Photo Editing Software: 10 Best Tools for Professionals

The world’s top photographers and designers rely on powerful photo editing software to bring out the best in their images. From industry-standard suites to free, open-source tools, today’s editors offer unprecedented flexibility – including AI-driven enhancements, cross-platform support, and advanced RAW processing. In this guide, we’ll explore the 10 best photo editing applications for professionals. We’ll cover everything from RAW photo editing software and AI photo editors to free apps, mobile editors, and online tools. Whether you need portrait retouching, creative compositing, or simple touch-ups, you’ll find the right software here to elevate your workflow.

Top 10 Photo Editing Software for Professionals

Screenshot of CyberLink PhotoDirector 365 showing a forest image with overlaid creative text. This illustrates a cross-platform photo editing software interface combining layers, text, and filters. The following list highlights the leading photo editing tools today, with strengths for different use cases: from comprehensive suites like Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom to niche apps like GIMP (free) and Snapseed (mobile). Each entry includes key features and insights from expert reviews.

1. Adobe Photoshop (Best Overall Photo Editor)

Adobe Photoshop is universally acclaimed as the gold-standard photo editing software for pros. It offers a massive array of tools – layers, masks, filters, retouch brushes, compositing, painting tools, and much more – that meet virtually every creative needtechradar.com. In fact, TechRadar notes Photoshop “remains our top pick” because it “boasts all the tools required for professional image editing”techradar.com photo editing software.

• Features: Powerful selection/masking, retouching brushes, text and vector tools, layers & blending modes. Photoshop supports advanced color correction and creative effects.
• AI Integration: Recent versions include Adobe’s Firefly AI. You can use Generative Fill and Expand to add or remove content via text promptscreativebloq.com. For example, you can expand sky in a photo or generate entirely new background scenescreativebloq.com. Photoshop’s AI tools – like automatic subject selection, background removal, and smart upscaling – are top-tier photo editing software.
• Pros: Industry-leading, extremely versatile and extensible. Continual updates add new AI filters and generative features. Works on Windows, macOS, iPad, and (coming) Android.
• Cons: Subscription-only (no perpetual license). Steeper learning curve for beginners. Overkill if you only need basic edits.

CreativeBloq emphasizes that “Photoshop is a world-class photo editor even without its AI additions”creativebloq.com, and with AI it “has a strong claim to being the best AI photo enhancer around”creativebloq.comcreativebloq.com. In practice, pros use Photoshop for everything from pixel-perfect compositing to high-end retouching. Note that Adobe offers a 7-day free trial for Photoshop (and full Creative Cloud) so you can test its features risk-freecreativebloq.com photo editing software.

2. Adobe Lightroom Classic (Best for RAW Photos and Organization)

Adobe Lightroom Classic is the industry standard for handling large photo collections and RAW developmentdigitalcameraworld.com. It provides nondestructive editing, powerful cataloging, and batch workflows. Professional photographers praise Lightroom for its asset management tools, such as keywords and collections, and its ability to process RAW files from virtually any cameradigitalcameraworld.com photo editing software.

• Features: Intuitive sliders for exposure, color, tone curve, local adjustments (brushes/gradients), plus panoramic stitching and HDR merging.
• AI-Assisted Tools: Lightroom’s AI (Sensei) includes subject/sky masking and an excellent AI Denoise tool, which “creates complex AI-assisted masks in seconds”digitalcameraworld.com. It also supports super-resolution upscaling and auto tone correction.
• RAW Support: Lightroom’s RAW converter supports hundreds of RAW formats and provides high-quality demosaicing. DxO’s Nik Collection now works as a plugin in Lightroom for creative filters.
• Pros: Robust organization (keywords, ratings, metadata), non-destructive workflow, great RAW processing. Supports cross-device editing via Lightroom (cloud version) as well photo editing software.
• Cons: Subscription required (part of Adobe CC). Less fine-grained pixel editing than Photoshop.

Digital Camera World calls Lightroom Classic “the best industry standard photo editing software for professionals and serious enthusiasts”digitalcameraworld.com. Many pros use Lightroom as the backbone of their workflow, then round-trip to Photoshop for advanced edits. For mobile or cloud-based workflows, Adobe Lightroom (mobile/CC) is also excellent for quick edits on the godigitalcameraworld.com photo editing software.

3. Capture One Pro (Best for Color and Tethering)

Capture One Pro (by Phase One) is a premium editor favored by fashion and studio photographers. It excels at RAW conversion and color fidelity – especially for Fuji and Sony cameras. Users often say Capture One delivers “exceptional color accuracy” and smooth tonality straight out of RAWthemframes.com. It also offers professional features like tethered shooting (capture images directly to the computer) that Photoshop/Lightroom don’t natively provide photo editing software.

