10 Best Photo Editing Software for Windows in 2026

Whether you are a professional photographer working on a client’s project or an Instagram enthusiast, you need a cutting-edge photo editor for Windows 11 and Windows 10 to manipulate your shots a little

. With the power-packed image editing apps for Windows, you can accentuate your photos’ visual aesthetics and perfectly tell your tale through images. On the Microsoft App Store, you can find thousands of photo and video editing tools, but the ten best ones are already analyzed by us below. 

How to Choose a Photo Editing Software

Selecting the right photo editing software can feel overwhelming with so many options available in 2026. The key is to focus on your needs. Whether you’re a professional photographer, a hobbyist, or someone who just wants quick edits for social media.

Consider usability, features, compatibility, and cost before making a decision.

• Ease of Use: Look for intuitive interfaces and beginner-friendly tools if you’re new to editing.
• Advanced Features: Professionals may need layers, masks, RAW support, and AI-powered enhancements.
• Performance: Ensure the software runs smoothly on your Windows system without lag.
• File Compatibility: Check if it supports formats like JPEG, PNG, TIFF, and RAW.
• Cost & Licensing: Subscription vs. one-time purchase—pick what fits your budget.
• Community & Tutorials: A strong user community and tutorials can help you learn faster.
• Integration: If you use other creative tools, ensure seamless integration (e.g., Adobe ecosystem).
• Updates & Support: Regular updates and responsive customer support are crucial for long-term use.

Top 5 Photo Editing Software Comparison

When narrowing down your choices, it helps to compare the most popular tools side by side. Here’s a quick overview of the top five contenders in 2026:

10 Best Photo Editors for Windows 11/10/8/7 in 2026

If you often use your creativity to enhance the look of your candid clicks, we have enlisted the finest photo editors for Windows 11/10, so you can fully unleash your creativity.

1. Adobe Photoshop

Software Rating: 4.5/5

Compatible Windows OS: Windows 10 version 14393.0 or higher

Developer: Adobe Inc. 

Format Supported: JPEG, GIF, PNG, PNG-8, SVG

Price: Free. Premium version for $4.99 per month. 

When you want to snap, edit and share your photos with one click, Adobe Photoshop Express is the best software to edit images on Windows. Millions of creative folks trust this fast, powerful, and easy editing tool to achieve great results. With Express, you’ll get over 45 eye-catching effects, 30+ borders, and frames, along with many editing options, including cropping, temperature control, color noise, and more.

High-definition Features 

• The tool contains all the basic editing features such as photo straighten, rotate, flip, crop, and remove red-eye. 
• With one touch, you can adjust exposure, brightness, and shadows in your images. 
• The powerful Adobe Noise Reductions options can dramatically minimize unwanted grains and speckling in your photos. 
• You’ll get RAW image support to easily edit and share. 
• You can even fix pet eye problems in your images with a quick Pet-eye correction option. 

Pros 

• Spot healing. 
• Noise reduction. 
• A wide range of filters and effects. 
• Easy to install and use. 

Cons 

• Can’t change the background. 
• Slightly expensive app. 

2. Lightroom 

Software Rating: 4.3/5

Compatible Windows OS: Windows 10 version 18362.0 or higher

Developer: Adobe Inc. 

Format Supported: DNG, JPEG, PNG, TIFF, PSD, RAW

Price: Free. Paid plan for $9.99 per month. 

Another incredible photo editor for Windows 10/11 from Adobe clan is Lightroom. The tool comes with 1TB cloud storage to edit bulky photos and videos. Using robust photo editing features, you can adjust the full resolution of your shots and organize them with searchable keywords. It is an anytime and anywhere photo editing toolkit with numerous sliders and filters. 

High-definition Features 

• Adobe Sensei takes machine learning support to identify the people and other content in your photos and then organize using searchable keywords. 
• With 1TBG cloud storage, you can access your photo library anytime and anywhere. 
• You can share your edited photos with your clients via email or your friends through social networks. Additionally, you can directly save to Adobe Portfolio to show potential clients. 
• Lightroom offers in-app tutorials and inspiration content from professional photographers. 
• The popular editing features include healing brush, color mixer, geometry, RAW editing, and more. 

Pros 

• Seamlessly organize photos. 
• Non-destructive editing that preserves file data.
• Easy and fast syncing of editing steps.

Cons 

• No blend mode. 
• Limited graphic design elements. 
• Minimal editing options. 

3. Ashampoo ImageFX

Software Rating: 4.3/5

Compatible Windows OS: Windows 8 or higher 

Developer: Ashampoo 

Format Supported: JPGe, PNG, BMP, TIFF, JNG

Price: Free. Full version for $29.99

Ashampoo is one of the oldest picture editors for Windows 11/10 that can perform all basic duties like cropping, blurring, and rotating photos. The tool can automatically analyze your photos and find potential weaknesses in contrast, color, or any other features. Moreover, you can anytime extend ImageFX features by upgrading to other Ashampoo programs like Ashampoo Burning Studio, Snap, and even full Ashampoo Office Suite.

