Are you looking for the best free photo editor that will become a nice alternative to Lightroom and Photoshop? Then this article will be useful. Check out this list of 10 photo editors that you can install for free. All of them have a simple interface, powerful tools for color correction and basic image enhancement.
- GIMP
Alternatives: Paint.NET, Pixlr, Photoshop
GIMP is a free image editor. It will impress you with photo enhancement tools that are very similar to Photoshop CC. Additionally, the software has a large base for studying. This makes it one of the best free image editing apps among beginning photographers.
Along with it, GIMP is an open source photo editor. It means, there is an opportunity to adjust the software’s workflow in accordance with your preferences, fix available bugs and upload custom tools.
One of the biggest GIMP’s advantages is supporting RAW format images. Mind that you need to download all necessary updates before starting the program. Otherwise, you will not be able to open all file formats.
Actually, image improvement is a real pleasure as it has all the required tools for achieving a nice result fast. These tools are layers, custom brushes, filters and various actions. Moreover, the software supports numerous plug-ins.
- Paint.NET
Alternative: GIMP
Paint.NET is the best free photo editor or inexperienced users. People who have no idea of picture editing should definitely pay attention to it.
Unfortunately, the software doesn’t support RAW format. However, you can work with JPEG, TIFF and BMP images. By the way, conversion from one file to another is possible too.
The software’s interface is simple but outdated. In some way it resembles the earlier Photoshop versions. You may use and edit images with layers. It’s very useful for skin airbrushing.
Users can easily perform basic image editing, neutralize available skin defects, unwanted background defects and red eyes. In case you have a graphics tablet, working in Paint.NET will become a real pleasure for you.
- Photo Pos Pro
Alternatives: PhotoScape, Pixlr
Photo Pos Pro features everything that is necessary for performing top-quality image editing. This is one of the best free online photo editors that lets you enhance photos with layers, tools, effects and actions.
Additionally, the software supports PSD and RAW files. When you launch the program, you will see that its functions are similar to Adobe Photoshop.
Photo Pos Pro has a user-friendly interface in the dark design. You can also save the images in any desired format even in rarely used WMF and EMF.
Moreover, you can convert pictures to HTML and place them into your webpage or online portfolio.
- PIXLR
Alternative: Photoshop
Pixlr will definitely become your favorite app for image editing if you are looking for something similar to Photoshop. It has the same tools which you can adjust in accordance with your preferences.
This free image editor allows to fill, blur, highlight, blend and even transform the photo areas. Pixlr can process RAW files. This is its biggest advantage. But annoying ads are the software’s disadvantage.
If you want to edit photos quickly, you can use the Pixlr Express version. For example, adjust some values, trim the image, experiment with filters, add desired text, place some stickers, etc. By the way, the developers add new stickers, some of which are holiday-related.
In general, the app produces a pleasant impression. It is a good choice if you need to improve the photo in several clicks.
- PhotoScape
Alternatives: GIMP, Paint.NET
PhotoScape is one of the best free photo editors that combines several separate applications, which can please photographers and Instagram bloggers.
View, sort, edit or simply crop images and move on to other fun options, such as creating collages, GIFs or applying effects.
You can even perform actions with a bundle of photos, for example, rename all of them or apply the same settings.
Once you are done, the program offers various options for printing your photos: passports, calendars, templates, schedules, etc. You can turn screenshots into images, convert JPEG files to RAW and vice versa.
- piZap
Alternative: Fotor
PiZap is a free image editor that is available in HTML5 and Flash versions, making it suitable for any device. You can edit photos downloaded from your hard drive, Facebook, Google Photos, Google Drive, Google Search or from the stock images directory.
Although some stock images are available only to premium subscribers. You need to follow copyright issues if you use a picture directly from Google Images.
Like Fotor, piZap offers plenty of stickers, and many of them are available only with a paid account. All options have a funny cartoon aesthetics. There is the meme tool that adds custom text to the top and bottom of the images.
- iPiccy
Alternative: GIMP
Many users state that iPiccy is the best free picture editor. It has basic image editing functions, a simple design and creative collage templates. The program may remind you of BeFunky. However, it has a simpler look and can be called even a little bit old-fashioned.
Nevertheless, its toolkit is quite nice and offers you amazing capabilities for changing vibrancy, exposure and sharpness.
Among other tools are Background Removal, Dodge and Burn, Stamp Tool. They are absolutely free and work well.
- Fotor
Alternative: Ribbet
Fotor is used only for basic photo editing. If you are a beginner, you will be pleased with this graphics editor, as it offers all the necessary tools for color correction. However, if you decide to try Fotor, prepare to deal with tons of ads occupying your screen.
This free image editor has a convenient interface for beginners that contains 5 main toolbars. The first one includes basic functions such as cropping, moving, resizing, etc. The second toolbar has all the actions and filters you can use to make photos black and white, add highlights, darken them, etc.
Next, you can find the tools used for portrait editing. It allows you to add makeup, hide skin imperfections and adjust the complexion. Finally, Fotor offers simple tools for adding text, labels, etc. as all photo editing apps.
- Adobe Photoshop Express Editor
Alternative: iPiccy
Adobe Photoshop Express is one of the best free photo editing apps designed for beginners. It has an intuitive design. There are not only basic tools for color correction, such as shadows, brightness, saturation, sharpness editing, but also advanced ones, for example, elimination of minor skin defects or hair brushing.
You can use Photoshop Express without any additional plug-ins. Only the latest version of Flash Player is required. However, I do not like that this free photo editor has a size limit of JPG files. Mind that they should be no more than 16 megapixels.
After uploading a snapshot that meets these requirements, you can perform basic image editing, apply a filter or effect. Finally, feel free to share it with friends in social networks.
- BeFunky
Alternative: PiZap
BeFunky is a web-based photo editor with limited free functionality. This app offers all functions necessary for basic image editing: cropping, color correction, several filters and effects.
It is worth mentioning that you will have to deal with a bunch of ads while working in this photo editor. BeFunky has a large number of effects. However, most of them are accompanied by an asterisk, which means they are available on a paid subscription.
The picture editor is built on separate modules for combining collages and art designs, which may resemble Photoshop. Unfortunately, you need to purchase a $5 monthly subscription, if you want to access more advanced tools and remove ads.
