- January 01, 2020
- 18 min to read
Apple Photos might be the best free photo editing software for Mac if you want something for moderate edits rather than something for very advanced work. It comes preloaded on Mac computers so it’s completely free. It offers a whole lot of control over your images as far as exposure, contrast, and colors are concerned. Oct 27, 2019 ON1 Photo RAW is definitely going to come up in all your searches for the best photo editing software for Mac. It has a modern and streamlined interface that looks similar to that of Lightroom’s. The software lets you edit RAW files but also comes with many handy features and tools like a Portrait Mode, Focus Stacking or HDR, Layers, Local. Photo editing made easy. PhotoPad has all the professional tools and fun effects to enhance your pictures. Supports all popular image fomats, such as JPG, PNG, GIF, and more. Save your edits or upload them directly online. Photo editor features: Simple drag and drop functionality; Crop, resize, flip and rotate. Best Free Photo Editing Software for Mac 2020 1. GIMP stands for GNU Image Manipulation Program and is one of the best free photo editor apps that you'll. Krita comes with more than nine different brush engines, to show that they strictly mean business. Before the invention of photo editing applications, only professional editors with proper software could apply beautiful and unique edits to a photo. Now with various software on our hands, it has become so easy. With a perfect editing app, you can make a photo look like it is out of this world. Some programs are even free, saving your expenses.
If you need to make a few tweaks to your images, but do not want to use Photoshop, you are in luck as there are several superb solutions. Here are the 15 best alternatives in no particular order:
1. Luminar 4 (Free Trial 7 days)
When time for editing your photos is a luxury, Luminar 4 can help. Luminar 4 lets you transform your photos in a flash and synchronizes all the edits that you have made effortlessly. What makes it so great is that you can easily browse all your photos as it automatically organizes your photos which makes navigation simple. Luminar Libraries also boast a very modern interface which optimizes the viewing experience.
Luminar 4 offers many great adjustable styles, features, and tools that you will fall in love with such as its AI Sky Enhancers, Advanced Contrast, and Dehaze to mention only a few.
2. Pixlr (Free Version Available)
Free Photo Editing Software For Mac Gimp
Pixlr boasts an interface that is really not much different from Photoshop. It offers hundreds of overlays, borders and other effects. If you simply want to crop your image or whiten your teeth on your iOS or Android device, Pixlr is the right tool for the job. With Pixlr, you can complete all the editing tasks that a good basic photo editor will allow.
3. PicMonkey (Trial 7 days)
The beauty of PicMonkey is found in its easy-to-use interface. If you need to put together a collage, this is your tool to use. All you have to do is upload your images and drag them into the right spot.
4. Adobe Photoshop Elements (Free Trial 30 days)
Do not be fooled by the name, Adobe Photoshop Elements is not the actual Photoshop. However, countless users have experienced that the Adobe Photoshop Elements app offers all the tools that they require to enhance their images. In short, this app has been reduced to the essentials.
With the help of its Adjustment and Blend layers, you can turn any photo into the most amazing image in barely any time at all. Thanks to its guided mode, it is also geared towards beginners.
When it comes to finding a Photoshop alternative, your only challenge will be to identify the software solution that works the best for your unique needs. Why not give them all a try? You might just discover that the best course of action will be to use a couple of these tools instead of just one.
5. Sketch (Free Trial 30 days, MacOS only)
If you are working on a Mac and in need of a budget-friendly alternative to Photoshop, Sketch is the answer. Sketch is a vector graphics app that has the design field all excited, specifically website designers. As it is so popular, you will be able to access countless plug-ins that have been created by the community that will make this app even more functional.
Its user interface is easy to understand and boasts several features such as gradients and layers that are similar to Illustrator and Photoshop. What is more, it also offers a color picker and style presets. You can use one of the basic shapes to create your own graphic or start from scratch with the help of the pencil tool. This app is really so flexible!
6. GNU Image Manipulation Program (GIMP)
GNU is an open-source cross-platform image editor. As its interface is very similar to Photoshop, it will not take you too long to familiarize yourself with GIMP. Though, users who do not have any image editing experience will find the different GIMP tutorials very useful.
