The 9 best photo editing software in 2023

Do not hesitate to call on a professional graphic designer to touch up your photos and fully devote yourself to your activity.

Windows photo editing: the best free software

No need to invest in Photoshop to retouch your photos: whether you are a novice or an expert, you will find something to meet your needs among free software for Windows.

Upon evocation of image editing, a name flowers on everyone’s lips: Photoshop. And for good reason, this software developed by Adobe has been referring for chandeliers for professionals. Despite its many advantages and drawing functions, it does not constitute a possible solution for all. Its complexity can scare an unwavered audience while its paying subscription – nearly 300 euros per year ! – Discourage modest scholarships ..

Alas, on PC, you should not count on the integrated tools as standard in Windows, even for summary retouching: the venerable paint offers only the strict minimum to rework images while photos (on Windows 10) is above all active viewer. Fortunately, and not to mention online solutions that require an Internet connection, there are several completely free and very convincing photo editing applications for all profiles, from the novice to the expert. Here are the five best, classified from the simplest to the most complete.

Photoscape X: turnkey retouching

We do not yet count ten years of existence, but Photoscape X has already managed to make a place of choice on the photo retouching market. Initially released in 2013, the software has experienced a very active development since 2017, regularly presenting new functions and improvements. Described as “fun and intuitive”, he seduces an amateur audience unconvinced by the performance of his smartphone and/or little comfortable with the advanced settings of his digital camera.

In his desire to address everyone, Photoscape X opts for an extreme simplified interface, very different from the organization chosen by competition. Rather than dedicating your home page to the file creation and opening options, the software prefers to record all of its documentation. The tools are presented on video, promoting the grip of a program to the unusual arrangement. We specify here that tutorials and terminologies of functions are only available in English, not which can pose difficulties of general understanding.

The development of the worktop is no exception to the structural originality desired by Photoscape X. The menu bar emphasizes transformation objectives rather than categories of treatment tools. The files are directly accessible from the tree structure which adjoins the editing zone, and one cannot open and alternately modify several photos without applying them to all the same settings. A use limit reminiscent that Photoscape X has been designed for occasional, playful, rapid touch -ups, not for the in -depth processing of images, also evidenced by all the settings, effects and filters preconfigured.

Paint.Net: the improved paint successor

There was a time when Paint.net was just a student project and had to offer a simple alternative to Microsoft Paint. Today, this retouching software has clearly exceeded its primary objectives, integrating more advanced publishing options: reframing, layers management, lasso, magic wand, cloning buffer, effects, filters, red anti-yux, history of the history of Changes, etc. In fact, paint.net in fact a lot – and much more than its glorious ancestor.

With its modular interface, paint.net wants to be flexible in its organization. Each reogees tools around the publishing area according to their working habits. Nevertheless, its somewhat old-fashioned interface deconstance both amateurs looking for a playful and friendly solution, and those, more experienced, who are looking for intuitive software to the well-calibrated semi-professional structure.

Last asset, Paint.net is compatible with many plugins from the open source community thanks to which tools initially nonexistent are made a place in the native software functions.

Photofilter 7: The most scalable

Clearly oriented retouching and creation, Photofilter 7 is aimed at an intermediate audience, too experienced for Photoscape X, but intimidated by the references that are Photoshop or Gimp, for example. We especially appreciate its evolutionary character: by progressing, we continue to find an interest and functions adapted to its new requirements.

Photofiltre 7 is chewing around a classic interface – some will say old -fashioned … -, although a little too supplied: bars of quick menu and settings overcome the worktop. To the right of the interface, the elementary retouching tools remain within reach. Facilitating the handling of image files, the preview block located at the foot of the software allows you to navigate and quickly open the contents of a directory. The multiple edition is favored by the display in floating windows of the treated illustrations. We thus constantly keep the elements on which we work simultaneously.

We find in Photofiltre 7 of the advanced modification and treatment options that have made the reputation of other big names in the sector: layers management, cloning stamp, magic wand, masks, automatic filling to name a few. The numerous customizable settings and filters make it possible to correct the brightness, contrast, saturation, gamma, noise, texture in finesse. On the other hand, some automated tools such as the deletion of red eyes are missing (corrected by the combination of “Circle selection” + Distination) functions, as well as the care of vector images.

GIMP: A serious competitor to Photoshop

To understand Gimp, You must have reached a high level of expertise. For comparison, this free software offers functions very similar to those of Photoshop, offering possibilities for retouching, editing and advanced treatment. Nevertheless, despite its performance and free, the jostled organization of its interface often prejudice to a community already used to working with Adobe’s tools. From this observation were also born several open source patch projects for GIMP (Photogimp, for example) aimed at reducing the publisher’s interface to make it more accessible to the fans of Photoshop.

In its original version, GIMP is organized around a classic editing area surmounted by a menu bar, framed by a toolbox on the left, and a palette of adjustments on the right. Here, no floating windows, but a bar of tabs displaying the miniature of the image being published to find your way quickly. A multi -minded mode exists well (menu Windows > Uncheck Unique window mode), but above all it makes it possible to dissociate each module that makes up the interface (toolbox, settings, work areas), and thus control the software and its projects on several screens.

GIMP’s passage in version 2.10 marked a real turning point in the development of the software. The integration of the GEGL graphics engine, 32 -bit management, support for multithreading, webp compatibility, the use of GPU via OpenCl are among the major new products that propel it to the rank of essential retouching (semi). In terms of tools, we find the traditional layers and masks that the last version has expanded, customizable filters by the dozen, transformation modes and improved selection options while they were struggling to compete with those of Photoshop.

