The Mac is still the best device for serious photo editing, so you need some serious photo editing apps to make an impact. The built-in Photos app on Mac offers several useful photo editing tools. You can crop, adjust lighting and color, set the white balance, add filters, remove unwanted blemishes, and a few more things. If you’re a Mac owner, this might be the best book writing software for you. While you do have to pay $39.99 per year to use it, the cost to use Ulysses is completely justified. One of the best features has to be the distraction-free capabilities. Movavi Video Editor for Mac is great Mac video editing software that will help you create awesome video clips, complete with music, fades, and special effects. Book Writing Software: Top 10 Pieces of Software for Writers. Which lets you see how each formatting change or book edit you make will appear on Kindle, Fire, iPhone, Nook, and other eReaders. Eliminate all the bells and whistles and open up your computer’s native text editor (TextEdit for Mac or Notepad for Windows).
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While a good, professional (human) editor is invaluable to your book – the purchase of manuscript editing software can be another prudent investment. Manuscript editing software programs do much more than the built-in spelling and grammar checkers in your word processor.
Video editor for mac os x 10.6.8. The following is a list of Macintoshsoftware—notable computer applications for current macOS systems. For software designed for the classic Mac OS, see List of old Macintosh software.
Reddit best editor for youtube gameplay on mac.
- 6Email
- 9Graphics, layout, and desktop publishing
- 23Utilities
Audio[edit]
Macbook Editing Software
- Ableton Live – music production
- Adobe Soundbooth – music and soundtrack editing
- Ardour – hard disk recorder and digital audio workstation program
- Audacity – digital audio editor
- Audion – media player (development ceased)
- Audio Hijack – audio recorder
- baudline – signal analyzer
- BIAS Peak – mastering
- Cog – open source audio player, supports multiple formats
- Cubase – music production program
- djay – digital music mixing software
- Digital Performer – MIDI sequencer with audio tracking
- Final Cut Express/Pro – movie editor
- Finale – scorewriter program
- fre:ac - open source audio converter and CD ripper
- GarageBand – music/podcast production
- HyperNext – freeware software development
- Impro-Visor – educational notation and playback for music improvisation
- iTunes – audio/video Jukebox
- iVolume – volume normalization
- ixi software – free improvisation and sketching tools
- Jaikoz – mass tagger
- LilyPond – scorewriter program
- Logic Express – prosumer music production
- Logic Studio – music writing studio package by Apple Inc.
- Apple Loops Utility – production and organisation of Apple Loops
- Apple Qmaster and Qadministrator
- Logic Pro – digital audio workstation
- Mainstage – program to play software synthesizers live
- QuickTime Pro – pro version of QuickTime
- Soundtrack Pro – post production audio editor
- WaveBurner – CD mastering and production software
- Mixxx – DJ mix software available for the mac in the App Store
- Max – Cycling 74's visual programming language for MIDI, audio, video; with MSP, Jitter
- Nuendo – audio and post production editor
- Overture – scorewriter program
- ReBirth – virtual synth program simulates Roland TR-808, TB-303
- REAPER – digital audio workstation
- Reason – digital audio workstation
- Recycle – sample editor
- Renoise – contemporary digital audio workstation, based upon the heritage and development of tracker software.
- RiffWorks – guitar recording and online song collaboration software
- Senuti – transfers music from iPod to computer
- Sibelius – scorewriter program
- Sound Studio – digital audio analyzer and editor
- N-Track Studio – multitrack audio recording, editing and mixing software
CD and DVD authoring[edit]
- DVD Studio Pro – DVD authoring application
- iDVD – a basic DVD-authoring application
- Roxio Toast – DVD authoring application
Chat (text, voice, video)[edit]
Adium on Mac OS X
- Adium – multi-protocol IM client
- AOL Instant Messenger - discontinued as of December 15, 2017[1]
- Colloquy – freeware advanced IRC and SILC client
- Fire – open source, multiprotocol IM client
- FaceTime - videoconferencing between Mac, iPhone, iPad and iPod touch
- iChat – instant messaging and videoconferencing (discontinued since OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion)
- iMessage - instant messaging between Mac, and iDevices
- Irssi – IrssiX and MacIrssi
- Ventrilo – audio chatroom application
Children's software[edit]
- Kid Pix Deluxe 3X – bitmap drawing program
- Stagecast Creator – programming and internet authoring for kids
Developer tools and IDEs[edit]
- AppCode - an Objective-C IDE by JetBrains for OS X and iOS development
- Aptana – an open sourceintegrated development environment (IDE) for building Ajax web applications
- Clozure CL - an open sourceintegrated development environment (IDE) for building Common Lisp applications
- Code::Blocks – open source IDE for C++
- CodeWarrior – development environment, framework
- Eclipse – open source Java-based IDE for developing rich-client applications, includes SWT library, replaces Swing by using underlying OS native windowing abilities
- Fink – Debian package manager for portedUnix software
- Free Pascal – Object Pascal compiler, XCode plugin available
- Helix – relational database IDE
- HotSpot – Sun's Java Virtual Machine
- IntelliJ IDEA - a JAVA IDE by JetBrains (free limited community edition)
- Komodo – commercial multi-language IDE from ActiveState
- Lazarus – cross-platform IDE to develop software with Free Pascal, specialized in graphical software
- LiveCode – high-level cross-platform IDE
- MacApp – application development framework Pascal and C++
- Macintosh Programmer's Workshop (MPW)
- Macports – a package management system that simplifies the installation of free/open source software on the Mac OS X.
