NERDY PICKS · PHOTO EDITING
Best Photo Editing tools
Remove backgrounds, retouch and upscale photos.
Prices checked Oct 26, 2026
Which photo editing tool should I start with?
If you want free, start with Let's Enhance, VanceAI, PicWish. Remove backgrounds, retouch and upscale photos. Below you'll find 28 tools with what each one does, the free plan and the cheapest solo plan in US dollars, checked Oct 26, 2026.
| Tool | What it does | Free plan | Paid from | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adobe Photoshop | Adobe's professional photo editor for retouching, compositing and AI-powered edits. | Unclear | Photoshop: US$34.49/month, or US$22.99/month on a yearly plan (US$275.88/year) | Oct 26, 2026 |
| Adobe Lightroom | Adobe's photo organizer and editor for adjusting light and color across many photos. | Unclear | Lightroom (1TB): US$17.99/month, or US$11.99/month on a yearly plan (US$119.88/year) | Oct 26, 2026 |
| Topaz Labs | AI tools that upscale, sharpen and clean up photos and videos. | No | Topaz for Web - Image Personal: US$12/month, or US$9.08/month on a yearly plan (US$109/year) (promo) | Nov 1, 2026 |
| Let's Enhance | Upscales and sharpens photos with AI so they look good at larger sizes. | Yes | Starter: US$12/month, or US$9/month on a yearly plan (US$108/year) | Oct 26, 2026 |
| VanceAI | Online AI tools for upscaling, sharpening, background removal and photo restoration. | Yes | Starter: US$20/month, or US$15/month on a yearly plan (US$180/year) | Oct 26, 2026 |
| PicWish | Removes backgrounds and makes clean product photos with AI. | Yes | Pro: US$9.99/month, or US$4.99/month on a yearly plan | Oct 26, 2026 |
| Removal.AI | Removes image backgrounds automatically, one at a time or in bulk. | Yes | Monthly 100 credits: US$5.99/month | Oct 26, 2026 |
| Claid.ai | Creates and enhances product photos, including AI photoshoots, for online stores. | Yes | Essentials: US$15/month, or US$9/month on a yearly plan (US$108/year) | Oct 26, 2026 |
| Pebblely | Puts your product photos into AI-generated scenes for listings and ads. | Unclear | Basic: US$9/month, or US$7.50/month on a yearly plan (US$90/year) | Oct 26, 2026 |
| AirBrush | Photo editor for quick portrait retouching, makeup and AI touch-ups. | Yes | Web Plus: US$15.95/month, or US$8/month on a yearly plan (US$95.95/year) | Oct 26, 2026 |
| Evoto | AI retouching app for photographers that edits portraits in batches. | Yes | Credits from US$65 | Oct 26, 2026 |
| Affinity | Pro photo, design and layout app from Canva that is free for individuals. | Yes | Free | Oct 26, 2026 |
| GIMP | Free, open-source image editor for photo retouching and graphics. | Yes | Free | Oct 26, 2026 |
| Photo AI | Trains an AI model on your selfies to create new photos and headshots of you. | No | Starter: US$19/month, or US$9/month on a yearly plan (US$108/year) | Oct 26, 2026 |
| Slazzer | Removes image backgrounds automatically, with apps and an API for bulk work. | Yes | Subscription 100 credits: US$11.88/month | Oct 26, 2026 |
| Erase.bg | Free-to-try background remover for photos. | Yes | Credits from US$4.63 | Oct 26, 2026 |
| CyberLink PhotoDirector | Windows photo editor with AI tools for edits, effects and animating photos. | Yes | PhotoDirector 365: US$19.99/month | Nov 1, 2026 |
| remove.bg | One-click background remover for photos. | Yes | Subscription 40 credits: US$9/month | Oct 26, 2026 |
| Photopea | Free photo editor in the browser that opens Photoshop files. | Yes | Free | Oct 26, 2026 |
| Adobe Firefly | Adobe's AI image, video and audio generator, built into its creative apps. | Yes | Firefly Standard: US$9.99/month, or US$8.33/month on a yearly plan (US$99.99/year) | Oct 26, 2026 |
| DaVinci Resolve | Professional editing, color and audio software with a very capable free version. | Yes | DaVinci Resolve Studio: US$236 one-time | Nov 1, 2026 |
