In this article, I review some of the best editing software available on various Linux distributions. These are not the only editors available, but they are among the most popular and used by Linux users.
First of all, in the list, we have GIMP, which is a free, open-source, cross-platform, extensible, and flexible image editor that runs on GNU Linux, Windows, OSX, and many other operating systems.
It offers sophisticated tools to do your job and is built for graphic designers, photographers, illustrators, or scientists. It can also be extended and customized through third-party plugins.
It has tools for high-quality image processing, image transformation, and graphic design element creation. For programmers, GIMP is a high-quality framework for scripted image manipulation that supports multiple languages, including C, C++, Perl, Python, and Scheme.
GIMP Image Editor.
To install GIMP on Linux, use the following command for your specific Linux distribution.
sudo apt install gimp [on debian, ubuntu and mint]
sudo yum install gimp [on rhel/centos/fedora and rocky/almalinux]
sudo emerge -a sys-apps/gimp [on gentoo linux]
sudo apk add gimp [on alpine linux]
sudo pacman -s gimp [on arch linux]
sudo zypper install gimp [on opensuse]
It wants to be built by artists who want to provide the most affordable art tools for everyone, equipped with the tools you need for your work, and available through a clean, flexible, and intuitive user interface. It can be used in concept art, texture and matte painters, illustrations, and comics.
krita raster graphical editor.
To install krita on Linux, use the following commands for your specific Linux distribution.
sudo apt install krita [on debian, ubuntu and mint]
sudo yum install krita [on rhel/centos/fedora and rocky/almalinux]
sudo emerge -a sys-apps/krita [on gentoo linux]
sudo apk add krita [on alpine linux]
sudo pacman -s krita [on arch linux]
sudo zypper install krita [on opensuse]
Pinta Image Editor.
To install Pinta on Linux, use the following commands that are appropriate for your specific Linux distribution.
sudo apt install pinta [on debian, ubuntu and mint]
sudo yum install pinta [on rhel/centos/fedora and rocky/almalinux]
sudo emerge -a sys-apps/pinta [on gentoo linux]
sudo apk add pinta [on alpine linux]
sudo pacman -s pinta [on arch linux]
sudo zypper install pinta [on opensuse]
It has the following features:
Table of contents for tutorials on how to use it.
Facial recognition support.
Easily import and export** to different formats.
DigiKam Professional** Management.
To install Digikam on Linux, use the following commands that are appropriate for your specific Linux distribution.
sudo apt install digikam [on debian, ubuntu and mint]
sudo yum install digikam [on rhel/centos/fedora and rocky/almalinux]
sudo emerge -a sys-apps/digikam [on gentoo linux]
sudo apk add digikam [on alpine linux]
sudo pacman -s digikam [on arch linux]
sudo zypper install digikam [on opensuse]
Although it is a good image editing software that does not require additional software to function, it is lightweight and not feature-rich.
showfoto image editor.
To install showfoto on linux, use the following commands for your specific linux distribution.
sudo apt install showfoto [on debian, ubuntu and mint]
sudo yum install showfoto [on rhel/centos/fedora and rocky/almalinux]
sudo emerge -a sys-apps/showfoto [on gentoo linux]
sudo apk add showfoto [on alpine linux]
sudo pacman -s showfoto [on arch linux]
sudo zypper install showfoto [on opensuse]
It has many of the features listed on the project's home page, including:
A variety of supported cameras.
*Control. Parallel editing.
Color adjustments. Option to use a secondary display.
Metadata redaction, and more.
RawTherapee Image Editor.
To install RawTherapee on Linux, use the following commands that are appropriate for your specific Linux distribution.
sudo apt install rawtherapee [on debian, ubuntu and mint]
sudo yum install rawtherapee [on rhel/centos/fedora and rocky/almalinux]
sudo emerge -a sys-apps/rawtherapee [on gentoo linux]
sudo apk add rawtherapee [on alpine linux]
sudo pacman -s rawtherapee [on arch linux]
sudo zypper install rawtherapee [on opensuse]
It provides set management and an easy way to browse collection directories and subdirectories using the thumbnail browser.
