Photo editing software allows you to alter raw images (like a previously taken photograph) to improve their quality and reach a desired final look. There are many different types of photo editing software out there, suited for all sorts of use cases. There are simple editing tools for casual users making quick tweaks, and highly advanced, industry-grade software for professional photographers. 

Most photo editing software lets users perform basic tasks such as cropping, adjusting image brightness, and sharpening—perfect for simple touch-ups. More advanced programs can accomplish harder techniques like layer editing, masking, background removal, and color correction. Others incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) to automate the editing process and make it more powerful. For example, portrait enhancements can be made effortless using AI for blemish removal or skin smoothing. 

Basic photo editing software is often available as both mobile and desktop applications, allowing for convenient editing on the go. Some are even entirely browser-based (no downloads needed!). Advanced photo editing software tends to be much more resource-intensive and therefore is primarily designed for desktop use, requiring powerful hardware like high-performance GPUs and large amounts of RAM.

There are various benefits to adopting a photo editing software in your business. 

1. Improved Marketing & Branding — If you want to establish a strong brand voice and identity, powerful photos play a crucial role. Photo editing software can create a consistent look across all your visuals and marketing materials (think tones, colors, & styles), which makes it more memorable to consumers. 
2. Time & Cost Savings — Editing photos in-house is much cheaper than hiring professional photography or graphic design services to do the job for you. Moreover, AI-powered photo editing software is able to automate many edits, making the process even faster & easier.
3. ‍Engagement & Sales — You’re bound to attract more attention and engagement on social media with high-quality images that are visually appealing. Edited photos make products and services look very enticing, driving customers’ purchasing decisions and building their trust in your company.

The following are some common features you will see in photo editing software.

• Layer Management — Work with multiple layers for better control over editing and composition.
• Retouching Tools — Includes tools like cloning, healing, and spot removal to improve image quality.
• Filters & Effects — Provides pre-set filters and special effects to edit images quickly.
• Color Correction — Adjust brightness, contrast, saturation, and color balance.
• Cropping & Resizing — Crop, rotate, or resize images to fit specific dimensions.
• Text Tool — Add and customize text on images with various fonts, sizes, and styles.
• Brushes & Drawing Tools — Includes customizable brushes for painting, drawing, or retouching photos.
• Masking & Selection Tools — Select specific areas of an image for isolated editing or effects.
• RAW File Support — Enables editing of RAW files directly from digital cameras for maximum image quality.
• Photo Filters — Provides various preset filters to quickly alter the mood or style of an image.‍
• Batch Processing — Allows for applying edits to multiple images at once, saving time on large projects.

The cost of photo editing software varies greatly depending on the features and capabilities.  Basic software with the essential editing tools may cost around $50 to $100 for a one-time purchase. More advanced software with a wider range of features typically charges a subscription fee, ranging from $10 to $20 per month, with bundles for additional tools pushing the price higher, sometimes up to $50 per month.