10 Photo Editing Software for Windows 11 Available in 2022

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We won’t be mentioning popular programs like Photoshop, Lightroom, or GIMP since most people are familiar with them. Although this review focuses on photo software for Windows, there will be a few online editors you can use across other operating systems too. Let’s get started:

1. PhotoWorks

Want an uncomplicated yet powerful photo program for Windows 11 that doesn’t require background knowledge in photo post-production? PhotoWorks is that and even more. This AI-driven software features all the essential tools for editing and enhancing images. Besides, most of these features are automatic, or you can apply them in a quick slider drag. The easy-to-apply professional tools include Curves, 3D LUTs and Tone Mapping. The editor also has a handy toolkit for portrait retouching and body sculpting. Want to enhance the model’s curves or make their body slimmer in a photo? You can easily do that within the program. 

If you only want to jazz up your photos, PhotoWorks has a diverse collection of filters, effects, frames, and stickers to help you decorate your pics. Photography enthusiasts will also appreciate the Batch Processing mode, which allows you to edit dozens of images - enhance, embellish, and watermark them. PhotoWorks is lightweight, and that is why it works smoothly on Windows 11, 10, 8, and even older versions. Besides, it is pretty affordable compared to its competitors with the price starting at $19.25 for the Standard package. Want to grasp the editor’s functionality first? You can do that within the free trial. 

2. Skylum Luminar AI

Luminar is another AI-run editor which allows the user to perform most of the editing with the help of sliders: adjusting clarity, brightness, contrast, etc. That, along with the intuitive interface with convenient preview options, makes this program beginner-friendly and ergonomic for professionals in the field. One of the most outstanding features of this editor is its AI-augmented sky enhancer. Don’t know where to begin your editing? Just start the sky enhancer, and the program will automatically suggest what you might want to fix. 

One of the drawbacks of this powerful program is its portrait retouch suite which still needs improvement since users often experience difficulties with its cloning and healing tools. Despite that, Skylum Luminar is a perfect median between Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom, thanks to its convenient layering system and masks. It even has Lightroom and Photoshop plugins for quick integration. You can either get the program with a lifetime license or a temporary subscription. 

3. PicMonkey

Do you want your Windows 11 image editor to be a branding tool for your social media? Try PicMonkey, a helpful online editor for influencers. In addition to editing your photos - cropping, rotating, adding filters, embellishing, and retouching portraits - it will help create engaging social media publications and advertisements for your products. PicMonkey also has a photo collage tool for making beautiful posters and greeting cards with your pictures and diverse templates with graphic design ideas. 

This online editor supports all the image formats popular these days - for posting on Pinterest, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, Snapchat, etc. Many features of PicMonkey are available within the Basic plan. To access the advanced features like the Branding Kit, you need to purchase the Pro or Business subscription. 

4. Fotor 

Fotor is another online photo editor available as a free desktop application. It has cloud-based storage, so you can return to editing your images at any time and work on them across multiple platforms. The interface of this Windows 11 photo editor is self-explanatory, so you won’t have to spend hours figuring it out. Besides, there are many tutorials available online. 

Apart from the photo editing suite with essential features, the program offers a portrait retoucher, a branding kit, a collage maker, and a variety of decorative elements: stickers, frames, captions, shapes, filters, etc. Want to save time on creating social media posts? Use the program’s built-in templates and graphic design ideas, or complete your publications with Fotor’s stock content.

5. Pixlr Editor 

Pixlr is one of the best photo editing software for Windows 11 that functions on numerous platforms and uses artificial intelligence. It has a mobile, desktop, and online version. All come for free and offer endless capabilities: basic editing features, color correction, photo overlay, background removal, filters, tons of effects, and photo collage templates. Besides, the editor has a simple and customizable interface, supports masks and layers, allows easy export of pictures from socials, and offers a convenient editing history panel.

All in all, Pixlr is pretty much similar to Adobe Photoshop in terms of functionality and interface. So if you want to become a professional photo retoucher at some point, this is a perfect program for your endeavors. There are 2 free versions: Pixlr X and Pixlr E. Both have plenty of features and artistic options. But if you are seeking more advanced capabilities, there are affordable subscription plans you can choose from - Pixlr Premium ($4.90/month) and Pixlr Creative Pack ($14.99). 

