Using Windows 10 and in need of a good photo editor? Then you are in a pickle. The market is oversaturated and it might take you some time to find the perfect tool to enhance your images. If you are not ready to spend weeks looking for the best photo editors for Windows 10, then our review of some of the finest products on the market will certainly help you.
In this roundup, we’ll be looking at all kinds of photo editors. We’ll start with the more universal tools and move on to niche products. We’ll be intentionally omitting Photoshop, Lightroom, and GIMP. These photo editors need no introduction, so there is little new to learn about them. So without further ado, let’s have a look at the most promising Windows 10 photo editors.
1. PhotoWorks
Kicking off our list isPhotoWorks, an intelligent photo editor for PC. The software comes equipped with all the essential tools for image editing, but has a number of advanced instruments as well. PhotoWorks allows users to automatically enhance their images - the edits are based on the image’s genre and give it the bestpossible look. There is also an AI-powered portrait retouching module that involves no manual selection or masking, but rather features one-click presets and convenient sliders that provide surprisingly natural-looking results. The software’s toolkit also offers semi-automatic background change, batch processing, 200+ effects, HDR filters, and 3D LUTs, and instruments for odd object removal. PhotoWorks is an easy-to-use program for users of all skill levels that doesn’t require much RAM power. Despite being fairly feature-rich, PhotoWorks only offers very basic layer editing.
Top features of PhotoWorks:
2. Luminar AI
Luminar AIis another smart photo editor for Windows 10. If you are after a quick edit, this software has a nifty solution for you called Templates. This is a set of different profiles that transform your picture in a snap. These templates change your image in terms of colour, dynamic range, and exposure. There are also manual tools like colour balance sliders, cropping and perspective instruments, etc. Some of the AI-powered features are fairly impressive, like the automatic sky replacement and fog or haze effects. Luminar AI comes with relatively decent portrait retouching tools. It has a few sliders that allow you to lighten and smooth the skin, get rid of imperfections, highlight the eyes, eyebrows, and lips, and slim the model’s face should you want to. Should you choose Luminar AI as your go-to tool, make sure you have top-notch hardware. Otherwise, the program won’t work properly.
Top features of Luminar AI:
3. ON1 Photo RAW
ON1 Photo RAWcan serve both as a standalone program and a Photoshop plugin. Mostly aimed at RAW manipulation, this image editing software brings its users top-tier tools for quick and efficient enhancement. Apart from basic instruments, it offers niche features like panorama stitching, lens correction, and smart face retouching. There are also layer editing tools and a respectable set of stackable filters. Despite having a relatively easy workflow, ON1 Photo RAW still requires some time getting used to due to its somewhat confusing interface. But arguably the biggest downside to this otherwise attention-worthy program is that it has a tendency to lag.
Top features of ON1 Photo RAW:
4. CyberLink PhotoDirector
CyberLink PhotoDirectoris a multifunctional photo app for Windows 10 that includes cataloguing and editing features. Among its most prominent features are AI sky replacement, content-aware object removal, GIF creation, and a body slimming tool. Although PhotoDirector does not have as many powerful tools as, say, Lightroom, it certainly surpasses the Adobe product in terms of available brushes and other painting tools. Another advantage of this photo editor is its relatively easy workflow. PhotoDirector is however not without certain drawbacks. The biggest of them is the software’s demand on hardware.
Top features of CyberLink PhotoDirector:
5. ACDSee Gemstone Photo Editor
ACDSee Gemstone Photo Editoris the flagship of the renowned software developer. It exclusively works with RAW images and offers quite a number of editing features. The toolkit includes (but is not limited to) colour and tone correction, colour LUTs and effects, smart object removal instruments, and portrait retouching features. Gemstone Photo Editor is relatively easy to use and has a simple and welcoming interface. Sadly, this software for Windows 10 has no image browser for you to flip through your RAW images.
Top features of Gemstone Photo Editor:
6. Paint.NET
Paint.NETis photo editing software for Windows 10 that can safely be called a simplified version of GIMP and Photoshop. It shares a lot of essential tools with these giants while leaving the more complex and confusing instruments out. Paint.NET allows for basic photo enhancement, layer editing, and effects application. The toolkit can be easily expanded through free plug-ins. The program has a pretty streamlined interface and is quite easy to master. But don’t expect any hi-end tools for this image editor for Windows 10. Pain.NET has the idea of simplicity at its core, and all the advanced and pro-level instruments have been purposefully omitted.
Top features of Paint.NET:
7. Corel PaintShop Pro
Corel PaintShop Prois a photo program for Windows 10 that can be used as a cataloguing tool and as a capable photo editor. PaintShop Pro relies on its AI in all the editing aspects, from colour correction to portrait retouching. The software supports RAW files and lets users batch process their images in terms of dynamic range and color correction. This editor wouldn’t be a Corel product if it didn’t also feature a wide range of vector drawing tools. What’s more, PaintShop Pro also comes with built-in templates for collages and flyers. This is a powerful photo editor that can rival the industry giants. However, this prowess comes at a certain price, as PaintShop Pro is a RAM-hungry program.
Top features of Corel Paintshop Pro:
8. Topaz Labs
Topaz Labsis a software suite that is not only aimed at photo editing but at video enhancement as well. The suite includes a photo editor, DeNoise AI, Gigapixel AI, and Sharpen AI, Mask AI, Adjust AI, JPEG to RAW AI tools. The essence of these tools is in their names, so we would focus our attention on the photo editor element of the suite. This is not a regular photo editor per se, but more of an artistic program that allows you to create gorgeous HDR-style artworks. The editor is AI-driven, which greatly contributes to the beautiful look of the edited images. All the tools within the suite sport a clean minimalistic interface and simple workflow. But the suite is not devoid of disadvantages - all the tools are sold separately and each costs quite a lot.
Top features of Topaz Labs:
Polarris both a Windows 10-based program and an online service. Praised by users for its toolkit, which includes both basic and advanced features, Polarr also has a very welcoming and easy-to-navigate interface. The software offers RAW files support, pro-level tools for colour and dynamic range adjustment, a vast collection of filters and gradient masks. Since Polarr is free, it will be ridden with ads, so be ready for it.
Top features of Polarr:
Fotoris another photo editor that is both available for desktop and online. It mostly employs one-click enhancements, but also provides enough tools for manual correction of exposure, colour balance, dynamic range and whatnot. Fotor is also equipped with a RAW file converter, a batch processing feature, a vast library of stylish effects, and a collage creating tool. Despite having a few painting instruments, Fotor isn’t exactly suitable for making graphic designs from scratch. Overall, this photo editing app for Windows 10 is fairly easyto use, provided you get accustomed to its confusing interface.
Top features of Fotor:
