other programs on this list.
You can adjust brightness, contrast, levels, curves, apply filters, and perform other standard photo adjustments. What makes it stand out is the ability to customize the interface to your liking and built-in Latitude Styles which serve as filters that enhance and transform your photos in a single click.
Capture One is available for Mac and Windows and you can purchase a perpetual license or opt for one of their subscription plans.
DxO PhotoLab
DxO Photo Lab touts itself as the photo editing software made by photographers for photographers. It offers the standard processing and correction tools as you’d expect from a photo editing software and it supports RAW editing from all major camera brands, except for Fuji.
Notable features include precise adjustments thanks to U Point selection assistance technology, optical correction modules, and denoising technology. DxO Photo Lab also supports the ability to switch between manual and automatic modes for all automatic features.
This program is available for Mac and Windows computers and doesn’t require a subscription model. It can be bought for a one-time payment fee.
ON1 Photo RAW
ON1 Photo RAW is a photo editor and a photo organizer rolled into one. It positions itself as the replacement for Lightroom and Photoshop, allowing you to edit, organize, and process your photos in the same app instead of switching between two different programs.
The program comes with all the standard features as well as batch processing and it also includes built-in presets so you can easily apply several adjustments to your photos all at once. RAW processing, multi-layer compositing, and focus-stacking are all included in ON1 Photo RAW.
The program is available for both Mac and Windows and can be bought for a one-time fee which includes a perpetual license.
Luminar
Luminar is a popular choice among photographers because it can be bought for a one-time payment rather than a subscription model. Mac os wifi analyzer. What’s more, you can use it as a standalone program or as a plugin for Lightroom or Photoshop.
Luminar includes built-in filters which can enhance your photos in a single click and you can also fine-tune each filter to your needs. Luminar comes with human-aware technology which recognizes people automatically and applies adjustments selectively for more realistic results.
In addition to the features above, you will also find healing, cloning, and retouching tools, AI-powered sky enhancer, the ability to add volumetric lightning, and more.
Luminar is available for both Mac and PC.
Alien Skin Exposure
Alien Skin Exposure is a photo editor and organizer that lets you enhance your photos with powerful tools as well as streamline your photo editing workflow.
A few notable features include improved lightning and shadows tools, fully adjustable light effects, transform tools, and smart collections. On top of that, Alien Skin Exposure comes with built-in presets and support for RAW editing.
It’s available for Mac and Windows computers.
Fotor
Fotor is an online photo editing app which means you can use it no matter which OS you’re using. Fotor claims to be the online version of Photoshop and offers tools which allow you to easily adjust color, size, light, and more.
It’s also equipped with photo retouching tools such as healing, increasing radiance, highlights, and more. Fotor has built in effects so you can easily improve the look of your photos instead of applying adjustments manually and one by one.
On top of the online app, Fotor is available for Mac, Windows, iOS, and Android. It offers a monthly or an annual subscription.
ACDSee Photo Studio Ultimate
ACDSee Photo Studio Ultimate is a photo editing and organizing software with support for RAW editing. A standout feature is the facial recognition which helps you name and tag your images for faster searching.
You can easily apply all the standard adjustments such as white balance, levels, curves, and more. ACDSee Photo Studio Ultimate also makes it easy to color-grade your images with built-in LUT presets and use layer editing to achieve individual adjustments and effects.
The program is available for Windows computer as a one-time payment which gives you a year of updates. Monthly and annual subscriptions are also available.
Best Easy Photo Editor For Mac
Pixlr online photo editor
Pixlr is an online photo editor software that can be used in your browser and therefore on any operating system.
It has an intuitive interface and makes it easy to adjust colors, image details, and apply various effects to your photos. Pixlr also supports retouching operations so you can easily remove unwanted objects, blemishes, and clone items.
You can edit the images for free but it’s worth mentioning that there is a paid version of the app that comes with a large stock photo library and support for PSD and Sketch files.
Darktable
Darktable is a free and open-source photo editor that can be used on Windows, Mac, and Linux computers. It includes support for RAW and non-destructive editing and comes with all the basic image operations such as colour correction, level adjustments, filters, and more.
In addition to that, Darktable makes it easy to add watermarks to your images and perform split-toning operations. It supports keywords and tags so you can easily organize your library.
Best Photo Editing Software for Photographers (PC only)
PaintShop Pro Ultimate
PaintShop Pro Ultimate is a feature-rich photo editing software that doesn’t require a subscription. It’s a one-time payment which makes it another attractive alternative to Photoshop. It’s available for Windows computers.
PaintShop Pro Ultimate comes with features that include the ability to instantly transform any photo into an eye-catching animation and correct photos and restore details with adjustments such as color, saturation, white balance, and more. It’s worth mentioning that the program comes with dozens of textures, backgrounds, and brushes to choose from and it also includes AI enhanced presets which are sure to take your photos to the next level.
You can edit RAW images directly and the program also supports HDR editing. On top of that, you can easily edit your 360° photos and apply one-touch fixes to any photo.
Best Photo Editing Software for Photographers (Mac only)
Pixelmator Pro
Pixelmator Pro is a Mac-only photo editor that lets you resize and enhance your photos. It includes tools which support non-destructive editing, balance and level adjustments, and various colour adjustments.
You can also use Pixelmator Pro for digital painting and basic graphics editing with tools such as shapes, quick selection, drawing tools, and more.
Pixelmator Pro is available as a one-time purchase from the App Store.
Final Thoughts — What photo editing software should you use?
Finding the right photo editing software for your needs is no easy task but the above list should point you in the right direction.
If you like taking photos and making them better by using image editors, why not look into how to sell your photos online and maybe earn up to $120/image sold? Let people enjoy your work while also getting paid for it.
Free Easy Photo Editing Software
Once all your photos are edited, upload them to your site and then take advantage of a gallery plugin like Modula to display your photos in a visually appealing way. Modula makes it easy to create your own unique gallery layouts with a simple drag and drop editor and allow you to add videos from YouTube and Vimeo to your galleries. On top of that, you can easily integrate your galleries with social media platforms like Instagram and Pinterest.
What’s your photo editing software of choice?
Best Easy Photo Editing Software Mac Lightworks
Let us know in the comments below!