The best photo editing software for mac: If you are a professional in photo editing and you have a Mac, you are probably wondering what the best programs that we can use to edit photos with the best possible tools are. Currently, there are many alternatives both in the Mac App Store and online, but the truth is that very few are found at zero cost and professional quality. Although, if you dedicate yourself to professional photographic editing, we are convinced that you will amortize the money that any of these applications will cost you.
Top Best Photo Editing Software for Mac
In this article, we are going to try to compile the Best Photo Editing Software for Mac so that you can see that there are many possible alternatives that we invite you to investigate.
1. PhotoScape
If you are not a professional editor, but you need to do some quick editing of ‘walk around the house,’ it does not matter that you invest in a professional application.
That is why we recommend a free app in macOS that is PhotoScape, a photo editor that is very easy to use, but that incorporates many tools to make your creations.
In addition to giving us the possibility of editing photographs, we can also create our own montages to set our website or a specific job. The truth is that it stands out for the possibility of editing the color of our images as if it were a professional tool but totally free. You can download PhotoScape X from the Mac App Store.
2. Pixelmator
If we go a couple later, we have Pixelmator, a photo editor that is not free but has a fairly affordable price. This application is designed for a much more professional user because it includes many more photo editing tools and has an iOS app that will allow us to continue our work on another platform such as an iPad Pro.
3. Affinity Photo
One of the best applications that we can find in macOS to edit photos is undoubtedly Affinity Photo for the number of professional tools that we find available. To give you an idea, this program directly confronts the Adobe suite equaling Photoshop so you can imagine the quality of work you can have.
Also, unlike Photoshop, which at the moment does not include an official version of its application on iOS, Affinity Photo incorporates an app compatible with the iPad so that you can edit like a professional thanks to Apple Pencil.
Affinity also offers some extremely interesting resources on its website, although obviously, the quality of this Best Photo Editing Software for Mac must be paid for. You can download Affinity Photo from the official website.
4. Polarr Photo Editor Pro
If you are a professional or a beginner in photo editing, Polarr is undoubtedly an application that must be on your Mac. If you are a beginner or an amateur in this field, you have numerous filters and self-executions of visual corrections that are incredible.
If you are a professional, you will not miss any type of tool because you will have layers of editing, color editing, light, detail, vignette. Also, you can also use artificial intelligence to adjust exposure and white balance. We indeed invite you to take a look at this application that may not be as well known but has incredible potential.
Currently, you can get this application through a single payment in the Mac App Store or through a fairly cheap subscription on its official website. Download Polarr Photo Editor Pro from the Mac App Store. Download the free version of Polarr Photo Editor from the Mac App Store.
5. Adobe Photoshop
The mention of Photoshop could not be missing in a compilation of this type, without a doubt, one of the best tools that we can currently find on the net to edit photographs. Although it is reaching quite high prices. We are already on the verge of seeing the iPad compatible application, something that will undoubtedly make many designers continue using this suite.
6. Gimp
Considered one of the main competitors of Photoshop, Gimp is a very complete image editor. It can be said that it offers very similar functionalities to other payment software of this type. However, Gimp is a free, open-source, and compatible with all major operating systems. Another of the main advantages of Gimp is that it is portable software, that is, it can be transported and installed from a USB memory. It is available in several languages.
7. Lightroom
Lightroom is another one of the Adobe family image editors and perhaps one of the most used by photographers. Lightroom lets you intensify colors, remove unwanted objects from a photo, straighten crooked images, create panoramas, etc.
With Lightroom, users can access images from their computer, iPad, iPhone, or Android. Also, it makes it possible to make modifications directly in the browser, which makes sharing them much easier. Compared to Photoshop, Lightroom has a simpler interface and, although it offers less advanced features, it is perfect for photography fans, since its use is much more intuitive.
8. Krita
Krita is a free and open-source digital painting and illustration tool, specially designed for artists, illustrators, etc. It offers a multitude of possibilities, and some can be found in other products, such as Gimp or Photoshop, but others are quite innovative.
Krita stands out for its user interface, which allows working intuitively; its brush stabilizers to improve the strokes; and its pop-up palette, which greatly facilitates the work. Compatible with Windows, Linux, and Mac OSX.
9. ImageForge Standard
ImageForge Standard is editing software that allows you to manipulate a wide variety of graphic files. It is possible to retouch images and create photo albums, drawings, animations, presentations, screensavers, etc. It also includes tools for treating color. ImageForge Standard is free, although a paid version is also available, which includes additional features.
10. Paint.net
Paint.net is a free image editor for Windows. Although it is not a well-known editor, Paint.net has interesting advantages. Its interface is very simple and intuitive, which makes editing work much easier (especially for users who have just started photography and have not previously worked with this type of software ).
One of its great advantages is that Paint.net has a wide range of filters and special effects, thanks to the possibility of installing a good number of plugins. Also, on the Paint.net website, it is possible to access forums and find different tutorials to get the most out of this editor.