- Macromedia Authorware – application (CBT, eLearning) development, no Mac development environment since version 4, though can still package applications with the 'Mac Packager' for OS 8 through 10 playback
- Mono – open source implementation of Microsoft .NET Framework with a C# compiler
- NetBeans – modular, open source, multi-language platform and IDE for Java written in pure Java
- Omnis Studio – cross-platform development environment for creating enterprise and web applications for Mac OS X, Windows, Linux, Solaris
- Peppermint - multi-purpose editor supporting a wide range of languages and comes with a CoffeeScript/JavaScript API
- Qt Creator – an IDE for C++ GUI applications, by Trolltech
- Real Studio – cross-platform compiled REALbasicBASIC programming language IDE
- ResEdit – resource editor
- Script Debugger – an AppleScript and Open Scripting Architecture IDE
- SuperCard – high-level IDE
- Tcl/tk – scripting shell & GUI utility that allows cross platform development. Included With Mac OS X.
- TextMate – multipurpose text editor that supports Ruby, PHP, and Python
- Torque (game engine) – game creation software
- WebKit – open source application framework for Safari (web browser)
- wxPython – API merging Python and wxWidgets
- Xcode – IDE made by Apple, which comes as a part of OS X and is available as a download, was called Project Builder
Email[edit]
Email clients[edit]
- Apple Mail – the bundled email client
- Claris Emailer – classic Mac OS only, no longer available
- Entourage – email client by Microsoft; analogous to Microsoft Outlook
- Mailplane – a WebKit-based client for Gmail
- Mulberry – open-source software for e-mail, calendars and contacts
- Sparrow – as well as Sparrow Lite
Other email software[edit]
- SPAMfighter - anti-spam software
FTP clients[edit]
Games[edit]
- Steam – digital distribution software for video games and related media
Graphics, layout, and desktop publishing[edit]
CAD, 3D graphics[edit]
- Ashlar-Vellum – 2D/3D drafting, 3D modeling
- SketchUp – 3D modeling software
Distributed document authoring[edit]
Icon editors, viewers[edit]
- Icon Composer – part of Apple Developer Tools
File conversion and management[edit]
- Adobe Bridge — digital asset management app
- BibDesk — free bibliographic database app that organizes linked files
- Font Book – font management tool
- GraphicConverter – graphics editor, open/converts a wide range of file formats
- iPhoto – photo management application
Layout and desktop publishing[edit]
- Adobe InDesign – page layout
- iBooks Author – create content for iBooks
- iCalamus – page layout
- iStudio Publisher – page layout
- Pages – part of iWork
- QuarkXPress – page layout
- Ready,_Set,_Go!_(software) – page layout
- Scribus – page layout
- TeX – publishing
- MacTeX – TeX redistribution of TeX Live for Mac
- The Print Shop – page layout
Raster and vector graphics[edit]
- Adobe Fireworks – supports GIF animation.
