Top photo editing software

To dive into the world of image manipulation and bring your visual stories to life, understanding the top photo editing software options is key.

Whether you’re a beginner just starting out or a seasoned professional looking for advanced tools, there’s a perfect fit for your needs and budget.

Picking the right software can significantly impact your workflow, creative output, and even your overall enjoyment of the process.

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Let’s break down the best photo editing software available today, covering everything from top photo editing software for Mac to the best photo editing software for beginners free, and even the top photo editing software free options that truly deliver.

We’ll also touch on popular discussions like “best photo editing software Reddit” to give you a well-rounded perspective as we explore the best photo editing software 2024 has to offer, including solutions for iPad users and the best photo editing software for Mac free choices.

Understanding Your Photo Editing Needs

Before you even think about downloading software, take a moment to understand what you actually need from a photo editor. It’s like buying a car. you wouldn’t get a sports car for off-roading, right? The “best” software is truly subjective and depends entirely on your specific goals, skill level, and the operating system you’re using. Are you a casual photographer who just wants to fix a few blemishes and crop some vacation shots? Or are you a professional working with RAW files, complex composites, and intricate retouching? This fundamental assessment will narrow down your choices significantly.

Identifying Your Skill Level

• Beginner: You’re looking for simplicity, intuitive interfaces, and automated tools. Think presets, one-click enhancements, and guided edits. Learning curves should be gentle.
• Intermediate: You understand basic editing concepts layers, masks, adjustments and want more control without getting bogged down in overly complex features. You might be dabbling in creative effects.
• Advanced/Professional: You need full control, non-destructive editing, advanced retouching tools, color grading capabilities, and workflow efficiency for large batches of images. RAW file support is crucial.

Defining Your Usage and Workflow

• Casual Snapper: Editing family photos, social media posts. Speed and ease of use are paramount.
• Hobbyist Photographer: Improving personal photography, artistic expression. Might spend more time on individual images.
• Content Creator/Blogger: Need consistent branding, quick edits for web use, maybe some graphic design elements.
• Professional Photographer: High volume of images, client work, meticulous retouching, print-ready output. Workflow efficiency and precise control are essential.

Considering Your Operating System

• Windows: Broadest range of software, from consumer-level to professional. Many free options.
• macOS: Strong ecosystem with powerful native apps, excellent color management. Many top photo editing software for Mac options are optimized for Apple hardware.
• iPad/Tablet: Mobile-first editing, often touch-optimized interfaces. Best photo editing software for iPad can be quite powerful for on-the-go work.
• Linux: Fewer dedicated professional options, but powerful open-source alternatives exist.

Industry Standard Powerhouses: Adobe Photoshop & Lightroom

When you talk about top photo editing software, Adobe’s ecosystem almost always comes up first.

Photoshop and Lightroom are the undisputed giants, largely due to their comprehensive feature sets, industry adoption, and continuous innovation.

They represent the gold standard for many professionals.

Adobe Photoshop: The Ultimate Creative Tool

• Purpose: Pixel-level manipulation, compositing, graphic design, advanced retouching, digital painting. If you can dream it, Photoshop can probably do it.
• Key Features:
  • Layers and Masks: Non-destructive editing is central to Photoshop’s power, allowing infinite creative freedom without permanently altering your original image.
  • Selection Tools: From the Magic Wand to the AI-powered Subject Select, Photoshop offers unparalleled precision in isolating elements.
  • Retouching Tools: Healing Brush, Clone Stamp, Content-Aware Fill are essential for professional portrait and product retouching.
  • Advanced Filters & Effects: Extensive library of filters and effects, plus the ability to create and apply custom ones.
  • 3D Capabilities: While not its primary focus, Photoshop can work with 3D objects.
  • Generative AI Firefly: A recent addition, allowing users to generate content from text prompts, expanding creative possibilities exponentially.
• Pros: Unmatched power and versatility, deep integration with other Adobe apps, vast community resources and tutorials, constant updates.
• Cons: Subscription-based Creative Cloud, steep learning curve for beginners, can be resource-intensive.
• Use Case: Professional photographers especially portrait, product, fashion, graphic designers, digital artists, retouchers, anyone needing ultimate control over every pixel.

