The Best Tools for AI Photo Editing

AI photo editing might seem like a ripple of the new buzzword, AI. In reality, AI photo editing is about using dedicated AI tools to elevate the quality of your images. With many AI tools out there promising the same things, how do you know what tools are worth your time and financial commitment? 

This blog article provides the answer. In this article, you will find a carefully curated list of the best-performing AI photo editing tools that will transform your images. 

But first… 

What Do AI Photo Editors Do?

Taking a photo is just the start, turning it into a high-quality image takes skill, time, and effort. AI photo editors help with this by automating enhancements, fixing flaws, and adding creative flair with minimal effort. These tools use advanced machine learning to retouch images, sharpen details, and even apply artistic effects, all in a few clicks.

Not all AI editors deliver on their promises, though. To cut through the noise, we’ve compiled a list of the best AI photo editing tools that consistently produce high-quality results.

10 Best AI Tools for Photo Editing

1. Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Photoshop sets the standard in photo editing. Its AI tools, like Generative Fill and Neural Filters, help users remove objects, enhance details, and even generate content. The Content-Aware Fill feature smartly removes elements and blends the background for a natural look.

Photoshop is the best for professional grade editing. It has a variety of features to add almost any quality to your images. The best part of this tool is the frequent upgrades. Although it has existed for years, it defies its age with its constant feature upgrades. 

Cons:

• This goes without saying that Photoshop has a steep learning curve
• A tool as good as Photoshop does not come free and requires a subscription ($24.71/month)

Note: For pricing updates, check the website. 

2. Luminar Neo

Luminar Neo makes AI editing simple yet high quality. Features like AI Sky Replacement let you swap out skies effortlessly. While its Portrait AI enhances skin tones and lighting automatically. It has a Supercontrast tool that provides precise control over contrast in highlights, midtones, and shadows, making edits look more natural.

This feature spells one thing: you control the degree of contrast your images have. All these can be accessed with a one-time purchase option. Moreso, it comes with advanced AI tools for retouching and adding an extra layer of creativity. Luminar offers a subscription priced at $49.00 per year and a one-time payment of $79.00. 

Note: For pricing updates, check the website. 

Cons:

• Many of its edits are automatic and may be too automated for professional retouchers
• Luminar Neo can be resource-heavy on some computers

3. Topaz Labs (Gigapixel AI, DeNoise AI, Sharpen AI)

Topaz Labs specializes in AI image enhancement. It has tools: Gigapixel AI that upscales low-resolution images without losing quality, DeNoise AI that removes grain and noise, and Sharpen AI that refines blurry shots. These tools are particularly useful for photographers who need to salvage or enhance images with minimal manual adjustments.

Topaz shines its light in sharpening, upscaling, and noise reduction. This is something photographers and designers would love. 

Cons:

• Topaz doesn’t come free, the most affordable tool, Giga Pixel, starts at $99
• Its focus on enhancement doesn’t make room for full edits

Note: For pricing updates, check the website. 

4. Canva (Magic Edit)

Although Canva is more known for graphic design, it’s a great AI photo editor, too. The Magic Edit feature allows you to make quick AI edits, remove backgrounds, and add effects easily. It also provides suggestions for text and elements, making design creation even easier.

Canva is very much beginner-friendly, unlike Photoshop. It is also cloud based and can be accessed via the web. There is a free version available but most of its special effects are locked behind a paywall. 

Cons:

• Canva lacks granular and precise edits unlike Adobe
• Compared to advanced tools like Adobe Photoshop, it is lacking in tool vastness. 

Note: Its pricing is in the currency of your location. Kindly refer to the website for pricing. 

Also read: How to Leverage Canva AI Image Generator for Creative Projects

5. Fotor

Fotor is a one-click AI photo editor that simplifies complex edits. It’s designed for users who want quick, professional looking results without manual adjustments. It’s great for retouching portraits, removing backgrounds, or enhancing colors. Fotor’s AI automates all these edits with one click.
If you’re looking for something fast and easy, this is for you. The AI powered beauty retouching smooths skin, removes blemishes, and enhances facial features in a single tap. Background removal is just as seamless. Fotor isolates subjects with precision, making it easy to create transparent images or swap backgrounds.

The HDR effect adds depth and detail, giving photos a rich, balanced look. Fotor has a free version with basic tools. The Pro plan costs $3.33 per month (billed annually) and unlocks advanced AI features.

Cons

• Fotor’s AI handles most of the work, but that means limited control over individual adjustments. 
• Advanced features, like batch editing and premium filters, also require a paid plan.

6. Remove.bg

Remove.bg is an AI tool built for one job: background removal. It detects subjects instantly, cuts them out with precision, and delivers clean, transparent images. No manual selection is needed. This is perfect for e-commerce sellers, designers, and marketers. 

Remove.bg handles tricky edges like hair and fur with impressive accuracy. It works on all types of backgrounds and integrates with tools like Photoshop for a smoother workflow. And it does all of this for free. You don’t even need to sign up to test the tool.

