You don't need to pay a lot to edit photos with quality. There are dozens of free editors available today — some run directly in the browser, others need to be installed. The challenge is knowing which one to pick for each situation.
In this guide, we've gathered the best options in 2026 for different needs: those who want convenience, those who need advanced features, and those looking for specific tools like compression, conversion or background removal.
Online tools: nothing to install
Online options are ideal for quick edits or when you're on a computer that isn't your own. Everything works in the browser.
Pixlr E — A full-featured browser editor
Pixlr E is one of the most complete online editors available. It offers layers, filters, color adjustments, selection tools and more — all within the browser. The interface resembles Photoshop, which helps anyone already familiar with image editing.
Photopea — A free Photoshop alternative
Photopea is one of the surprises of the online editing world. It opens and saves files in PSD format (Photoshop's native format), supports advanced layers, and has an interface nearly identical to Adobe's editor. All of that for free, with no account needed.
Canva — Design-focused editing
If your goal is creating social media posts, presentations or marketing materials, Canva is the best choice. It has hundreds of free templates and a very intuitive interface. For pure photo editing, though, its features are more limited.
💡 Tip: for specific tasks like compressing, converting or resizing photos, use dedicated tools — they're faster and produce better results than generic editors.
Tools for specific tasks
Sometimes you don't need a full editor — you just need to perform one specific task. For that, specialized tools are much more efficient.
| Task | Recommended tool | Where to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Compress image | ImageTools Compressor | imagetools.com.br/en/image-compressor |
| Convert format (PNG, JPG, WebP…) | ImageTools Converter | imagetools.com.br/en/image-converter |
| Resize photo | ImageTools Resize | imagetools.com.br/en/resize-image |
| Remove background | ImageTools Background Remover | imagetools.com.br/en/remove-background |
| Sketch/drawing effect | ImageTools Photo to Drawing | imagetools.com.br/en/photo-to-drawing |
Best desktop editors (install on your computer)
If you edit photos frequently and need more processing power, it's worth installing software on your computer.
GIMP — The best free alternative to Photoshop
GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is the most powerful free editor available for desktop. It supports layers, masks, scripts, plugins, and practically everything Photoshop offers in its essential functions. Available for Windows, Mac and Linux. The learning curve is steeper, but the results are worth it.
Paint.NET — Simple and efficient for Windows
For Windows users who want something simpler than GIMP but more powerful than the default Paint, Paint.NET is the right choice. It supports layers, filters, and a much friendlier interface. Ideal for everyday edits.
Darktable — For photographers working with RAW
Darktable is geared toward professional photography. It handles RAW files (from most cameras), allows exposure adjustments, color temperature, tone curves and much more. It's the free equivalent of Adobe Lightroom for desktop, with versions for Windows, Mac and Linux.
Best mobile editors
For editing directly from your smartphone, the best free options are:
- Snapseed (Google) — Fast, intuitive, and with high-quality filters. One of the best editors for mobile.
- VSCO — Very popular on Instagram. Has sophisticated filters and an active community. The free plan already offers a lot.
- Lightroom Mobile (Adobe) — The free mobile version of Lightroom has powerful color-adjustment features and already supports RAW files.
How to choose the right editor for you
The choice depends on what you need to do. Use this simple logic:
- Quick, one-off edits → Pixlr E or Photopea (online, nothing to install)
- Creating social media content → Canva
- Frequent editing on your computer → GIMP or Paint.NET
- Professional photography with RAW → Darktable
- Editing on mobile → Snapseed or VSCO
- Specific tasks (compression, conversion, resizing) → ImageTools
💡 Tip: for websites and e-commerce, compressing images before publishing is just as important as the editing itself. A heavy photo can slow down page load and hurt SEO.
Compress your images now — free
Reduce your photos' file size without losing visual quality. No sign-up, nothing to install.
Image CompressorFrequently Asked Questions
What's the best free online photo editor?
For full-featured editing in the browser, Pixlr E and Photopea are the most robust options. For specific tasks like compression, conversion and background removal, ImageTools has dedicated tools that are free and require no sign-up.
Is GIMP really free?
Yes, GIMP is 100% free and open source. It's available for Windows, Mac and Linux and is considered the best free alternative to Photoshop for advanced desktop editing.
Do I need to install any program to edit photos online?
No. Tools like Pixlr, Photopea and all of ImageTools' tools work directly in the browser, with no installation. It's the most practical option for quick edits or when you're on a computer that isn't your own.
How do I compress an image without losing quality for free?
Use ImageTools' Image Compressor. The tool reduces file size while keeping visual quality, works in the browser, and requires no sign-up.