An AI photo editor can now remove a stranger from your holiday shot, swap a dull sky or cut out a product background in seconds. However, the choice is wide. For example, some tools are free on your phone, while others charge monthly credits.
In this guide, we compare eight popular AI photo editors, what each one does best, what it costs as of October 2026, and how to pick the right one. In addition, we explain the new AI labels that some apps add to edited photos.
What an AI photo editor can do
Most AI photo editors share a core set of features:
- Object removal. First, brush over a person, wire or bin, and then the AI fills the space.
- Background removal. For example, cut out a subject for product photos or profile pictures.
- Generative fill and expand. Add new objects or extend the edges of a photo.
- Enhance and upscale. In addition, sharpen blurry shots and increase resolution.
- Relighting. Change the light direction on a face or scene.
In short, the difference between tools is mostly about quality, control, price and where they run.
8 AI photo editor tools compared
| Tool | Best for | Free option | Paid price (US) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adobe Photoshop | Professional control | 7 day trial | $22.99 a month |
| Canva | Social posts and quick designs | Yes, limited AI uses | $144 a year (Pro) |
| Google Photos | Free phone edits | Yes | Free, more with Google One |
| Apple Photos Clean Up | iPhone and Mac users | Yes, on supported devices | Free |
| Samsung Galaxy AI | Galaxy phone users | Yes, basic features | Free (enhanced features may cost) |
| Photoroom | Product and shop photos | Yes, watermark after limit | From $7.50 a month (yearly) |
| Pixlr | Cheap browser editing | Yes | From $1.99 a month (yearly) |
| Picsart | Mobile creators | Yes | $10.50 a month (yearly) |
Note that prices come from each company’s official pricing page and may vary by country and tax.
Adobe Photoshop and Firefly
Above all, Photoshop remains the most powerful AI photo editor. Its Generative Fill and Generative Expand tools use Adobe’s Firefly models. The Photoshop plan costs $22.99 a month on an annual plan and includes 25 generative credits a month. Moreover, heavy users can buy separate Firefly plans from $9.99 a month. As a result, it suits designers and photographers who need layers and precise control.
Canva
Canva’s Magic Studio tools make AI edits easy inside a design. According to Canva’s pricing page, the free plan includes up to 20 uses of standard AI tools and 20 uses of premium AI tools a month. However, the background remover needs Pro, which costs $144 a year. Overall, it is ideal for social posts, thumbnails and simple marketing images.
Google Photos
Google Photos gives many people a free AI photo editor already on their phone. Since 2024, Google has made Magic Eraser, Photo Unblur and Portrait Light free for most users on supported phones, as it announced on its official blog. Meanwhile, Magic Editor adds bigger generative changes. In addition, Google Photos labels generative edits as “Edited with AI tools” and adds Content Credentials, as its help page explains.
Apple Photos Clean Up
If you have a recent iPhone, iPad or Mac, Clean Up is built in and free. For instance, it removes distracting objects with one tap. Apple’s support page lists the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max, iPhone 16 models and newer, iPads with an A17 Pro or M1 chip and later, and Macs with M1 or later. It is not available on devices bought in mainland China.
Samsung Galaxy AI
Galaxy phones include Generative Edit, AI Eraser and Sketch to image in the Gallery app. Samsung’s support page notes that Galaxy AI editing needs a Samsung account and an internet connection, Generative Edit resizes results to up to 12MP, and AI generated images get a Galaxy AI watermark. Basic features are free, though Samsung says enhanced features may be subject to fees.
Photoroom
Photoroom focuses on product photos for online shops. Specifically, it removes backgrounds, adds clean studio scenes and retouches in bulk. Paid plans start at $7.50 a month billed yearly, according to its pricing page. On the free plan, exports carry a watermark once you pass the monthly limit, as its help center explains.
Pixlr
Because it runs in the browser, Pixlr needs no install, and it is one of the cheapest options. Besides, it offers one click background removal, generative fill and upscaling up to 25MP. According to its pricing page, the Plus plan costs $1.99 a month billed yearly, or $2.49 billed monthly, with 80 credits. As a result, it suits students and casual users who edit now and then.
Picsart
Picsart is popular with mobile creators for stickers, effects and AI edits in one app. By comparison, its Pro plan costs $10.50 a month billed yearly. In other words, it works well for fun, social first edits rather than precise retouching.
How to choose the right AI photo editor
Start with what you already own. If you have a recent iPhone, Pixel or Galaxy phone, try the built in tools first, because they are free. Then, think about your main job:
- Removing objects from personal photos: Google Photos, Apple Photos or Galaxy AI.
- Product photos for a shop: Photoroom.
- Social posts and thumbnails: Canva.
- Professional retouching: Photoshop.
- Low cost browser editing: Pixlr.
For logos and brand graphics, our guide to the AI logo generator tools covers a different set of apps.
AI labels and honesty
AI edits are now so realistic that labels matter. Google Photos and Samsung add visible or hidden markers to AI edits, and Adobe adds Content Credentials to Firefly generated content, including Generative Fill in Photoshop. As a result, these labels help people know when a photo has been changed.
Therefore, be honest when you share edited photos, especially for news, reviews or listings. For example, removing a tourist from a beach shot is fine. However, changing a product’s real condition is not. To learn how others spot edited images, read our guide on how to tell if a photo is AI generated.
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Tips for better AI photo edits
- First, start with the highest quality photo you have.
- Remove small objects in a few passes rather than one big brush.
- Zoom in after each edit to check for smudges or repeated patterns.
- Finally, keep the original file in case you want to undo later.
- For faces, use light edits so people still look like themselves.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best free AI photo editor?
For most people, the free tools on their phone are the best start: Google Photos, Apple Photos Clean Up or Galaxy AI. Canva and Pixlr also have free plans.
Is Photoshop’s AI free?
No. Photoshop costs $22.99 a month on an annual plan and includes 25 generative credits a month. There is a seven day free trial.
Do AI photo editors add watermarks?
Some do. For example, Samsung adds a Galaxy AI watermark to AI generated images, and Photoroom adds a watermark on free exports after the monthly limit. Google Photos adds AI information to the photo’s details.
Can I use AI edited photos commercially?
It depends on the tool’s terms. Therefore, check each app’s license before using AI edited images in ads or products.