Group test: what's the best photo-editing software?

The best consumer photo-editing software you can install

By | PC Advisor | 24 August 12

PC Advisor reviews the best consumer photo editing software you can buy in the UK right now. 

5. Zoner Photo Studio Free 14

Zoner Photo Studio Free 14
  • Reviewed on: 1 March 12
  • RRP: FREE
  • Rating: Rated 8 out of 10

All in all, Zoner Studio Free is probably the best free photo editing software to be had. Unless you're a pro who needs dual-monitor support, HDR, batch operation, and advanced photo correction filters provided by the pay version, the free version is probably all you need. Now if Zoner would just let me get rid of that darn delete confirmation dialog.

4. FotoSketcher 1.12

FotoSketcher 1.12
  • Reviewed on: 27 March 12
  • RRP: FREE
  • Rating: Rated 8 out of 10

FotoSketcher is very easy to use and produces very elegant effects. It's a great free program to experiment with turning photographs into fine art.

3. Serif PhotoPlus X5

Serif PhotoPlus X5
  • Reviewed on: 14 March 12
  • RRP: £71 inc. VAT
  • Rating: Rated 8 out of 10

The Starter Edition of PhotoPlus is free, although you do have to register and open an account with Serif. There are frequent popups to upgrade, and just like Serif's DrawPlus X5, the Starter Edition is really a demo and locks you out of many of the best features. However, if you're interested in a Photoshop-like feel without the pricetag, PhotoPlus may be just what you're looking for.

2. Adobe Photoshop Elements 10

Adobe Photoshop Elements 10
  • Reviewed on: 21 September 11
  • RRP: £79 inc. VAT
  • Rating: Rated 7 out of 10

I appreciate that Photoshop Elements 10's editor has much of the power of and a similar interface to Photoshop CS 5.1 - and I like using the editor. But the organizer, which has so many potentially useful tools, continues to suffer from major performance issues, and its integration with the editor remains poor, despite Adobe's latest efforts. Compared to Google Picasa 3.8, which offers many of the same nifty features - including face tagging and duplicates finding - but in a better-performing, more-flexible, free package - Elements 10's organizer isn't competitive. If Adobe wants its organizer to succeed, the company needs to boost the tool's performance and flexibility so that it outperforms what you can get for free.

1. Adobe Lightroom 4.1

Adobe Lightroom 4.1
  • Reviewed on: 8 May 12
  • RRP: TBC
  • Rating: Rated 9 out of 10

Lightroom 4.1 provides almost pitch-perfect digital image workflow and editing for pros and enthusiasts, and it does so at a new, lower price that makes it a bargain.

Share this article




Comments

Retired and happy Richard said: This article isreally quite poordo you really think that old boys like me who have been at it for donkeys years would buy this articleAs mentioned in the comments on thisblog You haveNO mention of Paintshop Pro anexcellent programme beats all the above and is extremely good value for money I canremember when it was a free programme ACDsee another first class product with one of the best archiving databases of them all and very very stable and if we talk of free programmes you have to include PaintNet which is THE best free picture editor on the INTERNET and certainlymuch better anyGoogle PicasaYou really should try andgive a little more thought and effort to your articles or if you are not sure of your subject why not poll your readers for their views and opinions

Kevin Scardifield said: I too went for Paintshop many years back after finding Photshop very poor in comparison The improvements in each version have kept me with them

Alan said: For me Serif Photo Plus X5 has now been upgraded from X4 with a host of new features Ive tried them all and cannot see past this one

Gavin said: Like Graham and Mike as a longterm user of Paintshop Pro it is far superior imho than the ones listed above You even missed out ACDSEE Pro too which is also superior to the above I have to edit in excess of 1000 pics a month and PsP is much more capable Not everyone can afford the full Adobe Photoshop

Graham said: I have to say I agree with Mike about not including PaintShop Pro X3 as I have it and Photoshop and prefer the interface of the former as well as its range of features for manipulation - at a fraction of the cost of Photoshop

Mike said: Amazing - you didnt include Coral PaintShop Photo Pro X3 Why It is as good or better than any of the ones you reviewed and is only 5999

Send to a friend

Email this article to a friend or colleague:

PLEASE NOTE: Your name is used only to let the recipient know who sent the story. Both your name and the recipient's name and address will not be used for any other purpose.