Adobe Lightroom Classic & Cloud: The Photographer’s Workflow Hub

• Purpose: Photo management, RAW processing, non-destructive global and local adjustments, batch editing, organization.
  • Non-Destructive RAW Processing: Edits are stored as instructions, preserving the original file. This is crucial for maintaining image quality.
  • Cataloging & Organization: Powerful tools for tagging, rating, flagging, and keyword searching, making it easy to find specific images even in massive libraries e.g., 100,000+ photos.
  • Global & Local Adjustments: Comprehensive sliders for exposure, contrast, white balance, color grading, plus local adjustments via brushes, gradients, and radial filters.
  • Presets: Apply consistent looks quickly across multiple images. Thousands of free and paid presets available.
  • Syncing Lightroom Cloud: Seamless synchronization across desktop, mobile, and web, making it ideal for the best photo editing software for iPad users.
• Pros: Excellent for photographers needing a robust workflow, superior RAW processing, intuitive interface for adjustments, powerful organizational tools, seamless cloud integration.
• Cons: Subscription-based, not for pixel-level manipulation that’s Photoshop’s job, can feel slow with very large catalogs if hardware isn’t optimal.
• Use Case: Photographers of all levels who shoot in RAW and need a streamlined process for importing, organizing, editing, and exporting large volumes of images.

Top Contenders & Professional Alternatives

While Adobe dominates, several other software options offer compelling features, unique strengths, and sometimes, a more budget-friendly approach.

These are often strong contenders for the best photo editing software for Mac users or those seeking a one-time purchase.

Affinity Photo: The Photoshop Challenger

• Purpose: A powerful, affordable alternative to Photoshop for pixel-level editing, compositing, and retouching.
  • Non-Destructive Live Filters: Apply filters that can be adjusted or removed at any time.
  • RAW Editing: Robust RAW processing capabilities, allowing you to get the most out of your camera’s files.
  • Comprehensive Tools: Layers, masks, selection tools, retouching brushes, focus merging, HDR tone mapping.
  • Persona-Based Workflow: Switches between different “personas” for photo editing, tone mapping, liquify, and export.
  • One-Time Purchase: A significant advantage over subscription models.
• Pros: Professional-grade features at a one-time cost, excellent performance, intuitive interface for those familiar with similar tools, great for Mac users.
• Cons: No integrated photo management like Lightroom, smaller community/third-party plugin ecosystem compared to Photoshop.
• Use Case: Professionals or serious hobbyists who want Photoshop-level power without the subscription, especially popular as a top photo editing software for Mac.

Corel PaintShop Pro: Feature-Rich & Affordable

• Purpose: A comprehensive image editor often positioned as a direct competitor to Photoshop, offering a vast array of tools for editing, graphic design, and artistic creation, especially for Windows users.
  • Extensive Editing Tools: Layers, masks, selection tools, brushes, drawing tools, and a wide range of adjustment layers.
  • AI-Powered Tools: Includes AI Denoise, AI Upsampling, AI Artifact Removal, and AI Style Transfer for quick, intelligent enhancements.
  • One-Click Fixes & Presets: Offers quick options for beginners, alongside deep manual controls for advanced users.
  • Photo Management: Built-in tools for organizing and browsing your image library.
  • HDR, Panoramas, & Compositing: Capabilities for advanced photographic techniques.
  • Non-Destructive Editing: Supports non-destructive layers and adjustments.
  • Perpetual License: You buy it once and own it, unlike subscription services.
• Pros: Excellent value for money, robust feature set that rivals more expensive software, user-friendly interface with different workspaces for beginners and pros, strong community support. A great option for those looking for powerful software without an ongoing subscription. Don’t forget to check out the 👉 PaintShop Pro 15% OFF Coupon Limited Time FREE TRIAL Included for a fantastic deal and a chance to try it out!
• Cons: Primarily Windows-focused no macOS version, some users find the interface a bit dated compared to modern alternatives, can be overwhelming for absolute beginners due to the sheer number of features.
• Use Case: Windows users seeking a powerful, comprehensive photo editor with a one-time purchase, hobbyists looking to grow their skills, small businesses needing both photo editing and basic graphic design capabilities.