| Picsart | Photo and design app with AI image generation, background removal and templates. | Unclear | Pro: US$15/month, or US$10.50/month on a yearly plan | Oct 25, 2026 |
| Dzine | AI image editor and generator with layers, style presets and product photo tools. | Unclear | Beginner: US$8.99/month, or US$7/month on a yearly plan (US$84/year) | Oct 26, 2026 |
| Pixlr | Browser photo editor and quick design tool with AI helpers. | Yes | Plus: US$2.49/month, or US$1.99/month on a yearly plan | Oct 26, 2026 |
| Fotor | Photo editor and template-based design tool with AI image features. | Yes | Pro: US$8.99/month, or US$3.33/month on a yearly plan (US$39.99/year) | Oct 26, 2026 |
| PicMonkey | Photo editor and design tool for social graphics and simple marketing images. | No | Basic: US$7.99/month, or US$6/month on a yearly plan (US$72/year) | Oct 26, 2026 |
| Pixelcut | AI photo tool for product shots: remove backgrounds, upscale and create scenes. | Yes | Pro: US$10/month, or US$8/month on a yearly plan (US$96/year) | Oct 26, 2026 |
| Hotpot.ai | AI art, headshots and photo touch-ups paid with credits. | Unclear | 1,000 credits/month: US$10/month, or US$9/month on a yearly plan (US$108/year) | Oct 26, 2026 |
All 28 tools
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe's professional photo editor for retouching, compositing and AI-powered edits.
Free plan: Unclear: Not shown in what we could read.
Paid from: Photoshop: US$34.49/month, or US$22.99/month on a yearly plan (US$275.88/year)
Cheaper or similar: Affinity, GIMP
Checked Oct 26, 2026
Adobe Lightroom
Adobe's photo organizer and editor for adjusting light and color across many photos.
Free plan: Unclear: Not shown in what we could read.
Paid from: Lightroom (1TB): US$17.99/month, or US$11.99/month on a yearly plan (US$119.88/year)
Cheaper or similar: Affinity, GIMP
Checked Oct 26, 2026
Topaz Labs
AI tools that upscale, sharpen and clean up photos and videos.
Free plan: No
Paid from: Topaz for Web - Image Personal: US$12/month, or US$9.08/month on a yearly plan (US$109/year) (promo)
Discounts: 'Limited time offer - save up to 50%' (no end date): Topaz for Web - Image US$12/month (shown against US$19) or US$109/year (shown against US$199); Topaz Photo US$99.50 for the first year (50% off, then US$199/year).
Cheaper or similar: Let's Enhance, VanceAI
Some details on this one weren't confirmed on the official pricing page, so we left them blank.
Checked Nov 1, 2026
Let's Enhance
Upscales and sharpens photos with AI so they look good at larger sizes.
Free plan: Yes: Free credits on sign-up, watermarked; no card needed.
Paid from: Starter: US$12/month, or US$9/month on a yearly plan (US$108/year)
Cheaper or similar: VanceAI, Topaz Labs
Checked Oct 26, 2026
VanceAI
Online AI tools for upscaling, sharpening, background removal and photo restoration.
Free plan: Yes: Free with 10 credits to try; free desktop client.
Paid from: Starter: US$20/month, or US$15/month on a yearly plan (US$180/year)
Discounts: Save 25% on annual plans.
Cheaper or similar: Let's Enhance, PicWish
Some details on this one weren't confirmed on the official pricing page, so we left them blank.
Checked Oct 26, 2026
PicWish
Removes backgrounds and makes clean product photos with AI.
Free plan: Yes: Free plan with limited AI trials.
Paid from: Pro: US$9.99/month, or US$4.99/month on a yearly plan
Cheaper or similar: Photoroom, Removal.AI
Some details on this one weren't confirmed on the official pricing page, so we left them blank.
Checked Oct 26, 2026
Removal.AI
Removes image backgrounds automatically, one at a time or in bulk.
Free plan: Yes: Unlimited free previews; full-resolution downloads use paid credits.
Paid from: Monthly 100 credits: US$5.99/month
Discounts: Credits roll over up to 5x the monthly budget.
