With the best photo editing software for Mac 2018, it is actually possible to create perfect photos. Choose one of the photo editors above and you will not be disappointed. All of them come with free trial periods whose lengths differ from one to the other.
Even if you can't afford to purchase photo editing software, you can still find free software to create and edit images. Some are developed by individuals, and some are feature limited or an earlier version of a more advanced program. In some rare instances, there are no strings attached, but most often you will need to provide information to the company by registering, or endure ads or nag screens.
Though these are all stand-alone applications you also might want to take a look at the free mobile apps from Adobe. They include:
Also don't forget there are also mobile apps from SketchGuru, Skitch, and a number of other Android and iOS imaging apps such as Instagram which gives you the ability to play with images by applying a variety of preset effects and filters to your images.
Finding the Best Photo Editing App for You
The key decision behind using any imaging application lies with what the requirements are for the task at hand. You need to closely research the product and get really clear on both the product's strengths and its weaknesses. Also, take the time to look at the work others have created with the product. For example, if you are looking to create simple graphics or to touch up family photos, then an application without a serious number of filters and effects may just fit the bill. On the other hand, if you want to do compositing and add effects then a limited feature set may not be ideal for your needs.
Also, it is important that you check out whether the application has been updated recently. A lack of updates is the first clue that this software may just be on its last legs. Also just doing a simple Google or Bing search around the application will tell you volumes. For example, Picassa, one of the apps mentioned in this piece has been withdrawn. That's the bad news. The good news is its feature set has been folded into Google Photos which is free.
GIMP for Mac OS X
What We Like
Interface familiar for Photoshop users.
Fully featured, despite being free.
What We Don't Like
Might not be updated frequently.
Lacks adjustment layers.
GIMP is a popular open-source image editor originally developed for Unix/Linux. Often lauded as the 'free Photoshop,' it does have an interface and features similar to Photoshop.
Best Photo Editor For Mac
Because it's volunteer-developed beta software, stability and frequency of updates could be an issue; however, many happy users report using GIMP for OS X without significant problems. GIMP is not compatible with Mac OS 9 and earlier.
Pinta
Pinta is a free pixel-based image editor for Mac OS X. One of the most interesting aspects of Pinta is that it is based on the Windows image editor Paint.NET.
Pinta offers the basic drawing tools that you'd expect from an image editor, as well as some more advanced features, such as layers and a range of image adjustment tools. These features mean that Pinta is also a viable tool for users looking for an application to allow them to edit and improve their digital photos.
Image Tricks
Image Tricks is a fun and easy to use free image editor for Mac OS X. It is an application that encourages experimentation and offers the ability for a wide range of effects to be combined and applied to pictures.
Image Tricks is an ideal application for less experienced users to achieve creative results, thanks to the range of filters and masks that are available. There is also a paid Pro version that offers more filters, though you can see the effects that they produce in the free version, without saving them.
GraphicConverter X
What We Like
Works with a huge variety of formats.
Cocooner function allows non-destructive editing, preserving original image.
What We Don't Like
Can be difficult at first.
Cluttered interface.
GraphicConverter is a multi-purpose graphics tool for converting, viewing, browsing, and editing hundreds of image types on the Macintosh platform. If there is a file format or image processing task that your existing software can't handle, chances are that GraphicConverter can do it if you're willing to tackle the learning curve.
Free Photo Editor For Mac
GraphicConverter is a worthwhile tool to have on hand but needs some serious work in the usability department. The application is not free, but you can use the shareware without time limitation if you don't need batch processing features.
Mac Photo Editor and Photo editing software for mac are some of the most sought-after things mac users look out for. Some of us literally want to get rid of the default photo editing software for mac. Different photo editor for mac come up with different editing capacity and resources but most of them do carry the basic tools for photo editing like cropping, resizing, compressing the picture, setting up the contrast or temperature, picture rotation etc.
However, you might not need all of these features because not all of them are useful for you. Keeping a user’s requirements in view, we have prepared a list of Mac Photo editor from which you can find out the best photo editor for mac.
1. Adobe Photoshop CC for mac: The Best Mac Photo editor
Adobe Photoshop is the best Mac photo editor without any doubt. It has no parallels and rivals in its field. That’s the reason this photo editor mac is being widely used by people like graphic designers, web developers, video editors etc.
Features of Adobe photoshop for Mac:
- Searching capability within the layers
- Apply layer styles to groups
- Define the layer style for various folders
- More complex effects and filter combinations.
