What Are the Best Photo Editing Software for Mac
Disclaimer: “This post is a collaboration and not my work, consider it a guest photographer stepping into my darkroom to help keep the lights on!”
Imagine that you’ve imported the files, and then, when you see the combined effects of light, noise, blurriness, and background clutter in your subject, you get stuck on what to do next. Do not worry, there is always a way out of this rut if only you find the right photo editor for Mac.
The perfect option should be stable, handle RAW files smoothly, simplify, and streamline your post-processing workflow. In the next sections, we will compare several cutting-edge Mac-friendly image editors. We aim to help you make an informed decision on choosing the best way to edit photos on Mac for your budget, proficiency, and creative style.
Luminar Neo
When you start post-processing your shots, you usually want three things: a clean starting point, fast direction, and the ability to fine-tune without risking losing the original file. This Mac photo editor will give you exactly that. Luminar Neo is good for quick exposure and colour corrections, selective adjustments, and finishing colours with creative filters and effects. If you have a laptop running macOS 12+ and 8 GB of RAM, it will install smoothly and process large files quickly and effectively. There are three lifetime purchase options: $114 (Desktop), $150 (Cross-device), and $160 (Max).
Pixelmator Pro
Pixelmator Pro is the best photo editor for Mac for faithful Apple users who prioritise careful manual workflows and easy navigation. It prioritises Apple-native tech (Metal/Core ML), requires macOS 12 Monterey or later, and is optimised for Apple silicon. Apple lists Pixelmator Pro optimised as a $49.99 one-time purchase on the Mac App Store. The software can also be included in the Apple Creator Studio subscription ($12.99/month or $129/year).
Photomator
If you seek the best image editor for Mac for consistent edits without spending time on mastering technicalities, Photomator may be exactly what you need. This software's main priorities are quick tone and colour moves, repeatable looks, and batch workflows. The colourisation requires macOS 13 or later. The app is also available for iPad and iPhone. The US App Store listing shows $7.99/month, $29.99/year, and a $119.99 lifetime option (sometimes also shown as an "exclusive lifetime offer" at $79.99).
Nitro Photo
When you edit photos on a Mac, backups are pivotal. And unfortunately, not all programs let users store edited pictures wherever they like. Nitro Photo stands out in terms of file organisation. Users can store edited pictures in their Photos, Files app, or on external drives. It is possible to rate, filter, compare, and finish images without altering their structure. Nitro Photo runs on Mac, iPhone, and iPad, and the App Store listing requires macOS 13.3+ on Mac. The US App Store shows a free download with in-app purchases, including $3.99/month, $29.99/year, or a $99.99 lifetime purchase.
Conclusion
Start by selecting your ideal Mac photo editor based on what slows you down the most: finishing, precision work, or managing volume. Based on this, pick one main editor you feel comfortable using every day. If you have specific editing needs, such as batching, layered edits, or advanced file organisation, add another tool to your arsenal to help you create stunning visuals quickly without compromising their consistency.
