Photoshop/lightroom is probably one of the more beginner friendly options. Even though it's an industry standard and can be as complicated as you want it to be the new AI features make some things, like masking, much more accessible. There are also endless tutorials on YouTube to guide you through any kind of editing you could think of. They also have online editors so that you don't need a powerful PC. There are all sorts of reasons why you wouldn't want to use photoshop, their license agreement isn't very favourable to it's users. It's a yearly contract that you can't get out of easily. But it's maybe more manageable than a larger one off fee. Answer from RevTurk on reddit.com
Them Frames
themframes.com › home › the best photo editing software for beginners in 2025
The Best Photo Editing Software for Beginners in 2025 - Them Frames
3 weeks ago - Because those types of software will be overwhelming, take the joy out of learning to edit photos, and worst case, put a halt in your tracks to progressing to being a better photo editor. That said, the software in this article are amongst the easiest to use – but they also have features available for when you do reach an intermediate and pro standard.
Skylum
skylum.com › photo-editor-for-beginners
Simple Photo Editor: Beginner Photo Editing Software - Luminar Neo
Looking for the best photo editor for beginners? Luminar Neo is a perfect programm for those just starting out in the world of image editing.
What is the best free photo editing software?
Post locked because it has attracted spammers and the question has been answered. More on reddit.com
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May 27, 2025Best (free) photo editing software?
Is there an echo in here? https://old.reddit.com/r/photography/comments/1762kro/what_is_your_most_favorite_free_photo_editing/ More on reddit.com
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October 13, 2023Best beginner editing software?
Take a look at the Affinity suite of apps. The photos app is very “photoshop like” and is a decent performer. It’s not a subscription model, you buy outright. Don’t know what their upgrade cycle is like as far as adding new cameras to the raw capability. As I recall, kind of slow. There are a few other programs besides the one for photos. I believe one is a desktop publisher which does come in handy. I did the trial of affinity awhile back. Liked it. The progs are sitting on my Mac just waiting for me to hit Buy. I probably will just for fun. More on reddit.com
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July 3, 2023What editing software is best for beginners?
Photoshop/lightroom is probably one of the more beginner friendly options. Even though it's an industry standard and can be as complicated as you want it to be the new AI features make some things, like masking, much more accessible. There are also endless tutorials on YouTube to guide you through any kind of editing you could think of. They also have online editors so that you don't need a powerful PC. There are all sorts of reasons why you wouldn't want to use photoshop, their license agreement isn't very favourable to it's users. It's a yearly contract that you can't get out of easily. But it's maybe more manageable than a larger one off fee. More on reddit.com
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June 19, 2024What should beginners look for in photo editing software?
Beginners should prioritize ease of use, intuitive interfaces, and software that offers tutorials or guided edits. Look for software that includes basic tools for exposure, color correction, and cropping, while also offering room for growth with more advanced features as your skills develop.
on1.com
on1.com › blog › best-photo-editing-software-for-beginners
6 Best Photo Editing Software for Beginners in 2025 - ON1
Should I pay for photo editing software?
Some free photo editing software like offer advanced features, but it is an exception to the rule. If you want to add photo effects or edit pictures with layers, you will benefit from paying for quality software. has paid software that includes a 4,000,000+ stock library and lots of extra creative assets.
Whether you pay to edit images or stick with a free photo editor for PC is completely dependent on your needs and what kind of edits you want to make. If you're editing images with simple adjustments like cropping, rotating, or flipping, then a basic free photo editor for PC should be fine.
cyberlink.com
cyberlink.com › home › blog › photo editing
15 Best Free Photo Editing Software for PC in 2025
What features should I look for in free photo editing software?
The top ten features you should look out for are:
- User-Friendly
- Organizational tools
- Color correction and filters
- Layer editing
- AI-powered tools
- Content-Aware editing
- Photo animation
- Beautifying tools
- Color effects
- Light effects
cyberlink.com
cyberlink.com › home › blog › photo editing
15 Best Free Photo Editing Software for PC in 2025
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/askphotography › what editing software is best for beginners?
r/AskPhotography on Reddit: What editing software is best for beginners?
June 19, 2024 -
Looking to start doing photography in my area! Wanting to know which is the best software for beginners for editing photos. I have a basic dell laptop from Walmart. So I’m wondering also how this program will affect my laptop. Will it make it go slow? Should I look into buying a better laptop? Should I look into using an iPad for editing?
Also wondering what the best program would be for getting photos to clients? Having an online gallery?