Capture One Pro: The RAW Workflow Specialist

• Purpose: High-end RAW converter and tethered shooting software, favored by many professional studio photographers for its superior image quality and color handling.
  • Industry-Leading RAW Processing: Known for its exceptional color rendition and detail extraction from RAW files.
  • Advanced Color Editor: Precise control over specific color ranges, allowing for nuanced adjustments.
  • Layers and Masks: Non-destructive local adjustments with powerful masking tools.
  • Tethered Capture: Unrivaled performance for shooting directly into the software, a staple for studio photography.
  • Session-Based Workflow: Ideal for managing individual shoots.
• Pros: Superb image quality, powerful color grading tools, robust tethering, excellent for professional studio work.
• Cons: Expensive subscription or perpetual license, steeper learning curve than Lightroom for some, less robust cataloging for massive libraries compared to Lightroom.
• Use Case: Professional studio photographers, fashion photographers, product photographers, and anyone who prioritizes the absolute best RAW processing and color control.

Best Photo Editing Software for Beginners & Casual Users

Not everyone needs a supercomputer to edit photos.

For those just starting, or who only need quick fixes, there are fantastic intuitive options, many of which are free.

These often focus on ease of use and automated enhancements.

GIMP: The Powerful Free & Open-Source Option

• Purpose: A free and open-source image editor that provides many capabilities found in Photoshop, making it a strong contender for “best photo editing software free.”
  • Layers and Masks: Supports complex non-destructive editing.
  • Selection Tools: A good range of selection methods for isolating parts of an image.
  • Retouching Tools: Healing tools, clone stamp, and various brushes.
  • Extensible: Supports a wide array of plugins and scripts to expand functionality.
  • Cross-Platform: Available on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
• Pros: Absolutely free, highly customizable, large and active community, good for learning core editing concepts.
• Cons: Can be overwhelming for complete beginners due to its interface, steep learning curve compared to more simplified free tools, some advanced features might be less polished than paid alternatives.
• Use Case: Users on a budget, students, Linux users, anyone wanting to learn advanced editing principles without the financial commitment, and a strong option for the best photo editing software free.

Photopea: Online & Powerful

• Purpose: A free, web-based photo editor that closely mimics Adobe Photoshop’s interface and functionality, accessible directly in your browser.
  • Photoshop-like Interface: Familiar layout makes it easy for Photoshop users to transition.
  • Layer Support: Full layer and masking capabilities.
  • File Compatibility: Opens and saves PSD, XCF GIMP, Sketch, XD, and CDR files.
  • No Download Needed: Runs entirely in your web browser.
• Pros: Free, no installation required, very powerful for a web-based tool, excellent file format support.
• Cons: Requires a stable internet connection, can be slower than desktop software, ad-supported unless you subscribe.
• Use Case: Quick edits on any computer, users who can’t install software, students, and those looking for a free Photoshop alternative that runs in the browser.

Canva: Design-Focused & User-Friendly

• Purpose: Primarily a graphic design tool, but its photo editing capabilities are excellent for quick, social media-ready enhancements and template-based designs.
  • Drag-and-Drop Interface: Extremely easy to use for beginners.
  • Templates: Thousands of pre-designed templates for social media, presentations, and more.
  • Basic Photo Adjustments: Crop, resize, filters, brightness, contrast, saturation.
  • Background Remover: A popular feature for quickly isolating subjects.
  • Stock Photos & Elements: Access to a vast library of free and paid assets.
• Pros: Incredibly easy to learn, perfect for social media content, robust free tier, strong collaboration features.
• Cons: Limited advanced photo editing features compared to dedicated editors, not ideal for professional photo retouching or RAW processing.
• Use Case: Social media managers, bloggers, small business owners, anyone needing quick visual content creation and basic photo adjustments.

Top Photo Editing Software for Mobile & iPad

Mobile editing has come a long way, with many powerful apps available for smartphones and tablets. Nef to jpg converter software for windows 10

The best photo editing software for iPad can sometimes rival desktop experiences, offering touch-optimized interfaces and surprising depth.

Adobe Lightroom Mobile: Professional Editing On-the-Go

• Purpose: A streamlined version of desktop Lightroom, offering powerful RAW editing and organization on mobile devices, often considered the best photo editing software for iPad.
  • RAW Support: Edit RAW files directly on your device.
  • Presets & Profiles: Apply looks quickly, with cloud syncing.
  • Local Adjustments: Brushes, gradients, and radial filters for precise adjustments.
  • Cloud Syncing: Edits made on mobile sync seamlessly with desktop Lightroom.
  • Intuitive Touch Interface: Designed specifically for mobile interaction.
• Pros: Professional-grade editing on mobile, excellent syncing capabilities, familiar interface for Lightroom desktop users, robust set of tools.
• Cons: Some advanced features from desktop are absent, requires an Adobe Creative Cloud subscription for full functionality though a robust free tier exists.
• Use Case: Photographers who need to edit and organize photos on the go, those using an iPad as their primary editing device, professional photographers who want to start their workflow away from the desktop.

