Smartphone cameras have definitely made it easier for everyone to take great photos, but if you’re looking to take your photography to the next level, you’ll need a PC photo editing app. Luckily, there are plenty of great options out there, and we’ve rounded up the best of the best for you.
Here are the best 10 free photo editing apps for PC in 2023:
GIMP
Image Credit GIMP
A powerful and feature-rich open-source image editing software, GIMP offers a vast array of tools and functions to enhance, retouch, and manipulate images. Its wide range of features, such as support for layers, masks, and brushes, make it a great alternative to Adobe Photoshop for those who want a free solution.
Pros
Open-source: GIMP is free, open-source software, which means that anyone can use it, modify it, and share it with others. This also makes it a great choice for those who don’t want to spend money on photo editing software.
Powerful editing tools: GIMP offers a wide range of editing tools, including support for layers, filters, and brushes, making it an ideal choice for advanced photo editing.
Large community of users: GIMP has a large community of users, making it easy to find help and support when you need it. There are also many online tutorials and forums available to help you get the most out of the software.
Customizable interface: The interface of GIMP can be customized to suit your specific needs, so you can arrange the tools and functions in a way that works best for you.
Cons
Steep learning curve: GIMP is a powerful photo editing app, which can make it a bit challenging to learn and use. It may take some time to get used to the interface and the editing tools, especially if you are a beginner.
Limited support for RAW image files: While GIMP does support RAW image files, the support is limited compared to other photo editing apps.
No automatic updates: As an open-source app, GIMP does not provide automatic updates, so you will need to manually check for updates and install them yourself.
A simple yet robust photo editing tool, Paint.NET offers a user-friendly interface and a wide range of tools and effects to enhance your photos. Its advanced features, such as layers and masks, make it a great option for intermediate to advanced users.
Pros
User-friendly interface: Paint.NET has a simple and intuitive interface that is easy to navigate, making it a great choice for beginners.
Basic editing tools: Paint.NET provides a range of basic editing tools, including support for layers, filters, and effects, making it an ideal choice for basic photo editing tasks.
Lightweight and fast: Paint.NET is a lightweight app that runs quickly and smoothly, making it a great choice for older PCs and laptops.
Regular updates: Paint.NET is regularly updated with new features and bug fixes, ensuring that it remains up-to-date and functional.
Cons
Limited advanced editing tools: While Paint.NET provides basic editing tools, it is not as feature-rich as other photo editing apps and may not be suitable for more advanced editing tasks.
No RAW image support: Paint.NET does not support RAW image files, so you may need to convert your images to another format before you can edit them.
Limited community support: As a relatively new photo editing app, Paint.NET has a smaller community of users and may not have as many online resources and tutorials as other photo editing apps.
It is a fast and lightweight image viewing and editing software. It’s great for quickly resizing, cropping, and adjusting images, as well as converting files to different formats.
Pros
Fast performance: IrfanView is a lightweight app that runs quickly and smoothly, making it an ideal choice for older PCs and laptops.
Comprehensive file format support: IrfanView supports a wide range of image file formats, including popular formats such as JPEG, PNG, and GIF.
Basic editing tools: IrfanView provides a range of basic editing tools, including support for cropping, resizing, and color correction, making it a great choice for basic photo editing tasks.
Plug-in support: IrfanView supports a range of plug-ins, which allows you to add additional features and functionality to the app.
Cons
Limited advanced editing tools: While IrfanView provides basic editing tools, it is not as feature-rich as other photo editing apps and may not be suitable for more advanced editing tasks.
Limited community support: IrfanView has a smaller community of users compared to other photo editing apps, which may make it more difficult to find help and support when you need it.
No RAW image support: IrfanView does not support RAW image files, so you may need to convert your images to another format before you can edit them.
A free photo editor for Windows, Photos cape X offers a wide range of features and effects to enhance your photos. It includes a batch processing function, which allows you to quickly edit multiple photos at once.
Pros
Comprehensive editing tools: PhotoScape X provides a wide range of editing tools, including support for layers, filters, and effects, making it a great choice for advanced photo editing tasks.
User-friendly interface: PhotoScape X has a simple and intuitive interface that is easy to navigate, making it a great choice for beginners and experienced users alike.
Regular updates: PhotoScape X is regularly updated with new features and bug fixes, ensuring that it remains up-to-date and functional.
Batch processing: PhotoScape X supports batch processing, allowing you to apply editing tools and effects to multiple photos at once.
Cons
Resource-intensive: PhotoScape X is a resource-intensive app that may run slower on older PCs and laptops.
Limited RAW image support: While PhotoScape X does support RAW image files, its support may be limited compared to other photo editing apps.
Steep learning curve: PhotoScape X provides a comprehensive set of editing tools, which can be overwhelming for beginners.
InPixio Photo Editor is a simple and easy-to-use photo editor that offers a range of tools and effects to enhance your photos. It’s great for those who want a quick and simple solution for enhancing their photos.
