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

The best consumer photo-editing software you can install

By | PC Advisor |

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. Photoshop Lightroom 4

Photoshop Lightroom 4
  • Reviewed on: 22 March 12
  • RRP: Price £103.88 inc VAT (Upgrade £59.09 inc VAT)
  • Rating: Rated 8 out of 10

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 4 is worth the upgrade price for the Develop Module alone. The editing tools are more sophisticated than ever, yet often easier to use. Improved DNG output and email sharing might seem small at first, but with daily use of Lightroom, you'll be glad they are there. Some of the big additions, such as Map and Book, are certainly welcome to bring Lightroom up to date with Apple Aperture.

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Comments

Retired and happy Richard said: This article is really quite poor do you really think that old boys like me who have been at it for donkeys years would buy this article? As mentioned in the comments on this blog, You have NO mention of Paintshop Pro an excellent programme beats all the above and is extremely good value for money [ I can remember 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 Paint.Net which is THE best free picture editor on the INTERNET and certainly much better any Google Picasa.You really should try and  give 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. I've 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 didn't include Coral PaintShop Photo Pro X3! Why? It is as good, or better, than any of the ones you reviewed and is only £ 59.99.

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