Only low-resolution images can be edited for free. For high-res downloads, pricing starts at $0.90 per image or $8.10 per month for a subscription.

Cons

• This tool does one thing well, background removal. If you need color correction, retouching, or other edits, you’ll have to use another tool. 
• It sometimes has problems detecting the backgrounds of some images but this can be remedied with the ‘Magic Brush’

Note: Its pricing is written in the currency of your location, refer to the website for pricing.

7. Let’s Enhance

Let’s Enhance upgrades image resolution without losing quality. Unlike traditional upscaling, which stretches pixels and causes blurriness, this AI tool restores missing details for a sharp, high-resolution output.
This tool is ideal for restoring old or low-quality images. The AI sharpens details, enhances colors, and reduces noise, making photos print-ready. It also allows batch processing, so you can enhance multiple images at once to save time. 

The free version offers limited upscaling. Paid plans start at $9 per month, billed annually, to unlock premium AI models and batch processing.

Note: For pricing updates, check the website. 

Cons

Let’s Enhance is excellent for upscaling, but it doesn’t offer traditional editing features like cropping, retouching, or filters. 

8. Pixlr 

Pixlr is a fast, lightweight AI photo editor designed for quick and efficient image enhancements. It offers features like AI Cutout, smart retouching, and a wide selection of filters. Its cloud-based accessibility makes it a great choice for on-the-go edits.

Pixlr simplifies complex edits with AI automation. The AI Cutout feature removes backgrounds with precision, while smart retouching enhances portraits by smoothing skin and adjusting tones. It also provides instant filters and overlays for creative styling. 

Since it’s web-based, it doesn’t require heavy processing power, making it ideal for casual users and professionals who need quick fixes. Pixlr offers a free version with basic tools. The Pro plan, which unlocks AI-powered features, starts at $2.49 per month.

Note: For pricing updates, check the website. 

Cons 

Pixlr is great for everyday photo enhancements, but it lacks the advanced capabilities of software like Photoshop. 

9. Imagen AI 

Imagen AI is an advanced AI photo editing tool that uses machine learning to create personalized editing styles. It’s ideal for professional photographers who want to maintain consistency in their work while speeding up their editing process.

What sets Imagen AI apart is its ability to learn from previous edits. It analyzes your editing style and applies similar adjustments to future images to ensure uniformity across a photoshoot or portfolio. The AI adapts to preferences, fine-tuning exposure, contrast, and color grading.

Imagen AI operates on a pay-per-edit model, with prices starting at $0.05 per image. Custom pricing is available for high-volume users. 

Note: For pricing updates, check the website. 

Cons 

• Its highly efficient but Imagen AI requires an initial dataset of manually edited images to learn from. 
• Imagen AI’s pricing model is based on the number of images edited, which may not be cost-effective for casual users.

10. Vance AI 

Vance AI is an all-in-one AI photo enhancement tool that offers sharpening, noise reduction, and upscaling. It provides a simple yet effective way to improve image quality without requiring manual adjustments. This tool is particularly useful for restoring low-quality images.

The AI sharpening enhances fine details, while noise reduction removes graininess. The upscaling feature increases resolution while maintaining quality, making it perfect for enlarging images for printing or digital use. 

It also supports batch processing, allowing users to edit multiple photos simultaneously. Vance AI offers a free plan with limited access to AI tools. Paid plans start at $4.95 per month to access full-resolution processing and batch-editing capabilities

Note: For pricing updates, check the website. 

Cons 

Vance AI is effective for quick enhancements but it lacks the depth of professional editing tools like Photoshop. 

The Bottom Line

AI photo editors are always a great fix for creating high-quality images. Everyone’s needs are different, therefore some experimentation might be needed to find the tool that works the best for you.  

FAQs

1. Which AI Tool Is Best for Editing Photos?

The best AI tool for editing photos depends on your needs. If you want advanced AI editing, Adobe Photoshop’s AI features are top-tier. For quick and easy enhancements, Luminar Neo and Fotor offer user-friendly AI tools. If you need AI upscaling, Let’s Enhance is a great choice.

2. Can I Edit My Photos With AI?

Yes, AI can edit photos by enhancing details, removing backgrounds, retouching faces, and applying filters automatically. AI-powered editors like Pixlr, Vance AI, and Imagen AI allow users to edit images with just a few clicks.

3. What Is the Best AI Photo Editor App?

Some of the best AI photo editor apps include Adobe Photoshop (for professionals), Luminar Neo (for advanced AI edits), and Fotor (for quick and easy touch-ups). If you need mobile-friendly AI editing, YouCam Perfect and Lensa AI are great options.

4. Which AI Image Editor Is Free?

Several AI image editors offer free versions. Fotor and Pixlr provide free AI editing tools with basic features. Let’s Enhance and Vance AI also have free versions but with limitations on image processing.