To all useful purposes, it will be added that Gimp is openly compatible with many open source plugins (C and Python) allowing to take advantage of tools and settings not available in the official version of software.

Darktable: the digital dark room

Many compare it to Lightroom, the price fewer. But if Darktable indeed presents similarities with the famous product of Adobe, it diverges on many other aspects and requires that we show flexibility to adapt to its very, many functions.

Above all, it is advisable to come back to what Darktable is, namely free software for non -destructive processing of raw data (RAW) of the digital camera sensor (APN), compatible secondly with HDR files and raster. In other words, Darktable allows you to develop numerically and correct your files as we would in a dark room with a silver film. For this purpose, we owe him a double interface composed of a light table (organization of images and dandruff, tags, colored labels) and a dark room.

It is from the dark room that you adjust your images and correct your files. To do this, Darktable has hierarchical modules according to the different stages of treatment: development (exposure, white balance, cropping, contrasts, correction of perspectives, etc.), Tonal values ​​(levels, tone curve, mapping), colors (channel blender, contrast and color correction), improvements (removal of hot pixels, noise reduction, sharpness, lens correction), effects (filters , grain, frames) and masks.

Darktable is therefore not retouching software in the strict sense of the term, but a semi-professional tool for raw image processing. As long as you are motivated and interested, it is not necessary to be an expert in digital development to get started with Darktable: with an active and passionate community, the project lists hundreds of tutorials pushed on its site official.

The 9 best photo editing software in 2023

Good photo software is able to make a poor photo breathtaking. If the filters of a social network like Instagram are not enough to enhance your photo, you can use a dedicated photo editing software with conventional or advanced features.

Mastering retouching software requires time. You can also call on a freelance graphic designer by depositing an advertisement on graphic designer.com to entrust your photo retouching to a professional.

Here is a selection of the best photo editing software to make your photos incredible.

1. Adobe Lightroom

This is one of the most efficient and popular photo editing software. Adobe Lightroom is also easy to use even for beginners. This paid software is available in two versions:

• Lightroom
• Lightroom Classic

The Lightroom Classic version allows the integration of powerful plug-ins.

Adobe products are considered a benchmark in image editing software. But what makes Adobe Lightroom so popular ?

First of all, the interface of this software is clear and simple to use, which is not the case with Photoshop which turns out to be more complex to use.

All your tools are centralized on a panel, which makes Lightroom very intuitive. Finally, once the software has been downloaded to your computer, you have access to a guided presentation of each module.

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2. Photoshop CC

The latest 2021 edition of Photoshop software is of course one of the best photo editing software available. Adobe Photoshop CC offers incredible features for exceptional photo renderings. If this software is difficult to use for beginners, it is precisely because of the number of features that it offers.

Photoshop requires patience, but once you have familiarized yourself with this photo editing software, you can create and record a personalized workspace. Even if this software seems difficult to master, a step -by -step approach will allow you to obtain high -quality images results.

3. Canvas Photo Editor

You probably know Canva, the famous graphic design platform. Canva Photo Editor is perfect for retouching your photos if you don’t have expertise in the matter at all. To use it, simply download your image and touch it up by resizing it, adding filters or even drawing on it directly.

This free editor will be of a precious help to retouching all your photos. It is very easy to use software, accessible to everyone but also efficient. Canvas Photo Editor presents basic functions but also advanced functions to retouch your images.

4. Pixlr

This powerful software to touch up photos has certain points in common with Photoshop. Pixlr can be used from your phone and offers a simplified version and a professional version. This is free online photo editing software that allows you to make retouching quickly and easily.

Pixlr offers a clear and intuitive interface and a multitude of advanced features that will be very useful to you to obtain professional results.

5. Gimp

Gimp is professional and free photo editing software. It has all the essential features to touch up your images. Its interface is clear and intuitive but also customizable. You can in particular customize the tools, color and widgets on your work interface.

GIMP is accessible to beginners and it includes an integrated file manager. This is a very good alternative to Lightroom or Photoshop to retouch your photos.

6. Picmonkey

Here is another photo editing software accessible online and perfect to develop your graphic design skills. Picmonkey allows you to edit your images, retouching them, reframing them or even making collages. Test a free trial to test all the Picmonkey features and make your creativity speak.

You can also use this software to add graphics and design superb images for your social networks or your website.

7. Photoscape X

You are a beginner in graphic design but you want to use advanced features worthy of Photoshop ? This free photo editing software is made for you. You can edit your photos on Photoscape and use advanced features such as filters, color selectors or stamps. This software also allows you to process images in lots.

You can watch video tutorials to learn how to use all photoscape x functions.

8. Luminar 4

Luminar uses artificial intelligence in photo editing. In particular, you can replace the sky with one click ! This photo editing software is a good alternative to Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop. There is also as a plug-in for Lightroom. Luminar is experiencing a rapid evolution with a multitude of image editing features including portrait optimization.

9. Movavi Photo Editor

This image touch -up software is easy to use and intuitive. Movavi offers conventional features but also more advanced functions. It allows, among other things, to restore old images and modify portraits by changing the color of the eyes or hair. Movavi is a complete and intuitive paid tool perfect for making your image touch -ups.

Conclusion

Test these photo editing software and choose the one that best suits your needs to create incredible images.

Do not hesitate to call on a professional graphic designer to touch up your photos and fully devote yourself to your activity.

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