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Photo Editing Software Market Size and Share Outlook - Forecast Trends and Growth Analysis Report (2025-2034)

Published Aug 13, 2025
Length 157 Pages
SKU # EMAR20436306

Description

The global photo editing software market was valued at USD 42.85 Billion in 2024 . The industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.20% during the forecast period of 2025-2034 to reach a value of USD 94.24 Billion by 2034 .

The photo editing software market is experiencing a sharp transformation, shifting from legacy tools to AI-powered platforms that enable real-time visual manipulation with minimal user input. According to Adobe Creative Cloud data, the platform witnessed nearly 30 million subscribers in 2024. This acceptance is driven by increased demand from small content studios and freelance editors. The United Kingdom Government’s Createch initiative, aimed at empowering digital creators with AI-integrated design tools, has also boosted the market. Developers are increasingly integrating machine learning models that auto-correct lighting, composition, and perspective errors.

New photo editing software firms now focus on cross-platform performance, from desktop to mobile to cloud. Startups like Poland-based Lightricks has released LTXV on GitHub and Hugging Face, built using PyTorch XLA to ensure compatibility across GPU and TPU systems, using browser-native computation, making high-end tools accessible even on low-end devices. According to Japan’s METI, demand for editing platforms with non-destructive AI filters have grown widely popular, especially among educational content creators and AR developers.

Furthermore, governments in the Asia-Pacific region, such as South Korea’s Ministry of SMEs and Startups, have begun funding local editing software initiatives to reduce dependence on Western products, boosting the photo editing software market development. This includes grants for cloud-based rendering and AI video-to-photo frame extraction technology. As creative economies globalise and the creator class grows more diversified, the market is decentralising, democratising, and deeply innovating to meet new digital realities.

Key Trends and Recent Developments

June 2025

After launching the iPhone version of Photoshop, Adobe unveiled the beta version of the program for Android, signalling a major increase in its mobile presence. Layering, masking, and AI-based tools are among the main desktop functions that the program offers, but it is tailored for mobile devices.

May 2025

Google and the Ukrainian software company Skylum formed a strategic alliance to release Skylum's AI-powered editing program on ChromeOS and Android. With its extension, Luminar, which has been accessible on Apple's iOS platform since June 2024, reaches millions of mobile and Chromebook users globally, marking a significant milestone for the firm.

December 2024

The most recent version of Adwaa Co., Ltd.'s JPEG-only photo editing program, "SILKYPIX JPEG Photography," was released under the title "SILKYPIX JPEG Photography 12 Download Version (Windows)." On December 2, 2024, the product became available for purchase at the ISL Online Store.

November 2024

Aperty, Skylum's newest desktop program, was released. Previously debuted as "Project Barcelona," Aperty establishes a new benchmark for the upcoming generation of portrait retouching software. Aperty is the best option for professional photographers who appreciate time and quality because it combines cutting-edge AI technologies with cutting-edge features to produce results that are unparalleled in precision and natural appearance.

AI-Driven Real-Time Editing

Real-time AI-powered tools are transforming editing workflows by automating exposure correction, facial retouching, and background object removal, boosting the photo editing software market dynamics. For example, Luminar Neo by Skylum introduced an AI layer blending tool that learns individual users' style preferences. Meanwhile, NVIDIA partnered with Adobe to integrate generative fill tools, improving real-time feedback speed. Governments in South Korea and Singapore have extended R&D subsidies to support startups innovating AI photo composition engines.

No-Code and Gesture-Based Editing Interfaces

Software firms are increasingly developing no-code platforms that democratise photo editing for users with no design training. Photo editing software platforms like Remove.bg and Runway ML let users edit photos using gestures or voice prompts. India’s Ministry of Electronics and IT are supporting local startups like PhotorAI to build mobile-first gesture-editing tools for vernacular markets. These developments cater to emerging creators, influencers, and SMEs who seek quality without technical barriers.

Cloud-Native Editing & Collaborative Tools

Remote collaboration has further boosted the photo editing software market trends and dynamics. Companies like Canva and Pixlr are shifting toward cloud-native editors with real-time co-editing, similar to Google Docs. These allow distributed teams to work on visuals simultaneously, track version history, and rollback edits with full transparency. The United Kingdom-based Frame.io, now part of Adobe, enables timestamp-based commenting on visual edits, streamlining agency-client feedback loops. The U.S. National Endowment for the Arts recently launched Grants for Arts Projects that includes cloud subscription aid for collaborative visual design tools, showcasing institutional belief in decentralised, cloud-first creativity.

