Best Photo Editing Software for Mac (2026): 6 Top Picks
 | Adobe PhotoshopTop choice | Studio and game art, the industry standard | $22.99 /month | See price |
 | Adobe LightroomRunner up | Editing and organizing photo libraries | $11.99 /month | See price |
 | AffinityBest free | Free vector, pixel and layout editor | Free | See price |
 | Pixelmator ProBest for Mac | Mac-native editing, clean interface | $12.99 /month | See price |
The best photo editing software for Mac is Adobe Photoshop for detailed retouching and compositing, Adobe Lightroom for editing and organizing many photos, and Affinity for a free all-round editor. Pixelmator Pro, GIMP and Apple Photos round out the list for different budgets.
This guide compares six photo editors that run on macOS, with prices checked in November 2026 on each official page, and ArtBlast's own data on which editing tools employers name.
The Short Answer: Best Photo Editing Software for Mac at a Glance
| Software | Best for | Price (US, Nov 2026) | Platforms |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adobe Photoshop | Retouching, compositing, painting and studio work | $22.99/month | macOS, Windows, iPad |
| Adobe Lightroom | Editing and organizing large photo collections | $19.99/month (Photography plan) | macOS, Windows, mobile |
| Affinity | A free editor with vector, pixel and layout tools | Free | macOS, Windows, iPad |
| Pixelmator Pro | Mac-native editing with a clean interface | Included in Apple Creator Studio ($12.99/month) | macOS, iPad |
| GIMP | Free, open-source image editing | Free | macOS, Windows, Linux |
| Apple Photos | Quick edits and organizing family photos | Free (included with macOS) | macOS, iOS |
Sources for every price are listed at the end of this guide.
What Studios Ask For: ArtBlast Job Data
Photoshop is named in 261 of the 508 concept art, illustration and 2D art job posts ArtBlast tracked from March to August 2026 (51%) and in 202 of 412 graphic and UI design posts (49%). Lightroom is named only rarely in these roles (2 of 323 graphic design posts), because ArtBlast covers game art and design, not photography.
See current openings: graphic designer jobs, 2D artist jobs and illustrator jobs.
1. Adobe Photoshop
Photoshop is the standard for detailed photo work: layers, masks, selections, retouching tools and adjustment layers. It runs natively on Apple silicon Macs.
Price: $22.99 a month for the single app (annual commitment, billed monthly), with a free trial.
- Pros: the deepest toolset and the format employers expect.
- Cons: subscription only and a steep learning curve.
Try Photoshop on Adobe (free trial available).
2. Adobe Lightroom
Lightroom edits raw photos with non-destructive tools, presets and masks, and organizes collections with keywords and ratings.
Price: The Photography plan with Lightroom, Lightroom Classic and Photoshop was $19.99 a month on Adobe's US plans page (annual commitment, billed monthly).
- Pros: fast batch editing, presets and cloud sync.
- Cons: not for heavy retouching or compositing.
3. Affinity
Affinity is free for individuals and combines photo editing, vector drawing and layout. It opens Photoshop files and runs on Mac.
Price: Free for individuals.
- Pros: free, a modern interface and PSD support.
- Cons: some features need a Canva account and few employers name it.
4. Pixelmator Pro
Pixelmator Pro is built for Apple platforms, with layers, retouching and color tools and a tidy interface.
Price: Apple lists Pixelmator Pro among the apps included in Apple Creator Studio, at $12.99 a month or $129 a year for new subscribers (Apple's Final Cut Pro page, Nov 2026).
- Pros: fast on Apple silicon and Mac-native.
- Cons: Apple only and a smaller ecosystem.
5. GIMP
GIMP is a free image editor with layers, selections and filters. It is capable but has its own interface and workflow.
Price: Free and open source.
- Pros: free and flexible.
- Cons: a dated interface and few employers name it.
6. Apple Photos
Apple Photos is built into the Mac and handles quick adjustments such as crop, exposure and color, with iCloud sync.
Price: Free, included with macOS.
- Pros: free, built in and easy.
- Cons: limited advanced tools.
How to Choose
- You want a studio skill: Photoshop.
- You edit many photos: Lightroom.
- You want free: Affinity or GIMP.
- You want Mac-native and simple: Pixelmator Pro or Apple Photos.
Related reading: Photoshop alternatives for artists, how much Photoshop costs and Lightroom tutorials.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best photo editing software for Mac?
Photoshop for detailed editing and Lightroom for large collections. Affinity is the best free choice.
Is there free photo editing software for Mac?
Yes. Affinity, GIMP and Apple Photos are free.
Does Photoshop run on Apple silicon?
Yes, it runs natively on M-series Macs.
What does Lightroom cost?
The Photography plan, which includes Lightroom and Photoshop, was $19.99 a month on Adobe's US plans page.
Is Pixelmator Pro good?
Yes. It is a Mac-native editor included in Apple Creator Studio.
Sources and Price Checks
All prices and versions were checked in November 2026 on the official pages below. Prices change often and sales are frequent, so confirm the figure on the official page before you buy.
- Photoshop and Photography plan: Adobe plans page (US prices; Adobe shows local prices by country).
- Pixelmator Pro and Apple Creator Studio: Apple.
- Affinity: affinity.studio. GIMP: gimp.org. Apple Photos: apple.com.
Job data: ArtBlast job tracking, March 13 to August 12 2026, distinct posts (one per employer and title) with a full description. 2D cohort: 508 posts; graphic cohort: 412 posts. Using these figures? Please cite ArtBlast and link to this page.