Do you need a photo retouching program but don't have the slightest intention of spending hundreds of dollars on expensive solutions like Photoshop? No problem. There are tons of free software that, even if they can't count on all the advanced features of Photoshop, manage to satisfy the needs of most users. A few examples? I'll settle you immediately.
Below you will find a list of free software that allow you to edit photos in a totally free way. They are suitable for any type of PC (they are compatible not only with Windows, but also with macOS and Linux) and can also be used by novice users, i.e. those who have never used photo editing software in their life.
All you have to do is take a few minutes of free time, choose the free photo retouching software which is more suitable for you and start using it thanks to the information I am about to give you. Think, there are also apps that allow you to retouch photos directly on your smartphone; but now let's not talk too much and let's take action, there are many free software that are just waiting to be tried!
GIMP (Windows / Mac / Linux)
A post in which we talk about programs to retouch photos for free could only start with GIMP: the best free and open source alternative to Photoshop.
While it can't offer the same ease of use as Photoshop and doesn't contain the same number of features as Photoshop, GIMP proves to be more than enough solution for most people who want to improve the look of their photos, want to create photomontages or are simply looking for a way to make their shots more artistic. It is compatible with all major computer operating systems: Windows, macOS and Linux and offers a very wide range of functions. It can also be used profitably in the professional field. It should also be noted the availability of numerous plugins (many of which can be downloaded for free from the Internet) that allow you to further expand the list of filters and features included in the program.
We said from the ease of use, which is slightly lower than Photoshop but still very high. The GIMP interface is completely in British and is divided into three parts: on the left there is one toolbar with all the tools for drawing, coloring and selecting images (eg brushes, selection tools, stamps, etc.); in the center is the photo to retouch, while on the right there is another toolbar for managing layers and adjusting brushes.
If you want to know more and want to learn more about how GIMP works, read my tutorial on how to use GIMP: there you will find all the "tips" you need to become familiar with the program and take your first steps in it.
Krita (Windows/Mac/Linux)
Krita is free and open source software dedicated to drawing and photo retouching. It is compatible with Windows, macOS and Linux and is extremely simple to use, among other things its interface is completely translated into British.
Although Krita was designed primarily for artistic creations and drawings, the software is also extremely useful in photo editing. In fact, it includes numerous filters and numerous functions like those found in Photoshop or GIMP and supports all major graphic file formats. It is definitely worth a try.
Paint .Net (Windows)
As its name suggests quite easily, Paint .Net is something of a Windows Paint "on steroids". It doesn't have the same functions as GIMP, but it still offers a valid solution for those looking for a free and easy-to-use program for retouching photos (or drawing, it allows you to do that too).
Paint .Net's interface looks more like Photoshop's than Paint's. On the left are the toolbar and color palette; in the center is theimage to edit, while on the right there are windows to navigate in image history (then to cancel or redo the changes made) and manage the levels.
Paint .Net is available only for Windows and is fully translated into British. If you want to know more, you can consult some tutorials in which I have shown you the most important functions of the program, for example how to correct red eyes, how to square an image and how to straighten a photo.
PhotoFiltre (Windows)
Even if it hasn't been updated for some time, Photofiltre remains a very good solution for those who want a light and essential photo editing software. It offers more or less the same functions as Paint .Net, but is a bit lighter than the latter and therefore is more suitable for older PCs. Its interface is in English, but it can be translated into British by downloading a special file from the program's website and copying it to the folder where the executable is located Photofiltre.exe.
For the rest there is not much to add, the Photofiltre interface is quite intuitive: at the top there is a menu with the filters and effects available in the program, while on the right there are the toolbars and color palette. The software is available only for Windows and can also be used in a portable version, which does not require installations to function.
FastStone Photo Resizer (Windows)
FastStone Photo Resizer is not a Photoshop or GIMP photo editor: it is, rather, a software for batch process photos, that is, in series. It allows you to convert images from one format to another, to crop them, to apply watermarks and written on them and to correct their brightness, colors and so on.
To use FastStone Photo Resizer, all you have to do is select the photos to edit, put the check mark next to the item Use Advanced Options (bottom right), click on the button Advanced Options and choose the changes to apply to the images. For more details, read my tutorial on how to sign digital photos in which I explained to you in more detail how the program works.
FastStone Photo Resizer is also available in a portable version that does not require installations to function. It is free for personal purposes only, to use it for commercial purposes you need to purchase a special license at a cost of $ 19,95.
XnView MP (Windows / Mac / Linux)
XnView MP is a photo viewer free and multi-platform that includes numerous editing features. It not only allows you to view all major digital photo formats, but also to edit images by cropping, rotating and correcting their colors. It also includes some functions to edit photos in batches, i.e. in batches, renaming them or converting them from one file format to another.
XnView MP is compatible with Windows, macOS and Linux; it can be used for free only for personal purposes (to use it in a company you need to purchase a special license starting from 26 euros). Its interface is completely translated into British and is extremely simple to use (just rely on the icons and menus located at the top). It is also available in a portable version that you can use without going through tedious installation procedures.
If you want more details on XnView MP and how it works, consult my guide on how to locate a photo in which I have shown you some features of this excellent program.
Snapseed (Android / iOS)
Snapseed is one free photo retouching app compatible with Android and iOS. It includes lots of tools to edit images and lots of artistic filters that can be adjusted with a simple “tap”.
To edit a photo with SnapSeed, in fact, all you have to do is start the application, press the button apri and select the image to retouch. Then, on Android, you need to select the icon of pencil which is located at the bottom to choose the tool to use and that's it.
To adjust the intensity of the tool apply, just move your finger on the screen to the left or right; to browse the parameters of the image to be modified (eg colors, brightness, etc.) just slide your finger up or down.
On iOS, on the other hand, after loading the image into the editor via the button apri, you will need to tap on the item Instruments to access the advanced tools menu also present on Android. The modification of the image in itself then takes place in the same way and, even on devices with iOS operating system it is possible to use the gestures.
As an alternative to the tools there are filters, accessible on Android via the button with the semicircle symbol and on iOS via the menu item Effects. If you want more information on using Snapseed you can find it in my post on photo editing apps.
An excellent alternative to SnapSeed is represented by VSCO Cam- Another free photo editing app compatible with Android and iOS. It's not as simple to use as Snapseed but it offers even more advanced filters. I highly recommend you take a look at it.
Prisma (Android/iOS)
Prisma is an application for Android and iOS that allows you to turn photos into small works of art giving them the style of famous paintings or graphic creations belonging to pop culture (eg movie posters, TV series, etc.).
Prisma differs from the many similar apps for the uniqueness of its filters and the accuracy of the latter, thanks to which you can get amazing results with a simple "tap".
Pixlr (Online)
Pixlr on Autodesk offers a series of online services that allow you to retouch photos directly from the browser. The services in question work on all the most recent browsers (as long as Flash Player is enabled) and do not require tedious registration procedures.
Among the tools offered by Pixlr there are: Pixlr Editor, a photo editor that follows the interface and some functions of Photoshop; Pixlr Express, a very easy to use photo editor that allows you to apply Instagram-style effects to images and Pixlr O Matic that allows you to apply effects and filters to photos uploaded from your PC or taken in real time with the webcam.
All the services in question are extremely intuitive, they do not require big explanations. In any case, I invite you to consult my guide on how to edit photos online in which I told you about Pixlr and other similar solutions in a very detailed way.
Free photo retouching program
