Best photo-editing software for most Adobe Photoshop Elements 7 *Est. $80
Free photo editor and organizer Google Picasa 3 *Est. $0
Free photo-editing software GIMP 2.6 *Est. $0
Pro-level photo editor and image manager Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2 *Est. $275
Professional graphics software Adobe Photoshop CS4 *Est. $665

See All Photo-Editing Software

Adobe Photoshop Elements 7

*Est. $80

Best photo-editing software for most

Good for most home users
Well organized, intuitive
Has dedicated level for novices
Special effects

Expensive if you only need simple tools
Not enough tools for enthusiast and pro use

Where to Buy

for $35.00
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for $97.99

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Reviews say Adobe Photoshop Elements is the best photo-editing software for most non-professionals if you aren't doing at lot of web tasks. Experts say it's simpler and cheaper than Adobe Lightroom 2 (*est. $275), more complex and versatile than the free Google Picasa 3 and better organized than its major competition, Corel Paint Shop Pro X2 (*est. $100). There is a "guided" level for novices, though one review says its purpose is getting the job done rather than preparing you for the more advanced levels. There are special effects beyond the usual photo-enhancement. Professional and owner reviews say version 7 is the best yet for Windows; version 6 (*est. $80) is the most recent release for Mac users, but reviews are also excellent. If, however, you think you might become a digital photography enthusiast, taking loads of photos, Adobe Lightroom 2 (*est. $275) is worth considering instead. Experts say it hits the sweet spot in photo-editing software.

There are lots of credible reviews for Adobe Photoshop Elements. We found the best ones at PC Magazine and subscribers-only Which? magazine because they review the most software. PC World compares Adobe Photoshop Elements 6 (which is still the current version for Mac users) against Corel Paint Shop Pro X2. Mac users will also want to see a detailed report in Macworld. We found about 275 user reviews on Amazon.com.

Where To Buy

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Our Sources

1. PCMag.com Details/Subscribe

This preview of Adobe Photoshop Elements 7 (beta) doesn't rate it, but praises the additional features (including some web and mobile integration) and says it's still quick and easy to use. Adobe Photoshop Elements 6, which is the current version for Mac users, won the Editors' Choice award here, and this review says it's worth upgrading (for Windows users) to version 7.

Review: Adobe Photoshop Elements 7 (beta), John R. Quain, Aug. 26, 2008

2. Which? magazineDetails/Subscribe

Comparing 18 photo-editing programs, editors at this U.K. equivalent to Consumer Reports give Adobe Photoshop Elements 6 top ranking among five Best Buy programs.

Review: Photo-Editing Software Reviews, Editors of Which? magazine

3. PC World Details/Subscribe

Reviewing the beta version of Adobe Photoshop Elements 7, Cullen "finds much to like," noting new web integration and the addition of other useful features. An earlier comparison review at this site compares Adobe Photoshop Elements 6 (still current for Mac users) with Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo X2, finding Elements better for beginners.

Review: Adobe Photoshop Elements 7, Kathleen Cullen, Aug 26, 2008

4. Macworld Details/Subscribe

This enthusiastic review praises the features in Adobe Photoshop Elements 6 for Mac, but doesn't compare it with any other software except Adobe's pro-level Photoshop CS3. The reviewer recommends it for any nonprofessional photographer, since it's powerful yet easy to use.

Review: Review: Photoshop Elements 6, Leesa Snider King, Mar. 26, 2008

In this brief preview of Adobe Photoshop Elements 7, Debbie Grossman praises its "smart brush" feature, plus the way the program makes organizing photos easier. Overall, she finds it easy to learn to use, yet powerful enough so you can progress to more refined editing.

Review: Photoshop Elements 7: First Look, Debbie Grossman, Oct. 2008

6. TopTenReviews.com

Adobe Photoshop Elements 7 wins top ranking compared with 12 other photo-editing software programs for beginners and intermediate users. The comparison chart is inaccurate, though, since Elements 7 does include layer masks.

Review: Adobe Photoshop Elements 7 Review, Editors of TopTenReviews.com

7. Amazon.com

Over 90 owner-written reviews give Adobe Photoshop Elements 7 a reasonably high average score -- the same as the earlier Elements 6 -- with about two-thirds positive. Most of the complaints cite slow speed and annoyance at the frequent upgrades; not everyone finds it easy to use.

Review: Adobe Photoshop Elements 7, Contributors to Amazon.com