PhotoPad Photo Editor PhotoPad Photo Editor Software is an easy to use digital photo editor app for Mac OS X. With PhotoPad, simply start by using picture editing options, such as rotate, crop, flip, and resize. Once your photo is edited to perfection, apply one of the many effects that are available, like the fish eye lens. GIMP is an open source image manipulation software that offers important image editing functions, such as high quality photo manipulation, original artwork creation, and graphic design elements. It can be integrated with other similar software, such as InkScape, Scribus, and SwatchBooker. Since then, it’s cemented its reputation as the best free photo editing software for Mac. The tools are intuitive and simple to navigate, and the integration with iCloud Photo Library is seamless. Plus, as a built-in Mac app, it’s genuinely, totally free — which is why we’re more than happy to name it the best free image editor.
- Pixelmator is one of the most popular photo-editing apps on the Mac, as it hits the sweet spot that combines powerful editing tools, an attractive and easy-to-use interface, and a very competitive.
- Gimp (Free) Gimp is a free open-source photo editing app that has been on the market for over 22 years and is available for Windows, Mac, and even Linux. Unlike many free apps, Gimp doesn’t have any ads or in-app purchases. Its grey interface might seem a little old-fashioned and it may be a bit sluggish when it comes to complex effects, though.
A good Mac photo editor can help you get the most out of your images. Whether you’re a professional or an amateur photographer, you need powerful digital editing software to make your photos stand out in the most creative light.
There are all kinds of photo editing software for Mac computers. Some have comprehensive features and functionality, but they cost an arm and a leg. If you want a budget-friendly option, you can always use free photo editor apps.
Today, we’ll take a closer look at three amazing Mac photo editors.
Top 3 Photo Editor Software for Mac
1. Adobe Photoshop Elements
Even today, Adobe is still the gold standard of photo editing software. Although it offers quite an extensive set of features, it is simple and easy to use. It can automate photo editing for you so you can spend more time on other creative endeavors. Thanks to Adobe Sensei AI, you can make collages, wall art, mugs, phone cases, and more with a few taps of your finger.
Not to mention, Adobe Photoshop Elements comes with 53 Guided Edits, which you can use as a guide for creating anything from fun memes to multi-photo texts.
All of Adobe Photoshop Elements’ editing features don’t come cheap. It has a one-time fee of $99.99. If you upgrade your software to the student and teacher edition, it will cost $149.99
✅ PROS:
- Built-in photo organizing system
- Automated slideshows and collages
- Guided edits
⛔️ CONS:
- Very expensive
- Requires large disk space
2. Affinity Photo
The best photo editor for Mac for photographers on a budget is Affinity Photo. Equipped with a huge toolset, Affinity Photo is designed to meet the needs of professional creative artists. It has a complete kit for retouching photos, as well as an extensive collection of non-destructive adjustments. Since it can support countless layers, you can leverage their entire library of filters, effects, and adjustments to create complex photo compositions.
Affinity Photo has pro-level editing tools and charges only half of what Adobe charges. It has a 10-day free trial period. Make the most of it so you can decide whether or not Affinity Photo is the right one for you.
✅ PROS:
- Budget-friendly
- Supports a wide array of image files
- Extensive, varied library of brushes, filters, adjustments, etc.
⛔️ CONS:
- Short trial period
- Lacks a photo organizing system
- Lacks printing project resources
3. Gimp
Gimp is the best free photo editor for Mac. It is an open-source program with an extensive set of beginner-friendly and advanced tools. Not only that, it is expandable through third-party plug-ins, including ones designed for Adobe Photoshop.
Gimp’s interface for Mac devices isn’t the most user-friendly. It might take you a while to get to know your tools and be comfortable with them. Still, the program should be worth it especially if you’re on a budget.
If you need a powerful editing tool but don’t have the budget for a premium one, you should consider Gimp.
✅ PROS:
- Simple interface
- Extensive, varied library of brushes, filters, adjustments, etc.
- FREE
⛔️ CONS:
- Lacks tutorials or guides
- Lacks intuitive workflows
- Steep learning curve
Choosing a mac photo editor that works for you, among so many editing tools, can be quite exhausting. It’s a big decision, especially since premium software isn’t cheap. If you only need basic tools, you ought to consider alternatives such as free image resizer apps or filter apps. Pair the right editing software with the best free project management software for mac, and you can complete all your content creation endeavors without a hitch.
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Do you still use a high-end DSLR for clicking pictures and capturing mesmerizing moments? Well with the advancements of smartphones, now everyone can be a photographer. But in the curiosity to get that one perfect click will end up taking hundreds of shots.
In addition to the high-end camera of our smartphones, we still need a good photo editing software to edit and polish our dull shots, and make then Instagram suitable. Mac photo editing apps help you to fix and organize your pictures according to your taste and liking.
If you are looking for a professional photo editing tool to add meaning to your dull pictures and make them aesthetically pleasing then refer to our list of best mac photo editing apps. Learn How to Edit Photos on Your Mac to improve the overall quality and look of your picture.
Fortunately, the market is filled with an ocean of options but to help you pick the best tool in the lot, here we have compiled a well-researched list of some of the best photo editing apps and software for mac. Read ahead to find out the best option according to your needs.
12 Best Photo Editors For Mac in 2020:
1. Adobe Photoshop
By far the best photo editing apps for Mac and Windows devices. It is undeniably the most loved tool in the market and commonly known as a synonym to photo editing software.
Loaded with an ocean of features and high-end benefits it is highly popular amongst the fraternity of artists, photographers, designers, and illustrators. In addition to beginners, it is specifically built to suit the high-end requirements of professionals. The key features of this amazing tool listed below, you name it and Adobe Photoshop will have it.
