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 from imaging powerhouses like Adobe, Capture One, CyberLink, and DxO. Each of these apps has advanced features and AI tools, so it can be difficult to pick the right one for your needs. We've been testing Mac photo software at PCMag for more than 30 years, so we can help you narrow down your options. Adobe Lightroom Classic and Photoshop are our Editors' Choice winners because they offer exceptional features in intuitive interfaces, but you should still explore all of the options in the list below in case one of them is a better fit for you. At the end, we outline everything you need to know before committing to a photo editing app for your Mac.
Overview
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![Adobe Photoshop]()
Best for Detailed Image Manipulation and DesignAdobe Photoshop
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![Adobe Lightroom Classic]()
Best for Professional Photo WorkflowAdobe Lightroom Classic
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![Adobe Lightroom]()
Best for Serious AmateursAdobe Lightroom
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![Adobe Photoshop Elements]()
Best for HobbyistsAdobe Photoshop Elements
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![Apple Photos]()
Best for Free, Easy Photo EditingApple Photos
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![DxO PhotoLab]()
Best for Noise Reduction and Camera Profile CorrectionsDxO PhotoLab
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![Capture One]()
Best for Raw Conversion and TetheringCapture One
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![CyberLink PhotoDirector]()
Best Low-Cost Combined Workflow and EditingCyberLink PhotoDirector
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![Photopea]()
Best Web-Based Photoshop AlternativePhotopea
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![Skylum Luminar Neo]()
Best for Unique AI Corrections and EffectsSkylum Luminar Neo
You Can Trust Our Reviews
Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
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Credit: Adobe
![Adobe Photoshop]()
Best for Detailed Image Manipulation and DesignAdobe Photoshop
Pros & Cons
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 state-of-the-art features first, such as the new Firefly generative AI image-creating tools. It includes the complex drawing, filters, gradients, layering, masking, text options, and output formats that professionals need.
Who It's For
Photoshop is for pros and serious image editing enthusiasts. 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.
Specs & Configurations
Content-Aware Edits Edits Raster Graphics Layer Editing Lens Profile Corrections Pricing Model Subscription Pro-Level Typography Touch Interface Support Learn More Adobe Photoshop Review -
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Credit: Adobe
![Adobe Lightroom Classic]()
Best for Professional Photo WorkflowAdobe Lightroom Classic
Pros & Cons
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 plug-in support, printing, soft-proofing, and tethered shooting. 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.
Specs & Configurations
Content-Aware Edits Face Recognition Keyword Tagging Lens Profile Corrections Learn More Adobe Lightroom Classic Review -
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Credit: Adobe
![Adobe Lightroom]()
Best for Serious AmateursAdobe Lightroom
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
Lightroom combines some of the most powerful photo editing and organizing tools in one of the most usable and appealing interfaces. It simplifies the more pro-oriented Lightroom Classic and optionally keeps all your photos and edits in the cloud for access anywhere. The learning and community features are hard to match thanks to Lightroom's Discover feature.
Who It's For
Lightroom appeals to serious amateurs and photography enthusiasts. It's also for professionals who don't need plug-in support, printing, or tethered shooting capabilities. Those who recoil at its required recurring subscription fee will want to look elsewhere.
Specs & Configurations
Content-Aware Edits Face Recognition Keyword Tagging Lens Profile Corrections Learn More Adobe Lightroom Review -
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![Adobe Photoshop Elements]()
Best for HobbyistsAdobe Photoshop Elements
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
Photoshop Elements includes much of the capability of its big sibling, Photoshop, but 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 filters, layers, 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," or people who want to create appealing photographic keepsakes from family occasions and the like. Elements also offers anyone a good entry point to the processes behind the pro-level effects designers get with Photoshop proper. Photoshop Elements isn't technically a subscription-based product, but a license now works for just three years (it used to be perpetual).