• Features: Excellent RAW processing, advanced color grading (color balance, Curve tools), layers & masks, healing/healing brushes, keystone correction, and built-in lens profiles photo editing software.
• Tethering: One standout is tethered capture with real-time viewing, which works reliably for studio sessionsthemframes.com photo editing software.
• AI Portrait Tools: Capture One recently added portrait-centric AI tools for skin smoothing, blemish removal, and dark-circle reductionthemframes.com. It can auto-detect subjects and apply retouching layers.
• Pros: Professional-grade image quality, highly customizable interface, powerful layers/masking. Robust catalog and session handling photo editing software.
• Cons: Expensive (subscription or perpetual). Steep learning curve for new users.

ThemFrames reports that “Capture One has gradually established itself as the go-to editing software for professional photographers” because it often outperforms others at RAW processingthemframes.com. Capture One’s pricier tag is justified by its results; its “color accuracy is exceptional,” and once mastered, it can “take your images to a whole new level”themframes.comthemframes.com. If budget allows, many professionals find Capture One well worth the investment.

4. Affinity Photo (Best Photoshop Alternative – Perpetual License)

Affinity Photo (by Serif/Canva) is a powerful image editor that rivals Photoshop’s capabilities but without a subscription model. It runs on Windows, macOS, and iPad (cross-platform), and developers consistently add new features. As TechRadar notes, Affinity Photo offers “one of the best photo editor and compositor experiences”techradar.com, with an emphasis on workflow and usability. It supports PSD files, unlimited layers, blend modes, HDR, panorama stitching, and more photo editing software.

• Features: Full photo editing toolbox: painting, retouching (inpainting, dodge/burn), selection refinements, Liquify, panorama/HDR merge, focus stacking, curves/levels, batch processing. It even has vector drawing and text tools.
• Performance: Generally faster and more lightweight than Photoshop. The interface is clean and tablet-friendly.
• Pricing: One-time purchase (no subscription). Offers 90-day free trial.techradar.com (TechRadar highlights its great price and one-time buytechradar.comtechradar.com.)
• Pros: Full-featured (many Photoshop-style tools), free updates, very good value. Clean UI. Good performance.
• Cons: Lacks some advanced Photoshop plug-ins and 3D features. Less industry standard, so tutorials/resources are fewer.

Affinity has grown into a true Photoshop alternative. Reviews emphasize that its toolset now “rival[s] the big competitors”techradar.com. It’s praised for being “Stuffed with AI smarts” in updates, including sky replacement and portrait tools (via separate Persona)creativebloq.comcreativebloq.com. If you want Photoshop-like power without recurring fees, Affinity Photo is a top choice.

5. DxO PhotoLab (Best RAW Processing & Quality)

DxO PhotoLab is a specialist RAW editor known for outstanding image quality. Its flagship algorithms (in the PRIME and DeepPRIME denoising engines) deliver superb noise reduction and detail preservation. PhotoLab also includes the Nik Collection of creative filters (by DxO) as built-in plugins (for analog film effects, HDR, color, black&white, etc.). According to Digital Camera World, PhotoLab “has updates that are significant and results are superb; one of the best raw processing and photo editing tools you can buy”digitalcameraworld.com photo editing software.

• Features: Automatic lens correction (optical module), DxO’s exclusive DeepPRIME denoise, ClearView (haze removal), chromatic aberration removal, and precise local adjustments (U-point masks).
• Nik Collection: Powerful suite of plug-ins (Color Efex, Silver Efex, etc.) is included in PhotoLab, offering endless creative filters.
• RAW Support: Supports hundreds of RAW formats. Often produces the “best” demosaicing for sharpness and color.
• Pros: Outstanding image quality with minimal artifacts. One-time purchase (no subscription). Highly regarded for fine-art and landscape photography.
• Cons: Fewer general editing tools (layer-based compositing is limited compared to Photoshop). Interface can feel more technical photo editing software.

Many pros use DxO PhotoLab when the absolute best noise reduction or color fidelity is needed. It’s particularly popular for night, low-light, and high-ISO shots. As DCW notes, it’s “one of the best RAW processing… tools you can buy”digitalcameraworld.com. For a balance between technical control and image quality, PhotoLab is a top-tier RAW editor photo editing software.

