Best Photo Editing Software — every ranking, by use case and budget
Every editor here was bought or downloaded and used on the same shoot by the same team. Scores are locked before any affiliate link is added.
By use case indexed
In-depth photo editing software reviews
Adobe Lightroom Classic
The photographer's standard: the best catalogue, the widest camera and lens support, AI masking that works — and Photoshop in the same plan
Read Adobe Lightroom Classic ReviewON1 Photo RAW
Browser, RAW developer, layers, AI masking, noise reduction and effects in one app you can buy once — the closest single-purchase Lightroom replacement
Read ON1 Photo RAW ReviewAffinity Photo 2
A layer-based editor that does 90% of what Photoshop does, for $69.99 once — the Photoshop alternative that professionals actually use
Read Affinity Photo 2 ReviewDxO PhotoLab
The best RAW conversions and noise reduction we have seen — DeepPRIME XD — with lab-measured lens corrections for every body and lens combination
Read DxO PhotoLab ReviewLuminar Neo
One-click AI edits — sky replacement, relight, portrait bokeh, GenErase — that took our beginner from RAW to a finished landscape in minutes
Read Luminar Neo ReviewCapture One Pro
The studio photographer's tool: the best tethering, colour editing and skin tones, at the highest price in the ranking
Read Capture One Pro ReviewAdobe Photoshop
Still the deepest pixel editor there is, with Generative Fill and the best selection tools — buy it in the Photography plan, not alone
Read Adobe Photoshop ReviewGIMP
The free, open-source layer editor: capable of most Photoshop tasks if you are willing to work for them
Read GIMP ReviewGuides that send readers to these rankings
Leaving Adobe: The One-Time-Purchase Photo Editors That Actually Replace Lightroom and Photoshop
What each half of the Photography plan does, and the pairs of one-time apps from our test that cover both for under $200.
RAW vs JPEG, and Which Editor Each One Needs
Why RAW matters, which of the eight editors we tested develop it best, and the free options if you only shoot JPEG.