AI-Powered Ethical Editing and Deepfake Detection

As deepfakes proliferate in number, ethical editing features are gaining ground in the photo editing software market. Companies like Truepic have embedded verification watermarks and metadata tracking to ensure photo authenticity. Adobe’s Content Authenticity Initiative was expanded to support auto-detection of AI-tampered visuals. These tools are now being integrated into editing platforms to detect visual manipulation in real-time. In Germany, media organisations have started mandating such tools for newsroom image editing.

Vertical-Specific Editing Modules

Rather than building one-size-fits-all platforms, photo editing software companies now develop modules for specific industries. Real estate, telemedicine, online education, and forensic labs demand highly customised editing capabilities. For instance, United States-based Virtual Staging Lab built a photo editor that generates day-to-night conversions of real estate photos with accurate lighting simulations. In China, medical-grade photo editors are being co-developed by AI firms and hospitals to enhance skin condition documentation. Government bodies like the European Commission have allocated digital innovation grants toward sector-specific design tools, validating this verticalisation trend.

Global Photo Editing Software Industry Segmentation

The EMR’s report titled “Global Photo Editing Software Market Report and Forecast 2025-2034” offers a detailed analysis of the market based on the following segments:

Market Breakup by Component
  • Entry Level
  • Prosumer Level
  • Professional Level
Key Insight: Across the component segment in the photo editing software market, entry Level, prosumer, and professional segments, all exhibit unique momentum. Entry-level tools thrive on ease and accessibility, especially in mobile-native formats for Gen Z. Prosumer tools, meanwhile, find traction among social content creators, freelance designers, and semi-pro photographers who value automation without losing manual flexibility. Professional software continues to dominate high-stakes sectors such as media, advertising, and luxury product photography.

Market Breakup by Application
  • Individual
  • Commercial
  • Others
Key Insight: Photo editing software applications include commercial, individual, and other segments including education and forensic documentation. Commercial usage dominates the industry due to demand for scalable, brand-aligned content in sectors like retail, events, and publishing. Individual users drive fast growth with intuitive, mobile-centric tools for social expression and learning. Meanwhile, the “others” category continues to evolve, catering to educators, researchers, and law enforcement using niche features. This segmentation reflects a larger ecosystem where each user type contributes uniquely to market volume and innovation cycles.

Market Breakup by Region
  • North America
  • Europe
  • Asia Pacific
  • Latin America
  • Middle East and Africa
Key Insight: From North America to Asia Pacific, the photo editing software market evolves regionally based on infrastructure, policy, and culture. North America remains dominant in the industry due to enterprise adoption, platform maturity, and AI innovation. Asia Pacific leads growth through volume, mobile-first usage, and public initiatives backing digital creation. Europe maintains a stable demand curve via institutional usage and regulatory emphasis on ethical design. Latin America and the Middle East are emerging, aided by creator grants and localised SaaS ventures.

Global Photo Editing Software Market Share

By Component, Professional Level Tools Dominate the Industry

Professional-level tools continue to dominate the photo editing software industry, particularly in advertising, cinematic post-production, and fashion. Adobe Photoshop, Capture One, and Affinity Photo offer high-resolution RAW support, pixel-level precision, and AI masking. These features are essential for professional photographers and studios handling campaign visuals and print media. Demand for high-fidelity editing remains strong across B2B settings, solidifying this segment’s dominance.

Prosumer editing platforms represent the fastest-growing category in the photo editing software market. Tools like Luminar Neo and DxO PhotoLab offer AI-led automation with enough manual features to cater to hobbyists and small creative teams. Their affordability and reduced learning curve appeal to majority of consumers. Many platforms now feature cloud syncing, personalised AI presets, and community-led LUT marketplaces, further enhancing user engagement. For instance, Luminar Neo allows users to sync edits across devices and offers adaptive presets based on photo style.