It has the following features:
Use simple clicks to convert**.
The ability to embellish ** in a variety of ways.
Artistic transformations, such as animation.
Metadata and more can be used.
fotoxx editor.
To install fotoxx on linux, use the following commands for your specific Linux distribution.
sudo apt install fotoxx [on debian, ubuntu and mint]
sudo yum install fotoxx [on rhel/centos/fedora and rocky/almalinux]
sudo emerge -a sys-apps/fotoxx [on gentoo linux]
sudo apk add fotoxx [on alpine linux]
sudo pacman -s fotoxx [on arch linux]
sudo zypper install fotoxx [on opensuse]
It has a simple interface, imports and exports a variety of file formats, including SVG, AI, EPS, PDF, PS, and PNG, as well as multi-language support. In addition, Inkscape is designed to be extensible with add-ons.
inkscape vector graphics editor.
To install Inkscape on Linux, use the following commands for your specific Linux distribution.
sudo apt install inkscape [on debian, ubuntu and mint]
sudo yum install inkscape [on rhel/centos/fedora and rocky/almalinux]
sudo emerge -a sys-apps/inkscape [on gentoo linux]
sudo apk add inkscape [on alpine linux]
sudo pacman -s inkscape [on arch linux]
sudo zypper install inkscape [on opensuse]
Unlike other editors that use layers, LightZone enables you to build a bunch of tools that can be rearranged, readjusted, turned off and on, and removed from the stack at any time.
LightZone Image Editor.
Aftershot is a commercial and proprietary, cross-platform RAW image processing application that is simple but powerful. For starters, it makes it easy to make corrections and enhancements, and use batch tools to make adjustments to one or thousands at a time, allowing you to quickly learn professional-grade editing.
It has simple** management, super-fast workflows, powerful batch processing, and much more. Importantly, Aftershot Pro integrates well with Photoshop (send ** to Photoshop with the click of a button).
AftershotPro Image Editor.
DarkTable is a powerful, open-source photography workflow app and original developer, built by photographers for photographers. It is a virtual light table and darkroom for managing digital negatives in a database, allowing you to view them through a scalable light table and enabling you to develop raw images and enhance them.
With DarkTable, all edits are completely non-destructive and only operate on the cached image buffer for display, and only convert the full image during export. Its internal architecture allows you to easily plug in various modules to improve its default functionality.
Darktable image editor.
To install DarkTable on Linux, use the following commands for your specific Linux distribution.
sudo apt install darktable [on debian, ubuntu and mint]
sudo yum install darktable [on rhel/centos/fedora and rocky/almalinux]
sudo emerge -a sys-apps/darktable [on gentoo linux]
sudo apk add darktable [on alpine linux]
sudo pacman -s darktable [on arch linux]
sudo zypper install darktable [on opensuse]
UFRAW supports a wide range of camera models and their respective raw file formats, making it suitable for different photography setups.
ufraw processes the raw image.
Drawing is a simple free image editor that allows you to resize images, crop or rotate images, apply filters, insert or review text, and change selected parts by cutting, copying, pasting, and dragging.
In addition, it offers drawing features, including tools such as pencils, lines, curves, various shapes, multiple brushes, and a range of colors and options. It also supports file types such as PNG, JPEG, and BMP.
Drawing image editor.
To install drawing on linux, use the following command for your specific Linux distribution.
sudo apt install drawing [on debian, ubuntu and mint]
sudo yum install drawing [on rhel/centos/fedora and rocky/almalinux]
sudo emerge -a sys-apps/drawing [on gentoo linux]
sudo apk add drawing [on alpine linux]
sudo pacman -s drawing [on arch linux]
sudo zypper install drawing [on opensuse]