Specs & Configurations
Content-Aware Edits Face Recognition Keyword Tagging Layer Editing Learn More Adobe Photoshop Elements Review -
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Credit: Apple
![Apple Photos]()
Best for Free, Easy Photo EditingApple Photos
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
Apple Photos is an excellent photo editing application that comes free with every Mac. It includes strong organization and photo adjustment features and is particularly suitable if you take pictures with an iPhone. The app also lets you view and edit raw camera files from popular camera models.
Who It's For
If you have a Mac, you already have Apple Photos (you couldn't get rid of it even if you tried). Both consumers and hobbyists should enjoy its impressive functionality, especially since it won't cost you anything over time.
Specs & Configurations
Content-Aware Edits Face Recognition Learn More Apple Photos Review -
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![DxO PhotoLab]()
Best for Noise Reduction and Camera Profile CorrectionsDxO PhotoLab
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
DxO pioneered several technologies that went on to appear in other software products, including deep, time-consuming noise reduction, geometry fixes, and lens-profile-based corrections. Its DeepPrime XD noise reduction is faster than ever and can make unusable photos usable; PhotoLab is worth getting for that alone. The software is also excellent at automatically fixing the lighting with its Smart Lighting tool and removing chromatic aberration. The included U Point technology offers unmatched control over local adjustments, too.
Who It's For
DxO PhotoLab is mostly for professionals who need to get the best out of their raw camera files, but it should interest engaged amateurs as well. If you just need noise reduction and lens corrections, the more limited DxO PureRAW can work as a Photoshop or Lightroom plug-in. PhotoLab isn't cheap, but its pricing is one-time pricing might appeal more than a subscription model.
Specs & Configurations
Content-Aware Edits Keyword Tagging Lens Profile Corrections Learn More DxO PhotoLab Review -
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![Capture One]()
Best for Raw Conversion and TetheringCapture One
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
Capture One, a super-powerful alternative to Lightroom, is among the best we've tested at interpreting a camera's raw image data into a sharp, detailed photo. It includes an abundance of adjustments and local editing tools, as well as layers and advanced color grading. Capture One also excels at tethered shooting support. A unique Speed Edit feature lets you access the tools you use most often with a simple key press. However, it still trails Lightroom when it comes to workflow abilities.
Who It's For
You should consider Capture One if you are a pro photographer who can afford its pricey subscription cost or one-time license. Just keep in mind that its interface might be intimidating if you aren't willing to put in the time to learn it.
Specs & Configurations
Content-Aware Edits Keyword Tagging Layer Editing Lens Profile Corrections Learn More Capture One Review -
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![CyberLink PhotoDirector]()
Best Low-Cost Combined Workflow and EditingCyberLink PhotoDirector
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
PhotoDirector offers both Lightroom- and Photoshop-like functionality in a single, affordable application. You get all the workflow features of Lightroom— keywords, nondestructive import catalogues, and other organization tools—as well as Photoshop's layer editing, masking, and even some generative AI-powered tools like background or object removal. If you go for the subscription option, you get a wealth of stock images and templates that are constantly replenished.
Who It's For
Its quick performance and deep set of organization tools and effects make PhotoDirector good for amateur photo enthusiasts and social media marketers. For them, it can replace both Photoshop and Lightroom. There's enough here for pros who don't want to spring for Adobe's subscription pricing.
Specs & Configurations
Content-Aware Edits Face Recognition Keyword Tagging Layer Editing Lens Profile Corrections Learn More CyberLink PhotoDirector Review -
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Credit: Photopea
![Photopea]()
Best Web-Based Photoshop AlternativePhotopea
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
The web-based Photopea is a remarkably full-featured Photoshop replacement. You get a good helping of its features for free, while a $5-per-month subscription adds generative AI image-creation tools, more steps in your editing history, and 5GB of online image storage. You can use it on practically any internet-connected device, and setting it up as a PWA gets you all the standard conveniences of a desktop application.
Who It's For
Photopea is a good choice if you are unwilling or unable to pay Photoshop's steep subscription price but still want most of its editing tools. It's also extremely convenient because you can access it in a browser from whatever device you are using.
