Remember, though, it's not just about the software.

If you want advanced black and white effects, retro/analog filters, HDR merging, or one of a dozen other specialized 'looks', you're often better off using a custom-made plug-in or a different application. Adobe's Photography Plan (opens in new tab) includes Photoshop and Lightroom, which cover a lot more ground between them – but there are still plenty of non-Adobe rivals that can match their scope.

Today, there are more options than Photoshop – the one-time 'king' of photo editors. This is the best photo editing software you can get right now. The best photo editing software today doesn't just fix and correct your images, it gives you whole new ideas about what your photos could look like with presets and profiles. They're also incorporating AI-powered features, such as one-click editing. Photo editing software has advanced as quickly as digital cameras, and many programs now allow you to edit RAW files alongside JPEGs without any intermediate processing, wind back your edits if you change your mind, and create multiple 'virtual' versions of the same image. Then there are photographers and creatives who want the detailed retouching and powerful compositing tools of a traditional photo editor like Adobe Photoshop CC (opens in new tab). Some photographers will need a powerful organizing tool like Lightroom Classic (opens in new tab), some need one-click creative effects and inspiration, while others need the kind of technical quality that only the best RAW image processing tools ( DxO PhotoLab 6 (opens in new tab)) can provide. The best photo editing software for you isn't always the most expensive or complicated option.

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