- It comes with incredible retouching capabilities and cloning.
- It can polish your dull images in seconds including the large size images.
- It includes a great list of selection and masking tools.
- Adobe Photoshop can support images of multiple formats including PNG, JPG, GIF, and many more.
- With this incredible tool, you get access to almost 360 editing tools and map support for HEIF files.
- It uses a non-destructive editing mechanism to enhance the overall appearance and look of your images.
Read More: 15 Best Duplicate Photo Finder & Cleaner Software for Windows
2. Skylum Luminar 4
Known for its array of best filters and HDR, Skylum luminar 4 deserves a spot on our list of best batch photo editing apps. With its affordable pricing structure and image editing capabilities it has gained massive popularity in the last few years.
It is a perfect amalgamation of the features of both Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom. Some of the key features of this Mac photo editing tool are:
- For better user experience it offers 24/7 sales and technical support.
- It is powered with fast editing tools and functionalities.
- Loaded with an array of adjustment masks and layers.
- With its clever editing shortcuts and capabilities, you can effortlessly manage your photographs.
- It comes with multiple viewing options including a single image view, filmstrip view, and gallery view.
- Sun rays, AI-powered sky enhancers, and accidental AI are few of its other offerings.
3. Adobe Lightroom
If you are looking for an online Mac photo editing app, then Adobe Lightroom can be a good pick to start with. With its cutting edge technology and photo editing abilities, it enjoys great popularity in the world of photo editing software. It is a cloud-based tool.
It comes with easy to use yet high-end editing features. In addition to this, its interface is quite user-friendly and simple to use.
- Lightroom can easily sync with several devices.
- It comes with customizable sliders along with brush adjustment tools and gradients.
- You also get access to multiple preset filters and professional filters with it.
- Fixing tools, lens-based correction capabilities, and blurring tools are few of its other offerings.
- Manage your photo gallery more efficiently with its face detection feature.
4. Skylum Aurora HDR
Next on our list of image editing software for mac is Skylum Aurora HDR. It works well with Windows devices as well and can easily be integrated as an Apple photo extension. With its AI-based neural network, you can create HDR images within seconds.
- It is loaded with an array of 20+ editing tools to create HDR images.
- It offers a great way to polish your raw images and leverage their appearance with its 80 unique presets.
- Enhance the clarity and optimize the contrast of your images with its HDR clarity feature.
- It can add depth and details to your photo and can also clean noise.
5. Canva
If your search for the best apps for mac photo editing is still going on then Canva can help you. It is a great tool for designing photo templates for both business and personal use. It comes with a clean interface and easy to use editing tools and graphics.
Use it to add various fonts and graphics to your dull images and make them Instagram ready.
- Works well on both computer system and smartphones,
- It comes with image cropping, image straightening features along with a speech bubble maker.
- It is packed with a massive library of graphic designs and images and also supports cloud storage.
- With Canva you get access to over 8000+ photo templates, icons, photos and pre-designed cards to create visually stunning content.
Read More: 10 Best Photo/Image Viewers for Windows 10 in 2020
6. Vsco
Next on our list of Mac photo editing apps is Vsco. Its advanced effects and stylish photo editing abilities make it highly popular amongst the fraternity of professional photographers.
Add life to your dull images with the help of its preset filters. Highlights, white balance, exposure are few of its editing tools with which you can adjust the color, exposure, and sharpness of your images.
7. DesignWizard
Are you still wondering what is the best photo editor for Mac users, then try DesignWizard. This feature-rich tool is packed with advanced controls and is well known for its high-end image design templates.
In addition to this, it also comes with a massive range of images, graphics, illustrations, and high-quality videos. Along with this you also get access to various marketing tools like sale posters, Linkedin Ads, Facebook Ads campaigns, and much more.
It comes with a clean and convenient interface and works seamlessly well with iOS devices.
8. Capture One
If you have been using Adobe Lightroom, then try Capture One now to enjoy a lot of other unique features. With this incredible photo editing software, you can polish your images within seconds.
Free Image Editing Software Mac
Use it ‘s advanced color editing features and masking capabilities to add life to your images.
9. ON1 Photo Raw
Experience a completely new taste of photo editing with our next pick of Best Mac Photo Editing Apps, ON1 Photo Raw. Its cutting edge capabilities allow you to convert your raw clicks into stunning images without spending too much time and effort.
Best Photo Editing Software For Mac
With its dual-mode feature, you can not only edit but also browse various images. Enjoy live adjustments and preview with this power-packer photo editor software.
Read More: 11 Best Free PDF Editors For Mac in 2020
10. GIMP
Also known as the GNU Image Manipulation Program. GIMP is an open-source mac photo editor app.
Use it to retouch your dull images and create stunning pieces of the original artwork. Apart from this it also allows you to create pro-level graphic design elements. It is a free application and comes loaded with several pre-level editing features.
11. Adobe Photoshop Elements
If you are new to the world of photography and image editing. Choose Adobe Photoshop Elements . It comes with a clean interface and easy to use features.
It is powered with an advanced AI- capability. Use its Guided Edit feature to create memes, part-image sketches, and multi-photo texts.
12. PortraitPro
If you love portrait photography, then Portraitpro is a blessing for you. The software is loaded with all the essential features that you need to create stunning portrait pieces.
Use its Advanced makeup tool to efficiently transform dull faces. You can also try its wrinkle removing and skin smoothing features.
Wrapping Up
Dive in the world of photography with photo editing apps and software. Each Mac photo editing tool mentioned above has a unique feature to offer alongside the basic features.
Refer to our list and pick the best-suited tool for yourself depending on your need, photography skills, budget, and preferences.