6 Best AI Photo Editors, Ranked by Quality (Free and Paid)

Photo editing can be tough work, especially as a profession. Yet generative AI has come into the works and has expanded to every tool imaginable. Now, AI photo editors exist, making the process easier than ever. To make choosing the right one simple, the following include platforms ranked by quality, features and pricing.

1. Adobe Photoshop AI (Paid)

Adobe Photoshop is long regarded as the industry standard for photo editing. Now, it integrates advanced AI tools that elevate the editing experience for photographers. With Adobe’s Sensei AI technology, users can perform any task they need, from background removal to image upscaling. For portraits, the Neural Filters feature provides tools for skin smoothing, expression adjustments and even age manipulation.

Photographers can also use Photoshop to generate realistic content in blank areas or enhance low-resolution for high-quality prints. It even saves time by automating tasks with selection tools like Select Subject and Select and Mask. What once required hours of manual editing now only takes minutes.

Moreover, Photoshop AI seamlessly integrates with Lightroom for a smoother workflow. Adobe ranks as the highest-quality AI photo editor because it is a comprehensive platform that offers photographers more control, creativity, and efficiency.

Pros

• Generative AI for easy photo manipulation.
• Content-aware fill and object selection are highly accurate.
• Completes background removal and detailed masking in seconds.
• Provides extensive options for photo editing needs.

Cons

• Can be overwhelming to new users.
• Software is subscription-based, with pricing that may not suit casual users.
• Advanced features require significant computing power.

2. Adobe Firefly (Free)

Adobe’s generative AI photo editor — Firefly — redefines creative possibilities for photographers. By allowing them to generate and edit content in entirely new ways, Adobe Firefly makes photo manipulation seamless. 

Designers and photographers can use this AI photo editor to create custom visuals, enhance existing photos and automate repetitive tasks. It generates stunning, customizable effects, such as unique lighting overlays, artistic textures and even entirely new backgrounds. 

Its text-to-image functionality allows users to describe a scene or design concept, which the AI brings to life with incredible accuracy. Firefly enhances workflows for photo editors by enabling realistic color grading and rapid prototyping, helping users visualize and execute their ideas faster.

Pros

• Text-to-image capabilities open creative avenues for generating new assets or enhancing existing ones.
• Available for free through 25 generative AI credits each month.
• Generated assets are safe to use commercially.

Cons

• Limited accessibility with the free plan, but can increase generative credits to 100 with the premium plan.
• May be a learning curve for some users with its advanced capabilities.

3. Luminar Neo (Paid)

Luminar Neo, developed by Skylum, is a powerful AI-driven photo editor that simplifies time-consuming editing tasks while simultaneously offering advanced creative tools. With its easy-to-use platform and innovative AI features, Luminar Neo is useful for image editors of all skill levels.

One feature it offers is Relight AI — a tool that can adjust the lighting in a specific area of an image. It is great for changing the light source, whether enhancing it or creating a dramatic effect. Another neat feature is Sky AI. Photo editors can use it to change the look of the sky in an image, creating an entirely new look, be it a pink sunset or a storm rolling in. 

Luminar Neo even retouches facial or body features without compromising natural textures. The best part about this AI image editor is that it avoids going overboard, keeping the photo realistic. It also provides presets and templates to make it easy for users to achieve consistent styles.

Pros

• Accessible for beginners.
• Offers an affordable one-time purchase or annual subscription.
• Used as an app or plugin for Lightroom and Photoshop.
• Numerous AI tools to edit photos.

Cons

• Lacks some advanced manual tools found in software like Adobe Photoshop.
• Some users report slower performance when handling large files or applying multiple effects.

4. Corel Paintshop Pro (Paid)

Corel PaintShop Pro offers traditional editing tools with AI-powered features. Photographers can use PaintShop Pro for photo enhancement, graphic design and advanced image manipulation. One AI feature is Upsampling, which enlarges images without losing quality. 

AI Artifact Removal and AI Denoise tools enhance image clarity. The software includes features for creative edits, such as SmartClone, which blends elements from multiple images. Creatives can also use AI Background Replacement to change compositions.

Corel Paintshop Pro supports RAW editing, enabling photographers to fine-tune exposure, contrast and colors. It is a customizable platform with one-click presets useful for beginners and professionals.

Pros

• A large assortment of tools for photo editing and graphic design.
• Powerful AI-powered enhancements.
• A cost-effective one-time payment option.
• RAW file support.

Cons

• Exclusive to Windows users only.
• Some experiences with lags or crashes.
• Some parts of the interface feel outdated.

5. Pixlr (Free)

Pixlr is a lightweight, browser-based photo editor with user-friendly, AI-powered features. This cloud-based platform provides several AI image-editing capabilities. For instance, the AI Cutout tool lets users remove backgrounds in seconds. The editor also includes features like Auto Enhance, AI Retouch and AI Generative Fill. 

Approximately 40% of businesses plan to increase budgets for generative AI use. With Pixlr’s inclusion of generative AI, creatives can gear those budgets toward the platform’s Pro version and generate any needed image or add edits to an existing photo. The platform also offers customizable overlays, filters and text tools to make pictures even more unique. 

The platform is available in different versions, including Pixlr Editor, Pixlr Express, Pixlr Designer, Batch Editor and Remove BG. This variety allows users to choose the level of complexity or specific needs.

Pros

• Easily accessible from any device.
• Great for beginners.
• Offers free and premium plans. 
• Gives creators quick tools for fast results.

Cons

• Lacks depth of professional-grade software.
• Free version includes ads.
• Requires a stable internet connection for optimal performance.

6. Canva AI (Free)

Canva AI is an intuitive, web-based design platform that integrates AI-driven features to streamline photo editing and graphic design tasks. This simple tool caters to all creatives looking for quick solutions without the steep learning curve.

Canva AI includes AI-powered tools like Background Remover, Magic Eraser and Magic Animate. For instance, Magic Animate lets you create a design that will turn it into an animation. The Magic Edit tool is also a lifesaver — it helps designers make an entire change to certain areas of a photo. 

For example, creatives could change a person’s outfit by selecting the area they want to improve. This capability makes image editing seamless. Plus, Canva AI offers a large library of templates easily customizable with drag-and-drop.

Pros

• Easy to use.
• AI tools save time and effort by streamlining repetitive tasks.
• Accessible on any device.
• Offers a free version with basic tools and an affordable Pro subscription for advanced features.

Cons

• Not as intricate as professional tools like Photoshop.
• Many AI tools are only available with the Pro subscription.
• Results of the text-to-image features can vary.

Choosing the Right AI Photo Editor

Many AI photo editors are available to make the process seamless. Although, the best choice ultimately depends on what the user needs. For instance, a professional may need more in-depth image editing capabilities, so Adobe Photoshop AI or Luminar Neo would be their best bet. 

Meanwhile, Canva AI or Pixlr are best for casual users. Consider factors like project complexity and the level of automation preferred. As AI advancements continue to reshape the editing landscape, there is no better time to explore and invest in a platform that aligns with the user’s creative needs.