18 rules in 5 groups, worth 100 points in all. They were set before any product was scored and apply the same way to all 9.
Version 1, published 9 Oct 2026
In short
Each rule is a yes-or-no fact, a list (such as the systems with an app) or a number with published thresholds, read from the vendor's own pages.
A fact the vendor does not publish earns nothing. A feature in beta or preview does not count.
The list follows the points. A tie goes to the lower price on "price per month", then to the name.
Photo and raw editors for individuals that run on Windows or in a web browser. Logo and layout tools, AI image generators, video editors and phone-only apps are left out. Plans for one person count; business and student plans do not. AI tools count only if generally available, not beta.
Systems 12 points
Rule
What it takes
Points
Systems
An official, generally available (not beta) app for each system, or the vendor's own web editor. Each one earns 2 points. A mobile app counts only if it edits photos, not just views them. An iPad-only or iPhone-only app earns the iPhone/iPad point.
12
Editing tools 34 points
Rule
What it takes
Points
Camera raw editing
The product opens and develops camera raw files (such as Canon CR3, Nikon NEF or Sony ARW) itself. A raw module that ships inside the same product (for example Camera Raw in Photoshop) counts; a separate paid converter does not. A vendor page that lists supported raw formats or cameras is enough.
10
Layers and masks
You can stack several image layers in one document and hide parts of a layer with a layer mask. Masks on adjustments only, with no stackable image layers, do not count.
8
Non-destructive editing
Adjustments are kept as editable settings or adjustment layers, so the original photo is left untouched and each edit can be changed later.
6
Local adjustments
Brush, gradient or radial masks apply an adjustment (exposure, colour, sharpness) to only part of a photo.
5
Opens and saves PSD
The vendor lists Adobe Photoshop PSD files as a format the editor can open and save, with layers kept.
3
HDR and panorama merge
A built-in tool merges bracketed exposures into one HDR image or stitches several photos into a panorama.
2
AI tools 13 points
Rule
What it takes
Points
AI subject and sky selection
A generally available tool selects or masks a subject, sky or background automatically. Colour-range and edge-detection selections do not count. Beta and preview tools earn nothing.
5
AI object removal
A generally available tool removes an object from a photo and fills the gap automatically. Beta and preview tools earn nothing.
5
AI noise reduction or upscaling
A generally available tool removes noise or enlarges photos, and the vendor names AI, machine learning or a neural network for it. Non-AI noise filters do not count. Beta and preview tools earn nothing.
3
Workflow 11 points
Rule
What it takes
Points
Built-in photo library
The product has a library or catalog to browse folders, rate or tag photos and search them, inside the same app.
5
Batch editing and export
Documented tools apply the same edits or export settings to many photos in one run.
4
Soft proofing
The editor previews a photo with an ICC printer or paper profile before printing.
2
Price and licence 30 points
Rule
What it takes
Points
Open source
The source code of the app is public under an open-source licence.
3
Free trial
The vendor offers a free trial of at least 7 days of the full paid editor with no payment needed to start. A free version does not earn this point (see Free version).
2
Free version
A version that costs nothing and has no time limit can open, edit and export photos. Ads and feature limits are allowed; a trial does not count.
8
No subscription needed
The full editor can be used without recurring payments: sold as a one-time purchase licence that does not expire, or free to use. Optional paid upgrade or support renewals do not count as a subscription; a licence that expires after a fixed term does.
5
Price per month
Cheapest paid plan with the desktop editor (web editor for web-only products), one person, regular price, US dollars before tax; a plan may bundle other apps. Subscription: monthly price billed yearly. One-time licence: regular price divided by 12, never a sale price. Ignore introductory prices. Euro-only pages are recorded in EUR. Free is $0. Tiers: $0, $5, $10, $15, $25.