6. Luminar Neo (AI-Powered Photo Editor)

Luminar Neo (Skylum) is an AI-driven editor that’s gained fame for its ease of use and creative effects. It integrates numerous AI modules – sky replacement, atmosphere (weather), portrait enhancement, object removal, and more – into a friendly interface. CreativeBloq calls Luminar Neo “all-round AI photo editing software to suit a range of subjects”creativebloq.com. Unlike Lightroom/Photoshop, Luminar is designed so even beginners can achieve dramatic results with sliders and presets.

• AI Tools: Luminar Neo has 24+ AI-powered tools, including Sky AI (automatic sky replacement), Portrait AI (skin retouch, eye enhancement, lighting), and Body AI (body shaping)themframes.com. It also offers intelligent auto-masking and one-click Accent AI (global enhancement).
• Creative Effects: Templates (presets) give instant stylized looks. You can fine-tune everything. Also supports layers and blending.
• RAW & Basics: Includes full RAW editing (exposure, colors, curves, HSL, etc.) comparable to Lightroom. Also panorama and focus-stacking.
• Pros: Intuitive UI, strong automated features. One-time purchase or subscription (perpetual license availablethemframes.com). Great for landscape and portrait tweaks with minimal effort.
• Cons: Performance can lag on older machines (large AI tasks). Fewer advanced manual tools than Photoshop photo editing software.

Luminar Neo shines at workflow speed. As one reviewer notes, “Users particularly appreciate the 24+ AI tools for tasks like sky replacement, portrait enhancement, and object removal”themframes.com. It is designed for creatives who want great results without learning technical details. Skylum continues to add more AI tools; for example, their Accent AI slider can balance exposure and color automatically, yet manual controls remain for fine-tuningcreativebloq.com. Given its AI focus, Luminar qualifies as one of the best AI photo editing software options available photo editing software.

7. ON1 Photo RAW (All-in-One Editor & Ecosystem)

ON1 Photo RAW is an all-in-one suite that bundles editing, effects, layers, and photo management. It’s designed to be a Lightroom competitor that also incorporates Photoshop-like layers. Reviewers describe it as “a Jack of all trades” that covers everything most photographers needdigitalcameraworld.com. ON1 includes powerful AI features (portrait enhancement, noise reduction, upscaling) and even cloud integration.

• Features: Non-destructive RAW editing, effects browser (like Nik’s filters), layers & masks, customizable workspaces. Includes portrait retouch tools (eye sharpening, skin smoothing), a one-click AI Noise Reduction, and an AI Resize (upscaling).
• AI Tools: The AI Keyword tool auto-tags your photos for easy searching. AI Portrait tools can auto-detect faces and apply enhancements photo editing software.
• Workflow: Photo management with ratings/keywords and Lightroom-style Develop module. Seamless round-trips to Photoshop or other plug-ins photo editing software.
• Pros: Very good value (has perpetual license). Integrates many features (so you may not need separate apps). Works on Windows and Mac, plus iOS apps to sync edits.
• Cons: UI can feel busy. Some tools (e.g. selective color) are basic. AI tools (like face detection) may require purchase of extra modules.

Digital Camera World notes ON1 Photo RAW “is top dog if you’re looking for an affordable all-in-one suite”digitalcameraworld.com. ThemFrames adds that ON1 includes “AI-driven tools for portraits, noise reduction, upscaling, and more”themframes.com – for example, one-click skin smoothing and sky replacement. It also offers cloud sync with 1TB storage if you subscribe, and even an online community (ON1 Plus) for sharing editsthemframes.com. In short, ON1 is great for photographers who want an entire photo editing ecosystem under one roof.

8. GIMP (Free Open-Source Editor)

GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is the top free alternative to Photoshop. It’s a fully-featured advanced photo manipulation tool available on Windows, macOS, and Linuxgimp.org. As GIMP’s official site states, it provides sophisticated tools for photo retouching, image composition, and creating original artworkgimp.org. Professional users appreciate that it’s free and open-source, with a large plugin community (some plugins even emulate Photoshop filters).

• Features: Layers, masks, channels, filters (blur, sharpen, distort, artistic), advanced selection tools, color adjustments, curves, HEIF/RAW support via plug-ins, scriptability (Python, etc.).
• Extensibility: Nearly every feature can be extended via free plug-ins and scripts. GIMP can open PSD, JPEG, PNG, TIFF and many other formats out of the box.
• Pros: No cost whatsoever. Very powerful for an open-source app. Highly customizable UI. Great community support.
• Cons: Interface can be non-intuitive (floating windows). Lacks some industry-standard tools (no native CMYK, no Content-Aware Fill). Development is slower than commercial apps.

