How to choose photo editing software for raw, layers and price

Choose photo editing software by the work you do most. Pixel editing, raw development, vector design and layered retouching are different jobs, and few apps handle all of them equally well. Once you know the job, check how the app is paid for and which operating systems it runs on, because those limits remove more options than features do.

Raster and vector are different jobs

Raster editors work on images made of pixels. That suits photographs, retouching and painting. Vector graphics store shapes as mathematical paths, so they stay sharp at any size, which suits logos, icons and print layouts. Most photo editors are raster-first, and you should expect pixel work to be the main part of a photo workflow.

Some tools in the ranking cover both. Affinity's listing describes vector, pixel and layout tools in one app, with PSD, AI and IDML import. Pixelmator Pro and Photopea both list vector shapes and paths. GIMP is a pixel editor first, and the ranking says its vector work is limited. If you need to place photos in a layout or build logos next to your edits, check that the app handles both sides well enough for your work.

Check raw support and your workflow

A raw file keeps the data the camera sensor recorded before the camera applies its JPEG-style settings. Working with raw means choosing exposure, white balance and noise reduction yourself. Two kinds of tool handle it in the ranking:

• Raw developers convert raw files into images and manage a photo library. darktable offers a library, non-destructive editing and tethered shooting for studio work. RawTherapee gives detailed control over corrections such as dark frame and hot pixel removal, with a dense interface and no layers.
• Pixel editors that open raw files. Pixelmator Pro adds RAW files as layers, and Photopea opens RAW files in a browser tab.

If most of your work starts with raw files, a raw developer paired with a pixel editor is a common setup. The ranking's notes on darktable say that retouching and compositing need another app, which is a fair reminder that one tool rarely does every step well. Shoot in raw only if you plan to process the files, because the extra data is useful mainly when you adjust it later.

Layers, masks and non-destructive editing

Layers stack images and adjustments so each one can be changed or hidden without touching the rest. A mask controls where a layer or adjustment applies, which lets you brighten one area of a photo without changing the sky. Non-destructive editing keeps the original pixels and stores each adjustment as a setting, so you can revise it later.

Among the ranked editors, GIMP offers layers, masks and retouching, along with Python and Scheme scripting and plug-in support. Pixelmator Pro lists nondestructive layer effects and a select-and-mask tool for hair and fur. Photopea opens and saves PSD files with their layers, which matters when you move work between apps. darktable is non-destructive, but its listing says it is not built for layered compositing.

Ask whether the app keeps layers in the file formats you need. A PSD file can carry layers, while a flattened export cannot. If a client or printer expects PSD or TIFF files with layers, test that round trip before you start a large project.

Subscriptions, one-time prices and free tools

None of the six ranked editors is sold only by subscription. Affinity and Photopea are free to use. Pixelmator Pro is a one-time purchase on the Mac App Store, and it is also part of Apple Creator Studio. GIMP, darktable and RawTherapee are free and open source under GPL-style licenses.

Free still has conditions. Affinity needs a Canva account to download, and its listing says Canva's AI tools need a premium plan. Photopea's listing says its premium features cost nothing, but its speed depends on the device and browser you use. Read the free tier's terms on the vendor's pricing page before you commit, and treat "free" as a statement about that tier only.

Open-source licenses do not decide quality on their own. They do mean you can read the source code and, in principle, keep a copy going if the maker stops developing it. That matters most if you plan to rely on an editor for years.

Platform coverage often decides the choice

Operating system limits rule out tools faster than any feature comparison:

• Windows and macOS: Affinity, GIMP, darktable and RawTherapee.
• Mac and iPad only: Pixelmator Pro. Affinity has no iPad version yet, according to its listing.
• Any browser: Photopea. Its listing notes that speed depends on the device and browser.
• Linux: GIMP, darktable and RawTherapee. Affinity and Pixelmator Pro do not run there.

If you use Linux, the best photo editing software on Linux ranking is the narrower place to start.

Our picks from the ranking

The photo editing software ranking orders the six entries as follows:

1. Affinity (91.0): free vector, pixel and layout work for Windows and macOS.
2. GIMP (89.5): free, open-source retouching and painting on Windows, macOS and Linux.
3. Pixelmator Pro (88.0): a one-time purchase editor for Mac and iPad.
4. Photopea (86.5): a browser editor for quick edits and PSD files.
5. darktable (82.5): an open-source raw workflow with a photo library.
6. RawTherapee (78.0): detailed raw conversion without layers.

What to do next

Write down your main job, your operating system and your budget for the year. If your work is raw files on Linux, start with darktable or RawTherapee. If it is layered retouching on a Mac, compare Pixelmator Pro with the free options. Shortlist two tools, open their free downloads or web versions, and export one of your own projects to the format a client or printer will need before you pay for anything.