Snapseed: Google’s Free Mobile Powerhouse

• Purpose: A free, comprehensive mobile photo editor from Google, packed with intuitive tools for a wide range of adjustments.
  • Selective Adjustments: Unique U-Point technology allows for precise adjustments to specific areas of an image without complex masks.
  • Healing Brush: For removing small imperfections.
  • Perspective Correction: Fix skewed lines and angles.
  • Extensive Filters & Effects: Many creative options.
  • RAW Support: Can edit DNG RAW files.
• Pros: Free, powerful, highly intuitive interface, excellent selective adjustment tools, no ads.
• Cons: No cloud syncing, not designed for batch processing, less emphasis on organization.
• Use Case: Casual photographers, social media enthusiasts, anyone looking for a powerful and free mobile editor.

PicsArt Photo & Video Editor: Creative & Community-Driven

• Purpose: A popular all-in-one mobile editor for photos and videos, known for its creative effects, stickers, and community features.
  • AI Tools: Background remover, AI filters, AI enhance.
  • Collage Maker: Easy creation of photo collages.
  • Stickers & Overlays: Huge library of creative assets.
  • Drawing Tools: Digital art capabilities.
  • Replay Feature: Learn from others’ edits.
• Pros: Highly creative, huge community, vast library of assets, great for social media content.
• Cons: Many features are behind a paywall PicsArt Gold subscription, can feel cluttered with too many options, focuses more on trendy effects than pure photo realism.
• Use Case: Social media influencers, content creators, young users, anyone who enjoys adding creative flair and trendy effects to their photos and videos.

Free Photo Editing Software: Powerful Options on a Budget

The idea that “free” means “bad” is simply outdated in the world of software.

Many free photo editing software options offer incredibly robust features that can handle everything from basic touch-ups to surprisingly complex manipulations.

Darktable: Open-Source Lightroom Alternative

• Purpose: A free and open-source photography workflow application and RAW developer, often seen as a direct competitor to Adobe Lightroom Classic.
  • Non-Destructive RAW Editing: Comprehensive tools for processing RAW files, preserving original data.
  • Digital Light Table: Powerful organizational and cataloging tools for managing large image libraries.
  • Module-Based Editing: Offers a wide range of modules for adjustments exposure, color, sharpening, noise reduction, etc..
  • Masking & Blending: Advanced masking capabilities for local adjustments.
  • Tethered Shooting: Supports shooting directly into the software.
  • Cross-Platform: Available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
• Pros: Completely free and open-source, powerful RAW processing, extensive features for managing and editing photos, active development and community.
• Cons: Steeper learning curve than many beginner-friendly tools, interface can feel less polished than commercial alternatives, might require more system resources.
• Use Case: Serious hobbyists and professionals looking for a free, powerful, and customizable alternative to Lightroom for RAW workflow and photo management, especially popular among Linux users.

RawTherapee: Detailed RAW Processing

• Purpose: Another free and open-source RAW image processing program, known for its detailed control over image quality and its focus on fine-tuning RAW files.
  • Advanced Demosaicing Algorithms: Excellent at extracting detail from RAW files.
  • Extensive Color Management: Precise control over color profiles and rendering.
  • Local Adjustments: Via masking and gradient tools.
  • Batch Processing: Efficiently apply edits to multiple images.
  • Noise Reduction & Sharpening: Highly customizable algorithms.
• Pros: Free, exceptional RAW processing capabilities, very fine-grained control over image parameters, good for those who like to meticulously tweak their photos.
• Cons: Can be overwhelming for beginners due to the sheer number of options, less intuitive interface than some commercial tools, no integrated photo management.
• Use Case: Photographers who prioritize absolute control over RAW file development and image quality, users looking for a free alternative with deep technical capabilities.