High-definition Features 

• You can effortlessly edit your photos with various cool effects like Water, Solarize, Tint/Shade, Brightness, Colorize, and more. 
• The tool can automatically flip, crop, and modify contrast in your photos. 
• With Ashampoo, you can easily and quickly edit and import webcam images. 
• For further processing, you can export images to other apps and create high-resolution images with ease. 

Pros 

• Competent free version. 
• Special effects including oil paint and pencil sketch. 
• Simple interface. 

Cons 

• No RAW file support. 
• No autocorrect. 
• Lacks slider adjustments for many effects. 

4. PicsArt Photo Studio

Software Rating: 4.3/5

Compatible Windows OS: Windows 10 version 17763.0 or higher

Developer: PicsArt Inc. 

Format Supported: JPGe, PNG, BMP, TIFF, JNG

Price: Free. Gold for $47.88 per year with free seven days trial. 

PicsArt is an awesome software for editing photos on Windows that can make collages, edit photos, and offer vast stickers and image galleries. If you want to adorn your Instagram posts with trendy filters and special magic effects, PicsArt can make it super simple and fun for you. You can erase your photos’ background or pick easy-to-use templates from the large gallery—in short; you can fully transform your photos with PicsArt.

High-definition Features 

• You can create double exposure by giving depth to your photos. 
• You can turn your camera photos into an amazing art piece with multiple paint brushes. 
• For clean and neat images, PicsArt offers the Pixel Stretch tool. 
• Use a premium Polygon tool to add cool geometric shapes to your images.
• Once you create a masterpiece using Sketch, Magic, and other exclusive effects, you can quickly share it with your social media followers. 

Pros 

• Attractive user interface. 
• A variety of presets. 
• Smoothly connects with social networks. 

Cons 

• Annoying ads in the free version. 
• Limited editing tools. 
• Can’t support cloud photos. 

5. Paint.NET

Software Rating: 4.2/5

Compatible Windows OS: Windows 10 version 15063.0 or higher

Developer: dotPDN LLC 

Format Supported: PDN, PNG, JPEG, BMP, TIFF, GIF, TGA, DDS, JPEG XR, HEIC, AV1, WebP

Price: Free basic version. Full version for $8.99. 

Paint.NET is an intuitive and innovative photo editing software for Windows with unlimited undo, special effects, and a huge gallery of tools. Moreover, the software has a vast online community, tutorials, and third-party plugins available. Initially, it was an undergraduate college senior design project mentored by Microsoft; later on, it was developed by Rick Brewster. 

High-definition Features 

• The software supports numerous plugins such as effects, file types, shapes, etc. 
• Paint.NET offers an array of rich and simple built-in tools and effects. 
• You can maintain an unlimited undo history for quick editing. 
• The software provides support for many modern and classic image types. 

Pros 

• Intuitive user interface. 
• Layers. 
• Unlimited undo history. 

Cons 

• Hard to use. 
• A bit of a learning curve involved. 

6. inPixio Photo Editor

Software Rating: 4/5

Compatible Windows OS: Windows 10 version 14393.0 or higher

Developer: Avanquest Software‬

Format Supported: JPEG, GIF, PNG, TIFF

Price: Free. Full version for $99. 

inPixio is a complete image editor for Windows 11/10 with amazing one-click image correlation. It is an automatic redesign tool that can enhance the quality and color of your images within a second. With an easy drag and drop menu, you can implement numerous features in your photos and produce a professional look. From basic editing to advanced modification, this tool can help with everything.

High-definition Features 

• You can create classic photos using traditional frames, color schemes, and basic effects. 
• The tool offers numerous amazing filters and effects like vintage, old films, cinematic, seasons, and more. 
• With Tilt-Shift & Artistic Blur effects, you can bring your photos to life. 
• Using Tone Curve, Vignettes, Batch Mode, and 120+ filters, you can effortlessly create professional photos. 
• It is very simple to retouch your old photos with inPixio. 

Pros 

• Offers all editing features and preset. 
• Quick to use. 
• Clean interface. 

Cons 

• Overwhelming for newbies. 

7. Blendifier

Software Rating: 4/5

Compatible Windows OS: Windows 10 version 10240.0 or higher,

Developer: borneo mobile‬

Format Supported: JPEG, GIF, PNG, TIFF

Price: Free with in-app purchases. 

Blendifier is one of the finest tools to edit photos on Windows 11/10 to run your creativity wild. You can blend two photos together with the tool and intensify their beauty using the double exposure effect. Additionally, you can apply various filters, masks, effects, and other unique designs to your photos. It is one of the most versatile photo blending apps available on the Microsoft App Store. 

High-definition Features 

• You blend images from your camera, gallery, or even cloud. 
• The foreground image position can be smoothly changed with a touch or click. 
• The software supports various blend functions, including multiplying, adding, color burn, darkening, softlight, and more. 
• You can apply attractive masks to define a seamless transition between two or more photos. 