6. Capture One

Capture One is a professional photo editor famous for its sophisticated color correction features and exceptional RAW converter. The program is similar to Lightroom in its functionality and cataloging system. What’s more, it has a customizable interface which you can set up according to your preferences. That will be especially helpful if you are trying to make a transition from some other photo editor you use. Within Capture One, you will find all the essential photo enhancement features - noise reduction, sharpening, etc. - as well as retouching features and many other advanced photo post-production options. 

Capture One has a sleek layering system and guarantees high performance even when the project consists of many layers. If you want to work on your photos in teams, the program has a handy collaboration suite you can use. With the help of annotations, you can note new ideas and leave comments. The two drawbacks of the editor are its steep learning curve and expensive licenses. However, there are discounts for Fujifilm and Sony camera users and a full-functioning free trial for newcomers. 

7. Canva 

Canva is one of the most popular online Windows 11 picture editors, operating on a freemium model. Its drag-and-drop interface and searchable elements make the editor comprehensive for newbies in photo post-production. And even though this multiplatform editor was intended for business purposes - making advertisements, social media publications, presentations - it has all the tools you need to touch up your image before sharing it. You can use the editor to enhance your picture - fix brightness, contrast, saturation, and exposure - and edit its size, shape, angle, and resolution. 

Canva has an endless collection of free creative elements to decorate your pictures and publications. Have limited time or ran out of ideas? Choose from the built-in collection of 8000+ templates for ads, presentations, greeting cards, and even yearbooks. You can get pretty much of Canva for free. But if you still want more artistic freedom, we suggest you purchase one of Canva’s affordable plans: Pro or Enterprise for designer collaboration teams. 

8. Affinity Photo

Affinity Photo is a vector graphic design application similar to Adobe Photoshop. The main differences are that Affinity focuses primarily on photography, doesn’t have a 3D editor, and relies on personas in the organization of its interface. The editor employs both CMYK and RGB editing. Among its features, you will find powerful retouching tools for cloning, healing, and removing unneeded objects, a solid color correction toolkit, and many advanced features like HDR tone mapping, high-frequency separation, and more. Affinity Photo also allows for processing RAWs, stitching panorama images, painting, 360 photo editing, and enhancing batches of photos. 

Our verdict is that this photo software is a perfect alternative for professional photographers since it offers good value for the price. However, Affinity Photo has a confusing interface that might overwhelm even professionals and has no one-click presets for an instant result. Besides, it has no browsing or organizing tools.

9. DxO Photolab

DxO PhotoLab is the improved version of DxO Optics Pro. The developers made it into a well-rounded photo editing software for Windows 11. The sophisticated DeepPRIME denoise tool, efficient PureRAW feature that turns RAWs into Linear DMGs’, robust color-correction features (Hue, Saturation, Luminance), and exceptional image adjustments are the features that make the program stand out. PhotoLab is also equipped with a basic filtering system, auto lens and camera-calibrated correction, a library of presets, and more helpful features. Besides, the editor supports X-Trans files, allows for batch processing, and has a customizable interface. 

This professional photo editing program lacks HDR merging and pano stitching and comes at a pretty high price. However, both of its plans  - the Essential ($139) and the more advanced Elite ($219) - grant lifetime access to the editor. The difference between the versions is that the first plan features mostly essential photo post-production tools and lacks the flexibility and exclusive capabilities available in the Elite package. 

10. Corel PaintShop Pro

Corel PaintShop Pro is one of the best photo editors for Windows 11 that helps edit pictures from artistic photoshoots. It was intended to be a graphic design program. However, with the Photography Workspace added in the recent update, the software became a competitive photo editor. Corel PaintShop Pro features many AI-powered tools, which make this program beginner-friendly. Drone and underwater photographers will also highly appreciate the Sea-to-Sky tool. Additionally, the software offers textures, brushes, backgrounds, and other creative options.

Although the interface of Corel PaintShop Pro is comprehensive and easy to navigate, the learning curve is steep since the editor includes a large package of tools. However, if you face any troubles, you can use the many learning tutorials available online. You can get Corel PaintShop Pro for a one-time fee of $69.99. Alternatively, you have the Ultimate version with a broader toolkit of exclusive features. 

These are the 10 worthy photo software for Windows 11 you should consider in 2022. Whether you need a photo editor for your hobby, business, or social life, you will find an option in our selection that will suit you perfectly.