Photo editing is a way of improving, modifying, or converting digital images using various software programs.
Editing photos can be done for several reasons including fixing defects, enhancing aesthetics, expressing one’s creativity, and also preparing photos for printing or sharing online.
In today’s world, numerous photo-editing software options are available in the market each offering unique advantages, features, and limitations.
Selecting the best one for oneself can be a daunting task especially if one is unsure about what to consider or what to anticipate from different programs.
Today we’ll guide you to select the best photo-editing software for your PC in 2023. We listed down some of the most popular and amazing software keeping based on their features, usability, cost, and user ratings.
We also offer some of our experts advice on how to use photo-editing software successfully and efficiently.
What to look for in photo editing software?
Before downloading or purchasing a specific photo editing software you must take a few factors into account. This factor will influence our level of desire and degree of happiness.
Below, some of the most important ones are covered in great detail.
Your skill level
Choose your photo editing software wisely as they can have simple or complex interfaces. You should go for software that offers more automation, control, and customization options.
Beginners should go for software that includes simple-to-use tools with instructive tutorials. Professionals can go for that supports raw files, layers masks, filters, and other kinds of stuff that they want in photo-editing software.
Your Budget
Photo-editing software comes with monthly or yearly subscription plans and they can cost up to several hundred dollars. Therefore one should also consider their budget and the value and quality of the program.
Your goals
Each of these photo editing software has its own function and set of goals. You should go with the software that meets your demands and concentrates on particular aspects of photo editing such as retouching, color correction, and design.
It is also important to consider hardware and software such as social media platforms, cameras, and printers.
The Best Photo Editing Software for PC in 2023
The following Five photo-editing software has been chosen as the top ones for PC in 2023 based on our analysis. We evaluated them based on various features such as usability, cost, customer feedback, and performance.
Adobe Lightroom
Verdict: Adobe Lightroom is widely regarded as the top choice when it comes to photo-editing software due to its exceptional cloud-based storage, seamless synchronization, and highly efficient photo workflow.
This remarkable tool offers a convenient and straightforward method for organizing, enhancing, and sharing your photos across various devices.
Features:
- Accepts raw files and other image formats
- Contains various features including filters, plugins, profiles, and presets
- Transform photos by cropping, resizing, and rotation
- Include basic tools for manipulating images, such as brushes, pen tools, shapes, text, gradients, and more
- Fix exposure, contrast, color, tone sharpness, and other parameters of photos
- Provide a variety of effects, styles, filters, and 3D objects
- Integrates easily with multiple Adobe products such as Photoshop Express, Illustrator, Premiere Pro, and Creative Cloud
- Use cloud sync to share photos across multiple devices
- Create web galleries, prints, slideshows, and albums
Ease of use:
- Requires little practice and expertise
- Has a simple and clean interface
- Provides useful tutorials, tips, and guides
Price:
- Adobe CC Photography Plan costs around ($9.99/month)
- Adobe CC All Apps Plan costs around ($52.99/month)
- Also comes with a 7-day free trial period
Customer reviews:
Average rating of 4.5/5 stars based on 1000 customers. The majority of users laud its usability, excellence, functionality, and cloud sync. However some complaints about the subscription model missing functionality and glitches.
Link: Adobe Lightroom
Adobe Photoshop
Verdict: Adobe Photoshop is found to be the best photo-editing software for photographers or professionals. It is also equipped with various tools including digital drawing, design, retouching, colour correction and image restoration.
Features:
- Supports a variety of image and raw file formats
- Offers advanced functionality such as layers, masks, filters and plugins
- Includes various bruises, pen tools, shapes, and other tools
- Also includes cropping, resizing, rotating and other operations
- Correct images with exposure, contrast, colour tone and other aspects
- Also easily integrates with other Adobe Products
Ease of use:
- Offers a challenging learning curve
- Requires a lot of practice and skill to master
- Complex and customizable interface for beginners
- Also offers useful learning tips and guides
Price:
Same as Adobe Lightroom
Customer reviews:
- Overall rating of 4.6 out of 5 based on 2000 reviews
- Most praise it for its adaptability, strength and excellent functionality
- Some criticize it for over complex
Link: Adobe Photoshop
Capture One Pro
Verdict: Capture One Pro is known for RAW processing in the Photo-editing world. It provides amazing color control, tethered shooting, and image quality.
Features:
- Also supports various image formats
- Include similar features like layers, masks, and filter plugins
- Include intelligent fill, heat, clone, patch, and move tool tools
- Provide various filters, effects, and 3D objects
Ease of use:
Comes with an intricate and customized interface
Requires a lot of skill and techniques
Price: Capture One Pro can be purchased once at ($299), every month at ($24) or annually around ($199). Additionally, a 30-day free trial period is also available.
Customer reviews:
4.5/5 based on 100 customers
Link: Capture One Pro
Affinity Photo
Verdict: For photo editors who are on a tight budget and looking for the best photo-editing software then Affinity Photo is the one for them. With its compatible features and performance.
it proves to be a strong and economical alternative to Adobe Photoshop.
Features
- Comes with all the features present in Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom, and Capture One Pro
- Provides filters, and tools for creating effects, styles, and 3D objects
- Well integrates with other Affinity tools including Affinity Publishes and Designer
Ease of Use
- Moderate Learning Curve
- Requires some practice and skill
- Sleek and intuitive interface customized for different workflows
- Also offers tips, tutorials, and help guides for users
Price:
Costs around $49.99 for a one-time payment for Windows or Mac OS and 10- a day free trial as well.
Customer reviews:
4.5 out of 5 stars based on 1000 customers
Link: Affinity Photo
DxO PhotoLab
Verdict: DxO PhotoLab is considered as finest photo editing software for camera profile adjustments and noise reduction. It delivers superior noise reduction, optical adjustments, and image quality.
Features:
- Same features as other photo-editing software
- Offers tools for healing, cloning, patching, and moving
- Comes with creative tools as well including filters, effects, styles, and 3D objects
- Integrates with other DxO products such as DxO Nik Collection and DxO FilmPack
Ease of use:
- Offers a simple and elegant interface
- Moderate learning curve
- Require some skills to master
Price:
Available for one-time purchase at $219 for Windows or Mac OS and a free trial of 30 days.
Customer reviews:
4.3/5 based on 100 reviews
Link: DxO PhotoLab
FAQs
Conclusion
Nowadays everyone needs solid photo editing tools to enhance their images and unleash their inner creativity. However, they all face a common problem of choosing which software they should go for.
So we provide some of the best photo-editing tools of 2023 based on various criteria. Our article will surely help you find the real photo-editing software for yourself