- Adobe Illustrator – vector graphics editor
- Adobe Photoshop – also offers some vector graphics features
- Affinity Designer - vector graphics editor for Apple macOS and Microsoft Windows
- Anime Studio – 2D based vector animation
- Aperture – Apple's pro photo management, editing, publishing application
- GIMP – free bitmap graphics editor
- GIMPShop – free open source cross-platform bitmap graphics editor
- GraphicConverter – displays and edits raster graphics files
- Inkscape – free vector graphics editor
- MacPaint – painting software by Apple (discontinued)
- Macromedia FreeHand – vector graphics editor
- Paintbrush – free simple bitmap graphics program
- Photos – official photo management and editing application developed by Apple
- Photo Booth – photo camera, video recorder
- Pixelmator – hardware-accelerated integrated photo editor
- Polarr - photo editing app
- Seashore – open source, based around the GIMP's technology, but with native OS X (Cocoa) UI
- TouchRetouch - photo editor that allows to remove unwanted content or objects from any photo
Integrated software technologies[edit]
Language and reference tools[edit]
- Rosetta Stone (software) – proprietary language learning software
- Ultralingua – proprietary electronic dictionaries and language tools
- World Book Encyclopedia – multimedia
Mathematics software[edit]
- Octave (software) – open source
- SciLab – open source
Media center[edit]
- Boxee – Mac and Apple TV
Multimedia authoring[edit]
- Adobe Director – animation/application development
- Adobe Flash – vector animation
- Adobe LiveMotion – a discontinued competitor to Macromedia Flash, until Adobe bought Macromedia
- Dragonframe - stop motion animation and time-lapse
- iBooks Author – creates content for iBooks
- iLife – media suite by Apple
- Unity – 3D authoring
Networking and telecommunications[edit]
- iStumbler – find wireless networks and devices
- Karelia Watson (defunct)
- NetSpot - software tool for wireless network assessment, scanning, and surveys, analyzing Wi-Fi coverage and performance
- Timbuktu – remote control
- WiFi Explorer - a wireless network scanner tool
News aggregators[edit]
- Feedly – news aggregator, and news aggregator reading application
- NetNewsWire – news aggregator reading application
- NewsFire – news aggregator reading application
- RSSOwl – news aggregator reading application
- Safari (web browser) - news aggregation via built-in RSS support
- Apple Mail – news aggregation via (discontinued) built-in RSS support
Office and productivity[edit]
- Address Book – bundled with OS X
- AppleWorks – word processor, spreadsheet, and presentation applications (discontinued)
- Bean (word processor) – free TXT/RTF/DOC word processor
- CricketGraph - graphmaker
- iBank – personal finance application
- iCal – calendar management, bundled with OS X
- iWork – suite:
- Pages – word processor application
- Numbers – spreadsheet application
- Keynote – presentation application
- Journler – diary and personal information manager with personal wiki features
- MacLinkPlus Deluxe - file format translation tool for PowerPC-era Mac OS X, converting and opening files created in other operating systems
- MarinerPak – suite:
- Microsoft Office – office suite:
- Microsoft Word – word processor application
- Microsoft Excel – spreadsheet application
- Microsoft PowerPoint – presentation application
- Microsoft Entourage – email application (replaced by Microsoft Outlook)
- Microsoft Outlook – email application
- MoneyWiz – personal finance application
- Montage – screenwriting software
- Taste – word processor (discontinued)
Operating systems[edit]
- Darwin – the BSD-licensed core of macOS
- macOS – originally named 'Mac OS X' until 2012 and then 'OS X' until 2016
- macOS Server – the server computing variant of macOS
Outliners and mind-mapping[edit]
- 2-plan Desktop – free project management software with integrated mind maps
Peer-to-peer file sharing[edit]
- Vuze – Bittorrent client, was Azureus
Science[edit]
- Celestia – 3D astronomy program
- Stellarium – 3D astronomy program
Text editors[edit]
Utilities[edit]
- Activity Monitor – default system monitor for hardware and software
- AppZapper – uninstaller (shareware)
- Automator – built-in, utility to automate repetitive tasks
- Backup – built-in
- BitDefender Antivirus 2009 for Mac OS – antivirus software
- Butler – free, launcher and utility to automate repetitive tasks
- CleanGenius – free system optimization tool for Mac OS X, disk cleaner, uninstaller, device ejector, disk monitor. (freeware)
- CandyBar – system customization software (commercial)
- CDFinder – disk cataloging software (commercial)
- Compact Pro – data compression
- DaisyDisk – disk visualization tool
- Dashboard – built-in Mac OS X widgets
- Disk Drill Basic – data recovery software for Mac OS X
- Grab (software) – built-in Mac OS X screenshot utility
- Growl – global notifications system, free
- iArchiver – handles archives, commercial
- Intego VirusBarrier – antivirus software
- iSync – syncing software, bundled with OS X
- LaunchBar – provides instant access to local data, search engines and more by entering abbreviations of search item names, commercial
- Little Snitch – network monitor and outgoing connection firewall
- MacScan – malware removal program
- Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing – proprietary, typing tutor
- Norton Antivirus for Mac – an antivirus program specially made for Mac
- OnyX – a freeware system maintenance and optimization tool for Mac OS X
- Quicksilver – a framework for accessing and manipulating many forms of data
- SheepShaver – PowerPC emulator, allows, among other things, running Mac OS 9 on Intel Macs
- Sherlock – file searching (version 2), web services (version 3)
- Sophos - antivirus software
- Stellar Phoenix Mac Data Recovery - Data Recovery Software for Mac Computers
- Stuffit – data compression
- Stickies – put Post-It Note-like notes on the desktop
- System Preferences – default Mac system option application
- The Tilery - application switcher
- Time Machine (Apple software) – built-in backup software
- UUTool – uuencoded/uudecode and other transcoding
- Stellar Phoenix Video Repair – Repair corrupt of damaged videos
- VirusScan – antivirus software
- BetterZip - file archiver and compressor utility
- WinZip – file archiver and compressor utility
- Xsan – storage network utility
- Yahoo! Widget Engine – JavaScript-based widget system
Support for non-Macintosh software[edit]
- Boot Camp – a multi-boot utility built into OS X from 10.5
- CrossOver – commercial implementation of Wine
- DOSBox – DOS emulator
- pcAnywhere – VNC-style remote control
- Parallels Workstation – commercial full virtualization software for desktop and server
- Q – emulates an IBM-compatible PC on a Mac, allows running PC operating systems
- VMware – virtualization software
- Wine – Windows API reimplementation
- Virtual PC – full virtualization software allows running other operating systems, such as Windows and GNU/Linux, on PowerPC Macs (discontinued in 2007)
- vMac – emulates a Macintosh Plus and can run Apple Macintosh System versions 1.1 to 7.5.5.