Cheaper or similar: Photoroom, Erase.bg
Checked Oct 26, 2026
Claid.ai
Creates and enhances product photos, including AI photoshoots, for online stores.
Free plan: Yes: Free trial.
Paid from: Essentials: US$15/month, or US$9/month on a yearly plan (US$108/year)
Discounts: Lower per-month price with yearly billing (page shows 'Save $120').
Cheaper or similar: Pebblely, Photoroom
Checked Oct 26, 2026
Pebblely
Puts your product photos into AI-generated scenes for listings and ads.
Free plan: Unclear: Not stated on the pricing page as read.
Paid from: Basic: US$9/month, or US$7.50/month on a yearly plan (US$90/year)
Discounts: Yearly: '2+ months free'.
Cheaper or similar: Claid.ai, Photoroom
Some details on this one weren't confirmed on the official pricing page, so we left them blank.
Checked Oct 26, 2026
AirBrush
Photo editor for quick portrait retouching, makeup and AI touch-ups.
Free plan: Yes: Free; 7-day free trial of AI features.
Paid from: Web Plus: US$15.95/month, or US$8/month on a yearly plan (US$95.95/year)
Discounts: Annual shown as 'Save 40%' with a struck-through $13.33/month.
Cheaper or similar: Picsart, Fotor
Checked Oct 26, 2026
Evoto
AI retouching app for photographers that edits portraits in batches.
Free plan: Yes: Free trial with 5 credits.
Paid from: Credits from US$65
Cheaper or similar: Adobe Lightroom, AirBrush
Some details on this one weren't confirmed on the official pricing page, so we left them blank.
Checked Oct 26, 2026
Affinity
Pro photo, design and layout app from Canva that is free for individuals.
Free plan: Yes: Free for individuals.
Price: Free
Cheaper or similar: GIMP, Adobe Photoshop
Checked Oct 26, 2026
GIMP
Free, open-source image editor for photo retouching and graphics.
Free plan: Yes: Completely free and open source.
Price: Free
Cheaper or similar: Affinity, Pixlr
Checked Oct 26, 2026
Photo AI
Trains an AI model on your selfies to create new photos and headshots of you.
Free plan: No
Paid from: Starter: US$19/month, or US$9/month on a yearly plan (US$108/year)
Cheaper or similar: AirBrush, Picsart
Some details on this one weren't confirmed on the official pricing page, so we left them blank.
Checked Oct 26, 2026
Slazzer
Removes image backgrounds automatically, with apps and an API for bulk work.
Free plan: Yes: Free plan: 2 free credits, unlimited previews.
Paid from: Subscription 100 credits: US$11.88/month
Cheaper or similar: Removal.AI, Erase.bg
Checked Oct 26, 2026
Erase.bg
Free-to-try background remover for photos.
Free plan: Yes: 3 free credits on sign-up for HD downloads.
Paid from: Credits from US$4.63
Cheaper or similar: Removal.AI, Slazzer
Some details on this one weren't confirmed on the official pricing page, so we left them blank.
Checked Oct 26, 2026
CyberLink PhotoDirector
Windows photo editor with AI tools for edits, effects and animating photos.
Free plan: Yes: Free download.
Paid from: PhotoDirector 365: US$19.99/month
Discounts: Halloween Sale (25% off, US$59.99/year) ended Oct 31, 2026; the regular yearly price is US$79.99.
Cheaper or similar: Affinity, GIMP
Some details on this one weren't confirmed on the official pricing page, so we left them blank.
Checked Nov 1, 2026
remove.bg
One-click background remover for photos.
Free plan: Yes: Free previews.
Paid from: Subscription 40 credits: US$9/month
Cheaper or similar: Erase.bg, Removal.AI
Checked Oct 26, 2026
Photopea
Free photo editor in the browser that opens Photoshop files.
Free plan: Yes: Free online editor.
Price: Free
Cheaper or similar: Adobe Photoshop, GIMP
Checked Oct 26, 2026
Adobe Firefly
Adobe's AI image, video and audio generator, built into its creative apps.
Free plan: Yes: Some free daily generations without a paid plan (per Adobe's help page).
