Photo editing is essential for anyone in the photo industry or those simply looking to enhance their images. Whether you’re an artist, photographer, or social media manager, having access to excellent photo editing software can significantly elevate the quality of your work. As the demand for powerful and user-friendly applications grows, Mac users are fortunate to have a wide array of options to choose from.
This article introduces the 12 Best Free Photo Editing Software for Mac, tailored to meet the needs of every type of user. Whether you’re a beginner seeking an easy-to-use program or a professional requiring advanced features, these tools have something for everyone.
We’ll explore each software’s strengths, weaknesses, cost (if applicable), and compatibility, helping you make an informed decision about which tool best suits your photo editing requirements. Get ready to discover solutions that will transform your creative workflow and take your photos to the next level.
Key Features to Look for in Photo Editing Software
When selecting the Best Photo Editing Software for MAC, there are several essential features to keep in mind:
- User-Friendliness: The software may be used by novices or experts in the field, and therefore, the software must be easy to use. A system should have a clear”label” and be easy to use but also have powerful features behind what it shows to the user.
- Advanced Editing Tools: The basic areas of editing include layer editing, color correction, filters, and masks, which give more room for creativity.
- Support for Different Formats: Make sure that the software accepts multiple formats of files that include RAW, TIF, and PNGs which makes your workflow more versatile.
- AI-Powered Data analytic Tools: Many current ICT solutions contain artificial intelligence features that allow for some of such tasks to be completed faster and with fewer errors than those performed manually, such as object elimination and photo retouching.
- Cloud Integration: Most of the programs today have features that make it easier to edit and share pictures on the cloud backup solution, hence the convenience.
List of 12 Best Photo Editing Software for MAC
1. Adobe Photoshop CC
Adobe Photoshop CC is the most famous tool used for editing images all over the world. A broad range of tools is embedded into it, so photographers, graphic designers, and any creative would be able to capture high-quality images. It has almost all features, from basic layers to the most complex, and offers the best retouching tools. While Adobe Photoshop CC is ideal for professionals, it can also serve as photo editing software for Mac for beginners, offering a user-friendly experience alongside its advanced capabilities. Adobe Photoshop CC is the latest version of this software and has unsurpassed synergy with other programs in the Adobe Creative Cloud family.
Key Features:
- Neural Filters powered by Adobe Sensei AI: Make portraits and landscapes great again with AI recommendations.
- Advanced Layer Management and Masking Tools: Ensure that you make your changes using layers and masks for good measurement that is not destructive.
- Comprehensive Plugin Support: Download third-party extensions to get additional features.
Pros:
- Industry-standard software
- Many additions to computer work
- Regular changes and a tight-knit group of people
Cons:
- Subscription-based pricing
- Resource-intensive
Compatibility: macOS 10.15 or later
Pricing: starts at ₹733.96/mo incl. GST
Rating: 4.8/5
Website: https://adobe.com/in/products/photoshop.html
2. Affinity Photo
Affinity Photo is a photo editor with lots of features to offer to its users without the need for a recurring payment. They include: HDR merging, panorama stitching, and focus stacking. Affinity Photo is focused on a smooth workflow with fast processing, which makes it a great substitute for Photoshop Mac.
Key Features:
- Advanced RAW Processing Engine: Details are not lost in the RAW files, so get them right.
- Focus Stacking and HDR Merge: Animal photography needs various angles to achieve perfect shots, hence a combination of exposures or focus points helps out a lot.
- Professional Color Management System: Ensure that shades of color match in printed or web-based material.
Pros:
- This model occurs only once and does not require a subscription afterward.
- Professional-grade features
- Fast performance
Cons:
- Limited community support
- Fewer plugin options
Compatibility: macOS 10.14 or later
Pricing: Starts at ₹5,599.00
Rating: 4.7/5
Website: https://affinity.serif.com/en-gb/photo/
3. Capture One Pro
Capture One Pro is well regarded for its superior RAW file processing, as well as for its tethered shooting options. It is also the only software that has a color editing service that is in-depth, and the workspace has options that can be personalized, making it the preferred Photoshop by studio photographers. The sophisticated tethered photography and non-destructive raw processing make Capture One Pro one of the fastest, most powerful tools for photographers to work with their images. While it is highly favoured by professionals, it can also be considered a photo editing software for Mac for beginners, with its intuitive interface and powerful features for all skill levels.