Microsoft Photos Windows / Apple Photos macOS: Built-in Convenience

• Purpose: These are the default photo management and basic editing applications built into Windows and macOS, respectively. They offer simple tools for quick fixes and organization.
  • Automatic Enhancements: One-click improvements for brightness, contrast, and color.
  • Basic Edits: Crop, rotate, straighten, red-eye removal, basic adjustments.
  • Filters: Apply quick stylistic looks.
  • Organization: Basic tagging, album creation, and facial recognition.
  • Cloud Integration: Sync with OneDrive Microsoft Photos or iCloud Apple Photos.
• Pros: Free, pre-installed, extremely easy to use, great for basic photo management and quick touch-ups.
• Cons: Very limited advanced editing features, not suitable for professional work or RAW processing.
• Use Case: Casual users, anyone who just needs to browse, organize, and perform very simple edits on their personal photos.

Choosing the Best Photo Editing Software for Your Needs

Navigating the multitude of options can feel like a maze, but by applying a structured approach, you can pinpoint the software that aligns perfectly with your goals.

Think of it as investing in a tool for a specific craft.

Matching Software to Your Skill Level and Goals

• Absolute Beginner / Casual User: Start with built-in tools like Apple Photos or Microsoft Photos. For more oomph without cost, Snapseed mobile or Canva web-based for design are excellent. If you want a desktop option for simple edits and are looking for the best photo editing software for beginners free, GIMP can work if you’re patient, but Photopea offers a gentler learning curve if you’re familiar with Photoshop’s layout.
• Serious Hobbyist / Enthusiast: This is where you might consider a perpetual license. Affinity Photo offers Photoshop-level power without the subscription, and Corel PaintShop Pro is a fantastic, feature-rich choice for Windows users looking for value. For RAW workflow, Darktable or RawTherapee are powerful free options, while Lightroom Classic subscription remains a top choice for its integrated workflow.
• Professional / Advanced User: Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom Classic often purchased as a bundle are the industry standard for a reason. Capture One Pro is indispensable for studio photographers prioritizing tethering and RAW quality. Affinity Photo also holds its own for professional use, especially for those adverse to subscriptions.

Cost Considerations: Subscription vs. One-Time Purchase

• Subscriptions e.g., Adobe Creative Cloud:
  • Pros: Always have the latest version, cloud storage, access to a suite of integrated apps, often includes mobile versions.
  • Cons: Ongoing cost, can be expensive over time, you stop having access if you stop paying.
• One-Time Purchase e.g., Affinity Photo, Corel PaintShop Pro:
  • Pros: Own the software forever, no recurring payments, cost-effective in the long run.
  • Cons: Might need to pay for major upgrades to get new features, no cloud integration unless offered by the software itself, less frequent updates.
• Free Software e.g., GIMP, Darktable, Snapseed, Photopea:
  • Pros: Zero cost, often community-driven development, great for learning.
  • Cons: Can have steeper learning curves, interfaces might be less polished, might lack certain high-end features or dedicated support.

Hardware Requirements

• RAM: 8GB is a minimum for casual editing. 16GB is recommended for serious work. 32GB+ is ideal for heavy Photoshop use or large RAW files.
• Processor: A modern multi-core processor Intel i5/i7/i9 or AMD Ryzen 5/7/9 is crucial for speed.
• Storage: SSD Solid State Drive is a must for the operating system and active projects. external HDDs can be used for archival.
• Graphics Card GPU: A dedicated GPU with at least 4GB VRAM significantly speeds up many editing tasks, especially in Photoshop and Lightroom.
• Monitor: A color-calibrated monitor is essential for accurate color work.

Consider these factors as you weigh your options for the top photo editing software, and remember that even the best tools are only as good as the hand that wields them.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best photo editing software overall?

The “best” overall photo editing software is subjective, but for professionals and advanced hobbyists, Adobe Photoshop for pixel-level work and compositing and Adobe Lightroom Classic for RAW processing and workflow are generally considered the industry standard due often to their comprehensive feature sets and integration.

What is the top photo editing software for Mac?

For Mac users, Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom are top choices, performing exceptionally well. Affinity Photo is also an incredibly powerful and popular one-time purchase alternative, highly optimized for macOS. Apple’s native Photos app is excellent for basic needs.

What is the best photo editing software free?

For a powerful, free desktop alternative similar to Photoshop, GIMP is the go-to. For browser-based editing that mimics Photoshop, Photopea is outstanding. For RAW photo development and organization, Darktable and RawTherapee are robust open-source options. On mobile, Snapseed is a top-tier free choice.

What is the best photo editing software for beginners?