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Photoshop/lightroom is probably one of the more beginner friendly options. Even though it's an industry standard and can be as complicated as you want it to be the new AI features make some things, like masking, much more accessible. There are also endless tutorials on YouTube to guide you through any kind of editing you could think of. They also have online editors so that you don't need a powerful PC. There are all sorts of reasons why you wouldn't want to use photoshop, their license agreement isn't very favourable to it's users. It's a yearly contract that you can't get out of easily. But it's maybe more manageable than a larger one off fee.
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If you’re serious about photography going forward, Lightroom is the best product to grow into. Both for editing and file image management. I recommend the Classic desktop version however I’m not sure if your laptop has the minimum requirement specs. Many here will walk a hundred miles to avoid Adobe for numerous reasons but not being a capable photographer’s tool that can grow with the photographer is not one of them. Nothing has the online YouTube tutorial support that Lightroom does. Even if you just begin with basic Auto Tone only, it will do wonders for your images. There is a free trial option but check the hardware requirements first. Windows is not the ideal platform but many make it work.
CyberLink
cyberlink.com › home › blog › photo editing
15 Best Free Photo Editing Software for PC in 2025
November 27, 2025 - Paint.NET is a free photo editing software that offers multi-layer editing, a feature usually found in paid tools. It tracks every edit, allowing you to easily undo changes. You can adjust brightness, contrast, saturation, and more, as well as apply effects like sepia, black-and-white, blur, or sharpening. Unique features include a 3D Rotate/Zoom effect for perspective changes. While not a replacement for professional software, Paint.NET is great for beginners learning advanced editing.
ON1
on1.com › blog › best-photo-editing-software-for-beginners
6 Best Photo Editing Software for Beginners in 2025 - ON1
Why It’s Great for Beginners: ON1 Photo RAW offers an intuitive interface with a modern and clean layout that minimizes clutter, helping beginners navigate easily without feeling overwhelmed. Learn the details about ON1 Photo RAW to see why it’s considered one of the best photo editing ...
Honcho
thehoncho.app › home › 15 best free photo editors for pc & mac (that actually work)
15 Best Free Photo Editors for PC & Mac (That Actually Work) | Honcho
5 days ago - PhotoScape X is a free photo editor designed for simplicity and ease of use, making it a great option for beginners and casual users. Available on Windows and macOS, it offers a wide selection of basic editing tools packaged in a friendly, no-frills ...
Imagen
imagen-ai.com › valuable-tips › best-photo-editing-software-for-beginners
Best Photo Editing Software for Beginners in [year] - Imagen
September 10, 2025 - You might need a tool that combines photo editing with graphic design elements, like adding text or creating layouts. No matter which app you choose, you’ll encounter a few fundamental tools. Understanding these basics will make any software feel more approachable. Crop & Straighten: This is your composition tool. Cropping lets you trim the edges of a photo to improve focus on your subject. Straightening fixes tilted horizons—a classic beginner mistake.
Google Play
play.google.com › store › apps › details
Picsart AI Photo Editor, Video - Apps on Google Play
5 days ago - I use it all the time when I want a quote or photo from the internet to share, but it's not shareable but I get the person's permission, and screenshot it and size it appropriately. The stickers are endless, even the ones for free. I liked the A.I. filters, but they have changed them, I don't think they're as good now, in my opinion. The image generator is superb ... A great app, easiest way to edit things and make images.
Adobe Express
adobe.com › express › feature › image › editor
Adobe Free Online Photo Editor | Adobe Express
Use the Adobe Express free online picture editor for quick and easy photo enhancement such as adding text to photos. Edit, crop, and resize automatically for social ready images in seconds.
ShootProof
shootproof.com › home › how to choose the best photo editing software for beginner photographers
How to Choose the Best Photo Editing Software for Beginner Photographers
December 4, 2024 - It’s the ultimate showdown! Let’s decide on the best beginner photo editing software! My picks are divided into two categories below: free photo editing software and paid photo editing software. Free photo editing software is an excellent choice for beginners.
Facebook
facebook.com › groups › beginnersphotographygroup › posts › 9316991518348697
Beginner-friendly photo editing software recommendations?
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Amateur Photographer
amateurphotographer.com › home › buying advice › best photoshop alternatives – no-subscription photo editing software
Best Photoshop alternatives - no-subscription photo editing software | Amateur Photographer
October 6, 2025 - Originally one of the simplest photo editors, Luminar Neo has evolved into a much more sophisticated package. There’s still an emphasis on presets and beginner-friendly, one-click ‘looks’ that take seconds to apply.
