ImageVideoTools · 100+ tools compared

The best image editing software, compared on facts, not ads.

ImageVideoTools finds the best image editing software and best video editing software for how you actually work: honest video editing software comparison data, photo editing software pricing, platforms and file formats for 100+ tools. From Premiere Pro vs DaVinci Resolve to free video editing software with no watermark, shortlist on facts, not sponsored rankings. Meet PicConvert: convert any image to any format. Free forever.

100+tools compared
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Sample preview of the editing tools database.

•Direct answers

Quick answers

Straight answers to the questions people actually ask.

01

What is the best free video editor?

DaVinci Resolve's free version wins, honestly. Professional editing, color grading and audio tools with no watermark and no time limit. It's the one I'd hand a friend. For simpler projects, Shotcut and Kdenlive run great on older machines and still cover the basics.

02

Do I need Photoshop to edit photos?

No. Not for most people, anyway. Affinity Photo handles layers and RAW editing for a one-time price, and free tools like GIMP and Photopea cover everyday edits including PSD files. You only need Photoshop if your workflow depends on specific Adobe-only features.

03

What should I compare before buying editing software?

Price model, platforms, and export formats. That's the shortlist. Subscriptions quietly add up, so check what three years actually costs. Then confirm your camera's RAW format and the codecs you export to are supported, or you pay twice: once for the software, once for the converter.


•Features

The best image editing software, judged on what matters

Features, pricing, platforms and format support for 100+ tools. The stuff that decides whether you'll love it or refund it.

Side-by-side comparisons

Side-by-side comparisons

Video editing software comparison and image editing software comparison in one place, including the head-to-heads people actually search for, like Premiere Pro vs DaVinci Resolve.

Pricing, decoded

Pricing, decoded

Photo editing software pricing and video editing software pricing compared side by side: subscriptions, one-time purchases and the genuinely free options, with the true multi-year cost spelled out.

Platform & format support

Platform & format support

Which tools run on Windows, Mac and Linux, and which formats they open and export. RAW, PSD, MKV and the rest, checked per tool.

Best free picks

Best free picks

The best free video editing software with no watermark and the best video editing software for beginners, ranked by what they actually let you do.


•The dataset

Inside the ImageVideoTools dataset

What we track, and what each tool record actually contains.

Table 1: Editing software comparison coverage by category (launch dataset).
CategoryToolsData tracked
Photo editors40+Features, pricing, formats
Video editors40+Features, pricing, formats
Converters & utilities20+Features, pricing, formats
Table 2: Fields in each tool record (sample values shown).
FieldWhat it meansSample value
Price modelHow the tool is soldSubscription
PlatformsSupported operating systemsWin / Mac
RAW supportCamera RAW formats handledYes
PSD supportOpens Photoshop filesLimited

Key terms, defined

RAW
An unprocessed file straight from the camera sensor. Way more detail than a JPEG, but it only opens in software that supports your specific camera model.
PSD
Photoshop's layered file format. Alternatives like Photopea and GIMP open PSDs, though fancy layer effects sometimes break.
Codec
How a video file is compressed. H.264, ProRes, that sort of thing. If your editor doesn't speak your footage's codec, nothing works.
Watermark
The logo some free editors stamp onto your exports. The best free video editors skip it entirely.
One-time purchase
Pay once, own it. Usually the cheaper move over a few years compared to a subscription that never ends.

•Preview

A sneak peek inside ImageVideoTools

A peek under the hood. This is the data I work from.


How to pick the best image editing software without overpaying

Match the tool to your platform, budget and file formats. Takes five minutes.

Googling the best image editing software gets you sponsored lists in a trench coat. ImageVideoTools runs an image editing software comparison on real data across 100+ tools: features, photo editing software pricing, platforms and formats. Shortlist on facts, then go make something. Video folks get the same treatment. Our video editing software comparison lays out video editing software pricing, export formats and OS support in one table. Premiere Pro vs DaVinci Resolve? Settled with numbers. Best video editing software for beginners? Ranked. A free video editing software with no watermark for your channel? Listed. Done with Adobe's subscription treadmill? Our Photoshop alternatives roundup compares one-time and free editors on what photographers actually use: layers, RAW, PSD compatibility. Skim the photo editing software reviews data, pick your budget, get back to creating. Ask about the packs to put this data to work for you.


•FAQ

Frequently asked questions

RAW support, pricing and free editors. The greatest hits.

What is the best free video editor?
DaVinci Resolve's free version wins, honestly. Professional editing, color grading and audio tools with no watermark and no time limit. It's the one I'd hand a friend. For simpler projects, Shotcut and Kdenlive run great on older machines and still cover the basics.
Do I need Photoshop to edit photos?
No, not for most people anyway. Affinity Photo handles layers and RAW editing for a one-time price, and free tools like GIMP and Photopea cover everyday edits including PSD files. You only need Photoshop if your workflow depends on specific Adobe-only features.
What should I compare before buying editing software?
Price model, platforms, and export formats. That's the shortlist. Subscriptions quietly add up, so check what three years actually costs. Then confirm your camera's RAW format and the codecs you export to are supported, or you pay twice: once for the software, once for the converter.
Which editing software supports the most export formats?
DaVinci Resolve and Premiere Pro cover the widest range of imports and exports, ProRes and DNx included, plus most camera RAW formats. Shotcut and Kdenlive punch above their weight for free. We chart export formats per editor so you can check yours before committing.
Can I open Photoshop PSD files in free software?
Yes. Photopea opens and edits PSDs right in the browser, free. GIMP does it on desktop, though complex layers can get wonky. Both handle everyday PSD work fine, which is why both rank well in our best image editing software comparison. We track exactly which PSD features each tool keeps.

•References

Sources & further reading

Where the numbers come from.

01
Adobe : Photoshop, Premiere Pro and Creative Cloud, straight from the source.
02
Canva : Browser-based design and video tools. Surprisingly capable these days.
03
GIMP : The free, open-source image editor. Dated UI, serious power.
04
Wikipedia: Digital image : Background reading on digital image formats and how editing works.

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