LostInTechnology

10 Free Photo-Editors for Windows and Mac

Posted on 07. May, 2009 by Jonathan Schlaffer in Apple, Internet Tools, Software, Windows

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We all have those pictures that didn’t turn out perfectly or might like to change something about one or more of them. Depending on your specific needs, there are plenty of free programs out there that might do the trick whether you are using a PC or a Mac.

Note, that if you need access to layers or to edit PhotoShop or PDF type files then free editors won’t cut it. Some of them may or may not support RAW, so keep that in mind.

I’m mostly going to concentrate on software that is available for download, though I will present options for online photo editing which are for basic tasks like straightening, removing red-eye as well as sharing.

Photo Editing for Windows

PhotoPlus SE

Serif Software has become well known for making older versions of its software available as a free download and PhotoPlus SE is no exception. In my opinion, this is the most PhotoShop-like of the bunch. It packs in many of the same features for free, but you will not be able to open, edit or create PhotoShop files. And this stands true for many of them.

I have used this and found it to be a decent photo editor, but it is not full replacement for PhotoShop. It supports layers as well, and it does require you to fill out some contact information to send a free license key.

Paint.NET

One of my favorites in the free editing category. This started off as a project to replace the aging “Paint” application in Microsoft Windows. Though “Paint” has gotten an overhaul in Windows 7 it still can’t stand tough with the big boys. Paint.NET is also very PhotoShop like and will show you thumbnails of your open images across the menu bar. It also has support for layers and a variety of image formats.

PhotoScape

Having not used PhotoScape I can’t comment too much on it, but I did come across some favorable reviews. It also says specifically that it does support RAW image files, but the interface looks a bit confusing like it is trying to play both full time photo editor and organizer which rarely play well together.

Cross Platform

Windows, Mac and Linux

GIMP

I’m sure there are some people out there who would like to use the same photo editing program regardless of whether it is a PC with Windows, Linux or a Mac. There is one option that may be right down your alley.

The GIMP is the only one on this list. Lots of people like the GIMP and there are even some mods to make it look, act and perform like PhotoShop. I find the default interface to be both bland and generally a bit confusing. Perhaps it is because I am used to the way PhotoShop is organized and behaves. Paint.NET and PhotoPlus both managed to pull off an attractive interface while still maintaining usability.

Lots of people may disagree with me on this, but I can only call The GIMP “competent.” Iit is fully featured, it’s just not for me. Your mileage may vary.

Windows and Mac

Picasa 3

This should be a household name by now. Back in the day Picasa was not free and you had to pay for it. When Google acquired Picasa it became free software and this remains true.

It is more of a photo organizer than an editor but it does pack in quick touch up features such as removing red-eye, straightening, cropping and other basic tasks. You won’t be adding layer masks or using clone tools here. It should be used as a compliment to more fully featured editors and is still worthy of being on this list. It’s great for quick touch-ups.

Macs Only

Don’t have Windows? Don’t use Linux? If Mac is your choice of computer, then this section is for you.

SeaShore

SeaShore is a very nice basic photo editor and that’s pretty much all it does. It supports layers and does a good job if you’re looking to do a quick and dirty touch up without too much trouble. It’s more fully featured than Picasa and I would say sits somewhere between PhotoPlus and PhotoShop on features though its menu and tool options are a bit sparse.

Pixen 3

This has quite a bit to offer, but I have not used it. The developers site has tons of information about it and it supports a good deal of image files.

Online Photo Editors

I have to say, I am not a fan of these unless I am using their image storage services, because most of them allow you to edit and then upload your image to various image sharing sites.

PhotoShop Express

This is not a fully featured version of Photoshop but it does allow you to perform many image tweaks. It is probably the most fully featured of the online editors. Options include crop, rotate, resize, corrections, red-eye removal, white balance, lighting effects and more. You will also be able to upload images to other sharing sites with PhotoShop Express.

Aviary Phoenix

It may not have as many one-click fixes as PhotoShop Express, but it does have support for layers. Support for layers is important to me, but for basic image editing, I would be hard pressed to recommend it over PhotoShop Express. In fact with PhotoShop Express the only reason to buy PhotoShop Essentials (or any other version) is to work with PhotoShop files. Check out Aviary Phoenix for yourself.

PicNik

PicNik has similar features to PhotoShop Express but is a bit lacking in the editing options department. It’s pretty close and has a different interface.

Pick and Choose from Your Options

If you are a person who works with layers or PhotoShop created files or off the wall image types then there really is no choice, a full version of PhotoShop will be necessary for you. No free editor is going to work well with layers though some support layers in its own proprietary format. PhotoShop is fairly universally accepted for this ability and excellent RAW support. If that is what you are after do not even bother with the free programs.

Every Mac and Windows user should have Picasa 3 installed there is no reason not to, it will keep everything nice and organized for you. Though iPhoto and Windows Gallery are competent, Picasa just has so much more to offer.

If you only choose one, go with Paint.NET for Windows, but I’ll give SeaShore and Pixen 3 a tie on Mac that one is really do to personal preference so try both and see what happens. Linux users really don’t have a choice with the GIMP being the best, if not the most bland option, it’s just not very pretty but works.

And the online editors will work with just about any browser but I tend to work with and store images locally and then upload them but for a one stop shop editor, PhotoShop Express wins hands down. If Adobe made a desktop version of it as a free download the company would have a winner on its hands.

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