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Packed with cool features and tools, they allow you to enhance and adjust your photos in various ways.
Use anonline image editorto work directly from your internet tool.
To edit on your phone or tablet, try afree photo editing app.
If you only want toresize some photos, there are resources for that, too.
Inkscape
Cross-platform compatibility.
Large, active community; lots of help and tutorials available.
Excels at detailed drawing and line-specific editing.
No PMS or CMYK color support.
Rendering can take a while.
This is a great app when needing to editSVGfiles.
Nearly all the tools you’ll often be using are planted along both sides of Inkscape for easy access.
Circles, arcs, 3D boxes, ellipses, stars, spirals, and polygons can be created.
you’re able to also draw straight or freehand lines.
Tons of file types are supported, both when opening and saving.
Also, like most photo editing programs,Inkscape supports extensions.
It works with Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems.
The latest version requires at least Windows 7.
This app is filled with features, so it will take some time to learn the ins and outs.
Check outLearning Inkscapefor some tutorials.
GIMP
Similar to Photoshop in interface and capabilities.
Add-ons, including those created for Photoshop, add great functionality.
Generate files in all common image formats.
Interface not as sleek or pleasing as Photoshop.
Can be a bit buggy.
Lacks layer grouping, adjustment layers, and some other common Photoshop elements.
GIMP is likely the most popular free, open source image editor.
It’s full of professional features and provides a very friendly and flexible interface.
There aretutorials on the GIMP websitethat are super helpful.
Adobe Photoshop Express
Familiar interface for Photoshop users.
Control intensity of tool effects.
Of course, it is missing some of Photoshop’s features, but it still does a lot.
We like that some of the features feel similar to what’s possible with Photoshop.
There’s also a button you could click to quickly see the original photo for comparison with your edits.
Windows 11 and Windows 10 users can install Photoshop Express.
Start with a blank canvas or your own image.
Built-in folder viewer for finding your pictures.
Can’t easily duplicate layers.
This program does a great job of being easy to use while still squeezing in lots of awesome features.
It supports layers, so you might juggle multiple images, stickers, and shapes on a single canvas.
There’s a selection tool, pencil, shapes, blur brush, an auto enhancer, and more.
We love that there are zero ads; most apps can’t swing that.
Everything you see is free to use.
This program runs on Windows 11, 10, 8, and 7.
Darktable
Great for professionals.
Isn’t easy to use.
This one isn’t your typical photo editor.
This app definitely feels more appropriate for professional photographers than someone who just needs to perform a few edits.
We also like that Darktable supports automation andRAWimage formats.
This free image editor runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
I suggest looking through theDarktable user manualto learn about everything from the different view layouts to tethering and scripting.
Krita
Quick access to full-screen mode.
Particularly well-suited for comics and manga.
Lots of well-designed tools and brushes.
Tool prefs not easily accessible.
Lacks some features of other programs.
Krita is certainly an advanced image editor, but it’s not too difficult to work with.
One tip to mention as you jump into using this program involves theTabkey.
Krita works with Windows 11, 10, and 8; there’s also a portable version.
It runs on Linux and macOS 10.12 or higher as well.
Paint.NET
Lots of plugins available.
Clean, easy-to-use interface.
Good choice for intermediate users.
It’s for Windows only.
Lacks some advanced and commonly used features, such as burn and dodge.
It also provides plugins to support new file formats and add new effects.
Several image file formats like BMP, JPEG, TGA, and DDS are supported.
Starting with v4.4, only 64-bit versions of Windows 11 and Windows 10 are supported.
There’s also a portable version available if you’d rather not install it to your PC.
Artweaver Free
Full-featured and easy to use.
Good variety of brushes and effects.
Detailed brush control and higher performance aren’t free.
No Mac or Linux version.
Artweaver manages to include tons of useful image editing tools in an easy-to-use program.
The screen mode can be changed from regular to fullscreen to have even more room to edit images.
The website lists the minimum OS requirements as Windows 11, 10, 8, or 7.
Desktop app is for Windows only.
Pixia
Compatibile with common file formats.
Open files directly from clipboard, camera, and scanner.
Rich enough in features to satisfy advanced artists.
The latest 64-bit version was built for Windows 11, 10, and 8.
There’s a 32-bit version that works on Windows 7.
PhotoScape
Easy to use.
Compatible with both Windows and macOS.
Lacks functionality typical of other programs.
Only PhotoScape X still gets updated.
Another program attempts to install during setup.