GIMP’s site emphasizes it as a “cross-platform image editor… free software”gimp.org that delivers high-quality photo manipulation. Many pros use GIMP for tasks like skin retouching, color correction, and compositing, especially when budget is a concern. It’s also a favorite for Linux users since Adobe products are not available there. For anyone seeking a free photo editing app with near-professional power, GIMP is hard to beat.

9. Photopea (Free Online Photoshop Alternative)

Photopea is a browser-based photo editor that closely mimics Photoshop’s look and feel – but completely free. It supports PSD, XCF, Sketch, and many common image formats, and even works offline in the browser. Photopea provides “professional-grade tools in a free online photo editor”photopea.com, making it an excellent choice for quick edits or for users on any platform.

• Features: Layers, masks, blend modes, filters, brushes, text. Advanced tools like Liquify, Clone, and Healing are available. Photopea fully supports PSD and can open RAW files like DNG, CR2, NEF, etc.photopea.comphotopea.com.
• AI Features: It offers one-click background removal and even a text-prompt based image generator (via the “Replace part of image by prompt” feature)photopea.com.
• Accessibility: Runs in any modern browser on any device (Windows, Mac, Linux, Chromebooks, tablets). No installation needed. All editing happens locally for privacy.
• Pros: Truly free (ad-supported). Very familiar interface for Photoshop users. Excellent file compatibility.
• Cons: Can be slower than desktop apps on large files. Dependent on browser performance.

According to its own site, Photopea provides “all the premium features without spending a dime”photopea.com. It’s often the go-to online photo editor tool when you need to edit a PSD or do quick work on a public computer. For example, you can open a RAW photo and apply exposure, color balance, and contrast adjustments just as in Photoshopphotopea.com. As a bonus, it even offers AI-powered tools: one-click background removal and AI-driven content replacementphotopea.com. For freelancers or teams needing cross-platform accessibility, Photopea is an excellent free solution.

10. Snapseed (Free Mobile Photo Editing App)

Snapseed (by Google) is a free, mobile-first editor that punches above its weight. It’s completely ad-free and packed with high-end features, making it suitable for serious photo work on smartphones or tablets. The App Store notes Snapseed is “a complete photo editor” with over 25 professional tools and filtersapps.apple.com, including healing, brush, HDR, perspective correction, and RAW development.

• Features: All fundamental edits (tune image, crop, rotate, white balance, curves, selective adjustments, etc.), plus advanced: Healing (spot removal), Lens Blur (bokeh), Glamour Glow, HDR Scape, and black-and-white filters. Snapseed also has Face Enhance and Face Pose for portrait tweaks.
• RAW Support: Snapseed can open and non-destructively edit RAW/DNG images (for iOS and Android).
• Interface: Touch-friendly gestures (swipe, pinch) for control, with sliders for fine adjustments.
• Pros: Free and powerful. Intuitive interface designed for quick edits. Works on Android and iOS. Perfect for on-the-go photo editing.
• Cons: Mobile-only (not desktop). Less precise than desktop software. No layered editing or vector/text tools.

Snapseed is extremely popular among photographers as a portable mobile photo editor app. For example, it excels at quick portrait retouching (healing blemishes, enhancing eyes) or adding creative filters on the fly. And because it supports RAW, it can be part of a professional’s workflow between shoots. For tasks like tuning exposure or applying a local adjustment in the field, Snapseed is a go-to free app.

Choosing the Right Tool

With so many options available, how do you pick? Consider your needs: if you rely on vast editing flexibility and industry support, Adobe Photoshop + Lightroom remain top-tier (justifying their subscription model). If you want one-time purchases, Affinity Photo and Luminar Neo offer professional features at a lower price. For dedicated RAW work, DxO PhotoLab or Capture One deliver the highest image quality. Budget-conscious pros can turn to free software like GIMP, RawTherapee or Darktable for raw editing. For quick edits on-the-move, Snapseed and mobile versions of Lightroom/Photoshop fit the bill. And if you need instant, cross-platform access with PSD compatibility, Photopea/Pixlr are invaluable.

In any case, modern photo editing programs – whether desktop or cloud-based – increasingly leverage AI to automate tedious taskszapier.comcreativebloq.com. From sky replacement to automatic subject selection, these creative photo editing programs free you to focus on the artistic side. As one roundup notes, current AI photo editors can do everything from upscaling and background removal to sky replacement and automatic retouchingzapier.com. Keep an eye on those features when choosing software, as they can greatly speed up workflows.