Video[edit]
- DVD Player (Apple) – DVD player software built into Mac OS X
- FFmpeg – audio/video converter
- Final Cut Studio – audio-video editing suite:
- HandBrake – DVD to MPEG-4 and other formats converter
- iMovie – basic video editing application
- mimoLive – live video mixing and streaming software
- QuickTime – including its Player and QuickTime Pro
- 4K Video Downloader - free video downloader
Web browsers[edit]
- Amaya – free
- Camino – open source
- Flock – free, Mozilla Firefox based
- Google Chrome – free, proprietary
- iCab – free
- Konqueror – open source
- Lynx – free
- Mozilla – open source, combines browser, email client, WYSIWYG editor
- Mozilla Firefox – open source
- Netscape Navigator – free, proprietary
- OmniWeb – free, proprietary
- Opera – free
- Safari (web browser) – built-in from Mac OS X 10.3, available as a separate download for Mac OS X 10.2
- SeaMonkey – open source Internet application suite
- Shiira – open source
- Sleipnir – free, by Fenrir Inc
- Tor (anonymity network) - free, open source
- Torch (web browser) - free, by Torch Media Inc.
- Internet Explorer for Mac – free, by Microsoft
- WebKit – Safari application framework, also in the form of an application
Web design and content management[edit]
- RapidWeaver - a template-based website editor
Weblog clients[edit]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^'AIM has been discontinued as of December 15, 2017'. help.aol.com/. Retrieved 2018-01-17.
Retrieved from 'https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_Macintosh_software&oldid=914101159'
Best Mac Photo Editing Software 2019 - Photo Editor Reviews
Recently, we spent over 50 hours testing 10 Mac photo editing programs. We compared the programs' editing capabilities by importing the same group of photos into each one and applying the same edits. We also took into account how easy each program is to use, preferring those that are powerful as well as easy to learn. We further evaluated each software’s photo organizing features, including how many categorization and search options it offers. After all our testing was said and done, CyberLink PhotoDirector Ultra 10 stood out as the best Mac photo editing software. We think it is a good fit for users of any skill level, but it has features that make it especially good for beginners. To find out if this software is a good option for you, check out CyberLink’s 30-day free trial.
Best OverallCyberLink PhotoDirector Ultra 10
PhotoDirector not only offers some of the easiest-to-use editing tools, it also offers one of the best photo organizing systems we've seen.
Book Editing Software
Best BudgetPixelmator 3.3
Pixelmator 3.3 is easy to learn and costs less than many other programs. It is compatible with a wide range of file types and offers editing tools to enhance your images like a pro.
Best Alternative to PhotoshopAffinity Photo
This software's tools are comparable to Adobe Photoshop. One of the biggest differences between the two programs is Affinity's lower-cost.