Specs & Configurations
Content-Aware Edits Layer Editing Learn More Photopea Review -
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![Skylum Luminar Neo]()
Best for Unique AI Corrections and EffectsSkylum Luminar Neo
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
Skylum Luminar Neo is a well-designed photo app with some innovative tools, such as AI-based powerline removal, a tool that relights different parts of a photo based on distance, and generative features for expanding scenes or erasing objects. As the company name suggests, Luminar Neo aces at fixing drab skies in your shots. The program lets you edit with layers, local adjustments, and masks, just like Photoshop. Skylum is always adding new features, too. The interface is clear and simple but short on photo organization and workflow compared with Lightroom (either version).
Who It's For
If you want to have a lot of fun enhancing your photos (regardless of whether you are an amateur or pro), you should check out the easy-to-use Luminar Neo. It even works as a plug-in for Lightroom and Photoshop. You can purchase a one-time license or pay for a subscription to keep getting new content and tools.
Specs & Configurations
Content-Aware Edits Layer Editing Lens Profile Corrections Learn More Skylum Luminar Neo Review -
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5.0 Exemplary |
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Best For | Best for Detailed Image Manipulation and Design | Best for Professional Photo Workflow | Best for Serious Amateurs | Best for Hobbyists | Best for Free, Easy Photo Editing | Best for Noise Reduction and Camera Profile Corrections | Best for Raw Conversion and Tethering | Best Low-Cost Combined Workflow and Editing | Best Web-Based Photoshop Alternative | Best for Unique AI Corrections and Effects | Best for Detailed Image Manipulation and Design | Best for Professional Photo Workflow | Best for Serious Amateurs |
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Buying Guide: The Best Photo Editing Software for Macs in 2026
How Should You Choose Photo Editing Software?
When you are considering Mac photo editing apps, look for a clean, well-designed interface with lots of help and tutorials. Beyond that, be aware that different types of apps specialize in different parts of the photo editing process.
Some applications (like either Lightroom app) excel at workflow—the whole set of steps from importing, organizing, correcting, enhancing, and outputting your photos. They often use modes, which simply means you select an interface layout for a particular stage of work. For instance, separate modes might handle importing and organizing, adjusting and correcting, and exporting. Additionally, some workflow software lets you organize images by faces using AI and location using GPS data.
Non-workflow apps, by contrast, give you all of their tools all the time but don't help you import and organize your photo collection. Photoshop and Skylum Luminar are examples of non-workflow photo editing software. These programs offer layers for overlaying edits and effects. They usually have text and drawing tools, too.
What's the Best Photo Editing App for Macs?
Adobe Photoshop is the undisputed leader in photo editing software, thanks to its unmatched and ever-increasing set of state-of-the-art tools. It excels at layer editing, meaning you can overlay many levels of image content and effects. It's also the best at automatically selecting areas and subjects within your image to choose where an effect applies. You get plentiful drawing and typography features in Photoshop, too. Its newer Generative Expand, Generative Fill, and Generate Image tools use Firefly AI to create new image content, while its Neural Filters take advantage of AI image analysis for some mind-blowing effects.
What's the Best Free Photo Editing Software for Macs?
Our top pick for the best free photo editing software for Mac is Apple Photos. It's free in the sense that it comes with the purchase of any Mac. Another excellent choice is the web-based Photopea, which provides standard Photoshop-like tools for free or generative AI features and cloud storage for $5 per month.
Google Photos excels at organization and provides up to 15GB of cloud storage for your photos. It syncs photos from both Android phones and iPhones, offers a decent set of editing tools, and even uses AI to suggest edits and creations. If you're trying to decide between Apple's and Google's entry-level photo software, check out our comparison between the two.
Another excellent free tool is Polarr. It has both mobile and desktop versions, though it does offer in-app purchases. The open-source Photoshop wannabe GIMP raises its ugly interface in every discussion of free photo software, but it's quite powerful if you can get past that downside.
What Can Mac Photo Apps Do?
