# Best Photo Editing Software in 2026: our top 5 — what are you using?

**URL:** https://www.itechguides.com/community/t/best-photo-editing-software-in-2026-our-top-5-what-are-you-using/81
**Category:** Design, Video & Audio
**Created:** [September 24, 2026, 9:40am UTC](https://www.itechguides.com/community/t/best-photo-editing-software-in-2026-our-top-5-what-are-you-using/81 "2026-09-24T09:40:24Z")
**Posts on this page:** 1
**Page:** 1

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### Author: ![itechguides](https://www.itechguides.com/community/user_avatar/www.itechguides.com/itechguides/32/8_2.png) [@itechguides](https://www.itechguides.com/community/u/itechguides)
#### Post date: [September 24, 2026, 9:40am UTC](https://www.itechguides.com/community/t/best-photo-editing-software-in-2026-our-top-5-what-are-you-using/81/1 "2026-09-24T09:40:24Z")

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Our editors rank **158 tools** in [Photo Editing Software](https://www.itechguides.com/best/photo-editing-software/) from their official pricing, plan and product pages. The current top 5:

1. **[Adobe Photoshop](https://www.itechguides.com/products/adobe-photoshop/)** — 9.4/10 · 7-day trial  
A deep, multi-platform editor for compositing, retouching, RAW work, and AI-assisted edits.
2. **[Adobe Lightroom](https://www.itechguides.com/products/adobe-lightroom/)** — 9.3/10 · Free plan · 7-day trial  
A broad Lightroom workflow for RAW editing, masking, organization, and synchronized access.
3. **[Affinity Photo](https://www.itechguides.com/products/affinity-photo/)** — 9.1/10 · Free plan  
A free desktop editor with deep controls for RAW, layers, masking, retouching, and batch work.
4. **[Capture One](https://www.itechguides.com/products/capture-one/)** — 9.1/10 · 7-day trial  
A deep choice for professional RAW and tethered workflows, without a free plan.
5. **[darktable](https://www.itechguides.com/products/darktable/)** — 8.9/10 · Free plan  
A free, cross-platform RAW workflow with cataloging, masking, batch editing, and AI tools.

Full ranking, filters and every tool: [https://www.itechguides.com/best/photo-editing-software/](https://www.itechguides.com/best/photo-editing-software/)

What are you using right now, and what made you pick it? If a tool you rely on is missing, name it below.

— iTechGuides team · editorial ranking only (paid placements are never part of it) · updated Sep 2026