Creative types tend to favor Macs over Windows PCs, and photographers are no exception. When it comes to photo editing software, Mac users have plenty of options—so many that it can be hard to pick the right app for your particular needs. That’s where we come in.
Apple no longer produces its own pro-level photo software, having abandoned the outstanding Aperture program years ago (it still maintains its professional video editing software Final Cut Pro in state-of-the-art condition, however).
That said, the Apple Photos app that comes with Macs is both easy to use and powerful. But you can get even more features and editing prowess by installing other photo editing apps from imaging powerhouses like Adobe, Capture One, and CyberLink, among others.
Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
Adobe Lightroom Classic
Why We Picked It
Adobe Lightroom Classic is the longtime software choice of working professional photographers. In addition to top-notch importing and organizing tools, Lightroom Classic gives photographers the best tools for correcting and enhancing photos in a raw file process. It includes things missing from the non-Classic version of Lightroom (see below) that pros need, such as printing, soft-proofing, tethered shooting, and plug-in support. You don’t, however, get some of the features amateurs and hobbyists might like, such as basic video tools and lots of learning content.
Who It’s For
Lightroom Classic is primarily for professional photographers. In fact, it’s the industry standard. When professionals and articles directed at them talk about Lightroom, they invariable mean Lightroom Classic. It’s also only for those willing to pay a recurring subscription fee.
PROS
- Excellent photo management and organization
- Auto masking for local adjustments
- Face recognition and geo-tag map
- Plug-in support
- Connected mobile app
CONS
- Initial raw conversion is slightly more detailed in some competing products
- Requires subscription
SPECS
| Keyword Tagging | ✅ |
| Face Recognition | ✅ |
| Layer Editing | ❌ |
| Lens Profile Corrections | ✅ |
| Content-Aware Edits | ✅ |
Adobe Photoshop
Why We Picked It
Photoshop is the photo editing software that started it all. It’s become the most powerful image-editing software, bar none. Photoshop is often where Adobe puts its latest state-of-the-art features first, such as the new Firefly generative AI image-creating tools. It includes the complex layering, masking, text and shape tools, gradients, and filters that professionals need.
Who It’s For
Photoshop is for pros and serious image editing enthusiasts. It’s not for people who shrink from complexity. Even though it has an incredibly deep set of tools, its interface is flexible and has gotten more manageable in recent versions, with things like hover-over help tips and a persistent search box at the top. As with other Adobe offerings, however, it’s not for anyone unwilling to cough up a recurring subscription fee, as that’s the only way to keep using it.
PROS
- Vast set of photo correction and manipulation tools
- Slick user interface with a lot of guidance
- Tools for mobile and web design
- Rich set of drawing and typography tools
- Powerful raw camera files tools
- Synced Libraries, Cloud Documents, and collaboration features
CONS
- No perpetual license option, hard to find the best price online
- Steep learning curve
- Runs many processes in the background
SPECS
| Keyword Tagging | ❌ |
| Face Recognition | ❌ |
| Layer Editing | ✅ |
| Lens Profile Corrections | ✅ |
| Content-Aware Edits | ✅ |
Adobe Photoshop Elements
Why We Picked It
Photoshop Elements includes much of the capability of its big sibling, Photoshop, but it wraps that functionality in a friendlier interface that emphasizes hand-holding. Its Guided Edits ease the process of creating stunning effects with your photos. You still get layers, filters, and a smart Organizer utility to keep track of your photo collection.
Who It’s For
Adobe describes the audience for Elements as “memory keepers,” those members of the family who want to create appealing photographic keepsakes from family occasions. Elements also offers anyone a good way into the processes behind the pro-level effects designers get with Photoshop proper. It’s also good if you don’t want to keep paying a subscription, as it’s available for a reasonable one-time purchase price.
PROS
- Many powerful image-manipulation tools
- Strong face-tagging and geotagging capabilities
- Excellent image output options
- Powerful search
- Helpful guidance for advanced techniques
CONS
- No local help system
- No chromatic aberration correction tool or lens geometry profiles
- Little cloud storage allocation for mobile and web syncing
- No generative image AI
SPECS
| Keyword Tagging | ✅ |
| Face Recognition | ✅ |
| Layer Editing | ✅ |
| Lens Profile Corrections | ❌ |
| Content-Aware Edits | ✅ |
Apple Photos
Why We Picked It
Yes, Apple Photos is included free with every Mac, and it’s an excellent photo editing application. It includes strong organization and photo adjustment features and is particularly suited to those who take pictures with iPhones. But the app also lets you view and edit raw camera files from popular SLR models, making for more powerful editing possibilities.
Who It’s For
Anyone with a Mac already has Apple Photos preinstalled and couldn’t remove it even if they wanted to. But consumers and hobbyists will be pleased with its impressive functionality. Professionals and photo enthusiasts will want more capable software, however. That said, it’s free, and who doesn’t like free stuff?
PROS
- Free
- Intuitive, slick interface
- Face recognition
- Capable auto-corrections
- Plug-in support
- Neat tricks for iOS Live Photos
CONS
- Auto-created Memories not editable
- No chromatic aberration or geometry correction
- Sharing limited to Apple ecosystem
SPECS
| Keyword Tagging | ✅ |
| Face Recognition | ✅ |
| Layer Editing | ❌ |
| Lens Profile Corrections | ❌ |
| Content-Aware Edits | ❌ |
Download the Best Photo Editing Software for Mac for Free
The addition of AI-powered tools has recently made many pro-level Mac video editors more accessible to new users. However, they’ve done nothing to lessen the high system requirements and high price tag that often accompany professional software.
We recommend PowerDirector 365 as the best video editing software for Mac. None of the advanced video editors for Mac can touch PowerDirector when it comes to user-friendliness. And it’s a cut above other beginner-friendly Mac video editors in terms of features. With this video editor for Mac, hobbyists can create high-quality content for YouTube, TikTok, Twitch, conferences, school projects, or family events, and look like they hired a professional.
FAQs :
How Do You Choose Photo Editing Software?
When choosing a Mac photo editing app, look for a clean, well-designed interface with lots of help and tutorials. Beyond that, there are different types of apps that specialize in different parts of the photo editing process. The app or apps your choose will depend on what you need to do.
Does Mac come with photo editing software?
Apple’s Photos. Photos is the built-in editor that comes with your Mac. After they shut down Aperture in 2015, the Photos app on a Mac might be Apple’s best kept secret. It houses a fairly robust set of editing tools that do many of the tasks in Lightroom’s Develop Module or Photoshop’s Camera RAW.
Does Apple have a program like Photoshop?
It’s the built-in photo editor for Mac, so you don’t have to pay anything for it. As with any modern photo editor, Photos also provides smart and fast photo management features and includes sleek tools for searching, sorting, displaying, and sharing of photos. No. Nobody has a Photoshop equivalent.
How much is Apple Adobe Photoshop?
Create gorgeous images, rich graphics, and incredible art. Plans starting at US$22. 99/mo.
Is Photoshop free on iOS?
Adobe Photoshop Express is a free mobile app for making quick, powerful, and easy photo edits and creating collages.