Key Features:
- Advanced Color Editing Tools: Make fine-tuning powerful enough color grading elements.
- Superior RAW Processing Engine: Sharpening of images in RAW files and other image enhancing and details.
- Professional Tethering Capabilities: Recording photos directly on a computer is ideal for studio photography.
Pros:
- Quite perfect for studio photography.
- Strong and versatile color and RAW processing options
- Customizable interface
Cons:
- High price point
- Limited plugin options
Compatibility: macOS 10.15 or later
Pricing: Starting at ₹ 15,251.00
Rating: 4.6/5
Website: https://www.captureone.com/en
4. Luminar Neo
Luminar Neo has some distinct features for photographers; it has simple and powerful AI editing capabilities to enhance the beauty of the photography. This program shines for those who are looking for easy-to-use software that provides great results and won’t require extra time spent learning how it works. It also offers some premium services, such as the replacement of the sky and improving the quality of portrait photography.
Key Features:
- AI-Powered Sky Replacement: Users can easily swap skies with a single click to create more beautiful images.
- Advanced Portrait Enhancement Tools: Clear complexion, sparkling eyes, and beautiful face.
- Layer-Based Editing with Masks: Layering and a few masks as a means of editing the photograph non-destructively.
Pros:
- Intuitive interface
- Powerful tools
- No subscription required
Cons:
- Some advanced features require additional purchases.
- Slower with large files
Compatibility: macOS 10.14 or later
Pricing: Starts at ₹2799.00
Rating: 4.5/5
Website: https://skylum.com/luminar
5. DxO PhotoLab
DxO PhotoLab is known for its tight coupling of high-order aberrations and noise suppression. From among all, it shines for the accuracy with which it fine-tunes photos with DeepPRIME noise reduction and lens profiles. Perfect for photographers who tend to fine-tune final image quality, DxO PhotoLab offers solutions for unmatched RAW files. While it offers advanced features for professionals, it also serves as a photo editing software for Mac for beginners, with an intuitive interface that makes it accessible to users at all skill levels.
Key Features:
- DeepPRIME Noise Reduction: Replace lost details for brighter or contrasting areas Improve low-light photo quality by decreasing the amount of noise.
- Lens-Specific Optical Corrections: Over time, wrong perceptions and distortions were fixed due to the lens used.
- Advanced Local Adjustment Tools: Add specific corrections to some sections of the image.
Pros:
- Excellent noise reduction
- Powerful lens corrections
- High-quality RAW processing
Cons:
- No layer functionality
- Limited organization tools
- Relatively expensive
Compatibility: macOS 10.15 or later
Pricing: Starts at $139
Rating: 4.6/5
Website: https://www.dxo.com/dxo-photolab/
6. Pixelmator Pro
Pixelmator Pro is a non-Web app that responds to Apple hardware to provide a quick and efficient means of editing photographs. Non-destructive editing, the use of machine learning to build tools by studying pictures, is used to help post-production photographers and designers get their job done in the shortest time possible. It contains a vast set of features, from simple color correction to retouching, and costs quite sensible for average/ semi-professionals.
Key Features:
- ML-Enhanced Editing Tools: Try using machine learning for simple things like switches and gates or any other quick selection and modification.
- Native macOS Integration: The professional version of Pixelmator is designed for Mac computers in order to provide a buttery smooth experience.
- Non-Destructive Color Adjustments: Modify it in one or many aspects without showing the features of an edited image.
Pros:
- Mac devices’ accelerated execution
- Intuitive interface
- Affordable one-time purchase
Cons:
- Fewer additional options compared to rivals
- No plugin support
Compatibility: macOS 11.0 or later
Pricing: $49.99 (one-time purchase)
Rating: 4.7/5
Website: https://www.pixelmator.com/pro/
7. Lightroom CC
Adobe Lightroom CC is just as great for photographers who actively seek help from cloud storage data for their pictures. This empowers its users to edit photos and manage libraries on multiple platforms with important features in converting, enhancing, and organizing multiple photos. Lightroom CC works in harmony with other Adobe products, making it an ideal choice for creatives who use or plan to use other Adobe software. Additionally, it is considered one of the best photo editing apps for Mac, offering a solid set of features without the need for a premium subscription.