By Application, the Commercial Segment Registers a Significant Share of the Market

Commercial applications dominate the photo editing software market, fuelled by the content explosion across ecommerce, media, real estate, and branding. Businesses need consistent, on-brand visuals and rapid output, driving demand for tools like Fotor, Adobe Express, and Pixlr. For instance, Shopify merchants frequently use embedded AI editors for product photo enhancement. Governments in the UAE and Germany offer funding and software credits for SMEs to use commercial design tools under digital commerce stimulus plans. This broad utility supports the commercial segment’s dominance.

Individual users are fuelling the photo editing software market revenue at a fast pace, particularly across content creators, influencers, students, and freelance artists. Platforms like Snapseed, Picsart, and VSCO cater to smartphone-savvy audiences with community templates, filter marketplaces, and AI avatars. User-friendly interfaces and mobile-first design are key to the segment’s fast-paced growth. In emerging regions, localised language support and offline functionality further enhance user acquisition.

Global Photo Editing Software Market Regional Analysis

By Region, North America Holds the Leading Position in the Market

The dominance of the North America photo editing software market is sustained by the region’s tech-savvy consumer base, mature SaaS ecosystem, and strong digital media culture. Major firms like Adobe, Canva, and Skylum drive innovation from the United States, supported by venture capital and government-funded creator programs. Integration of AI into editing tools has been rapidly adopted here. Cloud-first models, ethical editing add-ons, and influencer-centric platforms have gained traction, particularly in metropolitan content hubs like LA, Austin, and Toronto, consolidating North America’s dominant position.

Asia Pacific has emerged to be the fastest-growing photo editing software market due to booming smartphone adoption, creator economy momentum, and public sector digitalisation. India, South Korea, and Indonesia have witnessed sharp surge in demand, led by regional startups offering freemium pricing and vernacular UI. Japan’s METI, for example, funds SMEs developing photo AI plug-ins for telemedicine and design training. Meanwhile, Indian SaaS companies are embedding editing functions into broader content and marketplace platforms. Government skill programmes and local app marketplaces are accelerating software penetration even in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. The regional market thrives on localisation, affordability, and creator-first UX design.

Competitive Landscape

The photo editing software players are focusing on AI-first design tools, cross-device editing continuity, and subscription flexibility. Adobe’s recent integration of Firefly AI across its product line has redefined industry benchmarks. Meanwhile, startups like PhotoRoom and Designify focus on niche workflows like background removal for ecommerce. Platforms that embed ethical editing layers or support region-specific use cases, such as vernacular text overlays or low-data modes, are gaining edge in emerging markets. White-label SaaS editing APIs are also rising, allowing brands to integrate editing directly into their services.

Photo editing software companies investing in open-source collaboration, voice editing controls, and deep learning watermarking are better positioned for growth during the forecast period. Trends like AI automation, no-code UI, ethical editing, industry-specific tools, and cloud-native collaboration define current innovation. As AI democratises access, brand trust, continuous updates, and UX innovation are expected to pose as key differntiators.

Corel Corporation

Corel Corporation, headquartered in Ottawa, Canada, and established in 1985, is one of the largest software companies in the world. Some of its prominent brands include Corel Painter, CorelDRAW Graphics Suite, Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo, Corel DESIGNER Technical Suite, WinZip, Corel VideoStudio, Corel WordPerfect Office, and Corel WinDVD. The company boasts 100 million active users in more than 75 countries.

Cyberlink Corporation

Cyberlink Corporation, founded in 1996, is a leading multimedia software and AI face recognition technology. Headquartered in Taipei, Taiwan, the company addresses the evolving demands of businesses, consumers, and educators through its range of solutions covering multimedia playback, digital content creation, live casting, and video conferencing.

DXOMARK Image Labs SAS

DXOMARK Image Labs SAS, headquartered in Billancourt, France, and founded in 2003, is a prominent technology company. The company has well-established roots in image-quality evaluation and aims to innovate and develop new solutions that meet the evolving needs of customers.

ACD Systems International, Inc.

ACD Systems International, Inc., founded in 1990 and headquartered in Victoria, Canada, is one of the leading digital image editing and management companies in the world. Its product portfolio includes ACDSee Professional, ACDSee Photo Editor, Canvas X technical illustration software, and ACDSee Photo Studio for Mac photo editing and management solutions, serving individual customers, SMEs, educational institutions, corporations, and government agencies.

Other key players in the market are Adobe Systems Software Ltd., Serif Ltd., ON1, Inc., Macphun, Magix, and Zoner, Inc., among others.

