10 Best Image Editing Tools in 2026

Updated: February 2026

Photo editing and manipulation software

Key Takeaways

  • Procreate is our #1 pick for image editing in 2026, scoring 92/100.
  • We analyzed 122 image editing tools to create this ranking.
  • 3 tools offer free plans, perfect for getting started.
  • Average editorial score: 90/100 - high-quality category.
1
Procreate logo

Procreate

Digital illustration app for iPad

92/100
Paid

Procreate provides professional illustration on iPad. The app that proved tablets could replace traditional art tools—digital art for serious artists. The brushes feel natural. The performance is smooth. The iPad optimization is perfect. Digital artists on iPad use Procreate for professional-quality illustration.

2
Adobe Photoshop logo

Adobe Photoshop

Image editing and compositing

92/100
Paid

Adobe Photoshop is the world's most powerful image editing and digital art software. Create, edit, and composite photos with tools perfected over decades. AI features like Generative Fill create stunning results from text prompts. From photo retouching to digital painting to graphic design, Photoshop handles it all. Part of Creative Cloud with deep integration with other Adobe apps. The software that defined digital imaging.

3
Midjourney logo

Midjourney

AI image generation

92/100
Paid

Midjourney is an AI art generator creating stunning images from text descriptions. Discord-based interface for generating and iterating. Unparalleled aesthetic quality and artistic style. Community shares prompts and techniques. Generates everything from concept art to photorealistic images. The AI image generator that artists actually use.

4
Adobe Illustrator logo

Adobe Illustrator

Vector graphics editor

91/100
Paid

Adobe Illustrator is the industry-standard vector graphics editor for creating logos, icons, illustrations, and graphics that scale to any size. Precision drawing tools, powerful typography, and integration with Creative Cloud make it essential for graphic designers. AI-powered features like generative recolor speed up workflows. From brand identities to illustrations to print design, Illustrator is where visual ideas come to life.

5
Adobe Lightroom logo

Adobe Lightroom

Photo editing and organization

90/100
Paid4.6 community score

Adobe Lightroom is photo editing software for organizing and enhancing images. Cloud-based library syncs across devices so you can edit anywhere. AI-powered tools automatically adjust exposure, color, and detail. Presets let you apply consistent looks across photos. Advanced masking and local adjustments for precise editing. From mobile to desktop, Lightroom makes professional photo editing accessible to everyone.

6
CleanShot X logo

CleanShot X

Screenshot and recording app

90/100
Paid

CleanShot X is the ultimate screenshot and screen recording tool for Mac. Capture anything - scrolling screenshots, specific windows, or timed shots. Annotate with arrows, text, and blur sensitive information. Cloud storage with instant shareable links. Screen recording with webcam overlay. The screenshot tool that Mac power users can't imagine living without.

7
Crello logo

Crello

Graphic design made simple

89/100
Freemium

Crello (now VistaCreate) is an online graphic design tool for creating social media posts, ads, and marketing materials. Thousands of templates for every platform and format. Animation features bring designs to life for video content. Brand kit maintains consistency across all creations. No design skills needed with intuitive drag-and-drop interface. Professional visuals for marketers and small businesses on any budget.

8
Let's Enhance logo

Let's Enhance

AI-powered image enhancement to make photos HD/4K, sharpen, and generate high-resolution art online.

88/100
Freemium4.1 community score

LetsEnhance is an AI-driven platform designed to improve image quality, resolution, and clarity. It offers tools to upscale images up to 16x without losing quality, fix pixelation and blur, correct colors and lighting, and remove JPEG artifacts. The platform is suitable for a wide range of users, including creative professionals, e-commerce businesses, and individuals looking to enhance personal photos or AI-generated art. Key features include an Upscaler for increasing resolution, a Sharpener for clarifying blurry images, and a Generator for creating AI art in 4K. It supports batch editing, one-click presets for specific use cases like e-commerce and real estate, and the ability to enlarge images for large-size prints up to 500 MP with 300+ DPI density. LetsEnhance aims to save users time by automating image enhancement tasks, making it easier to prepare images for web, print, and various digital applications.

9
Cloudinary logo

Cloudinary

Image and video management

88/100
Freemium

Cloudinary is a media management platform for images and videos. Upload, transform, and deliver media at scale. On-the-fly transformations via URL. AI-powered image optimization and enhancement. SDKs and integrations for every platform. The complete solution for managing visual media.

10
Capture One logo

Capture One

Professional photo editing software

87/100
Paid3.9 community score

Capture One is professional photo editing software known for exceptional RAW processing and color grading. Tethered shooting capabilities make it the choice of commercial and studio photographers. Powerful layers and local adjustments provide precise control. Session and catalog organization options fit any workflow. Available as perpetual license or subscription. When photographers demand the best quality, they choose Capture One.

Best Image Editing For

What is Image Editing Software?

Photo editing and manipulation software

According to our analysis of 10+ tools, the image editing software market offers solutions for teams of all sizes, from solo professionals to enterprise organizations. The best image editing tools in 2026 combine powerful features with intuitive interfaces.

Common Features of Image Editing Software

Automation

Automate repetitive image editing tasks to save time

Collaboration

Work together with team members in real-time

Analytics & Reporting

Track progress and measure performance

Security

Protect sensitive data with enterprise-grade security

Who Uses Image Editing Software?

Image Editing software is used by a wide range of professionals and organizations:

  • Small businesses looking to streamline operations and compete with larger companies
  • Enterprise teams needing scalable solutions for complex image editing needs
  • Freelancers and consultants managing multiple clients and projects
  • Startups seeking cost-effective tools that can grow with them

How to Choose the Right Image Editing Software

When evaluating image editing tools, consider these key factors:

  1. Identify your specific needs. What problems are you trying to solve? List your must-have features versus nice-to-haves.
  2. Consider your budget. 3 tools in our top 10 offer free plans, including Crello and Let's Enhance.
  3. Evaluate ease of use. A powerful tool is useless if your team won't adopt it. Look for intuitive interfaces and good onboarding.
  4. Check integrations. Ensure the tool works with your existing tech stack (CRM, communication tools, etc.).
  5. Read real user reviews. Our community reviews provide honest feedback from actual users.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best image editing software in 2026?

Based on our analysis of features, user reviews, and overall value, Procreate ranks as the #1 image editing tool in 2026 with a score of 92/100. Other top-rated options include Adobe Photoshop and Midjourney.

Are there free image editing tools available?

Yes! Crello, Let's Enhance, Cloudinary offer free plans. In total, 3 of the top 10 image editing tools have free or freemium pricing options.

How do you rank image editing tools?

Our rankings are based on multiple factors: editorial analysis of features and usability (40%), community reviews and ratings (30%), pricing value (15%), and integration capabilities (15%). We regularly update rankings as tools evolve and new reviews come in.

What should I look for in image editing software?

Key factors to consider include: core features that match your workflow, ease of use and learning curve, pricing that fits your budget, quality of customer support, integrations with your existing tools, and scalability as your needs grow.

Our Ranking Methodology

At Toolradar, we combine editorial expertise with community insights to rank image editing tools:

40%
Editorial Analysis
Features, UX, innovation
30%
User Reviews
Real feedback from verified users
15%
Pricing Value
Cost vs. features offered
15%
Integrations
Ecosystem compatibility

Rankings are updated regularly as we receive new reviews and as tools release updates. Last updated: February 2026.

Used any of these image editing tools?

Share your experience and help others make better decisions.

Write a Review