Key Takeaways:

• Pixel power: Photoshop is still the most powerful all-round editortechradar.com, but many excellent alternatives exist.
• RAW editing: Lightroom Classic, DxO PhotoLab and Capture One offer superior RAW development.
• AI tools: Programs like Photoshop, Luminar Neo and ON1 now include AI-driven enhancements (e.g. “Generative Fill”, “Accent AI”, etc.)creativebloq.comcreativebloq.com.
• Free solutions: GIMP and Photopea prove you can get professional-grade editing without costgimp.orgphotopea.com.
• Mobile & online: Snapseed and Photopea/Pixlr bring serious editing to mobile devices and browsers, extending your workflow beyond the desktop.

Whether you’re a seasoned pro or an enthusiast, one of these software packages will meet your needs. Many photographers use a combination – for example, cataloging in Lightroom, heavy edits in Photoshop, and quick tasks in Snapseed. The best choice depends on your workflow, budget, and desired features.

FAQs

Q: What is the best photo editing software for professionals?
A: For all-around professional use, Adobe Photoshop (with Lightroom Classic) is still the industry gold standard. It offers the widest array of tools (layers, compositing, retouching) and regular AI-powered updates. However, excellent alternatives exist: Capture One (best RAW/color), Affinity Photo (one-time purchase), and Luminar Neo (AI-driven). The “best” software depends on your specific needs (e.g. RAW handling, price, speed).

Q: Are there any free photo editing apps or tools for professionals?
A: Yes. GIMP is a free, open-source editor with many Photoshop-like featuresgimp.org. Photopea is a free web-based editor (runs in a browser) that can open PSD and RAW filesphotopea.com. Snapseed is a free mobile app by Google with pro-level toolsapps.apple.com. For pure RAW development, RawTherapee and Darktable are free desktop options (DCW notes RawTherapee rivals Lightroomdigitalcameraworld.com). These tools may lack some high-end features, but they can handle serious work without cost.

Q: What photo editing software should I use for RAW images?
A: The top RAW editors include Adobe Lightroom Classic, Capture One Pro, and DxO PhotoLab. They all offer advanced demosaicing and noise reduction. For example, DxO PhotoLab is praised as “one of the best RAW processing tools you can buy”digitalcameraworld.com. Lightroom provides excellent integration and AI-denoisedigitalcameraworld.com, while Capture One delivers exceptional color and tethered capturethemframes.com. Choose based on your workflow: Lightroom for speed and cataloging, Capture One for ultimate quality (especially for studio/fashion), and DxO for specialized noise reduction.

Q: Do these software support cross-platform use?
A: Many do. Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom run on Windows and Mac (Photoshop also on iPad, soon Android). Affinity Photo is multi-platform (Win, Mac, iPad)techradar.com. GIMP and RawTherapee support Windows, Mac, and Linuxgimp.org. Online editors like Photopea/Pixlr work on any device via browser. ON1 Photo RAW and Luminar work on Win/Mac (Luminar also has a mobile companion). If you switch between different OS or want the same app on desktop/mobile, check the software’s platform list (for example, Affinity clearly states Mac & PCtechradar.com).

Q: Which software is best for portrait retouching?
A: Adobe Lightroom/Photoshop are strong contenders, with powerful portrait retouch and skin-smoothing tools. Dedicated plugins like PortraitPro or Imagenomic Portraiture are also used by pros (though paid). Among AI-driven editors, Luminar Neo and ON1 Photo RAW have robust portrait AI (skin and eye enhancements). Google’s Snapseed even includes a Face Enhance filter for quick fixes. Radiant Photo (mentioned by DCW) is another AI tool geared towards portrait editingdigitalcameraworld.com. In short, most high-end editors now include portrait-specific features – choose the one that fits your workflow.

Q: What online or mobile photo editor tools are recommended?
A: For browser-based editing, Photopea and Pixlr are top choices. They run in any browser with no installation. Photopea fully supports PSD and RAWphotopea.com; Pixlr is noted as a “cloud-based photo editor” with AI-powered toolspixlr.com. For mobile, Snapseed (iOS/Android) is a complete, free editorapps.apple.com. Adobe also offers Photoshop Express and Lightroom Mobile for smartphones/tablets. Canva (web/mobile) isn’t as powerful for raw edits but is excellent for quick design and social media graphics.

Q: How can I share or get more tips?
A: If this article helped you, feel free to share it on social media! We love hearing from readers – drop a comment below about your favorite photo editing tools or any questions you have. Engaging with the community helps everyone learn.

Each of these photo editing programs has its own strengths. By choosing the right one (or combination) for your workflow, you can produce professional, eye-catching images with efficiency. Happy editing!