- Video support
While the basic functionalities like image retouching, realistic painting, and a wide range of enhancements are also there. It is free to try.
2. CorelDraw for mac: Best Mac photo editor for Novice but Paid
If you are not much of a Graphics designer and you just want the basic UI (Besides the complex functionalities as well), CorelDraw for mac is the best photo editing software for you.
Feature of CorelDraw for mac:
- Innovative drawing tools
- A lot of image editing tools and features
- Vector animation software
- Easy and very Interactive tools
- Live effects
- Web Image Optimizer and Web publishing (Might come handy if you are a blogger like me).
- Built-in PDF output
- Exotic color management
Also Read: Download & Install CorelDraw for Mac free on Mac OS X 10.11 El Capitan
3. Gimp for mac: Best free mac photo editor
Gimp for mac can be said as the best free rival for Photoshop and Coreldraw photo editing software for Mac. Gimp has been very popular with people running Linux and is now available for Mac.
Features of Gimp for mac:
- Free yet powerful
- Look-alike to Photoshop
- Adjustable interface
- Automated processes for editing a large number of image files like resizing, compressing, renaming etc.
Also Read: How to Download & Install GIMP for Mac OS X
4. Apple iPhoto for mac: Default Photo editor for mac
iPhoto is the default photo editing software for mac. Just like the branding of Apple, iPhone has got an awesome user interface like Mac OS X and also its functionalities are similar to the operating system. But this a paid app.
Feature of iPhoto for mac:
- full-screen view
- Option to share photos and upload directly on social media like Facebook Timeline and even view friends’ comments right there.
- Works with iCloud Photos so your photos are with you anywhere you go,
- Make a collage and add dynamicity to your photos.
5. ACDSee Pro
ACDSee Pro is free to try tool with just the basic functionalities. For full functionalities, you have to buy the pro version.
Features of ACDSee Pro:
- Optimized for retina display
- Quickly scan your photo library
- Preview folder
- Batch files supported
- Boost dull colors and underexposed areas and make finer adjustments like other apps
6. Graphic Converter for mac:
Source: graphicconverter.de.softonic.com
Graphic converter for mac is a free to try photo editing software. People often complain of its too basic user interface but if you want no complexity and you need just the basic functionalities, this is the perfect app for you.
Features of Graphic converter for mac:
- More than 200 different compatible formats
- Around 80 output formats
- Basic functionalities like cropping, rotation, adjust brightness, saturation, sharpness etc.
- Batch conversions
7. Picasa for mac: Google’s free Photo editor for mac
If you love Google and you have recently switched over to mac then chances are higher that you must have encountered Picasa before. And the best part is Picasa is also available for mac as a photo editing app
Feature of Google Picasa:
- Easily usable even for the less experienced users. So it’s more favorable for the new mac users.
- Includes basic photo editing tools like crop, apply effects etc.
- One of the most notable features of Picasa is facial recognition. You can tag an individual in your phoo.
- Simple integration with Google services
8. Photoscape: A Free mac photo editor
PhotoScape for Mac is a photo viewing as well as photo editing software designed for Mac OS X.. It comes with some of the coolest features for which you might want to give it try.
Features of Photoscape for mac:
- Rotate, resize, Crop, Adjust color temperature
- Different photo effects like bloom, vignette, blur, sepia, greyscale, black and white
- Auto effects like Auto Level, Auto Contrast,
- Backlight Correction
- Photo Browser, Full Screen Viewer
- Sharing on Social media like Facebook, Twitter, Picasa, Flickr etc.
- and many more features.
Also Read: Download & Install Photoscape for mac OS X 10.11 El Capitan
9. Apple Aperture:
Apple Aperture is comparatively a newer photo editing software for mac but it is making a lot of hype all around and people are going mad after this mac photo editor. However, Apple aperture for mac is not a free software. You will have to pay $99 if you want to try it and if you want to upgrade it then you have to have $199.
Features of Apple Aperture:
- Face recognition
- Geo tagging
- video support
- Metadata management
10. Pixelmator for mac:
Even being a personal photo editor, Pixelmator for mac is not lesser than a professional photo editor for mac. This is a free to try photo editor for mac.
Features of Pixelmator for mac:
- Wide range of effects
- Painting and drawing
- layers
- Color correction
- Smoother
Our Recommendation:
- If you are looking for a Paid app for professional designing then Adobe Photoshop is best for you
- If you are looking for a Paid app for personal designing then Coreldraw is the best mac photo editor software for you.
- If you are looking for the best Free Photo editor for mac then Gimp for mac is the best app for you.
