What are the best photo editing apps for mac?
Well, that really depends on what you want and need.
Are you a weekend warrior using your smartphone pics to impress your friends with your avocado toast brunch on Instagram?
You want a more automatic app, filled with presets and filters that will let you enhance your photos in just one or two clicks.
Are you a professional photographer who needs more control over the finished look of your portraits and landscapes without having to spend hours editing?
Choose one of the more robust apps that work with multiple file types and let you manipulate the photos at a granular level.
But with so many apps out there, how do you filter through them all to find the best one for you?
Easy! Just check out this list of the 11 best photo editing apps for Mac in 2020 to find the best paid and free apps that are perfect for you.
Best Photo Editing Apps for Mac for Professional Photographers
If you’re looking to upgrade your photography, now might be a good time to start using more professional tools. All of these included more advanced options to bring your photos up to the next level.
- Adobe Photoshop Lightroom (Creative Cloud)
Adobe Photoshop Lightroom is often considered the best photo editing app on the market and sets the standard for all other apps.
You have complete control of the light and color in your photos with its easy-to-use sliders. Standard tools let you shift focus, sharpen images or blur your background, create layers, match or correct color and so much more.
Lightroom also includes a fully functional DAM software (Digital Asset Management) that lets you upload your entire catalog to the cloud and manage it from anywhere.
- Affinity Photo
Professionals consider Affinity Photo to be one of the top photo editing apps.
Beyond all the basic editing tools (including red-eye removal; color correction and color matching; masks, layers, and filters), Affinity Photo has an easy to use interface and includes support for all file formats including RAW photos.
One of the highlights is the extensive history – you can undo/redo up to 8,000 changes to your photo! Plus, Affinity keeps your original photo intact until you manually save over it with your edited photo.
- Luminar 4
Similar to other photo editing apps, Luminar includes all the standard tools and over 60 adjustable filters. With a built-in DAM and dedicated RAW processing, you get a proficient workflow with adaptive tools and features.
One of the highlights is the Before- and After- Slider that lets you compare your revisions to the original image as you’re working.
- Pixelmator Pro
The basic features and intuitive UI are just the beginning of Pixelmator Pro’s tools to make your workflow easier and more effective.
Its ML-Enhance mode includes over 35 fine-tuned individual color adjustments. It lets you combine multiple photos into one name and edit each layer.
The Best Free Photo Editing Apps
Just starting out and overwhelmed by the costs of photo editing apps? Not to worry, these apps are free, easy to use, and filled with options.
- GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program)
GIMP is an open-source software and a great free photo editing app.
With its advanced image manipulation and detailed customizations you can add layers, edit colors, contrast, and saturation, crop your images, and much more.
One thing to keep in mind is that it is considered a little difficult to use and its interface is a bit limited.
- Fotor Photo Editor
Fotor Photo Editor may not be as powerful as GIMP but this simple intuitive interface is a bit easier to learn and use.
It supports importing/exporting RAW files. You can batch process to apply presets to multiple images all at once. It even lets you create a collage of your images.
- PhotoScape
One of the best alternatives to Photoshop, PhotoScape has everything you need to transform and prepare your photos for printing.
Its organized UI lets you apply filters, color correct and retouch, and use effects with batch processing or on individual photos. PhotoScape works with all file formats including RAW files.
- CameraBag Photo
CameraBag Photo includes 200 pre-installed customizable filters, has an intuitive and easy-to-use interface, and supports RAW files. It has an option for batch processing, previewing folders, and applying presets.
Some Cool Photo Editing Apps
Sometimes, you just want something a little different or a little easier. Check out these apps for special options and see if one is right for you.
- darktable – Best Free RAW Photo Editing App
darktable is an open-source raw developer and workflow software that lets you work with raw images, developing and enhancing them like negatives in a virtual light-table and darkroom.
If you’re a professional photographer who is working with RAW files, it’s likely you already have an expensive photo editing app, but if you’re interested in open-source software, this is one of the best out there.
- Photolemur 3 – Best One-Click Photo Editing App
For newer photographers who want better looking images without having to know a lot about editing, this is the app for you.
Improve your images quickly and effortlessly with this drag-and-drop system that lets you apply presets and filters in one-click. It’s extremely easy to use and even opens RAW files.
- AuroraHDR 2019 – Best HDR Photo Editor
HDR combines multiple images and picks the best elements of each to create the best photo.
By working with low exposure, medium exposure, and high exposure options you are able to manipulate the light and dark areas of the photo to highlight and enhance them exactly the way you want.
Bonus: Mac Preview
Finally, don’t forget Mac Preview. It’s easy to use and already included on your Mac!
It may not be the most elaborate or powerful editing software but it allows you to quickly work with basic editing options. You can easily adjust color, rotate images, crop photos, and export files while you’re using a mac.
Best Photo Editing App for You
If you’re looking for the best photo editing apps for mac don’t get swayed by fancy acronyms or options you don’t need. With a little bit of research and honestly assessing your photography needs, you can easily choose the one that’s best for you.
Do you have another photo editing app you like using on the Mac that’s not included here? Leave us a comment and tell us about it!