Key Features of the Report
  • In-depth analysis of Global Photo Editing Software Market Size and forecast.
  • Comprehensive segmentation by component, application, and region.
  • Market trends, drivers, and regulatory developments.
  • Competitive landscape and strategic company profiling.
  • Recent investments and infrastructure expansion impact.
  • Technological innovations and future market outlook.
Why Choose Expert Market Research?
  • Trusted insights backed by extensive primary research.
  • Actionable data for strategic decision-making.
  • Region-wise and application-specific analysis.
Call to Action

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Table of Contents

157 Pages
1 Executive Summary
1.1 Market Size 2024-2025
1.2 Market Growth 2025(F)-2034(F)
1.3 Key Demand Drivers
1.4 Key Players and Competitive Structure
1.5 Industry Best Practices
1.6 Recent Trends and Developments
1.7 Industry Outlook
2 Market Overview and Stakeholder Insights
2.1 Market Trends
2.2 Key Verticals
2.3 Key Regions
2.4 Supplier Power
2.5 Buyer Power
2.6 Key Market Opportunities and Risks
2.7 Key Initiatives by Stakeholders
3 Economic Summary
3.1 GDP Outlook
3.2 GDP Per Capita Growth
3.3 Inflation Trends
3.4 Democracy Index
3.5 Gross Public Debt Ratios
3.6 Balance of Payment (BoP) Position
3.7 Population Outlook
3.8 Urbanisation Trends
4 Country Risk Profiles
4.1 Country Risk
4.2 Business Climate
5 Global Photo Editing Software Market Analysis
5.1 Key Industry Highlights
5.2 Global Photo Editing Software Historical Market (2018-2024)
5.3 Global Photo Editing Software Market Forecast (2025-2034)
5.4 Global Photo Editing Software Market by Component
5.4.1 Entry Level
5.4.1.1 Historical Trend (2018-2024)
5.4.1.2 Forecast Trend (2025-2034)
5.4.2 Prosumer Level
5.4.2.1 Historical Trend (2018-2024)
5.4.2.2 Forecast Trend (2025-2034)
5.4.3 Professional Level
5.4.3.1 Historical Trend (2018-2024)
5.4.3.2 Forecast Trend (2025-2034)
5.5 Global Photo Editing Software Market by Application
5.5.1 Individual
5.5.1.1 Historical Trend (2018-2024)
5.5.1.2 Forecast Trend (2025-2034)
5.5.2 Commercial
5.5.2.1 Historical Trend (2018-2024)
5.5.2.2 Forecast Trend (2025-2034)
5.5.3 Others
5.6 Global Photo Editing Software Market by Region
5.6.1 North America
5.6.1.1 Historical Trend (2018-2024)
5.6.1.2 Forecast Trend (2025-2034)
5.6.2 Europe
5.6.2.1 Historical Trend (2018-2024)
5.6.2.2 Forecast Trend (2025-2034)
5.6.3 Asia Pacific
5.6.3.1 Historical Trend (2018-2024)
5.6.3.2 Forecast Trend (2025-2034)
5.6.4 Latin America
5.6.4.1 Historical Trend (2018-2024)
5.6.4.2 Forecast Trend (2025-2034)
5.6.5 Middle East and Africa
5.6.5.1 Historical Trend (2018-2024)
5.6.5.2 Forecast Trend (2025-2034)
6 North America Photo Editing Software Market Analysis
6.1 United States of America
6.1.1 Historical Trend (2018-2024)
6.1.2 Forecast Trend (2025-2034)
6.2 Canada
6.2.1 Historical Trend (2018-2024)
6.2.2 Forecast Trend (2025-2034)
7 Europe Photo Editing Software Market Analysis
7.1 United Kingdom
7.1.1 Historical Trend (2018-2024)
7.1.2 Forecast Trend (2025-2034)
7.2 Germany
7.2.1 Historical Trend (2018-2024)
7.2.2 Forecast Trend (2025-2034)
7.3 France
7.3.1 Historical Trend (2018-2024)
7.3.2 Forecast Trend (2025-2034)
7.4 Italy
7.4.1 Historical Trend (2018-2024)
