Best Photo Editing Software in 2026
Photo editing workflows can range from quick batch adjustments to precise work on RAW files, layers, and masks. The ranking compares AI retouching, batch editing, cloud sync, layer editing, masking tools, platform availability, and RAW photo support, along with free plans and paid starting prices. Fotor, Cutout.Pro, and Adobe Lightroom lead the entries, followed by PhotoDirector and darktable. Consider the image formats you handle and the level of control your edits require. Then weigh whether cloud sync or a particular platform matters to your workflow, and use the plan details to compare the options against your budget.
145 photo editing software ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
| # | Platform | Score | Why | From | Free plan | Paid from | Platform | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fotor | 8.5 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | Free | Yes | — | multi-platform | View |
| 2 |  Cutout.Pro | 8.0 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | $4.99/mo | Yes | $5/mo | iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, Linux, web | View |
| 3 | Adobe Lightroom | 7.4 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | Free | Yes | — | multi-platform | View |
| 4 | PhotoDirector | 7.4 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | $119.99/mo | Yes | — | multi-platform | View |
| 5 |  darktable | 7.3 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | Free | Yes | — | multi-platform | View |
| 6 | Photopea | 7.3 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | $37.50/mo | Yes | — | web | View |
| 7 | Darkroom | 7.2 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | $3.33/mo | Yes | — | multi-platform | View |
| 8 | Pixlr | 7.2 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | $0.17/mo | Yes | $1.99/mo | multi-platform | View |
| 9 | ImageMagick | 7.2 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | Free | Yes | — | — | View |
| 10 | VSCO | 7.1 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | $0.21/mo | Yes | $2.49/mo | multi-platform | View |
| 11 | Adobe Creative Cloud | 7.1 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | Free | Yes | — | — | View |
| 12 | Evoto AI | 7.1 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | $6.67/mo | Yes | — | — | View |
| 13 | Affinity Photo | 7.0 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | Free | Yes | — | desktop | View |
| 14 |  GIMP | 7.0 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | Free | Yes | — | multi-platform | View |
| 15 | ART | 7.0 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | Free | Yes | — | multi-platform | View |
| 16 | Picsart | 7.0 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | $10.50/mo | Yes | $10.50/mo | multi-platform | View |
| 17 | Photoroom | 7.0 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | Free | Yes | — | multi-platform | View |
| 18 |  RawTherapee | 7.0 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | Free | Yes | — | desktop | View |
| 19 | Capture One | 6.9 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | No | — | multi-platform | View |
| 20 |  PaintFE | 6.9 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | Free | Yes | — | multi-platform | View |
| 21 | BeFunky | 6.9 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | $6.99/mo | Yes | $6.99/mo | multi-platform | View |
| 22 | Adobe Photoshop | 6.8 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | No | — | multi-platform | View |
| 23 |  RapidRAW | 6.8 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | Free | Yes | — | multi-platform | View |
| 24 | Canon Digital Photo Professional | 6.8 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | Free | Yes | — | desktop | View |
| 25 |  Picktorial | 6.8 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | $15/mo | Yes | — | desktop | View |
Is your platform on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored. They are labelled, and the editorial order and scores never change for payment.
Questions about this list
Which photo editing software is ranked first on Inferse?
Fotor is ranked #1 of 145 with a score of 8.5. Cutout.Pro is second and Adobe Lightroom third.
How many of these have a free plan?
23 of the 25 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
Which is the cheapest paid option?
On this page, Pixlr has the lowest first paid tier we found: $0.17/mo.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked on what each maker publishes, open and connectable first: a public API, open-source code, the depth of its documentation and a free tier to try it on. Model lists are sorted by the figure in their title, exactly as each provider publishes it. Paid placements never change a rank.