Photo Editing: Buying Advice, Tips, and News

Adobe's Photoshop Lightroom remains the gold standard in pro photo workflow software with top-notch organization tools, state-of-the-art adjustments, and all the output and printing options you could want.

Photoshop is the most advanced image editing software bar none. It's suited to serious photographers and designers alike, for things like layer editing, working with raw camera files, drawing, typography, and collaboration. Though it's now subscription-only, the company frequently updates the software with cutting-edge features like its new AI Neural Filters.

Adobe Photoshop Elements is an excellent photo editing application for hobbyists who don't want to pay for a subscription or learn complex Photoshop techniques.

Adobe Lightroom is the best photography workflow tool for serious enthusiasts. It's slick, nimble, and comes with nearly all the same photo-editing tools found in software for professionals.

Corel continues to add new photo editing capabilities to its PaintShop Pro software for Windows, making it a worthy Photoshop alternative for a more affordable price.

CyberLink PhotoDirector is a photo workflow and editing program with a host of powerful image editing tools. An interface refresh and new generative AI features and effects are among the many additions in the latest version to this highly recommended application.

The pricey Capture One offers professional and prosumer photographers excellent detail from raw camera files, as well as local adjustment, advanced color, and layer tools, but it still trails in photo-organizing features.

Though it's still not a complete photo workflow software package, DxO PhotoLab delivers unparalleled image corrections.

Luminar Neo has unique AI photo editing tools that remove power lines from street scenes and dust from digital photos, as well as a vast selection of effects and adjustments, all in a clear and pleasing interface.

Adobe’s entry-level photo editing app, Photoshop Express, lets you do some cool things with photos for free, but you need to pay if you want to use its best features.

ACDSee's pro-level software gives you many powerful photo organizing and editing features, combining functions of both Lightroom and Photoshop, but its tools aren't quite as state of the art.