For beginners, Canva for graphic design and simple photo edits, Snapseed mobile, and the built-in Apple Photos or Microsoft Photos are excellent starting points due to their intuitive interfaces. Corel PaintShop Pro also offers beginner-friendly workspaces while still providing advanced tools for growth. Photo editing app for windows

Is Photoshop still the industry standard for photo editing?

Yes, Adobe Photoshop remains the industry standard for advanced image manipulation, retouching, and compositing, particularly in creative fields like graphic design, advertising, and professional photography.

Is Lightroom better than Photoshop for photo editing?

Lightroom and Photoshop serve different purposes. Lightroom is better for photo management, RAW processing, and batch editing, focusing on global and local photographic adjustments. Photoshop is better for pixel-level editing, complex compositing, graphic design, and intricate retouching. Many professionals use both in conjunction.

Can I edit photos on my iPad professionally?

Yes, with apps like Adobe Lightroom Mobile and Affinity Photo for iPad, you can perform professional-grade photo editing on an iPad, especially the Pro models. These apps offer robust features optimized for touch and Apple Pencil input.

What software do professional photographers use?

Professional photographers primarily use Adobe Lightroom Classic for RAW processing, cataloging, and workflow, and Adobe Photoshop for detailed retouching and compositing. Many also use Capture One Pro for high-end RAW conversion and tethered shooting.

Is Affinity Photo a good alternative to Photoshop?

Yes, Affinity Photo is widely considered an excellent, powerful, and affordable alternative to Photoshop, offering many of the same core features layers, masks, selection tools, retouching for a one-time purchase instead of a subscription.

What are the disadvantages of using free photo editing software?

While free software can be powerful, disadvantages might include a steeper learning curve, less intuitive interfaces, fewer features compared to paid professional tools, lack of dedicated customer support, and potentially less frequent updates or specific niche capabilities.

What is the best photo editing software for landscape photography?

How much RAM do I need for photo editing?

For casual photo editing, 8GB of RAM is a minimum. For serious hobbyists and professionals working with large RAW files or complex Photoshop documents, 16GB of RAM is recommended, and 32GB or more is ideal for optimal performance and multitasking.

What is the difference between destructive and non-destructive editing?

Non-destructive editing means your original image file is never altered. Edits are stored as layers, masks, or instructions, allowing you to modify or revert them at any time. Destructive editing directly alters the pixels of the original image, making changes permanent once saved without a history state. Non-destructive editing is generally preferred for flexibility.

Do I need a graphics card for photo editing?

While not strictly required for basic editing, a dedicated graphics card GPU with at least 4GB of VRAM significantly speeds up many processes in advanced photo editing software like Photoshop and Lightroom, including filter application, rendering, and AI-powered features.

Is Corel PaintShop Pro a good option?

Yes, Corel PaintShop Pro is a very good option, particularly for Windows users. It offers a comprehensive suite of photo editing and graphic design tools, including AI features, at a competitive one-time purchase price, making it a strong value proposition for both hobbyists and small businesses. Print photo like oil painting

What is the best photo editing software for beginners free Reddit often recommends?

On Reddit, for the “best photo editing software for beginners free,” GIMP is frequently mentioned as a powerful free Photoshop alternative, though with a steeper learning curve. Photopea is also highly recommended for its browser-based Photoshop-like interface. For simple mobile edits, Snapseed gets a lot of love.

Can I use my phone for professional photo editing?

While powerful mobile apps exist, using a phone for professional photo editing is generally limited by screen size, processing power for large files, and the precision required for high-end retouching. An iPad or dedicated desktop setup is usually preferred for professional work, though mobile apps are great for starting edits or social media content.

What is the best photo editing software 2024?

The best photo editing software in 2024 largely remains Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom for comprehensive professional needs. For alternatives, Affinity Photo and Capture One Pro continue to impress. For free options, GIMP, Darktable, and Photopea are leading the charge.

How important is RAW file support in photo editing software?

RAW file support is extremely important for serious photographers. RAW files contain all the uncompressed, unprocessed data from your camera’s sensor, providing significantly more latitude for adjustments to exposure, white balance, and color without degrading image quality, compared to compressed formats like JPEGs.

What should I look for in photo editing software for a beginner?

For a beginner, look for software with an intuitive interface, easy-to-understand tools, one-click enhancements/presets, and plenty of tutorials or community support. Focus on basic adjustments like cropping, exposure, contrast, and color correction, and non-destructive editing if possible.