How to choose the best free photo editing software for you

The biggest downside to is that it is currently only available for Windows, so Mac users will have to consider alternatives. If you only need to make a few simple edits, is a much more straightforward option. While isn’t as powerful as rival GIMP, depending on what you plan to use it for, that could be considered a strength. There’s even support for layers, which can be rare with free photo editors, and the community has developed quite a few plugins and tutorials to make the program even more useful. Originally intended as a replacement for Microsoft Paint, (opens in new tab)retains its namesake’s simple, intuitive interface while adding several advanced photo editing features. While there is a paid Pro version of Canva that unlocks a few additional features (like the ability to isolate and delete a background), the free option is more than sufficient for beginners looking for an easy way to lift their marketing content.

And the numerous templates available to use, covering everything from social media posts to letterhead to brochures, are surprisingly high quality for a free website. However, it does offer a surprising amount of built-in filters and photo effects. So if you’re looking to remove a lot of blemishes or make other significant edits, Canva perhaps isn’t the right option for you. It’s worth noting that it’s not a full photo editor. If you want to up your brand’s Facebook or Instagram game but don’t have lots of time or money, Canva provides hundreds of gorgeous and easy-to-customize templates.

Canva (opens in new tab) is a browser-based photo editor geared towards generating polished and eye-catching social media posts and other marketing materials.

Free photo editor with layers and cut