5 Best Photo Editing Software For Macs 2025 in the United States

Adobe Lightroom is a feature-rich photo editing software that stands out for its AI-assisted capabilities, making it suitable for both beginners and advanced users. Its user interface is intuitive and user-friendly, which is further highlighted by its 2024 App Store Award for Mac App of the Year. This makes it easy to navigate and use for Mac users. The editing tools are extensive, allowing you to adjust light, color, add presets, effects, and even remove unwanted elements using AI-powered Generative Remove.

The addition of AI tools like Lens Blur and Quick Actions helps in achieving professional results with minimal effort. Performance-wise, Lightroom runs smoothly on Macs, ensuring fast processing speeds even when handling large photo files. It is compatible with both desktop and mobile versions, offering great flexibility and integration with other Adobe products, which is beneficial for users who work across multiple devices.

The learning curve is manageable, thanks to simple text prompts and AI suggestions that guide users, but some advanced features might still require some time to master. Customer support and community resources from Adobe are robust, providing ample help and tutorials. The pricing, while premium, includes a 12-month subscription with auto-renewal and 1TB of storage, which is ideal for professional photographers who require extensive storage and regular updates. However, the subscription model might be a drawback for casual users who prefer a one-time purchase option. Adobe Lightroom excels in delivering a powerful and versatile photo editing experience, particularly for those invested in the Adobe ecosystem and requiring high-quality editing tools and cloud storage.

Adobe Photoshop is a widely recognized photo-editing software that offers a comprehensive suite of tools for Mac users. Its user interface, while powerful, can be complex for beginners, which might result in a steep learning curve. However, the extensive range of editing tools available, including photo enhancement, illustration creation, and even 3D artwork, make it a versatile choice for professional and aspiring designers alike. The performance and speed of Photoshop are generally reliable on most Mac systems, ensuring that it can handle large files and complex projects efficiently.

Compatibility and integration are also strong points, as it seamlessly works with other Adobe products and various file formats, enhancing workflow. Customer support is robust, with numerous online resources and an active community to help users troubleshoot issues and learn new techniques. However, the price might be a drawback for some, as it requires a 12-month subscription with auto-renewal, which can be costly over time. Additionally, existing subscribers need to complete their current term before linking a new subscription, which may be inconvenient for some users.

Despite these drawbacks, Adobe Photoshop is a top choice for those in need of comprehensive and professional photo-editing software for Macs.

Photomatix Pro 6 is a well-regarded photo editing software especially known for its HDR capabilities. It excels in merging bracketed exposures to HDR, tone mapping, and exposure fusion, making it a strong choice for photographers who want to enhance dynamic range in their images. The automatic alignment of hand-held photos and advanced ghost removal tools are particularly useful features, ensuring high-quality output even from less-than-perfect shots. Additionally, the batch mode and Adobe Lightroom plugin are convenient for users managing large volumes of photos or those already embedded in the Adobe ecosystem.

In terms of performance, Photomatix Pro 6 generally runs smoothly on Macs, though the speed might vary depending on the system's specifications and the size of the files being processed. Compatibility with other software and integration are strong points, with the Lightroom plugin being a significant advantage. However, the user interface might feel a bit outdated and can be a bit overwhelming for beginners. There is a learning curve, but once users get the hang of it, they can take full advantage of the powerful editing tools available.

The customer support and community are decent, with resources available for troubleshooting and learning. Pricing of Photomatix Pro 6 is competitive, offering a one-time purchase model, which can be more economical in the long run compared to subscription-based alternatives. For photographers focused on HDR editing and those who need robust tools for high dynamic range imaging, Photomatix Pro 6 is a compelling option. However, those looking for a more modern interface or extensive non-HDR editing features might want to explore other options.