It offers color correction, enhancement as well as painting tools to mention only a couple of its features and is compatible with Windows, Linux, and Mac.
7. Acorn (Trial 14 days)
Mac users who are searching for image editing software need to look no further than Acorn. It is a cost-effective solution if you do not have access to Photoshop. What makes it so great is that it is quick, enjoyable to use and offers useful features.
Some of its features include non-destructive filters, custom brushes and layer styles to mention only a few. The software is easy to use, but, you can rest assured, there are tutorials available for both beginners as well as image editing experts.
8. Affinity Photo (Trial)
Affinity Photo is for sure one of the best Photoshop alternatives. It is ideal for professional designers and photographers as it is completely compatible with Photoshop as well as other file formats. What makes it such a great alternative is that it is not nearly as expensive as Photoshop. Though, users can rest assured as it will still deliver the same performance (if not better).
It is compatible with Mac and Windows. If you are using an iPad, you will be happy to know that Affinity Photo for iPad is also available.
9. Pixelmator Pro (Trial 30 days)
Pixelmator is not a new Photoshop alternative, but recently the Pixelmator Pro version which uses a user-friendly single-window interface has been added to the mix. On top of that, the Pixelmator Pro version also boasts non-destructive image editing and offers features that include split view and a hidden interface that allows you to view your images without any distractions.
It is only available for Mac users.
10. SumoPaint (Online + Desktop)
The different standard features that you would expect in a Photoshop alternative, SumoPaint has to offer. There are shapes, brushes, gradients, text, and pencils that you can effortlessly access.
Though a word of warning to Photoshop users - a couple of its tools work differently and there are some limitations. Overall, this image editor remains very capable and can load in a flash.
11. Paint.net
Paint.net is a powerful and practical tool that Windows users can rely on instead of Photoshop. It is a capable and functional tool that concentrates less on artistic creation and more on photo editing.
It offers a decent variety of tools and special effects that include brightness/contrast and repeat selections. It might not boast all the serious editing tools, but that only means that it is not as difficult to master making it the ideal image editor tool for beginners.
12. Canva (Free Basic Plan + Trial 30 days)
Canva is where you will find countless layouts, stock photos, fonts and other great design elements. The best part is that several of these you can use at zero cost. You can use this app to design your business card or put together a birthday card.
13. CorelDRAW Graphics Suite (Trial 15 days or Full Paid or Monthly sub)
Best Free Software For Mac
Windows users will love the tools that CorelDRAW has to offer. This Photoshop alternative boasts an interactive tool that will help you to straighten your image or adjust the perspective. Though, one of its most impressive features is its stylus control that reacts to a different pressure.
If you are working with Windows 10, this is the perfect fit. Windows users will also be happy to know that it supports 4K displays and multi-monitor viewing.
14. Photolemur (Free Version with watermark available)
Best choice for beginners or people who have no time to edit photos. Enhancing your images has never been easier thanks to Photolemur. By using AI, this automatic photo enhancer app enhances your images without you having to lift a finger. You simply need to import your images to Photolemur and it will get the job done automatically. This means that you do not require any prior editing experience to complete tasks like getting rid of imperfections. It is oh-so easy and available for both Mac and Windows.
15. Serif PhotoPlus
Many people have already relied on this app for years. It is ideal for users who are only starting with image editing now as it offers great support for new users in the form of videos and tutorials. What is more, users can get great tips on their active forum for fellow users. Thanks to its latest release, Serif PhotoPlus users will be also able to work with their RAW image files much easier.
You can use free image editors as a launchpad before you jump on the pro packages. As a novice, you might be interested in creating greeting cards or social media posts. For your perusal, we have listed some of the best free photo editors for Mac. Let’s explore the list, which can work on your Mac like Photoshop.
What Are The Best Free Photo Editing Mac Apps in 2020?
#1. Apple Photos
Apple’s stock app offers you great editing tools to resize, crop, collage, zoom, warp your images. And once you edit your pictures, you can create GIF of the same. A glaring feature of the Apple Photos app is it allows you to store all your images and edits in iCloud. Thus, you can quickly access all your photos and pictures on other Apple devices like iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV.