Product | Price | Overall Rating | Pricing | Editing Tools | Organizing | File Compatibility & Sharing | Trial | Ease of Use Score | Filter Presets | Editing Tools Score | Photo Organizing Score | Supported Image File Formats | Sharing Options Score | Help & Support Score | Minimum OS X Supported |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CyberLink PhotoDirector Ultra 10 | View Deal | 4.5/5 | 6.8 | 9.5 | 10 | 9.5 | 30 Days | 100% | 42 | 100% | 100% | 7 | 100% | 84% | 10.9 |
Adobe Photoshop Elements 2018 | View Deal | 4/5 | 6.5 | 9.3 | 7.8 | 9.8 | 30 Days | 100% | 98 | 96% | 86% | 10 | 100% | 100% | 10.11 |
Acorn 6 | View Deal | 4/5 | 9.5 | 10 | 2.3 | 10 | 14 Days | 90% | 139 | 99% | 29% | 12 | 100% | 84% | 10.11 |
Corel AfterShot Pro 3 | View Deal | 4/5 | 7.8 | 6.8 | 9.5 | 5 | 30 Days | 100% | 21 | 86% | 86% | 4 | 80% | 100% | 10.9 |
Pixelmator 3.3 | View Deal | 3.5/5 | 9.5 | 7.5 | 4 | 8.8 | 30 Days | 90% | 126 | 89% | 43% | 10 | 80% | 84% | 10.6.6 |
Affinity Photo 5 | View Deal | 3.5/5 | 8.5 | 9.8 | 1.8 | 9.3 | 10 Days | 90% | 36 | 100% | 29% | 10 | 90% | 92% | 10.7 |
PhotoPad Photo Editor | View Deal | 3.5/5 | 10 | 6.5 | 4 | 5.3 | Unlimited | 90% | 15 | 86% | 43% | 6 | 70% | 92% | 10.4.4 |
DxO PhotoLab Elite Edition | View Deal | 3/5 | 5.8 | 5.3 | 8.8 | 5 | 31 Days | 85% | 37 | 76% | 86% | 3 | 80% | 92% | 10.11 |
ACDSee Photo Studio for Mac 4 | View Deal | 3/5 | 6.8 | 3 | 9.5 | 5.3 | 30 Days | 90% | 2 | 68% | 86% | 6 | 60% | 92% | 10.12 |
Luminar 2018 | View Deal | 3/5 | 8 | 6.5 | 1.8 | 7 | 14 Days | 90% | 67 | 81% | 29% | 6 | 80% | 84% | 10.1 |
Best Overall
CyberLink PhotoDirector Ultra 10
PhotoDirector 365 Monthly$14.99
PhotoDirector 365 Yearly$43.99
PhotoDirector 10 Ultra
It's easy for beginners.
The photo organizer is one of the best we've seen.
You need to pay for technical phone support.
Experienced editors might take awhile adjusting to the interface.
CyberLink PhotoDirector Ultra is one of the easiest programs to use, which makes it ideal for beginners.
Experienced users will also find that it offers the tools needed to edit and organize their work. You can arrange your photos using a star rating system, color labels, keyword tags and even by tagging specific people's faces. There is a wide range of editing tools and we found that they work super well when making changes. The object removal tool was especially impressive, removing unwanted elements and replacing the space believably. We also found an easy HDR feature and lens distortion correction tools. Unfortunately, there were no vector graphics tools.
The interface is built differently than many other photo editing programs. Instead of displaying toolbar icons, the program is split into category tabs, which contain various editing tools. Instead of simply clicking on the cloning brush icon in the toolbar, you'll need to click on the 'People Beautifier' tab in the 'Edit' section to access this feature. PhotoDirector works with the most common image file types including PSD, JPG, TIFF and RAW files. This software also makes it easy to post your favorite images directly to Facebook or send your photos to loved ones using email from within the program. You'll find tutorials and a FAQs page on the website. While emailing the company is free, you have to pay for a phone support plan if you want to get technical help.
The interface is built differently than many other photo editing programs. Instead of displaying toolbar icons, the program is split into category tabs, which contain various editing tools. Instead of simply clicking on the cloning brush icon in the toolbar, you'll need to click on the 'People Beautifier' tab in the 'Edit' section to access this feature. PhotoDirector works with the most common image file types including PSD, JPG, TIFF and RAW files. This software also makes it easy to post your favorite images directly to Facebook or send your photos to loved ones using email from within the program. You'll find tutorials and a FAQs page on the website. While emailing the company is free, you have to pay for a phone support plan if you want to get technical help.
Best Budget
Pixelmator 3.3
Pixelmator
This program has background removal software.
The interface is simple and easy for beginners to use.
There are no lens distortion correction tools.
Pixelmator 3.3 is a less-expensive photo editor with advanced editing capabilities. Considering all included tools, this is a very good value.
You get all the basic tools such as red-eye removal, selection tools, and color management, along with more advanced tools like background removal, creative filters and automatic editing options. Unfortunately, while the program works in layers, you cannot apply layer masks to your images. You also cannot easily fix lens distortion, create HDR images or stitch together panoramas with this software. There is no organizing system, so you will have to purchase a dedicated program if you want that capability. You can, however, view your photos' EXIF information.
