Newer, better mobile device cameras have allowed everyone to become professional photographers.

Here are the three best photo editors for Windows to enhance your already fantastic photos!

  1. Adobe Photoshop Express
  2. Canva
  3. GIMP

Read on for the detailed analysis of each app.

1. Adobe Photoshop Express - Best Photo Editor for PC

If you are looking for a free photo editor and want a scaled-down version of the industry leader, look no further. Adobe Photoshop Express has what you need.

This browser-based program has advanced filters, a user-friendly design and most of the tools you would expect to find in the full version like the ability to add borders, image correction, red-eye remover, spot healing, special effects, and a noise reduction tool.

adobe-photoshop-express image

The only two limitations that hold this one back from being great are that it limits your file size to 16GB, and it only supports JPG file types. Oh, and it also uses Flash, which may be a problem for some users.

However, as a bonus, this one also works on a mobile phone or tablet so you can edit your photos on the go! Read our guide on how to remove background from image here.


2. Canva - Best Online Photo Editor

One of the best things about Canva is that it runs in your web browser. There is nothing to download or install. You get professional-level photo editing capabilities without the hefty price tag of a purchased program. You even get free cloud storage for your photos and a free photo editor download feature.

canva image

The free version of Canva Photo Editor gives you 1GB of storage and 8,000 templates to choose from.

You can also adjust the brightness, saturation, and contrast of your photos, while also adding vignette effects and adding text or backgrounds to create your masterpiece. Canva also offers image straightening, cropping, and framing, speech bubbles, an artistic blur, and transparency so you can really get creative.

You must pay for the full version to get the high-end features and the complete package of image editing tools. By far, Canva is the easiest photo editing tool to use, and we highly recommend it. Read our review of the best online photo editor if you're looking for other options.


3. GIMP - The Best Free Photo Editor for Windows

GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is often compared to Adobe Photoshop for its powerful features and all-around flexibility. It is also a favorite among budding graphic designers who don't want to pay for expensive software.

gimp image

GIMP is an open-source program, and the community of users has created dozens of helpful plugins to extend its already feature-rich capabilities. You can even install Photoshop plugins into it. The software supports TIFF, PSD, PNG, JPEG, and GIF file types.

What makes it such a fantastic photo editor for the pc is the ability to adjust layers, curves, levels, use masks, and eliminate flaws like -red-eye. Some additional options included are a clone stamp, healing tools, custom brushes, perspective changes, and smart selection tools.

You get so much more with GIMP than you would with any other free photo editor. The only downside to GIMP, however, is that it comes with a steep learning curve. Check out our review of the best photo editor apps for Mac.


The Bottom Line

When it comes to choosing a windows photo editor, you have a lot of excellent choices. It all boils down to balancing the features you need with the user-friendliness of the interface, along with any limitations. Some of these programs allow you to customize your work environment to make image editing that much easier. What works for you may not be the best option for someone else; it's a completely personal decision.

If you want a free image editing tool that combines an easy-to-use interface with powerful features and options, you cannot go wrong with GIMP, Canva or Photoshop Express. They are hands-down the best free photo editor apps for 2021!