There are hundreds of reasons you need to edit a photo or an image, and free online photo editors can often do the job.
Adobe Photoshop is expensive and not easy to use unless you are a professional.
However, we all need to do a little photo editing or resize images and crop them for simple reasons such as posting on social media or adding text.
Posting a photo online with an ugly red eye is certainly not what you would like to do. Do you want to add photo frames to images or convert them to black and white?
Find the best free online photo editors
Instagram is a prime example of how adding simple photo effects or graphic designs can attract more attention.
If you are blogging, you always need an image editor to create your unique featured header images. But if you are busy, you want something quick and easy.
For authors, cover design projects involve a lot of work. You can use some of these apps for mockups and color experiments before deciding on the final design.
Basic image editing tools with a simple user interface can come in handy for this stage. But then, later, leave the advanced editing to your cover designer.
Free image editing software
Depending on what you want to do with an image or photo editor, you have an excellent choice of free tools.
You don’t need to download and install expensive editing software for image editing. There are a lot of free photo editors online, and you can add filters and effects or use a collage maker.
All you usually need to do to edit photos is to upload your image file. Then download it after you make your changes or add your special effects.
Perhaps you want to do more complex tasks and use advanced editing tools, like making a transparent background or using a tilt-shift tool.
Then there is a choice of open source and free editing tools you can download and install for Mac and PC. So what choices do you have for a free image editor? Here are seven suggestions to get you started.
1. GIMP
Gimp is the number one choice as an alternative to Photoshop. If you don’t know, the name is an acronym, GNU Image Manipulation Program.
It is not easy to learn, so you will need to spend some time getting to grips with how all the advanced tools work. But if you have some experience, especially with RAW files, they will be familiar to you.
It is available for macOS, Microsoft Windows, and Linux. You can download Gimp here.
2. Seashore
Seashore is an open-source image editor. However, it is only available for Mac users.
It is much easier to use than Gimp, so it is ideal for people new to image editing. I have used it for a long time because my skills are basic.
But it can do everything I need to do with an image editor. If you are an Apple user, it is the best choice.
3. Photo Pos Pro
For PC users, Photo Pos Pro is a free Windows photo editor. But there is a lite version available for Mac users.
You can convert any of your images into a stunning piece of artwork. You get all the tools to create, edit, enhance, print, and manipulate your digital photos or computer graphics.
Photo Pos Pro supports all the standard features, such as Filters, Layers, Masks, Curves, Scripts, Effects, and Brushes. You could hardly ask for much more from a free photo editor.
4. Online Image Editor
Online Image Editor has a few more features than some other editors.
You can do the usual resizing and cropping, but you can also add animation, frames, and flashing text.
It will probably suit people who want simple picture editing software to edit photos for sharing online on social media.
Take a look and see if it’s right for you.
5. Paint.NET
Paint.NET, as the name suggests, is a Windows program.
I can’t give a view of this app because I am a Mac user.
However, Tech Radar gives it a good 4-star review, so it might be an alternative to Gimp.
Download Paint.NET. The page is full of ads, so as a hint, the download link is in the top right-hand corner.
6. Photoscape
Photoscape is an image and photo editor but is only available for PC users.
The editor tools include resizing, brightness and color adjustment, white balance, backlight correction, frames, balloons, mosaic mode, adding text, drawing pictures, cropping, filters, red-eye removal, blooming, paintbrush, clone stamp, and an effect brush.
7. Adobe Photoshop Express
Adobe Photoshop Express is only available as an app for mobile devices.
It gets in at number six, well, because it is Adobe, so it must be good. It is not Adobe Lightroom, but it works quite well.
The list of features is very long, so I won’t repeat it all here. But I did notice that you can add watermarks to photos.
That is a great feature to individualize or protect your photos.
You can get the mobile apps on the Apple App Store, Google Play, and the Windows Store.
Eight Free Online Photo Editors
8. Pixlr
Here’s the outline of what Pixlr can do.
It has two million+ combinations of free effects, filters, and overlays.
It is a complete mobile photo editing tool that works best for simple tweaks right up to the more creative edits.
9. Sumopaint
Sumopaint has a feature list as long as your arm.
You will need Flash installed on your browser, or you can download the app.
It has shape tools, layer effects, linear blur, mosaics, and dozens of brushes.
There are so many features and tools that it is probably quicker for you to take a look for yourself.
10. Photovisi
Photovisi is a collage maker. So if that is what you want to do, it is a great free option.
You can also create social media covers and headers for Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, and many more.
If you are into social media images, this tool could be what you are looking for.
11. Fotor
Fotor is an image design suite similar to Canva.
You can get shapes, fonts, and clipart to add to your designs.
There is a whole bundle of templates and design tools to choose from.
This is going to be a go-to free app for many.
12. PiZap
PiZap is a simple online editor for photos and images.
You will need Flash enabled to use the tools, however.
One bonus of this tool is that you can make your own emojis. Well, if that is of interest, take a look.
13. Ribbet
Ribbet has one very cool-looking website.
As soon as you open its site, you know it knows about image editing because it is full of features.
You can use it online, or there are apps for the iPhone and iPad.
14. BeFunky
BeFunky has a bit of everything for everyone; it would seem.
There’s an image or photo editor, a collage maker, and a designer similar to Canva and Fotor.
It looks like a good free all-rounder online tool for all your image editing needs.
Three Free Image Tools I Use Every Day
This list would not be complete without mentioning three free image tools that make my life easier.
I have used each of these for ages, and I use them so often that they live in my dock for easy access.
15. Canva
Canva has been my tool of choice for so long that I can’t recall when I started using it.
I create all the featured images for my blogs with Canva.
It keeps a library of all my uploaded images and designs, which really helps when I need to add a logo or update a blog image.
It is easy to learn how to use and has a friendly interface that will have you up and running in no time at all.
16. ImageOptim
ImageOptim is a small Mac program.
But if you are an Apple user, this is an indispensable little free program.
I have it sitting in my dock and use it so many times a day to losslessly reduce the size of images that I use on my sites.
All you need to do is open it and then drag your image files to it, and it reduces the size of your jpeg, png, and gif images to your settings.
I have it set to 70% reduction, and it works perfectly without any noticeable loss of image quality.
17. Pixabay
Okay, Pixabay is not an app or an image editor.
But we all need free images from time to time, and Pixabay is by far my favorite because of the huge selection and image quality.
I sometimes use Morguefile, but the free images are not up to the same standard as Pixabay.
Conclusion
I use many pro or paid apps and tools. But there are a lot of free tools I use that do a great job too.
Free doesn’t necessarily mean poor quality or performance. But don’t expect priority support for a free tool.
You should also expect that they might be either advertising-supported or that you will receive a few emails occasionally.
Some free tools are slimmed-down versions of a premium app or tool or are limited to a trial period, so you need to check.
In the end, it is a matter of choice and what works best for you.
Related Reading: How To Add Text To A Picture Or Photo In 8 Easy Free Ways
Think it wast the best photo editing list i ever seen. Thanks.
Oh yes, Pixabay is an amazing free images source. OK, GIMP, Canva and Fotor are nice photo editors, but isn’t it great to have a powerful and easy tech supported program? I mostly use PhotoWorks, it well meets all my photo editing needs.