Best software for photo organizing and editing features

We curated the top tools to streamline your photo management and editing process

Creatives are often juggling hundreds of files a week. Organizing and editing photos or videos at that scale can be a real headache—and it adds unnecessary burden to your workload. Whether you're a freelance YouTube creator (a self-employed content creator) or part of a mid-sized marketing agency, having the right tools to streamline your workflow is essential.

In this blog post, we’re exploring five of the top contenders in the photo organizing and editing space—which includes Desktop Docs, of course.

The essentials you need in photo editing and organizing software

Before getting started with photo editing or organizing tools, it’s essential to find software that does more than just edit photos well. You need a system that make sense for your day to day. Whether you're a photographer, content creator, or video editor, choosing the right software means looking for key features that meet your specific needs. Consider the following before committing to software:

• Privacy: Tools like Desktop Docs and ON1 Photo RAW keep everything local, so your work stays on your device without being uploaded to the cloud.
• Affordability: You want a software that suits your budget while offering professional-level capabilities.
• Easy organization: Look for software that helps you manage your files efficiently, so you spend less time searching and more time creating.
• Intuitive editing tools: Even if you’re not a professional editor, great software should include simple editing feature like resizing and transforming file types.
• Workflow integration: Choose a tool that integrates with your existing process, making it easy to switch between organizing, selecting and editing files.

Some creators prioritize the privacy and control that local storage provides. But if you're on the go and need to access your files from multiple devices, cloud storage may be a must. However, if privacy and speed are more important, locally installed software like Desktop Docs keeps your files secure and easily accessible—even without an internet connection.

Top 5 contenders for organizing and editing photos

We’ve done research and rounded up five exceptional options, including our very own Desktop Docs, to give you a clear picture of your choices. These tools are designed to keep your workflow efficient, organized, and (most importantly) stress-free.

1. Desktop Docs

Streamline your file search with AI-powered organization

Desktop Docs is designed for creators with loads of files to manage. Our software helps you find, organize, and edit your images, videos, and more without needing to remember obscure file names. Our strongest focus is on privacy and ease of use, so your files are yours—no cloud storage or third parties involved.

• Pricing: One-time payment of $24.99
• Best for: Content creators, designers, video editors, and anyone tired of losing files
• Features: Advanced file organization, cross-device sync, privacy-friendly, AI-powered search

2. Adobe Lightroom

The gold standard for professional photo editing

Adobe Lightroom has long been the industry favorite for photographers and creatives alike. With powerful editing capabilities and cloud syncing, Lightroom is a solid choice for those looking for advanced features.

• Pricing: $9.99/month or $119.88/annual
• Best for: Professionals who need both editing and cloud storage.
• Features: Advanced editing tools, cloud storage, cross-device sync.

3. ON1 Photo RAW

A one-time purchase for powerful editing and organizing

ON1 Photo RAW offers advanced photo editing and organization without a subscription fee. It’s ideal for creatives who want to invest in software and not worry about monthly costs.

• Pricing: $99.99 to $169.99 one-time payment or as low as $7.50/month subscription
• Best for: Creatives who prefer a one-time payment/like non-subscription options.
• Features: Advanced editing tools, offline organization, no cloud dependency.

4. Mylio

Organize your photos across devices with ease

Mylio is perfect for people who have large photo libraries and want cross-device sync without relying heavily on cloud storage. Its editing features are somwhat basic; its organizing capabilities are top-notch.

• Pricing: Free for up to 25,000 photos; premium plan at $9.99/month
• Best for: Casual photographers and organizers with large libraries.
• Features: Cross-device sync, cloud storage optional, basic editing tools.

5. Darktable

Open-source power for photo editing

Darktable is the go-to for those who want free, high-quality editing software without sacrificing too much in terms of features. The interface can be complex. Once you get the hang of it, it’s a powerful tool for serious editors.

• Pricing: Free
• Best for: Users who want robust editing features and don’t mind a learning curve.
• Features: Advanced editing, no cloud integration, open-source, privacy-friendly.

How these 5 photo organizing tools compare

We compared these 5 tools with 8 specific features that are most relevant to the average person looking for photo organizing software with editing features.

Find the right fit for your workflow

The right tool depends on what you need.

If you're looking for cutting-edge AI file management with editing tools and seamless export to Adobe Premiere, Desktop Docs has you covered. For those who prefer cloud syncing, other solid options like Lightroom are available.

Ultimately, the goal is to find a tool that complements your process and lightens your workload.