Best Mac Photo Editing Software Applications to Turn You into a Pro in 2024!
These best photo editing apps for Mac will help you with added filters and features while taking control of every aspect of your image.
Mac photo editing software application opens endless possibilities for photographers, designers, enthusiasts, etc. These software applications are capable of providing you with extensive features that can help control numerous aspects of the image at your disposal. Read More
Best Photo Editing Software Applications For Mac - From Basic Features to Advanced Functionalities!
Affinity Photo 2
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Elevate your photo editing experience with Affinity Photo 2. The MacBook photo editing software has been a top choice for many creatives around the world. The award-winning app has redefined the image editing domain with exceptional quality and value.
Affinity Photo 2 has a freshly redesigned UI. It includes revamped tools and button icons making the app easy to use and navigable. Plus, there are new features added to this best free photo editor for Mac. For example, non-destructive RAW develops, luminosity masks, compound masks, and more.
It delivers robust productivity features. Features that provide unlimited layers for editing, savable undo history, and recordable macros. With a vast library of brushes, customizable effects, and pattern layers, it is a great tool to download. So, go for it!
Why we picked it?
Photoscape X
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Want to fix a blurry shot, create a collage, or more, well, Photoscape X is the best photo editing software for Mac.
With its user-friendly interface, the tool makes photo editing a breeze. It has all the basic functionalities like rotation, resizing, cropping, and adjusting color. In fact, it even works similarly to many AI background remover tools, effectively erasing unwanted elements.
But, that's not all! PhotoScape X offers batch editing capabilities. So, if you apply the same edit to multiple shots, it will apply them at once. Also, it has other features like a color picker, screen capture, and macro recording. It basically fills up the entire catalog of things you'll need to unleash your creativity.
So, you can be a professional photographer or someone who loves taking pictures, and this app can sort you out. It can help you enhance your photos and unleash creativity in ways never imagined.
Why we picked it?
Lightroom
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Adobe Photoshop Lightroom, as the name suggests, comes from the house of Adobe. It is a super powerful tool that can help you edit, organize, store, and share photos. The free photo editing software for Mac works on phones and tablets as well. In fact, a lot of influencers and enthusiasts use this as one of the Instagram photo editing apps.
Lightroom provides easy-to-use editing features and 1 TB of cloud storage. It comes with loads of presets, sliders, and filters. These help you manipulate images just the way you want. Plus with the 1 TB storage, you can access an entire library of timeless photos.
However, with this one of the best photo editing apps for Mac, posting on social media is super easy. Even if you are new to photo editing, the tool has many tutorials and tips to help you get started. So why wait? Try Adobe Photoshop Lightroom today and start creating magic.
Why we picked it?
Movavi Photo Editor
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Look no further as Movavi Photo Editor is the ultimate tool to transform good photos into masterpieces. With its intuitive interface and powerful AI-powered tools, the free photo editing apps for Mac can do a lot. For example, it can enhance images, remove unwanted elements, create collages, etc.
The app allows you to change the background effortlessly. This is all thanks to the optimized algorithm of the tool that selects and separates objects with ease.
However, that's not all, the photo editor for Mac delivers a range of handy retouching tools. This helps you perfect portraits, hide skin blemishes, remove wrinkles, etc. Also, there is an all-in-one makeup kit.
Plus, the tool offers many other incredible features. For example, automatic filter enhancement, digital noise removal, and smart restoration tools. In fact, it can make it easy to fix common image flaws and breathe life into old photos. Overall, this best photo editor for Mac makes it easy to manipulate images with ease.
Why we picked it?
Fotor
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Want to unleash your creativity to its best potential? Fotor is a Mac photo editing software application that has been praised by BBC as "lite Photoshop". With Fotor, it is easy and fast to make changes to your images. The app lets you edit your photos, create stunning designs, and make awesome collages.
Even if you have never touched editing before, Fotor would be much easier to begin from. It has tonnes of cool features. For instance, touch-up tools for portraits, batch processing, and collage maker with over 80 templates.
The image editor for Mac offers powerful editing tools. For example, adjust exposure, brightness, contrast, and more. Also, there are flexible text editing options. This includes adding captions, quotes, and messages.
To conclude, it is an app ideal for both professional photographers and someone who loves taking pictures. Fotor is one of the best free photo editing apps for Mac. So download Fotor, and start creating amazing images.
Why we picked it?
Adobe Photoshop Elements
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Looking to take your photos from ordinary to extraordinary? Adobe Photoshop Elements is the best Mac photo editor to create stunning images. It can be your go-to tool to produce results that can be easily shared with friends and family.