Smart Sliders helps you edit images like a pro, even if you are a beginner. By using the markup tool, you can add text, shapes, sketches, or signature to your images. And last but not least, you can turn Live Photos into a funny video to share on your social media pages.
Best Free Photo Editing Software For Mac
#2. GIMP
For more than 20 years, GIMP has continuously been one of the best raw image editors for Mac. This GNU Image Manipulation Program was developed for Linux, but since it is open-source, you can use its tools on your Mac computers. If you are in a creative field of digital media and advertisement, you can use your imagination to create the most elegant images.
This software supports multiple languages like C, C++, Perl, Python, Scheme, and others. Whether you are working for digital or printed media, you can always get high-fidelity color reproduction by using high-quality color management features.
#3. Fotor Photo Editor
BBC mentioned this app as lite Photoshop. This probably sums up everything. With many other testimonials, Fotor is your reliable companion if you want to use lots of editing options and effects. This app is primarily divided into four main features: portraits touch up, batch, collage, and photo editing.
You can adjust exposure, brightness, contrast, white balance, and saturation. Further, Fotor helps users sharpen/blur, highlight, add a vignette, or film grain of the image. Check its flexible text editing tool, which allows you to adjust text fonts, size, and color.
#4. PhotoScape X
This is your all-in-one image editor that comes with countless features to create and edit the best photo on your Mac. For your social media posts, you can take any picture and remove the background. Although this one is a nasty trick, you should give credit to the original image source.
One of the significant features of PhotoScape X is you can use this software in international languages like English, Spanish, Português, Dutch, French, Italian, and languages of some eastern countries.
#5. Photo Image Editor Pixelstyle
Pixelstyle can overwhelm you with its repertoire of features. However, as a beginner, you can quickly filter your requirements and pick features of this software. Among its more than a dozen filters, you will be impressed by a few like copying elements or layers, gradient filling, cloning, smudging, image resizing, and others.
Red-eye is one of the notorious killers of picture quality. Thankfully, Pixelstyle has a tool to remove red-eye from your photos. For amateurs, this software offers fantastic photo adjustments to adjust brightness, contrast, hue, and white point.
#6. Polarr
Whether you are a pro editor or a learner of creative arts, Polarr has something to impress you. For novices, Polarr has auto-enhance tools and high-quality filters to go into details of photos. For pro users, they can explore layer support, curve tools, local adjustments, and other features.
If you compare Polarr with Photoshop, you will find the former more accessible and intuitive. By using watermark support, you can be the sole owner of your creation. Since it works offline, you don’t need a constant Internet connection.
Free Photo Editing Software For Mac Catalina
#7. Paint S
Paint S is arguably the best image editing tool for social media professionals, who frequently have to add text to images. Apart from adding text, you can also crop, rotate, and scale images easily. The software’s ability to support layers allows you to re-edit your images freely.
A notable feature of this software is you can save your images in several formats like TIFF, JPEG, PNG, BMP, and many other popular formats. To make your photos more attractive, Paint S helps you select and remove unwanted elements.
#8. Gravit Designer
Free Photo Manipulation Software For Mac
Gravit Designer is the most modern photo editor for Mac. Whether you are a novice or a professional, you can explore its features to create killer marketing communication (including websites, icons, UI design, presentations) or you can use it to design concept art. The interface is intuitive and neat.
The software offers more than 40 effects and 28 blending modes, which is one of the hightlights. Among other smart features of Gravit Designer are powerful text engine, out-of-the-box web fonts, assets & design templates, multiple export formats, and more.
That’s all, folks!
Wrapping up…
I hope the above apps will push you to the next level, and once you achieve that proficiency, you can use premium photo editors on your Mac.
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Would you like to add something to this list of free picture editor for Mac? Share your feedback with us in the Comments section below.
Nikhil runs iGB’s official YouTube channel. He is the official lensman of iGB and GB’s small studio is Nikhil’s playground, where he does all wonders with his remarkable signature. When Nikhil is not in his studio, you may spot him in a gourmet restaurant, chomping his way through some delicious food. He is a great traveler, who can go for long drives in search of good food.
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