12 Best Free Mac Photo Editors in 2024

Best for: effortless retouching, AI-based object and background removal

G2 rating: 4.7/5

Movavi Photo Editor is a versatile Mac photo editor that allows you to get the most impressive results with the minimum effort. Thanks to its AI-powered features, you can remove unwanted objects from your photos, change backgrounds, autocorrect colors and light, and apply smart filters. Its basic tools are also easy to use. Suitable for beginners as well as pros, it delivers amazing results in a few clicks. Unlike programs like Photoshop^®, Movavi Photo Editor makes editing pictures easy and available for everyone. 

Features:

• Quick AI background removal/change
• Unwanted objects removal
• Old photos restoration
• Effortless retouching
• Colors and light autocorrect
• Smart filters

Best for: advanced RAW photo editing and workflow management

Shotkit rating: 4.2/5

darktable is one of the best free photo editors for Mac designed for photographers who work with RAW image files. It offers a wide range of advanced editing tools and a non-destructive editing workflow, allowing users to make precise adjustments without altering the original image data.

Features:

• RAW editing
• Preserves the original image while making edits
• Advanced filters
• Tethered shooting
• Library management
• Predefined styles and effects

Best for: advanced image editing and retouching

G2 rating: 4.3/5

GIMP is a powerful open-source photo editing software for Mac that rivals many commercial programs in terms of functionality. It offers a comprehensive suite of advanced image manipulation tools, making it an ideal choice for users who require extensive editing capabilities. With support for layers, masks, filters, and various selection tools, GIMP is capable of handling intricate photo editing tasks. However, it comes with a steeper learning curve, which may be challenging for beginners. Despite this, GIMP's versatility and active community of users and developers make it a popular choice among those who seek a free and feature-rich photo editor.

Features:

• Advanced photo editing tools
• Extensive selection of filters and plugins
• Layer support
• Customizable interface

Best for: professional photo organization and editing

G2 rating: 4.6/5

Adobe^® Lightroom^® is a professional-grade photo editor for Mac widely used by photographers and digital artists. It specializes in non-destructive editing of RAW files and provides an extensive range of tools for color correction, exposure adjustments, and detailed retouching. Lightroom's^® library management capabilities are equally impressive, offering photographers a robust system for cataloging and organizing their image collections. However, one notable aspect of Lightroom^® is its subscription-based pricing model, which can be a drawback for users seeking cost-effective alternatives.

Features:

• Non-destructive editing
• Advanced color correction
• Extensive library management
• Integration with Adobe^® Creative Cloud^®

Best for: quick and easy photo enhancement and basic editing

G2 rating: 4.2/5

Fotor is a user-friendly Mac picture editor designed for quick and straightforward photo enhancements. It caters to casual users who want to improve their photos without delving into complex editing processes. Fotor's one-click enhancement feature automatically adjusts exposure, color balance, and sharpness, making it easy to enhance photos with minimal effort. Additionally, Fotor offers basic editing tools for cropping, resizing, and applying filters. While it's a convenient option for quick edits and creative projects, the free version of Fotor includes ads, which may be a minor inconvenience for some users.

Features:

• One-click enhancements
• Basic editing tools
• Collage and design features

Best for: cloud-based photo storage, organization, and basic editing

PC Magazine rating: 4/5

Google Photos is a cloud-based Mac photo editor that simplifies the process of preserving and managing digital memories. Its primary advantage lies in its unlimited cloud storage for photos, though compression is applied to images, optimizing storage efficiency. Google Photos features automatic organization and tagging, utilizing advanced algorithms to categorize photos by location, people, and objects. While it offers basic editing tools for enhancing photos, its main strength lies in its accessibility and seamless integration across various devices. However, users should be aware of limitations associated with free storage options.