Pros 

• Intuitive interface. 
• Very easy to use. 
• Multiple blend features. 

Cons 

• Limited editing features. 
• The app needs basic improvements. 

8. Camera360 Sight

Software Rating: 3.9/5

Compatible Windows OS: Windows 8 or higher

Developer: ‪Chengdu Pinguo Technology Co. Ltd.‬

Format Supported: JPEG, GIF, PNG, TIFF

Price: Free 

High-definition Features 

• The Focus System is the most talked-about feature, including autofocus, manual focus, microfocus, and manual exposure. 
• Camera360 Sight’s Gesture Activated Assistive toolbar offers HDR, white balance, composition line, and many other great features. 
• You can use 60+ free filters and nine customisable filters to create a professional photo. 
• Using the dynamic 12 professional adjustment tools, anyone can create masterpieces without any hassle. 

Pros 

• A vast free filters gallery. 
• Smart composition tools. 
• Seamlessly optimized for a quick preview. 

Cons 

• Lacks some basic editing features. 

9. B612

Software Rating: 3.1/5

Compatible Windows OS: Windows 8 or higher 

Developer: Line Corporation 

Format Supported: JPEG, GIF, PNG, TIFF

Price: Free 

High-definition Features 

• Using the Vignette feature, you can adjust border darkness and bring out important elements. 
• You can combine your happy moments with the Collage Shot button. 
• You can post your edited photos on your Facebook or Twitter profiles with the app. 
• B612 can remember which filters you like using most and selects them for you.

Pros 

• Various random features. 
• Free app. 
• Social media integration. 

Cons 

• Lacks many editing features. 
• The software crashes often. 

10. Fotor 

Software Rating: 3/5

Compatible Windows OS: Windows 8.1 or higher

Developer: Chengdu Everimaging Science and Technology Co Ltd‬

Format Supported: JPEG, GIF, PNG, TIFF, PDF

Price: Free. Pro for $8.99 per month. 

Fotor is an all-in-one photo editing software for Windows. The tool includes basic editing features, incredible visual effects, one-tap enhancement, tilt-shift, and many other powerful options. With this package, you can produce high-resolution and cutting-edge images in no time.

High-definition Features 

• You can operate Fotor with keyboard control through arrow up and down keys. 
• Fotor offers six different FX effects so you can manage your favorite effects. 
• With Template Collage, Photo Stitching, and Shuffle Collage, you can beautifully preserve your special moments. 
• You can personalize your photos with your own thoughts and messages. 
• RAW convert supports more than 100 camera RAW formats. 
• The basic editing features include brightness, contrast, saturation, sharpen/blur, temperature, tint, cropping, flipping, rotation, etc. 

Pros 

• Clean interface. 
• RAW file support. 
• Power editing tools. 

Cons 

• Not for newbies. 
• Expensive tool. 

Conclusion

Photo editing software in 2026 offers something for everyone—from professionals who need advanced tools to casual users who just want quick touch-ups. Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom remain industry standards, while newer and lighter options like Ashampoo ImageFX, PicsArt, and Paint.NET provide affordable and accessible alternatives.

Ultimately, the best choice depends on your workflow, budget, and creative goals. If you’re serious about photography, investing in Photoshop or Lightroom makes sense. For hobbyists or social media enthusiasts, PicsArt or Paint.NET may be more than enough. The key is to experiment and find the tool that feels natural to you.

FAQs:

Which photo editing software is best for beginners?

Paint.NET and PicsArt are excellent for beginners due to their simplicity and free/low-cost models.

Do I need Photoshop if I already use Lightroom?

Not necessarily. Lightroom is perfect for photo management and RAW editing, while Photoshop is better for complex manipulations.

Is free software reliable for professional use?

Free tools like Paint.NET are great for basic edits but may lack advanced features professionals need.

FLUQ:

Can photo editing software actually slow down my PC performance?

Yes, it can. Programs like Adobe Photoshop are resource-intensive and may cause slower performance on older or less powerful computers. Lightweight editors such as Paint.NET are designed to be more efficient, making them a better choice if you want smooth editing without putting too much strain on your system. The right choice depends on balancing advanced features with your hardware capacity.

Do photo editing tools still work if I am completely offline?

Most desktop editors, including Photoshop, Lightroom, and Paint.NET, work perfectly well without an internet connection. You can edit photos anytime, but features such as cloud storage, syncing across devices, or AI-powered updates require connectivity. If you often edit in places without reliable internet, it is worth checking which features are offline-ready and which depend on the cloud.

Can mobile versions of these editors run smoothly on Windows tablets?

Yes, many apps, such as PicsArt and Lightroom, have mobile versions that adapt well to Windows tablets. They offer touch-friendly interfaces and streamlined features, allowing quick edits, filters, and adjustments without needing a full desktop setup. While they may not include the complete range of professional tools found in desktop versions, they are excellent for casual editing, social media content creation, and portable workflows.