Best AI Photo Editing Tools in 2026
AI has changed what photo editing actually looks like day to day. Tasks that used to take 20 minutes in Photoshop — masking a subject, removing a distracting object, replacing a blown-out sky — now take seconds with the right tool.
The hard part is picking the right one for your workflow. Here are the 10 AI photo editing tools worth your time in 2026, tested across different use cases.
EnhanceIT PRO
EnhanceIT PRO is an all-in-one browser-based AI photo editing suite. It covers the most common editing tasks without any software install or subscription: background removal, object removal, image upscaling, photo restoration, and AI image generation from a single platform.
The AI Image Generator supports image-to-image editing — you upload a photo and describe what changes you want in plain text, and the AI transforms the image accordingly. This makes it possible to change styles, swap backgrounds, add elements, or completely reimagine a photo without touching a single slider.
The AI Image Upscaler enlarges photos up to 8x without introducing the blurry artifacts you get from standard bicubic interpolation. The Background Remover detects subjects accurately even on complex or cluttered backgrounds.
For e-commerce sellers and content creators who need multiple editing tools without committing to a monthly subscription, EnhanceIT PRO is the fastest starting point in 2026.
Adobe Lightroom
Lightroom remains the standard for photographers who work with raw files in volume. The AI masking detects subjects, skies, and backgrounds with high accuracy — you select what you want to mask and the tool handles the selection automatically.
The Generative Remove feature, powered by Adobe Firefly, fills deleted areas with realistic texture. On complex backgrounds like grass or patterned fabric, it performs better than most standalone object removal apps.
Pricing is $19.99 per month for the Photography Plan, which includes both Lightroom and Photoshop.
Adobe Photoshop with Firefly
Photoshop’s Generative Fill, powered by Adobe Firefly, is one of the most capable AI editing features available in 2026. You make a selection, type a prompt, and the AI generates contextually accurate fill content directly on the layer.
Unlike basic inpainting tools, Firefly respects the existing lighting direction, color temperature, and texture of the surrounding area. It produces multiple variations per generation so you can pick the best result.
It is included in the Photography Plan alongside Lightroom.
Luminar Neo
Luminar Neo takes the opposite approach to Lightroom. Where Lightroom asks for precision and manual input, Luminar Neo makes dramatic results accessible in a few clicks.
Its Sky AI swaps overexposed or dull skies with realistic alternatives. Relight AI adds or adjusts light sources on a portrait after the shot was taken. Both features work well on properly exposed images.
Luminar Neo offers a perpetual license from $119, which is genuinely useful for people who want to avoid recurring subscriptions.
Canva Magic Studio
Canva moved well beyond templates. The Magic Studio suite now includes Magic Eraser, Magic Expand, and Magic Edit — all working directly on uploaded photos inside the Canva editor.
A social media manager can erase a logo, expand a portrait to fit a banner format, and export the result in under three minutes. The free plan includes limited Magic Studio credits. Pro costs $15 per month per user.
Remini
Remini specialises in one specific problem: restoring faces in old, blurry, or low-resolution photos. Its AI is trained specifically on facial reconstruction, so it handles portrait restoration better than general-purpose upscalers.
When I tested it on a 1970s photograph scanned from a printed copy, it restored eye detail and hair texture that were completely indistinguishable in the source. The mobile app is free with limited daily enhancements; the Pro subscription removes the cap at $9.99 per month.
For broader photo restoration beyond faces, the EnhanceIT PRO Photo Restoration tool handles damaged, water-stained, and aged photos as a complementary option.
Fotor
Fotor is a web-based editor with a solid set of AI tools: one-click background removal, AI image generator, portrait retouching, and an HDR effect engine. It is one of the more complete free-tier offerings in 2026.
The free version adds a watermark to downloaded images. The Pro plan at $8.99 per month removes it and unlocks batch processing.
Photoleap
Photoleap is an iOS and Android app built specifically for mobile-first creative editing. Its AI tools include sky replacement, object removal, generative AI backgrounds, and a “Flux” AI image generator that works from text prompts.
For photographers who edit primarily on their phones, Photoleap offers a more capable workflow than Snapseed without requiring a desktop. The free plan covers core tools; the subscription at $7.99 per month unlocks the full AI feature set.
Snapseed
Snapseed is free on iOS and Android and has no subscription. Its Selective tool lets you adjust brightness, contrast, and saturation on a single pinpointed area. The Healing tool removes small objects cleanly on most solid-colour backgrounds.
It does not have generative AI features, but for precise manual corrections on mobile without spending anything, it remains one of the best free options available.
Facetune 3
Facetune 3 focuses specifically on portrait retouching. It handles skin smoothing, teeth whitening, eye brightening, and subject isolation without manual selection. The AI detects facial features automatically.
The free tier covers basic corrections. The subscription unlocks batch processing and advanced AI filters at $5.99 per month.
Which tool fits your situation
- All-in-one browser editing with no subscription: EnhanceIT PRO
- Professional raw file workflow: Adobe Lightroom
- Advanced generative fill on desktop: Adobe Photoshop with Firefly
- Fast creative edits with one-time payment: Luminar Neo
- Social media content production: Canva Magic Studio
- Restoring old or damaged portraits: Remini
- Complete web-based editing on a budget: Fotor
- Mobile creative editing: Photoleap
- Free precise mobile corrections: Snapseed
- Portrait retouching on mobile: Facetune 3
No single app handles every job well. Most photographers in 2026 combine two or three of these tools depending on what the image needs.