Features:

• Unlimited cloud storage for photos (with compression)
• Automatic organization and tagging
• Basic editing tools

Best for: professional-level photo editing and design

G2 rating: 4.6/5

Affinity Photo is a professional-level photo editing and design software for Macintosh that competes favorably with industry-standard applications like Adobe^® Photoshop^®. This macOS image editor offers a wide array of advanced editing tools, including advanced selections, masks, layers, and a variety of filters. Affinity Photo also boasts compatibility with PSD files, making it a suitable alternative for users looking to migrate from Photoshop^®. Despite its advanced capabilities, one significant advantage of Affinity Photo is its affordability, as it operates on a one-time purchase model rather than a subscription. However, it may have a steeper learning curve for beginners compared to more basic photo editors.

Features:

• Advanced photo editing tools
• Non-destructive editing
• PSD file compatibility
• Layer support

Best for: integrated photo management and simple editing for Mac users

PC Magazine rating: 4/5

Apple Photos is an integrated photo management and basic editing tool that comes bundled with macOS. It is an excellent choice for Mac users seeking simplicity and seamless integration with their Apple devices. Apple Photos provides users with a user-friendly interface for organizing their photo libraries, complete with facial recognition and automatic categorization. It offers basic editing tools for adjustments like exposure, color balance, and cropping, making it suitable for quick enhancements. However, its editing capabilities are limited compared to dedicated photo editing software, which may not meet the needs of professional photographers or advanced users.

Features:

• Basic editing tools
• iCloud integration
• Organization and facial recognition

Best for: creative and AI-powered photo editing

G2 rating: 4.2/5

Luminar Neo is an innovative Apple photo editor known for its cutting-edge AI-powered editing features and creative templates. It caters to users looking to enhance their photos creatively and experiment with AI-driven enhancements. Luminar Neo's AI tools can automatically detect and enhance various aspects of an image, such as color, exposure, and composition. This makes it a valuable asset for users who want to achieve professional-looking results with minimal effort. Additionally, this MacBook photo editor offers a user-friendly interface that simplifies the editing process. However, it's essential to note that Luminar Neo is a paid software with no subscription options, which may influence the choice of users looking for more cost-effective solutions.

Features:

• AI enhancements and templates
• Advanced editing tools
• Layer support

Best for: fun and creative photo editing with a range of tools

Capterra rating: 4.6/5

Photoscape X is a versatile and user-friendly photo editor for Mac that provides a wide variety of creative and editing tools. It is designed for users who want a single software solution for various tasks, including photo editing, collage creation, and GIF design. Photoscape X is known for its user-friendly interface, making it accessible to users of all experience levels. Its creative tools allow users to add text, shapes, and stickers to their photos, fostering a fun and creative editing process. However, some users may find that certain features feel dated compared to more specialized photo editors, and the interface could benefit from a more modern design.

Features:

• Basic and advanced editing tools
• Collage and GIF creation
• Batch processing

Best for: film-inspired photo editing and organizing

G2 rating: 3.5/5

Exposure X7 specializes in film-inspired photo editing, providing users with a vast array of film simulation presets. This photo editor for Mac caters to individuals who seek to recreate the vintage and film-style looks in their photos. Exposure X7 offers an extensive collection of presets, each designed to mimic the characteristics of specific film stocks. These presets can be applied with a single click, transforming digital images into analog-style creations. The software's user-friendly interface simplifies the editing process, making it accessible to users of various skill levels. However, it's worth noting that Exposure X7 does not offer a free OSX version, and some advanced features present in competing software may be absent.

Features:

• Film simulation presets
• Non-destructive editing
• Layer support

Best for: professional-level RAW photo editing and tethering

PC Magazine rating: 4/5

Capture One is a professional-grade RAW photo editing software for Mac that excels in the realms of RAW file editing, color grading, and tethered shooting support. It is widely embraced by professional photographers and digital artists who demand high-quality results. Capture One offers advanced editing tools and a robust system for cataloging and organizing image collections. Its strengths lie in its exceptional color grading capabilities and support for tethered shooting, making it indispensable for studio photographers. However, Capture One comes with a relatively higher price point, and its extensive features may present a learning curve for beginners. It is best suited for users who require top-tier image quality and professional-grade editing tools.

Features:

• Advanced RAW editing tools
• Tethered shooting support
• Catalog organization