Photoshop Elements delivers an intuitive interface along with powerful features. Using it is comparable to using a professional photo editor on your computer. But, the tool is ideal for both seasoned and beginner photographers because of the features. For example, color adjustments, different tones and backgrounds, stylish text overlays, etc.
The photo editor for Mac provides guided edits. These edits help you learn new techniques and improve your skills along the way. Also, with access to thousands of free Adobe Stock photos, the possibilities are endless. So, embrace this best photo editing software for Mac and create images that blow everyone's mind.
Why we picked it?
Cyberlink PhotoDirector
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Cyberlink has always been a popular company in creating photo and video editing apps. So, meet PhotoDirector, an AI-powered photo editing software to generate incredible results.
The image editor for Mac is ideal for both beginners and a pro. With just a few clicks, you can add effects, retouch portraits, remove objects, or enhance the quality of the photos. Furthermore, there are plenty of enhancements to elevate the image quality.
PhotoDirector can be called the best photo editor for Mac because of its AI image enhancer. This enhancer removes blur, enhances colors, and tones using its AI features. Plus, the tool offers AI Object Removal and Background Removal & Effects.
PhotoDirector also offers powerful retouching features. For example, AI Face Reshape, Skin Tone adjustment, Body Reshape, etc. It also offers a generative AI that provides effects like AI Sketch and AI Anime. With PhotoDirector and its incredible AI tools, you get an incredible editing experience. An experience that helps you turn your vision into reality.
Why we picked it?
Skylum Luminar Neo
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Looking to enhance image quality, retouch portraits, and use filters, Luminar Neo has got you covered. Powered by cutting-edge AI tools, the Mac photo editing software application enables professional-quality results. In fact, Skylum Luminar Neo also offersone of the best AI photo colorizers to add vibrant colors to black and white photos.
It is a tool ideal for both beginners and experienced photographers. It delivers GenAI features. These features remove unwanted elements, expand photo frames, and help you explore creativity.
Furthermore, you receive a comprehensive set of tools. These tools help you enhance landscapes, portraits, and more. From automatic sky replacement and realistic weather effects, the photo editing software for Mac for beginners delivers all. You get flexible workflow options. For example, multiple layers, and photo overlays.
These incredible features can be unlocked using one of the subscription plans. There’s a 7-day trial as well to give you a taste of the paid features. Finally, it is a tool that can help you discover endless possibilities for transforming your photos.
Why we picked it?
Seashore
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Seashore is the only completely free open-source image editor in this list. The photo editing software is developed specifically for macOS. The tool boasts a simpler Cocoa user interface, which makes it easy for anyone to edit images without complexity. Basically, the software prioritizes user-friendliness and smooth operation of macOS devices.
Seashore supports a variety of file formats. For example, XCF, TIFF, PNG, JPEG, JPEG2000, HEIC, BMP, PDF, etc.
The tool comes packed with essential features like layers, alpha channel support, gradients, etc. Also, it offers additional functionalities. For example, editing layer channels, text layers, and graphics table support.
Seashore has already been revitalized and now it runs on all the latest versions of macOS. So, whether you are a beginner or an experienced user, Seashore has the capability to provide a straightforward experience.
Why we picked it?
Picktorial
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Looking for an awesome Mac photo editing software application? Well, Picktorial is an app that is both an editor and a photo organizer. In fact, it delivers the experience of using two apps combined in one. The experience of using it is close to using two apps in one.
Picktorial can help you make your photos look amazing with ease. It can help you adjust colors, smooth out skin, remove things in the background, and more. Plus, it is very easy to use.
The best part about this photo editing software for Mac is its capability to execute cool ideas. You can change the way the original click looks without affecting the original copy. Also, it saves everything you do. So, the user can always go back and make changes later. Finally, it is a credible Mac photo editor that can help you take your images to the next level.
Why we picked it?
Bag relevant views, higher downloads & real shares for your app
In this article:
How Did We Choose the Best Photo Editing Software Application for Mac?
There are no single best options in terms of photo editing software apps for Mac that fulfill the requirements of every person. Therefore, creating a list should focus on covering entries that cater to a larger audience. For that, we divided our research into three facets. Let’s explore them to unveil our criterion:
Your Skill Level:
- Beginner: It prioritizes user-friendly interfaces and basic editing tools. There are several free options like Apple Photos, GIMP, or Photoscape X that can be a great starting point.
- Intermediate: This category of software apps looks for a balance of user-friendliness and powerful features. A common example in this category is Fotor. Furthermore, these apps deliver a gentler learning curve compared to professional tools.
- Advanced/Professional: These software applications prioritize on extensive editing capabilities like RAW image support and precise control. It is where industry standards like Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom Classic shine.
Budget:
- Free: These options lack several capable free options. These lack advanced features. Common examples are Apple Photos or Photoscape X.