Pixelmator works with the most common image files, including RAW, JPEG, TIFF, PNG, GIF, PSD and PDF. It can also help you optimize your photos for online usage. You can post photos directly onto social media sites such as Facebook, or email photos from within the program, but there is no online photo gallery. Also, you cannot make animated GIFs with this software.
If you want help with Pixelmator, there are various video tutorials, FAQs and even a user forum to help you learn and find answers. If you want to contact a representative, you can do so via email.
Pixelmator works with the most common image files, including RAW, JPEG, TIFF, PNG, GIF, PSD and PDF. It can also help you optimize your photos for online usage. You can post photos directly onto social media sites such as Facebook, or email photos from within the program, but there is no online photo gallery. Also, you cannot make animated GIFs with this software.
If you want help with Pixelmator, there are various video tutorials, FAQs and even a user forum to help you learn and find answers. If you want to contact a representative, you can do so via email.
Best Alternative to Photoshop
Affinity Photo
Affinity Photo
It has powerful, professional-level editing tools.
It works with a range of photo image files.
It has a short trial period.
Affinity Photo is one of the most powerful photo editing programs we tested. It didn't score as high as other program since it lacks a photo organizing feature.
You'll find that many of the tools you use in Photoshop are also in this program. In fact, it uses many of the same hotkeys. We were quickly able to remove unwanted objects from our photos with the content-aware fill tool. We counted 42 preset filters in the program that you can quickly add to your images.
We also found it easy to work with and manipulate the various layers as we worked. The program will help you create HDR photos and panoramas using simple step by step windows. There is no lens distortion tool per se, however, you can use the perspective tools to fix any warping caused by your camera. This program can be bought for a one-time purchase of roughly $50, which is much cheaper than Adobe's monthly or yearly subscription plans.
Affinity does offer a free demo of the software, but you'll need to use it quickly as it only lasts for 10 days. There is no photo organizing system built-in to this software so if you're specifically wanting a program that can sort your images, this might not be the best choice for you. We didn't find any printing project resources within the program. It will only allow you to make basic print requests.
We also found it easy to work with and manipulate the various layers as we worked. The program will help you create HDR photos and panoramas using simple step by step windows. There is no lens distortion tool per se, however, you can use the perspective tools to fix any warping caused by your camera. This program can be bought for a one-time purchase of roughly $50, which is much cheaper than Adobe's monthly or yearly subscription plans.
Affinity does offer a free demo of the software, but you'll need to use it quickly as it only lasts for 10 days. There is no photo organizing system built-in to this software so if you're specifically wanting a program that can sort your images, this might not be the best choice for you. We didn't find any printing project resources within the program. It will only allow you to make basic print requests.
Best for Learning Adobe
Adobe Photoshop Elements 2018
The interface is very easy to use.
This program has some of the best editing capabilities.
There are hundreds of video tutorials to help you learn the software.
It doesn't offer batch processing.
Adobe Photoshop Elements 2018 is one of the best Mac photo editors on the market. You navigate through the interface by choosing between the Guided, Quick and Expert modes. As expected, Guided mode helps you become acquainted with the various tools. It even offers tutorials and written instructions to fully explain everything.
Quick mode allows you to automatically make common adjustments to your photos, which can save time when you know your enhancements won't take long. You can adjust contrast, brightness and color. The Expert Mode gives you access to all of Photoshop Elements' tools.
There are more than 90 filters that can quickly add artistic effects to your favorite images. It also features advanced tools like content-aware fill, which gets rid of objects in an image and fills the space believably.
Photoshop Elements comes with Elements Organizer 2018, a separate program dedicated to organizing your photos. You can tag photos by time, date, name and rating. While Elements Organizer 2018 allows you to organize and catalogue your photos in a variety of ways, it can get tiresome jumping between the two programs. You can use Elements Organizer 2018 to store your photos directly in the cloud so you can access them anytime, anywhere.
This program is compatible with all the common image file types, including RAW, PDF, PSD, PNG, GIF and TIFF. You can also choose to share your photos directly onto Flickr, Facebook and Twitter. Should you need help, there are dozens of video tutorials online along with user forums and a FAQs page.
There are more than 90 filters that can quickly add artistic effects to your favorite images. It also features advanced tools like content-aware fill, which gets rid of objects in an image and fills the space believably.
Photoshop Elements comes with Elements Organizer 2018, a separate program dedicated to organizing your photos. You can tag photos by time, date, name and rating. While Elements Organizer 2018 allows you to organize and catalogue your photos in a variety of ways, it can get tiresome jumping between the two programs. You can use Elements Organizer 2018 to store your photos directly in the cloud so you can access them anytime, anywhere.