Photo editing software must be able to import and organize your digital photos. After that, you need tools to crop the pictures and adjust their color, lighting, and detail (adding sharpness or removing noise, for example). Then comes the fancy stuff: artistic effects, black-and-white, colorization, overlays, and pixel manipulation—things like removing unwanted objects or creating selection masks. Finally, you have to output the image to the destination and in the format of your choice.
Some tools perform nearly all these functions, including Adobe Photoshop Elements, CyberLink PhotoDirector, and ON1 Photo RAW. Other products specialize in one or another of them. For example, DxO PureRAW and Topaz Photo AI focus on reducing image noise and lens distortions. DxO ViewPoint gives you unique ways to correct perspective and geometric distortions in photos.
The most famous photo application of all, Adobe Photoshop, does image adjustment and manipulation—adding text, compositing, corrections, effects, layers, selections, and so on. It’s not for importing and organizing your photo collection, however. For that, you need Lightroom. Serif Affinity Photo is comparable with Photoshop in that regard, though it lacks Adobe's advanced tools and polished interface.
Some tools focus solely on organizing and importing: Adobe Bridge, Mylio, Photo Mechanic, WidsMob, and the open-source digiKam. A good way to organize your photo collection is to use an online photo storage service.
Editing Raw Camera Files on a Mac
If you use a DSLR or mirrorless camera, you’re best off shooting in a raw camera file format rather than using JPG. With raw, you can get a lot more out of the image at the editing stage in terms of lighting and color adjustment. That's important when you’re trying to retrieve detail from a very dark or light part of an image. In particular, a shadows slider helps bring out detail in a dark area, while a highlights adjustment can reveal the blue and clouds in an otherwise bleached-out white sky.
Adjusting raw files also lets you change the white balance you chose at the time of shooting. For example, if a photo looks overly warm—toward the red, orange, and yellow side of the spectrum—you can restore it with more true-to-life colors.
Most of the higher-end software now includes automatic corrections based on your camera model and lens, such as corrections for lens geometry distortion (think warped edges on a wide-angle shot), vignetting (dark edges), and chromatic aberration (color fringes). Make sure the software you choose has profiles for your equipment.
Other tools you want in your photo software involve adjusting the fine details, such as sharpness and noise reduction. Related useful tools include clarity, dehaze, and micro contrast (called Texture in Lightroom).
The Best Tools for Creative Photo Editing
For more creative editing, look for blemish repair, filter, mask, text overlay, and selection tools. Photoshop and Luminar Neo now let you reshape a face, while CyberLink PhotoDirector goes a step beyond that with full body-reshaping tools. Some software supports LUTs (aka CLUTs—color lookup tables); these are filters that create moods by shifting color. The motion picture industry has long used LUTs to give a shot a sunny, dreamy effect or to simulate nighttime even if the shooting took place during the day. A couple of applications with effects and filters are Luminar Neo and ON1 PhotoRAW. Some (like PhotoDirector and Photoshop) even use AI to let you transform your photo so that it takes on the style of an artist like Picasso or van Gogh. The latest fad is for generative AI tools in these applications that create or extend images based on your text prompts. Luminar Neo, PhotoDirector, and Photoshop now include such tools.
What Output Options Do Mac Photo Apps Support?
Finally, you want flexible output options. All the software in this list lets you output from raw format to JPG, which is universally usable, especially online. Adobe and other developers now support HDR image editing and output, too, which can involve editing in and exporting to new file formats, such as AVIF and JPEG XL. Some programs let you optimize images for social networks and directly upload them. Many, such as Lightroom and Photopea, include online galleries for your work, to which you can upload from inside the app.
If you need to print, look for a program with soft proofing, which shows whether your printer can print all the colors in your image. For book output, Google Photos and Lightroom Classic include excellent layout options and let you order custom photo books directly.
Make Sure You Have the Right Camera
If you're a beginner to digital photography, make sure you have some good photography hardware. Phones have better and better cameras these days, but they still can't beat a dedicated model. For help choosing one, see our list of the best digital cameras.