7.4.2 Forecast Trend (2025-2034)
7.5 Others
8 Asia Pacific Photo Editing Software Market Analysis
8.1 China
8.1.1 Historical Trend (2018-2024)
8.1.2 Forecast Trend (2025-2034)
8.2 Japan
8.2.1 Historical Trend (2018-2024)
8.2.2 Forecast Trend (2025-2034)
8.3 India
8.3.1 Historical Trend (2018-2024)
8.3.2 Forecast Trend (2025-2034)
8.4 ASEAN
8.4.1 Historical Trend (2018-2024)
8.4.2 Forecast Trend (2025-2034)
8.5 Australia
8.5.1 Historical Trend (2018-2024)
8.5.2 Forecast Trend (2025-2034)
8.6 Others
9 Latin America Photo Editing Software Market Analysis
9.1 Brazil
9.1.1 Historical Trend (2018-2024)
9.1.2 Forecast Trend (2025-2034)
9.2 Argentina
9.2.1 Historical Trend (2018-2024)
9.2.2 Forecast Trend (2025-2034)
9.3 Mexico
9.3.1 Historical Trend (2018-2024)
9.3.2 Forecast Trend (2025-2034)
9.4 Others
10 Middle East and Africa Photo Editing Software Market Analysis
10.1 Saudi Arabia
10.1.1 Historical Trend (2018-2024)
10.1.2 Forecast Trend (2025-2034)
10.2 United Arab Emirates
10.2.1 Historical Trend (2018-2024)
10.2.2 Forecast Trend (2025-2034)
10.3 Nigeria
10.3.1 Historical Trend (2018-2024)
10.3.2 Forecast Trend (2025-2034)
10.4 South Africa
10.4.1 Historical Trend (2018-2024)
10.4.2 Forecast Trend (2025-2034)
10.5 Others
11 Market Dynamics
11.1 SWOT Analysis
11.1.1 Strengths
11.1.2 Weaknesses
11.1.3 Opportunities
11.1.4 Threats
11.2 Porter’s Five Forces Analysis
11.2.1 Supplier’s Power
11.2.2 Buyer’s Power
11.2.3 Threat of New Entrants
11.2.4 Degree of Rivalry
11.2.5 Threat of Substitutes
11.3 Key Indicators for Demand
11.4 Key Indicators for Price
12 Value Chain Analysis
13 Competitive Landscape
13.1 Supplier Selection
13.2 Key Global Players
13.3 Key Regional Players
13.4 Key Player Strategies
13.5 Company Profiles
13.5.1 Adobe Systems Software Ltd.
13.5.1.1 Company Overview
13.5.1.2 Product Portfolio
13.5.1.3 Demographic Reach and Achievements
13.5.1.4 Certifications
13.5.2 Serif Ltd.
13.5.2.1 Company Overview
13.5.2.2 Product Portfolio
13.5.2.3 Demographic Reach and Achievements
13.5.2.4 Certifications
13.5.3 Corel Corporation
13.5.3.1 Company Overview
13.5.3.2 Product Portfolio
13.5.3.3 Demographic Reach and Achievements
13.5.3.4 Certifications
13.5.4 Cyberlink Corporation
13.5.4.1 Company Overview
13.5.4.2 Product Portfolio
13.5.4.3 Demographic Reach and Achievements
13.5.4.4 Certifications
13.5.5 ACD Systems International, Inc.
13.5.5.1 Company Overview
13.5.5.2 Product Portfolio
13.5.5.3 Demographic Reach and Achievements
13.5.5.4 Certifications
13.5.6 DXOMARK Image Labs SAS
13.5.6.1 Company Overview
13.5.6.2 Product Portfolio
13.5.6.3 Demographic Reach and Achievements
13.5.6.4 Certifications
13.5.7 ON1, Inc.
13.5.7.1 Company Overview
13.5.7.2 Product Portfolio
13.5.7.3 Demographic Reach and Achievements
13.5.7.4 Certifications
13.5.8 Macphun
13.5.8.1 Company Overview
13.5.8.2 Product Portfolio
13.5.8.3 Demographic Reach and Achievements
13.5.8.4 Certifications
13.5.9 Magix
13.5.9.1 Company Overview
13.5.9.2 Product Portfolio
13.5.9.3 Demographic Reach and Achievements
13.5.9.4 Certifications
13.5.10 Zoner, Inc.
13.5.10.1 Company Overview
13.5.10.2 Product Portfolio
13.5.10.3 Demographic Reach and Achievements
13.5.10.4 Certifications
13.5.11 Others
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