Free Photo Editing Software

I am an amateur photographer, but I have done research and practiced different types of digital photography for several years. I personally have invested in Photoshop Elements, but I have used several free softwares for editing, and continue to do so when I am not on my own computer.

There are two types of free editing softwares:

1.      Web-based

2.      Download and Install

My Top 2 Web-Based Photo Editors

Pixlr

This editor is a simplified version of Photoshop, completely web-based. You can create an account and save some of your projects. This editor allows you to edit photos or create projects. Much like Photoshop, you can add layers and rearrange them to create an in depth photo editing or projects. This editor is comparable to Photoshop Elements.

Features include:

Basic Tools (toolbar: crop, rotate, lasso, selection, text, spot fix, etc.)

Other Edits (adjustments: brightness, hue and saturation, color balance, levels, etc.)

Filters (blur, sharpen, masks, vignette, kaleidoscope, etc.) 

PicMonkey (previously Picnic)

This editor is completely web-based, but you can create an account and save some projects. This editor provides for collages or single photo edits. There are some functions that are limited to a paid “Royale” account, but for basic editing it is not necessary. You need a photo to use this editor, you cannot simply create a project.

Features include:

Basic Edits (crop, colors, rotate, exposure, sharpen, etc.)

Other Edits (effects, touch up, overlays, frames, textures, etc.)

My Top 2 Download and Install Editors

Gimp

This editor needs to be downloaded and installed, which allows you to use the software without internet access after install. This software does not require you to make any accounts in order to download.

This editing software is similar to Photoshop Elements in many aspects. It allows you to create projects and edit photos. There is also the functionality of multiple layers for easing projects editing.

Features include:

Basic Tools (toolbar: crop, rotate, lasso, selection, text, spot fix, etc.)

Other Edits (brightness, hue and saturation, color balance, levels, etc.)

Filters (blur, enhance, animation, artistic, etc.)

PhotoPlus by Serif

This editor needs to be downloaded and installed, which allows you to use the software without internet access after install. This software requires you to make a Serif account and confirm via e-mail before you can download. Serif will also provide a product key. During install, you will need to restart your computer. There is also a paid version of this software, with more functionality.

This editing software is also very similar to Photoshop Elements. It allows you to create projects and edit photos, using the multiple layers as discussed before. This editor also includes a how-to guide to get you started with editing your photos.

Features include:

Basic Tools (toolbar: crop, rotate, lasso, selection, text, spot fix, etc.)

Other Edits (brightness, hue and saturation, color balance, levels, etc.)

Effects (blur, enhance, animation, artistic, etc.)

Good luck editing and creating!

Thanks for reading,

Amanda