This program is compatible with all the common image file types, including RAW, PDF, PSD, PNG, GIF and TIFF. You can also choose to share your photos directly onto Flickr, Facebook and Twitter. Should you need help, there are dozens of video tutorials online along with user forums and a FAQs page.
Best for Making HDR Images
Acorn 6
Acorn 6
It creates excellent HDR images.
Use the tools to alter the hue, brightness and contrast of your images to make them look the way you want them to.
This software also works in layers to quickly view and select various elements when making changes. You can create both HDR and panoramic images using this software. The HDR guide steps you through the process making it easier to combine two or more images into one for a vibrant and lively finished product. Since it works with HDR images, it's not surprising that the software is compatible with RAW images, in addition to the most common file types. There is no photo organizer, so you'll have to purchase another one separately if you're wanting to manage your images. Fortunately, it does include a batch processor to make changes to multiple images at once and save you time. The cloning tool can help you eliminate unwanted objects from your images whether that be acne from a portrait or phone wires from a landscape. It also happens to be one of the least expensive programs in our comparison, selling for roughly $30.
Why Trust Us?
We have been testing Mac photo editing software for the past seven years. Whenever we evaluate products, we use the same testing methodology on each product to get fair and honest results. Our testers are often a mixture of experienced and inexperienced users, so we can gauge how different audiences react to a piece of software. With photo editing software, we look at every feature, tool and capability to determine how useful and intuitive each program is overall. Our testing helps us determine whether or not a program is best for beginners, advanced users or a mixture of both. We prefer to recommend programs that help you grow from a novice to an experienced artist while offering all of the best editing tools and sharing capabilities.
We contacted Brooklyn Parks - a graphic designer of 6 years – and Lisa Dixon – a professional photographer of 4 years to get more insights about photo editing programs. We also reached out to John Yoo, Head of Sales at CyberLink to learn more about PhotoDirector Ultra.
How Much Does Mac Photo Editing Software Cost?
You'll find that the best Mac photo editing software ranges between $30 and $100. Usually, programs costing $50 and up will give you more creative freedom and control over your work. The excessively expensive programs that cost more than $100 aren't always worth the cost, since you can usually find a program that fits your needs for less. Determine the tools and features you want most and then choose a program that offers them.
How We Tested
This year alone, we spent 50 hours testing 10 products. Our testers are graphic designers and photographers with a range of photo editing software skills. To determine which programs have the best editing capabilities, we uploaded the same images to each piece of software and applied the same edits. We paid attention to the intuitiveness of each product and compared the edited images side by side.
When the programs allowed, we also shared images to social media sites to see how well the sharing process worked. Programs with more editing features scored higher, while programs with fewer features scored lower. Our ease-of-use score was determined by the number of tools each program offered combined with the effectiveness of applied edits and the intuitiveness of each program's interface. Programs that were well organized and offered plenty of help tools scored higher.
We looked at file compatibility and awarded programs with more points when they worked with a wider range of common image file types. This also included the ability to optimize images for use on the web. The best software also comes with extensive resources, especially online video tutorials. Programs that offered a larger quantity of quality video instructions, a FAQs page and a user forum scored higher in our review.
What to Look For
Editing Tools
When we spoke to Parks, she told us that the best programs are the ones with intuitive tools. 'The name makes it obvious for what [the tool] does and it's easier to find what you are looking for,' she said. We score programs higher that were easier to use, this included making it easier to find the specific tools you need. What you need from a photo editor depends on what you intend to do with your images. Any true photo editor should offer basic editing tools like red-eye removal, cropping, color management, shape tools and the ability to add text to images. More comprehensive programs also have background removal software and a variety of brushes. Advanced tools help you make fine tweaks to your photos like touching up skin blemishes with touch-up or cloning tools.
It's also nice having a program that can fix lens distortion and create panoramas and HDR images. Batch processing is a super-convenient feature that allows you to make the same edits to several images at once. If you plan on taking dozens of photos at a time on a frequent basis, it's worth finding a program that offers it.
Yoo told us that if you can take the time to correctly adjust your camera before taking your photo, you will save yourself some hassle. 'The biggest lesson I learned that saved me time in post-processing was to take the extra time to compose the photo and light in the beginning when shooting. A well-composed photo will save you a lot of time later.' So, it's worth taking the time to prepare your scene.
Pricing
As far as Mac photo editing software goes, you should be able to find a basic editing program for under $100, typically starting for as little as $30. Paying more than $100 will often land you a professional editing program with additional editing tools and presets compared to the basic versions. It's good to note that you don't always have to pay the more expensive prices to get the specific tools you need. Before making your purchase consider what you think are the most important tools and find a software that offers them. If content-aware and cosmetic brush tools are most important to you, you can get a relatively cheap program that still includes those options like Affinity Photo. Programs generally have a trial period as well, so use this to try out the software and see which ones work best for you.