FilterPixel
filterpixel.com › blog › the-easiest-photo-editing-software-for-beginners-in-2025
The Easiest Photo Editing Software for Beginners in 2025
April 14, 2025 - Discover the easiest photo editing software for beginners in 2025 with FilterPixel—AI-driven, fast, and perfect for professionals and newbies alike.
PCMAG
pcmag.com › home › best products › photo & design › photo editing
The Best Photo Editing Software We've Tested for 2026 | PCMag
November 18, 2025 - Adobe Photoshop Elements delivers a robust, user-friendly photo editing experience with powerful AI tools and professional-level features, making it an excellent choice for beginners and enthusiasts alike—at a fraction of the cost of full ...
Adobe
adobe.com › products › photoshop-elements.html
Easy photo editing software - Adobe Photoshop Elements 2026
No experience? No problem. Dive right in and build your skills with Quick, Guided, and Advanced editing modes. ... Watch easy-to-follow videos to learn how to do more with your photos and creations.
Hinsonphotography
hinsonphotography.com › home › blog › free photo editing tools
Free Photo Editing Tools
January 31, 2025 - You can access Fotor on your phone or desktop, which is handy for editing quick projects on the go. The Fotor workspace is easy to navigate and is ideal for beginners that are learning how to edit images.
Canva
canva.com › home › photo editor
Free Online Photo Editor: Free & easy image editing - Canva
... You can add depth of field to your image by blurring out backgrounds and foregrounds with our Auto Focus tool. You can also use our Background Remover tool on Canva Pro to explore a new look or change your photo’s scenery. ... The best ...
Amateur Photographer
amateurphotographer.com › home › round ups › best free photo editing software: get photoshop-like results without the cost
Best free photo editing software: get Photoshop-like results without the cost | Amateur Photographer
November 21, 2025 - Files can also be output in 16-bit TIFF format for further editing, as well as in JPEG format for sharing. Overall, it’s an interesting option that’s well worth a try if you’ve outgrown your camera makers’ raw software. GIMP is probably the most complete free alternative to Photoshop, but it’s difficult to use · The most powerful free image editor out there? Absolutely! The easiest and most user-friendly?
Reddit
reddit.com › r/askphotography › what is the best free photo editing software?
r/AskPhotography on Reddit: What is the best free photo editing software?
May 27, 2025 -
I just started getting into photography the past month, I have been taking plenty of photos but haven't dived into editing too much. I have only messed around with GIMP for a couple of hours, it's very overwhelming at times and I can't find too mny helpful guides that cover the overall basics, moslty guides for only specific tools and technqiues. Are there any other beginner-friendly photo editing software programs with a clean interface and all the basic tools you need to start? I would prefeer to begin with a free option lik GIMP but I am open to buying one if it will be good to learn on.
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As a beginner, you will first want to look into the difference between a RAW editor and an image editor (jpeg, PNG, etc). Traditionally there are two stages for a photo edit. RAW for corrective and overall adjustments. Image editor for brushing or other adjustments. It really depends on your programs what you do where, the lines get blurry sometimes. RAW is attractive because it is all non destructive editing, so you can change things, undo them and not lose any quality. For free RAW editors Darktable is very popular. I really love Rawtherapee. It's powerful, has lots of options but can have a big learning curve. ART is a fork of Rawtherapee some enjoy more. These programs serve the same step as Adobe Lightroom more or less. For image editor GIMP is pretty standard for sure. Krita is another option, which I actually prefer for all its brush options. Krita is a little more focused on digital art, but works great for photos too. These would be roughly the same step as Adobe Photoshop.
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Darktable and gimp. I miss the way I had my catalog set up in lighttoom, but Darktable has so many adjustments. Once I got aquatinted, I really like it. Adobe can fuck right off.
Reddit
reddit.com › r/photography › best (free) photo editing software?
r/photography on Reddit: Best (free) photo editing software?
October 13, 2023 -
Title pretty much says all. Nothing too too complicated. Thanks!
Edit: remember to use the search bar or this sub will bust a brain cell
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Is there an echo in here? https://old.reddit.com/r/photography/comments/1762kro/what_is_your_most_favorite_free_photo_editing/
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Nothing too too complicated. "Best" and "complicated" mean different things to different people. The most popular options for use on a computer are Gimp, Darktable, and Rawtherapee; they're probably also the most widely supported of the "free" options. Also, even though they're free, if you use them and make them part of your income flow, consider making a donation to them, help keep the lights on and all.