Key Features:
- Cloud-Based Photo Management: Transfer the pictures to all devices and synchronize the photos for editing.
- AI-Powered Organization: Auto-organize images based on the content of the picture.
- Advanced Color Grading Tools: Get a perfect color tone every time with no stress.
Pros:
- Seamless cloud integration
- That is where powerful organizing abilities and batch-processing instruments come to the rescue.
- User-friendly interface
Cons:
- Few features for further fine-tuning after the first edits
- Dependent on cloud storage
Compatibility: macOS 10.15 or later
Pricing: US$9.99/mo
Rating: 4.5/5
Website: https://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop-lightroom
8. Darktable
Looking for the best and the most suitable Lightroom alternative Darktable will suffice since it is a free and open-source photo editor perfect for professional use. This has top-notch tools for image editing and processing of raw images; making it ideal for professional photographers who need the software but can’t afford complicated and expensive software.
Key Features:
- Support for Multiple Color Spaces: Supports sRGB, Adobe RGB, XYZ, and linear RGB modes.
- RAW Image Processing: RAW capabilities are available for more than 400 popular models of digital cameras.
- Efficient Image Management: Enables users to use tags, stars, colour labels, and other similar features in order to search for as well as arrange images.
Pros:
- Useful, totally free, and available under free licenses.
- Quality raw processing with excellent results.
- Powerful tools for post-production of photographs as well as tethered capture.
Cons:
- The learning curve for beginners
- Some may find that the tool groups are arranged in a way that seems jumbled at first.
Compatibility: macOS, Windows, Linux
Pricing: Free
Rating: 4.2/5
Website: https://www.darktable.org
9. Corel PaintShop Pro
Corel PaintShop Pro is a fully featured application for photo editing that offers powerful tools for beginners and professionals. Publicized mainly due to its rich functionalities as well as price, it can be viewed as an ad hoc solution to Adobe’s products. When it comes to mapping, browsing, or editing your photos, PaintShop Pro has everything you need in terms of a user-friendly interface to the most advanced tools. While it is a paid software, it can be considered one of the best photo editing apps for Mac free, offering a great set of features for users who prefer no-cost alternatives.
Key Features:
- AI-Powered Editing: Uses AI for options such as enlarging the picture and erasing noise.
- One-Click Photo Fixes: Correct images immediately by using auto-correction tools.
- Layer-based Editing: Add text, graphics designer tools, and complex effects working with layers.
Pros:
- Affordable one-time purchase
- Enhanced tools for editing photo
- Supports RAW image processing
Cons:
- Some features are missing in the Mac version that is available on the Windows version.
- Limited third-party plugin support
Compatibility: macOS 10.13 or later
Pricing: INR 6,480.00 (one-time purchase)
Rating: 4.4/5
Website: https://www.paintshoppro.com
10. Krita
Krita is an open-source, completely free, photo manipulation application designed for artists and illustrators with a wide range of sophisticated tools available. It is not a Best Photo Editing Software for MAC free but due to the large number of brushes and tools for digital paintings, it is suitable for anyone concerned with creating artwork. As it was said, Krita allows for drawing unique pictures, adding animation to the artwork created, and even trying the usage of textures and colors.
Key Features
- Custom Brushes: Krita comes with numerous brushes within the toolbox and it supports custom brushes thus enabling people to do detailed artwork.
- Animation Tools: The program has an animation studio that has onion-skinning and stop-motioning tools, and therefore you may expect many animators to jump into the program.
- Wrap-Around Mode: This feature makes it possible for users to generate continuous patterns, which is good for illustrators.
Pros
- Free and open-source
- Editing Software tools for fine arts to the professionals
- Wide range of spare parts for a brush
Cons
- Difficult to use
- not recommended to be used when basic touch-ups of a picture are needed
Compatibility: Mac, Windows, Linux
Pricing: Free
Rating: 4.5/5
Website: https://krita.org
11. GIMP
GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is one of the Best Photo Editing Software for MAC for free and is one of the most powerful and feature-filled image manipulation applications that can also be used in graphic design. This software is best suited to those who would require a powerful and flexible solution. It can back up layers, masks, and brushes which makes it ready for software like Photoshop, more so for the users with a limited budget.