- Paid one-time purchase: These deliver all the features forever at a one-time cost. Affinity Photo is a popular choice in the category.
- Subscription: These are tools that offer multiple editing options for a monthly fee. For example, Photoshop and Lightroom.
Specific Needs:
- Batch Editing: Photographers and other associated professionals process multiple images in a single go. Therefore, the app needs to have strong editing features.
- Social Media Integration: Some of the software applications cater to social media users. These deliver quick editing tools and easy sharing options ideal for social media executives, influencers, etc.
- RAW Image Editing: The majority of photographers shoot in RAW format. This is because RAW format is lossless and gives the photographer extensive capability to control every aspect of the image. Therefore, the capability to process RAW became a major point for our selection criteria.
How to Test the Best Free Photo Editing Software App for Mac?
To test a photo editing software application for Mac, we need to test it at all levels be it our skills or the capability of the tool. So, let’s begin:
1. Define Your Needs:
- Skill Level: It is important to factor in your skill level, i.e., beginner, intermediate, or advanced. Based on that determine the complexity of the software application features, you need.
- Editing Tasks: Understand the type of edits you make to your images. Some people are happy with applying filters while others need extensive tools to create composites or controlling colors.
- File Format: While formats like JPEGs are popular & compatible with almost every photo-sharing or photo-viewing app, they are lossy. On the other hand, RAW delivers major editing capabilities to control aspects of an image on a much more micro-level.
2. Research and Shortlist:
- Review Sites: Look for review sites like MobileAppDaily for their recommendations. These websites can help you share your overall impression and features of the app. This will help in determining apt tools as per your requirements.
- Focus on Features: Create a list of your favorite apps and compare their features together. Also, create a list of features that you prioritize. This will help you find an app that solves the majority of your editing problems.
3. Hands-on Testing:
- Download and Install: The majority of free software provides easy download options from either their website or the Mac App Store.
- Import Sample Photos: Grab different types of images such as landscape, portrait, low-light images, etc., and check the results post-editing.
- Test Key Features: Try out basic adjustments like cropping, exposure, and contrast. After that try out the advanced features and test the tool’s capabilities. For example, noise reduction, color correction, etc.
- Explore Interface: Check whether the interface is intuitive and easy enough to use.
- Performance: It is important to determine the performance of the app on your Mac. Check whether it lags or runs smoothly during editing.
4. Refine Your Choice:
Compare Results: Review edited images from each software. This will help understand a relevant software application that matches your preferences.
Identify Limitations: It can be a feature or anything else that can stall your creative endeavors.
Bonus Tips:
- Start with Free Trials: If a free trial is available for paid software, consider using that extensively first. Paid tools ideally deliver more professional results, therefore, try to use them against free options to estimate the advantage.
- Online Tutorials: Multiple photo editing options for Mac deliver online tutorials. This will help you learn the ropes of that tool.
- Online Communities: Join online communities or forums that are dedicated to photo editing. These communities will tell you about some popular tools share tips and help you troubleshoot issues.
Best Free Photo Editing Software Application for Mac - Comparison Chart!
A listicle can not be completed without comparing its top contenders with each other. We have picked three capable photo editing software applications for this comparison.
These apps are selected based on their capabilities and the skill levels required by the user. It will also help you determine the difference between a beginner app, intermediate, and advanced tool So, let's begin:
| Feature | Affinity Photo 2 | Fotor | Seashore |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | One-time purchase | Free & In-App Purchases | Completely Free (Open-Source) |
| Skill Level | Intermediate - Advanced | Beginner - Intermediate | Beginner |
| Ease of Use | Moderate | Easy | Easy |
| Features | Powerful non-destructive editing, RAW image processing, vast library of tools | Versatile editing tools, extensive template library, batch editing | Essential editing features, layers, and alpha channel support |
| Pros | Powerful, feature-rich, handles RAW images, one-time purchase | User-friendly, great for beginners, templates | Free, open-source, simple to use |
| Cons | A steeper learning curve, expensive compared to free options | Lacks advanced features of professional software | Limited features compared to paid options |
Conclusion
Finding the best photo editing software for Mac depends strictly on your requirements. While some people only want to make basic edits, there are people who want to create composites.
This entire range of editing requires basic features like cropping, color adjustment, etc., to advance requirements like blending, background removal, etc. So, finding an apt photo editing partner is tricky. But, the list of Mac photo editing software mentioned above offers plenty of options for both domains. With this list, we aim to provide tools that cater to each level of users. So, we hope that you may have found something dependable.
Also, do you have a similar photo editing software for Mac? Or any other digital product that can help people? If yes, list your product. Our team of MAD experts will review your product and place it in a relevant listing. This can potentially help you with more downloads, branding, and higher credibility in the market.
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