GIMP, Darktable, and RawTherapee remain the open-source backbone. New AI tools and web editors have rounded out the free options for everyone else.
Last updated: 2026-05-19
Free photo editing software splits into three categories: bitmap editors (GIMP, Photopea), RAW processors (Darktable, RawTherapee, Lightroom Mobile), and AI-driven cleanup tools (Photo Cleaner, Adobe's free Firefly tier). What you need depends on whether you're retouching, processing RAW files from a camera, or just removing tourists from vacation photos. We avoided listing software with crippling free-tier watermarks or aggressive 7-day trials. Every editor here gives you something genuinely useful at zero cost — even if some, like Lightroom Mobile, save the best features for paid plans.
01
GIMP
Free, open source
The open-source Photoshop alternative — finally on a regular release cadence with version 3.x.
Best for: Retouching, compositing, and any bitmap editing where you need full control. www.gimp.org ↗
Non-destructive editing in GIMP 3.x
GEGL-based pipeline with high bit depth
Cross-platform and scriptable
UI conventions still differ from Photoshop
Print color workflow is limited (no native CMYK)
02
Darktable
Free, open source
Open-source RAW processor and digital darkroom that rivals Lightroom.
Best for: Photographers processing RAW files who want full control over color and tone. www.darktable.org ↗
Non-destructive RAW workflow
Scene-referred color pipeline with strong color science
Cross-platform and actively developed
Steep learning curve — UI assumes professional workflow
Library management less polished than Lightroom
03
Photopea
Free with ads, Premium $5/month
Browser-based image editor that opens almost every format including PSD, AI, and XD.
Best for: Quick PSD edits when Photoshop isn't installed. www.photopea.com ↗
Opens PSD files with layers and effects intact
No install — runs in any browser
Surprisingly feature-complete
Ad-supported on free
Performance bound by browser limits
04
RawTherapee
Free, open source
Mature open-source RAW developer with advanced exposure and detail tools.
Best for: Photographers who want deep technical control over RAW conversion. www.rawtherapee.com ↗
Sophisticated demosaicing and noise reduction
Tone mapping and wavelet detail tools
Cross-platform
UI is dense and engineer-oriented
Slower workflow than Darktable for routine edits
05
Polarr
Free tier, Pro from $2.49/month
AI-augmented mobile and desktop photo editor with a usable free tier.
Best for: Mobile photographers wanting Lightroom-style adjustments. www.polarr.com ↗
AI auto-enhance is genuinely good
Solid free filter library
Cross-platform
Many advanced filters are Pro-only
Account required
06
Adobe Lightroom Mobile
Free mobile-only tier, paid plans from $9.99/month
Clean Up tool (Apple Intelligence) removes unwanted objects
Excellent face and scene recognition
Apple ecosystem only
Less control than a real RAW workflow
08
Pixlr
Free with ads, Premium $4.90/month
Web-based photo editor with both quick (Pixlr X) and pro (Pixlr E) modes.
Best for: Quick browser-based edits and beginner-friendly retouching. pixlr.com ↗
Two interfaces (Pixlr X for beginners, Pixlr E for pros)
No install, works on Chromebooks
Mobile apps included
Ads on free tier
Some AI features paywalled
09
Photoscape X
Free; Pro $39.99 one-time
Free editor with batch processing and an unusual mixed-feature toolkit.
Best for: Batch processing, GIF creation, and quick layouts. x.photoscape.org ↗
Excellent batch editor
Photo collage and GIF tools built in
No subscription
Mac and Windows only — no Linux
UI is idiosyncratic
10
BeFunky
Free with ads, Plus $4.99/month
Web-based editor that mixes photo editing, collages, and design templates.
Best for: Bloggers and casual users making social-media graphics. www.befunky.com ↗
Templates make social graphics fast
Free includes basic AI tools
Browser-based
Free tier limits resolution and effects
Watermark on some premium templates
Frequently asked
Is GIMP really catching up to Photoshop?
GIMP 3.0 brought non-destructive editing, better color management, and a smoother UI. For most retouching and compositing tasks, GIMP is genuinely competitive. Photoshop still has the edge in CMYK workflow, AI generative fill, and integration with the Creative Cloud ecosystem.
Can I edit RAW files for free?
Yes. Darktable, RawTherapee, and Lightroom Mobile all handle RAW files for free. Darktable and RawTherapee are full desktop apps with non-destructive workflows. Lightroom Mobile is the easiest to learn.
What's the difference between Darktable and RawTherapee?
Both are excellent open-source RAW processors. Darktable has a more modern UI, scene-referred color science, and a smoother workflow. RawTherapee has more aggressive technical controls (especially around demosaicing and detail). Many photographers use both.
Is Photopea legitimate? It looks too good to be free.
Yes, Photopea is a one-person project supported by ads (and Premium subscriptions). It's been actively developed since 2013. The code isn't open source, but it's a real product, not a scam.
Are AI photo features safe to use on private photos?
Most AI photo features run on remote servers, meaning your photos are uploaded for processing. Apple Photos' on-device AI is the privacy outlier. If you care, check the vendor's data-handling policy before uploading sensitive images.