As far as Mac photo editing software goes, you should be able to find a basic editing program for under $100, typically starting for as little as $30. Paying more than $100 will often land you a professional editing program with additional editing tools and presets compared to the basic versions. It's good to note that you don't always have to pay the more expensive prices to get the specific tools you need. Before making your purchase consider what you think are the most important tools and find a software that offers them. If content-aware and cosmetic brush tools are most important to you, you can get a relatively cheap program that still includes those options like Affinity Photo. Programs generally have a trial period as well, so use this to try out the software and see which ones work best for you.
Organizing
Not all photo editing programs come with built-in photo organizing systems. While this isn't a critical feature, it can be incredibly convenient and save you time. The most common systems organize by location, faces, dates, times, titles, ratings and color labels. Categorization options vary from program to program.
Not all photo editing programs come with built-in photo organizing systems. While this isn't a critical feature, it can be incredibly convenient and save you time. The most common systems organize by location, faces, dates, times, titles, ratings and color labels. Categorization options vary from program to program.
File Compatibility
Since file compatibility is an important factor of a program's usability, we gave more points to programs that covered the most common image files such as RAW, JPEG, TIFF, PNG, GIF, PSD and PDF. Make sure you choose a program that works with the file types you use most. Yoo told us, 'I always shoot in RAW since it keeps the most light information in case I need to edit.' RAW images give you the most control over the editing process when they are imported into editing programs, which is why many photographers prefer to work with them.
Since file compatibility is an important factor of a program's usability, we gave more points to programs that covered the most common image files such as RAW, JPEG, TIFF, PNG, GIF, PSD and PDF. Make sure you choose a program that works with the file types you use most. Yoo told us, 'I always shoot in RAW since it keeps the most light information in case I need to edit.' RAW images give you the most control over the editing process when they are imported into editing programs, which is why many photographers prefer to work with them.
Free Photo Editor Software For Mac
Sharing Capabilities
Being able to post photos to Facebook or email them to family and friends directly within a photo editing program is a nice feature. Many companies offer online photo gallery accounts for you to use for free, but some cost extra. This can be a good place to back up your photos in case of computer failure.
Being able to post photos to Facebook or email them to family and friends directly within a photo editing program is a nice feature. Many companies offer online photo gallery accounts for you to use for free, but some cost extra. This can be a good place to back up your photos in case of computer failure.
If you plan on printing your photos or designs, Dixon told us it's best to work with 300 dpi, which is short for “dots per inch”. 'You can print pretty much anything,' she said. Many photo editing programs allow you to determine the resolution and size of new files or adjust the resolution and size of current images. This high resolution allows you to print images the size of movie posters and larger without getting blurry or pixelated imagery.
Parks told us that a super simple thing to help you when using photo editing software is to know the size of your project before you start. 'It will save you headaches later on,' she explained, 'otherwise when you transfer your files it can look like garbage.' Pulling a small image onto a larger file can make the small image pixelated and blurry so it's best to know the size of your end goal project when you start.
Help & Support
Advanced photo editors have so many features that you will likely need help learning how to use them. Video tutorials, FAQs pages and user forums can go a long way in helping you become an editing expert. Look for companies that also offer customer service in the method that you most prefer, whether through email, live chat or phone.
Advanced photo editors have so many features that you will likely need help learning how to use them. Video tutorials, FAQs pages and user forums can go a long way in helping you become an editing expert. Look for companies that also offer customer service in the method that you most prefer, whether through email, live chat or phone.
Parks told us that 'the biggest resource for learning is YouTube.' She further explained that she loves using it to find multiple ways to solve the same problem. If you ever get stumped jump on the web and see what other users have figured out.
Best free mp3 editor. Tips from the Pros
- If you're wanting to add vectors and symbols to your work, Parks suggests you use The Noun Project, a royalty-free icon library. 'You pay for vectors or PNG objects and symbols. It saves you a lot of time.'
- 'There are a billion artists and YouTube tutorials out there. There are things out there that already exist, there are pictures for you to use. Don't steal things outright, but use things to help you make something.' Many professional artists and graphic designers use imagery that already exists but combine it in a new way to make something unique. As long as you aren't stealing someone else's work, this can be a good method for enhancing your own photography.
- As parting thoughts, Parks explained, 'When looking for a job, it might not be something you imagined, but you can get something using [photo editing] skills.' We couldn't agree more. Being able to use this kind of software opens doors to many different job opportunities, from freelance work to positions within a company.
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