11. LunaPic
LunaPic is an online image editor, allowing access from any device. LunaPic has interesting advantages since it is possible to upload images to the editor from a wide variety of platforms. It is possible to upload photos and edit them directly from Instagram, Facebook, Chrome, or, directly, from the computer.
The options are very numerous, which is surprising coming from an online editor. You can make different adjustments to images, write, and choose from a wide range of filters and effects. LunaPic is completely free. Once the image has been retouched, it can be saved again on the computer or shared on social networks. The image is downloaded automatically, and no watermark is included.
12. CorelDRAW X8
Considered by many to be Photoshop’s main competitor, Corel Draw X8 is available in 2 versions, CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X8, a professional tool for designing and editing photos and page layout.
And the CorelDRAW Home & Student Suite X8 version, the version for students, beginners, and amateurs that includes content and learning aids. CorelDRAW allows, in addition to retouching photography, creating logos, newsletters, content for social networks, etc. It is compatible with Windows 10 and favors the display on several monitors and 4K screens.
13. PhotoFiltre
PhotoFiltre is a simple photo editor, but it includes the basic functionalities to achieve good results. It is one of the most intuitive photography programs to use, allowing novice users to learn at their own pace. It includes more than 100 filters, in addition to the possibility of adjusting the brightness and contrast, a saturation of the image, etc. It also includes a module called “PhotoMasque,” which allows you to get the most out of your photos.
14. Polarr
Polarr is an image editor available for iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, Linux, Chrome and any other browser, which provides great flexibility, since it can be used from any computer or mobile device.
Also, if you want to download it to the computer, there are two options available: one completely free and the other paid. Polarr stands out for the simplicity of its interface and its tutorials, which facilitate its use. As for the editing tools, it includes, it is on a par with any other professional program, although it is true that, if you have to use all its features, you should access the paid version.
15. Hexels
Hexels is software that allows you to create illustrations in Pixel Art or pixelated art, a very fashionable style in the 80s and 90s, and which has come back again with great force. Available for Windows and Mac, Hexels is free, although it also has a paid version, which includes more drawing options, the possibility of adding effects, etc. With it, it is possible to work on a pixel-by-pixel grid, making it ideal for creating these types of jobs and letting your imagination run wild.
16. Darktable
Darktable is a photography editor designed especially for photographers. Comparable in performance to Adobe’s Lightroom, Darktable is an open-source program compatible with all operating systems.
It is a very complete tool, and it is organized in different modules so that it is possible to carry out basic image adjustments. Treat the color and tone of the photographs and retouch and correct image imperfections, as well as add a large number of effects, to give photos a more artistic touch.
17. Pixlr Desktop
Pixlr Desktop is an editor available for Windows and Mac that can be downloaded for free in its paid version, which adds even more functionalities.
Anyway, its free version is quite complete, since it allows you to make not only small touch-ups but also add effects, layers, or borders to any photograph. With the possibility of using more than 2 million combinations that make it possible to give a unique touch to each image. Plus, you can add text, mix two photos into one, and apply filters and effects to create authentic works of art.
18. PhotoPlus
It is a free photo editor for Windows, which stands out mainly for its ease of use. With PhotoPlus, it is possible to make those basic adjustments that every user needs to apply to their photographs: crop images, put them upright, remove red-eye from a portrait, etc. Also, PhotoPlus stands out for the options it offers to treat old photos, eliminating scratches, blurring marks, etc.
19. Photoscape X
Available for both Windows (including Windows 10) and Mac, Photoscape X is a very complete tool. It is possible to choose a free version for an unlimited time or, if you prefer, choose the paid version to enjoy all its features. With PhotoScape, you can edit images individually or in batches, combine multiple images to create a collage, create animated GIFs, apply filters and effects, cut photos into different sections, take screenshots, etc.
20. Fotor
Fotor is an online image editor that allows (completely free of charge) to edit images, create different collages or designs for greeting cards, covers, social networks, etc.
The photo editing mode includes everything you need to make the basic adjustments to any photo: make small adjustments, remove red eyes, adjust skin tone, crop and rotate the image, etc. Only the editing mode is on par with any other professional program. But, also, it is possible to create different collages, directly, in the browser, or to make unique creations by adding filters, text, and different effects. One of the easiest to use and most comprehensive online Best Photo Editing Software for Mac.
21. Aviary
Aviary is Adobe’s online image editor. This is a free tool that has become quite popular as it is very easy to use. You only need to upload a photo to start editing. It is very similar to Pixlr, but it stands out for the speed with which it can work. It offers the ability to add frames and effects, make small adjustments to portraits and add text or drawings, and even has an option to create memes.
Image and photo editing have come a long way in recent years. In addition to photography and design professionals, more and more users are interested in retouching images, which has led to the emergence of different alternatives to adapt to different levels.
Now, it is possible to find from very simple editors to other more complex programs that require experience and knowledge, if you want to obtain good results. In addition to different options and payment plans that fit all budgets. It is only necessary to find the option that suits the needs of each user.
Conclusion
The tools that Photoshop offers are many, and it allows us to do anything with our images or any montage to make covers. It is the quintessential tool for any lover of digital design and photography in general.