Key Features
- Layer Masks: The skills that are offered by GIMP include precise image manipulation through layer masks hence non-intrusive.
- Advanced Selection Tools: The clone tool and Healing tool are among those with which GIMPassists allows users to edit images with much ease.
- Customizable Brushes: It also has an array of brushes that can be fine-tuned to meet the users’ preferences.
Pros
- Free and open-source
- Advanced photo editing tools
- Sophisticated image processing
Cons
- High learning things.
- Does not come with Auto-Analysis AI features for fast edits
Compatibility: macOS 10.9 or later
Pricing: Free
Rating: 4.0/5
Website: https://www.gimp.org
12. Movavi Photo Editor
Movavi Photo Editor is an easy-to-use photo editor. This software is designed with an artificial intelligence technology that allows users to enhance photos within a short time; hence, it is suitable for novices and occasional editors. The website also has free features such as one-click retouching, deletion of objects, or replacing the background. Additionally, it provides functions for rescuing old pictures, rolling out noise, and correcting flaws, which explains why people who have to deal with vintage and damaged images often choose Origin Peut.
Key Features
- AI-powered Tools: The AI tools are used in improving images in Movavi, and the user is required to input very little, making it a program best suited for new users.
- Background Removal: Change the background of photos or even swap out the background of an image with just one touch.
- Restoration Tools: The software has options that are used to recover and repair old or even corrupted images by making them look flawless.
Pros
- Easy to use for beginners
- Automated Software for fast editing
- Affordable pricing
Cons
- The program has no enhanced editing tools.
- Just suitable for simple kinds of photo modification work.
Compatibility: Mac, Windows
Pricing: Free for the first 10 images; the Premium version starts at ₹3,469
Rating: 3.5/5
Website: https://www.movavi.com/
Choosing the Right Best Photo Editing Software for MAC for You
When choosing the Best Photo Editing Software for MAC, consider the following factors to ensure it fits your needs:
- Skill Level: New users may go for easy options, such as Movavi, that easily come with one-time solutions, while professionals looking for intricate options may use GIMP or Krita.
- Editing Needs: If your goal is not to replicate photographs and you’re an artist who wants to create paintings digitally, then Krita is right up there with the best. Whichever of these two is chosen for detailed photo editing, one will not go wrong with GIMP because of its extensive feature set.
- Budget: If you are searching for free software Krita and GIMP will be perfect for you; if you need more tricks, Movavi gives you great opportunities but has an availability of a limited free version.
- Cloud Integration and Sustainability: Some tools for photo editing are compatible with cloud storage, for example, Movavi which provides an opportunity to work from any device, is an example of sustainable work.
Conclusion
Choosing the Best Photo Editing Software for MAC has to do with one’s requirements and his/her pocket. Which tool to choose depends on what type of work is supposed to be done with images: Krita seems to be the most suitable for digital painting, GIMP’s set of tools can come in handy for necklace and other jewelry designing, while Movavi Photo Editor with many filters and nuances of picture adjustment can be useful for anyone in social networks.
However, if you are an artist or illustrator, Krita has advanced tools for drawing, making it perfect. Thanks to the availability and usability of GIMP, it ideally suits photographers and graphic designers who work on a professional level. Movavi Photo Editor is ideal for first-timers looking for simple-to-use software with AI-integrated features.
FAQs
1. Writing for the program beginners, the question is if Krita is suitable for beginners.
Compared with other softer options, Krita, which requires a higher level of user skills to cover all potentialities, may also be considered as a vehicle to draw with no limits.
2. Can GIMP replace Photoshop?
And, yes, GIMP has many of the same features as Photoshop, or at least when it comes to photo editing and manipulation, but its AI capabilities could be improved.
3. Is Movavi Photo Editor free?
There is a free version of Movavi where you can perform basic operations – combine up to 10 images, in case you need more options, you will need to buy the license.
4. What about Krita sets it apart from other Best Photo Editing Software for MAC?
Krita is a professional drawing tool targeting graphic designers and artists to include features not found in simple photo editors.
5. What is the best photo editor for Mac in five years?
GIMP and Krita are more powerful and Complex in comparison to other software, while Movavi is best for beginners with fast editing features.
