In the ever-evolving landscape of digital photography, the tools available for photo editing are as various as the styles and techniques that photographers employ. Whether you’re a professional photographer or an enthusiastic hobbyist, using a third-party photo editing app on macOS can significantly enhance your editing capabilities and creative expression. In this article, we’ll explore some of the top third-party photo editing apps specifically designed for macOS users, each packed with features to unlock your creativity.

1. Adobe Lightroom Classic

Key Features:

• Non-destructive editing
• Advanced organization tools
• Presets for consistent style
• Support for RAW files

Lightroom Classic remains an industry favorite for photographers for its comprehensive editing suite combined with robust organizational features. It allows users to make fine adjustments and corrections using a range of sliders for exposure, contrast, shadows, and highlights. The ability to create and apply presets is a game changer for photographers looking to maintain a consistent style across their work. With its intuitive interface and powerful cataloging capabilities, Lightroom Classic is invaluable for anyone managing a large library of photos.

2. Affinity Photo

Key Features:

• Layer-based editing
• Advanced retouching tools
• HDR merging and panorama stitching
• One-time purchase (no subscription)

Affinity Photo is a powerful alternative to Adobe Photoshop, offering a wealth of tools capable of handling everything from basic edits to complex image manipulation. Its layer-based system provides flexibility in editing, allowing users to apply adjustments and effects without altering the original image. Whether you’re retouching portraits or creating intricate digital compositions, Affinity Photo makes it easy to bring your creative visions to life.

3. Capture One Pro

Key Features:

• Professional-grade color grading
• Excellent tethering capabilities
• Customizable workspace
• RAW conversion and editing

Capture One Pro is favored by studio photographers and professionals for its powerful tethering capabilities and advanced color grading features. The workspace is highly customizable, allowing you to tailor your tools to match your workflow. With its exceptional RAW image processing and precise editing tools, Capture One Pro is perfect for photographers who demand the best quality from their images.

4. Luminar AI

Key Features:

• AI-driven editing tools
• Templates for quick enhancements
• Sky replacement and portrait enhancement
• User-friendly interface

Luminar AI uses artificial intelligence to streamline the editing process, making it accessible for both beginners and advanced users. The software includes innovative features like AI Sky Replacement and Portrait Enhancer, which allow for significant improvements with minimal effort. Whether you want to edit an entire photo or make quick adjustments, Luminar AI is designed to simplify the creative process while maintaining high-quality results.

5. Pixelmator Pro

Key Features:

• User-friendly interface
• Layer support and blending modes
• Machine learning tools for quick fixes
• One-time purchase

Pixelmator Pro combines image editing and painting capabilities, making it a versatile tool for macOS users. It offers a wide range of features, including layer support, advanced selection tools, and healing brushes. Its recent integration of machine learning technology enables smart selection and object removal features to enhance workflow efficiency. With its elegant design and straightforward approach, Pixelmator Pro is perfect for casual users and professionals alike.

6. Corel PaintShop Pro

Key Features:

• Comprehensive editing tools
• Vector and raster graphics editing
• Batch processing capabilities
• Affordably priced

Corel PaintShop Pro is a powerful photo editing tool that offers a balance between usability and powerful features. It allows for advanced photo manipulation, graphic design capabilities, and batch processing—perfect for those working with multiple images. While it is more commonly associated with Windows, the Corel ecosystem includes a variety of tools that can often be used on macOS through virtualization or CrossOver.

7. ON1 Photo RAW

Key Features:

• All-in-one photo editing suite
• Layer support and non-destructive editing
• Tethering support
• Built-in effects and filters

ON1 Photo RAW stands out as an all-in-one solution, combining photo organization, raw processing, and editing in one app. The software supports layers, enabling creative freedom in your edits, while its range of built-in effects and filters can add instant flair to your images. Whether you’re looking to make quick adjustments or dive deep into a project, ON1 Photo RAW has the versatility to meet your needs.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right photo editing app depends on your specific requirements, workflow, and creative goals. Each of these top third-party photo editing applications offers unique features that can help unlock your creativity on macOS. From professional-grade tools designed for intricate retouching to user-friendly apps that simplify the editing process, it’s possible to find software that aligns perfectly with your photographic style and vision. Experiment with these options to see which suits your needs best—before you know it, you could be enhancing your images in ways you never thought possible.