Image editing software covers a spread that's wider than the category name suggests. At one end: full raster editors with layers, masks, and color science (Photoshop, Affinity Photo, GIMP) for serious retouching and design work. At the other end: single-purpose tools that do one thing exceptionally well, remove backgrounds (Remove.bg, Photoroom), upscale (Topaz, Magnific), restore old photos (Remini), generate from text (Midjourney, Flux). Most users today end up running 3 to 5 of these in combination, not one monolithic tool.
The defining shift over the last three years has been AI. Background removal went from a 20-minute Photoshop mask job to a one-click API call. Generative fill, object removal, and 'reframe' features that used to require expertise now ship as a 'try' button. The traditional editors (Adobe, Affinity) are racing to absorb these capabilities; the AI-native tools (Photoroom, Canva, Topaz) are racing to add the boring-but-essential editing features. Whichever side you start on, you'll meet in the middle.
The biggest practical question isn't which tool is 'best', it's what you're optimizing for. Speed and zero learning curve push you toward web tools (Photopea, Pixlr, Canva). Pixel-perfect control and color accuracy push you toward Photoshop or Affinity. Volume product photography or ecommerce listings push you toward Photoroom, Pebblely, or BG Eraser. The answer depends on which of these matters most.