Pros
Easy to use with a user-friendly interface
Offers a variety of one-click effects and automatic correction options
Reasonable contrasted with other expert photograph altering programming
Cons
Limited editing tools compared to professional photo editing software
May produce less accurate results compared to manual editing
Some features may require a paid upgrade to unlock full functionality.
Overall, InPixio Photo Editor is a good choice for basic photo editing and quick touch-ups, but it may not be suitable for more advanced photo editing tasks.
RawTherapee is a free and open-source photo editing software specifically designed for processing RAW image files. It offers a range of advanced editing tools and functions, making it a great option for professional photographers and advanced users.
Pros
Offers a wide range of advanced editing tools and features
Free and open-source, making it accessible to a wider audience
Supports a wide variety of raw file formats, including those from Canon, Nikon, and Sony
Cons
Steep learning curve compared to more user-friendly photo editors
Interface can be complex and confusing, especially for inexperienced users
Darktable is a free and open-source photo editing software that offers advanced editing tools and functions, including support for RAW image files. It is designed for professional photographers and advanced users.
Pros
Offers extensive editing capabilities for RAW image files, including white balance correction, tone mapping, and selective adjustments.
Free and open-source, providing access to a wide range of users.
Has a large and active community of users who can provide support and contribute to the development of the software.
Cons
Steep learning curve, making it difficult for inexperienced users to quickly become proficient.
Interface can be complex and overwhelming, especially for users new to photo editing software
It is a free photo editing software that offers a range of editing tools and functions, including filters, adjustments, and effects. It is available for Windows, Mac, and mobile devices.
Pros
Offers a user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate, making it a good choice for novice users.
Provides a wide range of editing tools, including selective adjustments and filters.
Offers both free and paid versions, making it accessible to a wide range of users.
Cons
Limited support for RAW image files, making it less suitable for advanced photo editing tasks.
Paid version can be expensive compared to other photo editing software.
An elements might require a web association with work appropriately.
It is a free online photo editor that offers a range of advanced editing tools and functions, including support for Adobe Photoshop files. It is accessible from any web browser and is a great option for those who want a free alternative to Adobe Photoshop.
Pros
Offers a wide range of photo editing tools, including layer-based editing and support for a variety of file formats.
Allowed to utilize, making it open to many clients.
User-friendly interface that is easy to navigate, making it a good choice for novice users.
Cons
Limited support for RAW image files, making it less suitable for advanced photo editing tasks.
Can be slow to load and process large images, especially on older computers.
Some features may be limited in the free version, requiring a paid upgrade to unlock full functionality.
It is a free online photo editor that offers a range of editing tools and functions, including filters, adjustments, and effects. It is accessible from any web browser and is a great option for those who want a quick and simple solution for enhancing their photos.
Pros
Offers a wide range of photo editing tools, including filters, layer-based editing, and selective adjustments.
User-friendly interface that is easy to navigate, making it a good choice for novice users.
Offers both free and paid versions, making it accessible to a wide range of users.
Cons
Limited ability to work with and process high-resolution images, which may be an issue for professional photographers and advanced photo editors.
May not offer as many advanced editing tools and features as other photo editing software, such as layer masks or curves adjustments.
Limited support for third-party plugins or add-ons, which may limit the overall capabilities of the software.
When it comes to photo editing, GIMP, Paint.NET, and IrfanView are great options for those who want a free alternative to Adobe Photoshop. These apps offer a wide range of editing tools and functions, making them suitable for both beginner and advanced users.
For professional Quick and Easy users
For those who want a quick and simple solution for enhancing their photos, InPixio Photo Editor, Pixlr, and Photopea are great options. These apps offer a range of basic to advanced editing tools and functions, making them great for those who want to quickly enhance their photos without investing in a paid solution.
For professional photographers and advanced users
RawTherapee, darktable, and Polarr are great options. These apps offer advanced editing tools and functions, including support for RAW image files. They are designed to provide professional-level editing capabilities, making them ideal for those who need to process high-quality images.
Choose the Best Option
When choosing the best free photo editing app for your PC, it’s important to consider your specific needs and the level of experience you have with photo editing software. For those who are just starting out, a simple and user-friendly app like InPixio Photo Editor or Pixlr might be the best choice. For those who are more experienced and need advanced editing tools, GIMP, Paint.NET, or RawTherapee may be the better option.
It’s also important to consider the availability of tutorials and support for the app you choose. Some apps, like GIMP, offer a large community of users and a wealth of online resources to help you get the most out of the software. Others, like Photopea, offer online tutorials and a helpful community of users to answer any questions you may have.
Conclusion
In conclusion, whether you are a beginner or a professional photographer, there is a free photo editing app for your PC that is right for you. By considering your specific needs and level of experience, you can find an app that provides the editing tools and functions you need to enhance your photos and take your photography to the next level.
