With the rapid expansion of the world wide web, the possibilities are endless, meaning that it’s often unnecessary to deal with standalone image editing solutions (eg. Photoshop) since you can find many of them online if you just know where to look.
No matter if you’re a photographer and prefer to take photos yourself or if you just get your photos online, you should know that only a little editing goes a long way. You can capture the perfect image but sometimes only 15 seconds of light editing can make it look exceptionally better.
There is no point in cashing out big money for image editing tools since you can create the perfect images with little to no cost at all. However, due to the overload of options, it can be difficult to make a choice between various image editors.
On that note, we summed up some of the best ones to use and listed their features to make your decision easier.
1. Crello
Crello is a user-friendly program that comes with a variety of built-in templates, images, and videos. It is designed for both beginners and marketers thanks to its numerous features and an interface that is very easy to learn.
When it comes to image editing, everything is mostly one-click – resizing, cropping, contrast, and other effects.
Furthermore, Crello allows you to dig deeper into the design and create highly professional content. Even in the case where static images and fonts just aren’t doing it for you, you can use animation to bring your graphics to life.
Crello comes with an annual plan costing $67 and a free of charge, no questions asked 60-day money-back guarantee.
2. Pixlr
Pixlr is probably living proof that you don’t need to be a professional in order to edit photos professionally. This very easy to use program might be the number one substitute for software like Photoshop or Lightroom, especially due to the user-friendliness. Plus, it uses AI-powered tools for all the editing and designing you could possibly need.
Have you ever thought that removing image backgrounds with one click without steady hands and time-consuming cropping is impossible? Pixlr allows you to do exactly that.
You can use layers to create eye-catching photos for days, add textures, accents, gradients, and many other effects in order to achieve the vibe you want.
If you’re creating posters or images with inspirational quotes, you’ll find Pixlr’s collection of decorative text very useful and inspiring. Additionally, stickers have been trending on every app around and it’s not any different with Pixlr where you can choose among thousands of stickers, icons, shapes, and borders.
Even though it’s free to use, the best features unlock with the premium plan which costs $49 not annually, but as a one-time purchase and is therefore very worthy of the investment.
3. Fotor
If you’re looking for a simple editor with the most basic functions, then you should add Fotor to your list. Fotor is nothing like Photoshop, you don’t even get to use a paintbrush.
It is perfect for general photo editing that doesn’t require advanced features, or in other words, it is perfect for beginners, hobbyists, and social media influencers. However, it’s not fully limited – you can create posters, banners, business cards, invitations, and other things very successfully with this tool.
Moreover, Fotor’s performance is flawless and won’t overcrowd on data. It can also handle RAW files normally.
This software is completely free to use, so there’s nothing stopping you from using it this moment.
4. Google Photos
This is another editor that’s perfect for hobbyists and can be used literally anywhere with just your Google account. It is rather friendly and simple to use, allowing you to edit your photos effortlessly.
Most important functions like crop, color correction, auto contrast, etc. are available despite the fact that it has a limited set of features for advanced photo editing.
Still, with Google Photos you can bring your content to life by using animation, holiday-themed effects, applying filters, and interactive elements.
It is entirely cost-free unless you plan to use an excessive amount of storage in which case any potential charge is associated with storage space.
5. GIMP
What’s great about GIMP is that it might be the closest thing to Photoshop but is in fact, free. It includes advanced tools for professional image editing, all the general art features (brushes, free-form drawing, etc.), and using it you can convert different image formats.
By being open-source, it allows you to add your own features and filters, as well as customize the interface to your desired needs.
With GIMP, it’s extremely easy to get rid of minor details with digital retouching and fix any distortions with its powerful enhancement tools.
It allows you to edit animations as well, meaning formats like GIF are supported among others.
6. Inkscape
Inkscape would be somewhat of an alternative to Adobe Illustrator. It has a rather sleek interface which makes finding your way around it very easy.
One of the best features it has is the creation and manipulation of objects which makes it stand out among the competition.
The program is based on the SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) format, enabling you to create stunning graphics for banners, social media posts, etc. without ever distorting the quality of images. And just like GIMP, it is open source and customizable.
Choosing the right editing tool
Now that you’ve been acquainted with some of the most popular programs for photo editing, all that’s left to do is get started on testing them out.
If you’re still wary, start with either free programs or those with a free trial and then move on to premium plans in case the editor doesn’t meet your expectations.
Remember that your end goal here is to improve your business, expertise, brand identity, or whatever it is that you do. Sleek and eye-catching photographs are more likely to grab a reader’s attention before any text does, so don’t take editing lightly!
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