Best Image Editing Software 2026
Cross-platform, honest comparisons of the top free and paid image editors. Click any tool for a full dedicated review.
Top 5 Free Image Editors
| Rank |
Software |
Best For |
Layers |
RAW Support |
AI Tools |
Official Site |
| 1 |
Affinity Studio |
Pro-level editing (now free) |
Yes (advanced) |
Yes |
Basic (Pro for advanced) |
Get Affinity Studio |
| 2 |
GIMP |
Advanced open-source editing |
Yes (advanced) |
Yes (plugins) |
Limited (plugins) |
Download GIMP |
| 3 |
Photopea |
Photoshop-like (web) |
Yes (PSD support) |
Limited |
Basic |
Open Photopea |
| 4 |
Krita |
Digital painting + retouching |
Yes (advanced) |
Limited |
Some (plugins) |
Download Krita |
| 5 |
Pixlr E |
Quick web edits & AI |
Yes |
No |
Yes (generative) |
Open Pixlr E |