5 best image editors for Windows

In this article, we’ll discuss 5 photo editing and marketing content creation software that will help you complete the tasks you need. When working with graphic files, the user often needs to pre-edit a photo, drawing or picture in order to improve the quality of the finished image.

You need to use the help of a graphic editor in which you can perform all the necessary actions with images. Developers have created a large number of similar products, we will talk about some popular solutions in this article.

There are options for software with an open license and paid versions, but with a free promo period. All members of the list are compatible with the Windows operating system and work in Russian.

If Russian localization is not important or you work with a specific type of graphics, take a look at the selection of the TOP 10 graphic editors for vector and raster images.

From this article you will learn about the advantages and disadvantages of the presented programs. You only need to try these applications in operation to choose the right software.

Paint.NET

Paint.NET is a graphics editor that offers quite a lot of functionality for working with images and photos. Initially, the project was created by students of the University of Washington with the methodological assistance of Microsoft. They had the idea of ​​creating a program that would replace the built-in Windows graphics editor – Paint.

This free software is an excellent solution for those who plan to create high-quality promotional materials or edit photos. At first glance, it may seem that the editor has a too simple interface, but most of the most popular tools in the program’s functionality are there.

Advantages:

• you can process several pictures at the same time;
• easy to set up hotkeys;
• a large collection of effects and filters, such as styling, distortion and blur, red-eye removal, and so on;
• it is possible to adjust the desired image parameters (height, width, and resolution);
• supports the ability to work with layers;
• allows you to upload pictures from the camera or directly from the scanner.

Disadvantages:

• thoughtlessly organized work with the text;
• you can’t upload your own brushes, and the built-in set is not very diverse;
• there is no tool that allows you to blur a fragment on the image.

PhotoMASTER

PhotoMASTER is a professional, but easy-to-use graphic editor suitable for solving a variety of tasks – from quick image processing to detailed portrait retouching.

It is especially convenient that in the program you can quickly change the background and add captions. The number of Russian-language fonts and styles that are easily customizable to any taste will definitely please designers and those involved in advertising.

Advantages:

• batch photo processing available;
• a wide range of tools: cropping, color and exposure correction, removal of defects and unnecessary objects, automatic enhancement and much more;
• creative filters in the style of your favorite films or films, retro and so on;
• collection of original stickers and frames;
• there is an option “Perfect portrait”, with which face retouching is done automatically;
• support for common formats.

Disadvantages:

• there is no option to create a blank sheet for a future drawing;
• The demo version of the app has a limited expiration date.

GIMP

GIMP is a graphics editor that supports raster and vector graphics. The software is free, but in terms of functionality and capabilities, it is not much inferior to expensive Photoshop.

Here you can work with layers, perform complex color adjustments, and draw to create vector images. The program interface is thoughtful and simple, but users say that not everyone is able to get used to it right away.

Advantages:

• you can load other people’s plugins or write your own;
• a large selection of presets;
• a collection of unusual brushes;
• there is a Russian version;
• image editing with RGB channels.

Disadvantages:

• spot colors are not supported;
• the mode of operation with a channel of 16 or more colors is not implemented.

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Photoshop is a professional raster editor that is in demand among designers, photographers, artists and even architects. The software toolkit allows you to do the most complex processing of frames – for example, you can retouch photos in detail, colorize black and white pictures, change the background, combine a picture and text, draw using a connected graphics tablet.

Advantages:

• the ability to work with layers is implemented;
• powerful functionality with a huge number of options, a large selection of brushes, fonts, and so on;
• support for RAW format;
• PSD files can be edited layer by layer after saving;
• a large collection of customizable filters that improve the picture;
• you can connect plugins that implement the desired function.

Disadvantages:

• high price – from 1662.40 rubles per month;
• for full-fledged work in the program, special knowledge and skills are required;
• high requirements for PC resources, for example, the recommended RAM is 8 GB, a processor with a frequency of 2 GHz.

Built-in Windows Editor

Paint is a standard Windows program familiar to all computer users. Some are wary of the editor, believing that its functionality is too primitive.

However, in Paint you can not only draw, overlay text, or crop images. It is easy to adjust the size of the photo in it, you can replace the background and fill it with the color selected with the eyedropper. And here you can also remove objects from the frame – the Arbitrary Selection tool is used for this.

Advantages:

• installed with the Windows operating system;
• there is a basic functionality for drawing;
• The software works correctly on weak computers.

Disadvantages:

• limited set of tools;
• it is impossible to work with layers;
• transparency is not supported;
• You can rotate the image only at an angle of 90, 180 and 270 degrees.

In Windows 10, an upgraded version of the program appeared – Paint 3D. This is a raster graphics editor that allows you to create two-dimensional and three-dimensional objects. The program pleases with a simple and intuitive interface and an extended set of functions.

Article Conclusions

When choosing a graphic editor, it is first important to decide for what purposes it is required – to draw, process photos, create advertisements. It is also worth taking into account your work skills, as well as knowledge in the field of design. Of the options presented in the article, the most optimal solution would be Paint.NET and PhotoMASTER, since these programs have excellent functionality, and are also suitable for both beginners and professionals.