Paid from: Firefly Standard: US$9.99/month, or US$8.33/month on a yearly plan (US$99.99/year)
Discounts: Free trial; student and teacher pricing shown on the plans page.
Cheaper or similar: Leonardo.Ai, Recraft, Ideogram
Some details on this one weren't confirmed on the official pricing page, so we left them blank.
Checked Oct 26, 2026
DaVinci Resolve
Professional editing, color and audio software with a very capable free version.
Free plan: Yes: Full free version of DaVinci Resolve; Studio adds extra features.
Paid from: DaVinci Resolve Studio: US$236 one-time
Discounts: Studio currently 20% off: $236, was $295.
Cheaper or similar: CapCut, Microsoft Clipchamp
Checked Nov 1, 2026
Picsart
Photo and design app with AI image generation, background removal and templates.
Free plan: Unclear: Some features are 'included with every plan', but free plan limits were not listed.
Paid from: Pro: US$15/month, or US$10.50/month on a yearly plan
Discounts: Yearly billing saves up to 30% ('save $54 with yearly' on Pro).
Cheaper or similar: Canva, Adobe Firefly
Checked Oct 25, 2026
Dzine
AI image editor and generator with layers, style presets and product photo tools.
Free plan: Unclear: Not stated on the pricing page.
Paid from: Beginner: US$8.99/month, or US$7/month on a yearly plan (US$84/year)
Discounts: Save 22% with annual billing.
Cheaper or similar: Krea, Leonardo.Ai
Some details on this one weren't confirmed on the official pricing page, so we left them blank.
Checked Oct 26, 2026
Pixlr
Browser photo editor and quick design tool with AI helpers.
Free plan: Yes: Free plan with limited saves and AI credits.
Paid from: Plus: US$2.49/month, or US$1.99/month on a yearly plan
Discounts: Save 20% with yearly billing.
Cheaper or similar: Fotor, Canva
Checked Oct 26, 2026
Fotor
Photo editor and template-based design tool with AI image features.
Free plan: Yes: Basic plan free with limited features.
Paid from: Pro: US$8.99/month, or US$3.33/month on a yearly plan (US$39.99/year)
Discounts: Big saving with yearly billing.
Cheaper or similar: Pixlr, Canva
Checked Oct 26, 2026
PicMonkey
Photo editor and design tool for social graphics and simple marketing images.
Free plan: No
Paid from: Basic: US$7.99/month, or US$6/month on a yearly plan (US$72/year)
Discounts: Cheaper with annual billing.
Cheaper or similar: Fotor, Canva
Checked Oct 26, 2026
Pixelcut
AI photo tool for product shots: remove backgrounds, upscale and create scenes.
Free plan: Yes: Free plan with watermark-free exports.
Paid from: Pro: US$10/month, or US$8/month on a yearly plan (US$96/year)
Discounts: Cheaper with yearly billing.
Cheaper or similar: Photoroom, Canva
Checked Oct 26, 2026
Hotpot.ai
AI art, headshots and photo touch-ups paid with credits.
Free plan: Unclear: Not stated in what we read.
Paid from: 1,000 credits/month: US$10/month, or US$9/month on a yearly plan (US$108/year)
Discounts: Monthly saves 17%, yearly saves 25% versus one-time.
Cheaper or similar: getimg.ai, Picsart
Some details on this one weren't confirmed on the official pricing page, so we left them blank.
Checked Oct 26, 2026
Other jobs
FAQ
What's the best free photo editing tool?
19 of the 28 photo editing tools here have a free plan, including Let's Enhance, VanceAI, PicWish, Removal.AI. Start with the one whose job description matches yours, and check the free-plan limits in each card before you commit.
What's the cheapest paid photo editing tool?
Of the prices we could confirm, Pixlr is cheapest: its Plus plan is US$2.49/month, or US$1.99/month on a yearly plan. Next is Fotor: its Pro plan is US$8.99/month, or US$3.33/month on a yearly plan (US$39.99/year). Prices are in US dollars before tax, checked Oct 26, 2026.
How do you check these prices?
We read each tool's official pricing page (or the maker's own help pages) in US dollars before tax, and note the date. If a price isn't shown clearly, we leave it blank rather than guess.
Want to spend less? Tick the tools you pay for in the Nerdy Savings calculator.