Best Photo Editing Software in 2025: Free, Paid & Pro Tools Compared

Whether you're a professional photographer, a content creator, or someone who just wants to touch up vacation pictures, photo editing software can make all the difference.

With dozens of tools on the market (free and paid), choosing the best photo editing software for your needs can be overwhelming. This guide breaks down the top options across different categories, use cases, and skill levels.

What Is Photo Editing Software?

Photo editing software lets users adjust, enhance, and manipulate images. It ranges from simple apps for cropping and filters to complex programs for retouching, color grading, and digital compositing.

Common features include:

• Exposure and color correction

• Layers and masks

• Object removal

• Presets and filters

• AI-enhanced tools like background removal or facial retouching

The Best Photo Editing Software (2025 Picks)

Here are the top contenders across different categories:

1. Adobe Photoshop – Best Overall (Paid)

Platform: Windows, macOS
Price: Starts at $20.99/month
Ideal for: Professionals, designers, photographers

Adobe Photoshop is the industry gold standard. Whether you’re editing RAW files, designing web banners, or removing objects from a background, Photoshop offers full control.

Pros:

• Advanced layer-based editing

• AI tools like Generative Fill

• Massive community + plugin support

Cons:

• Subscription-only

• Steeper learning curve

2. Adobe Lightroom – Best for Photographers

Platform: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Web
Price: Starts at $9.99/month
Ideal for: Photographers focused on color correction, batch editing

Lightroom is designed for photo workflow. It’s ideal for organizing, editing, and exporting hundreds of photos quickly with non-destructive editing.

Pros:

• Best-in-class RAW editing

• Easy batch processing

• Mobile app sync

Cons:

• Not ideal for pixel-level manipulation

3. Canva Photo Editor – Best for Beginners & Social Media

Platform: Web, iOS, Android
Price: Free (Pro plan: $12.99/month)
Ideal for: Social media creators, marketers

Canva is user-friendly and template-driven. Great for quick edits, memes, or social posts.

Pros:

• Drag-and-drop interface

• Stock assets and templates

• Great for non-designers

Cons:

• Limited depth for advanced editing

4. GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program)

Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux
Price: Free
Ideal for: Budget-conscious users who want Photoshop-like features

GIMP is open-source and extremely customizable. While the UI isn’t as polished as Photoshop, it’s powerful and supported by a loyal community.

Pros:

• Full layer/mask support

• Free and open-source

• Expansive plugin ecosystem

Cons:

• UI is less intuitive

• Updates can be irregular

5. Luminar Neo – Best AI-Powered Photo Editor

Platform: Windows, macOS
Price: One-time license or subscription (from $11.95/month)
Ideal for: Creators who want fast, AI-driven editing

Luminar Neo focuses on speeding up edits using AI: sky replacement, skin retouching, power line removal, etc. No complex layers, just sliders and quick tools.

Pros:

• Smart AI tools

• One-click results

• No subscription needed (optionally)

Cons:

• Slower on older devices

• Fewer export options

6. Pixlr – Best Online Photo Editor

Platform: Web, iOS, Android
Price: Free (Premium: $4.90/month)
Ideal for: Fast edits on the go

Pixlr is browser-based and doesn’t need installation. Great for quick cropping, filters, and minor edits, especially on shared or school devices.

Pros:

• Runs in your browser

• Simple UI

• Works on Chromebook

Cons:

• Limited advanced tools

• Ads in free version

Quick Comparison Table

How to Choose the Best Photo Editing Software for You

Here’s what to consider:

Your Skill Level:

• Beginner? Canva or Pixlr.

• Intermediate? Lightroom or Luminar.

• Advanced? Photoshop or GIMP.

Your Use Case:

• Professional editing? Photoshop, Lightroom

• Fast content creation? Canva, Pixlr

• Free but powerful? GIMP

Your Budget:

• Want free? GIMP or Pixlr.

• Want one-time purchase? Luminar Neo.

• Prefer subscriptions? Adobe suite.

Final Thoughts

There’s no single “best photo editing software” for everyone. It depends on your needs, goals, and style.

• For professional work: Adobe still rules.

• For casual or social creators: Canva is hard to beat.

• For free editing with power: GIMP is surprisingly capable.

• For AI-powered speed: Luminar Neo keeps getting better.

Whatever you choose, pick a tool that supports your creativity.

Bonus: Share Your Files Securely with Plox

Editing photos is only half the job, sharing them securely is just as important.
Use Plox to send image-heavy portfolios, collaborate on mockups, or deliver final assets, with analytics, watermarking, and custom branding.