Photo Effects Software

80 PC software downloads

Sven Sorensen

“A list of software titles which can apply special effects to a picture”


A listing of downloads compiled by Sven Sørensen

When you have a large collection of digital photographs, there likely comes a time when you want to add cool effects to images. These can range from wacky and fun to serious retouching. With these freeware and shareware downloads, you can apply a myriad of different effects to your images.

While many of these programs can apply effects to a single image, others can also perform batch photo editing and apply effects to many different types of images like JPG, PNG, GIF and even PSD Photoshop images.

If there is a tool here you find that isn't freeware, there is always the chance to take advantage of the free trial period.

  • ACDSee 2026 (19.1.0.4501)


    ACDSee Icon

    Professional photo organizer and editor.
    ACDSee can apply special effects to a picture, view EXIF data, create slideshows and optimize graphics.

  • ACDSee Photo Studio Home 2026 (29.1.0.3461)


    ACDSee Photo Studio Home Icon

    Photograph organization software the can apply effects, filters and editing tools along with EXIF tags and built-in photo viewer.
    ACDSee 9 Photo Manager can apply special effects to a picture and convert RAW to JPG.

  • ACDSee Professional 2026 (19.1.0.3560)


    ACDSee Professional Icon

    Photo editing and organization software that streamlines workflow with support for many RAW formats and camera setups.
    ACDSee Pro can apply special effects to a picture, view EXIF data and convert RAW to JPG.

  • Adobe Photoshop Elements 2026.0


    Adobe Photoshop Elements Icon

    Photo retouching software with scrapbooks, collages, slideshows and social media integration.
    Adobe Photoshop Elements can apply special effects to a picture, view EXIF data, create web graphics and optimize graphics.

  • Alternate Pic View 3.650


    Alternate Pic View Icon

    Image slideshow viewer and image manipulation application.
    Alternate Pic View can add text to an image, apply special effects to a picture, create PNG graphics and batch process images.

  • CodedColor PhotoStudio Pro 8.8.0


    CodedColor PhotoStudio Pro Icon

    Very versatile photo viewer, digital image editing and archiving software.
    CodedColor PhotoStudio Pro can apply special effects to a picture, view EXIF data and batch process images.

  • FastStone Image Viewer 8.3


    FastStone Image Viewer Icon

    A fast, stable, user-friendly image browser, converter and editor.
    FastStone Image Viewer can apply special effects to a picture, view EXIF data, create PNG graphics, create web graphics and convert RAW to JPG.

  • GIMP 3.2.4


    GIMP Icon

    GIMP is an open-source and free Photoshop alternative (for Windows).
    GIMP for Windows can add text to an image, apply special effects to a picture, view EXIF data, create animated GIFs, create PNG graphics, create web graphics and create and edit layers.

  • ImageMagick 7.1.2-19


    ImageMagick Icon

    Advanced, yet powerful image manipulation suite acting as the open-source standard for creating, modifying and printing images with plethora of filters,...
    ImageMagick can add text to an image, apply special effects to a picture, create PNG graphics, create web graphics, create and edit layers and batch process images.

  • Adobe Photoshop CC CC 2026 v27.5


    Adobe Photoshop CC Icon

    Photo editing suite to enhance your photos and designs with Photoshop with a complete set of tools including RAW processing and photo manipulation.
    Adobe Photoshop can add text to an image, apply special effects to a picture, create web graphics, optimize graphics and convert RAW to JPG.

  • jAlbum 39.4


    jAlbum Icon

    Free web photo album creator. Customize with skins. Publish on any site.
    jAlbum can add text to an image, apply special effects to a picture, create slideshows and optimize graphics.

  • Pinta 3.1.2


    Pinta Icon

    Pinta image editor is a freeware paint program with code based on paint.NET.
    Pinta can add text to an image and apply special effects to a picture.

  • GIMP Portable 3.2.2


    GIMP Portable Icon

    Portable Windows version of the popular free image editor GIMP.
    Portable GIMP can add text to an image, apply special effects to a picture, create web graphics, optimize graphics, create and edit layers and convert RAW to JPG.

  • PhotoPad 15.04


    PhotoPad Icon

    Free image and photo editor for Windows.
    PhotoPad can add text to an image, apply special effects to a picture, create slideshows and optimize graphics.

  • PhotoPad Free 15.04


    PhotoPad Free Icon

    Image editing suite with core graphics adjustments, automated effects and pre-defined filters for image beautification.
    PhotoPad Free can add text to an image, apply special effects to a picture and optimize graphics.

  • FotoSketcher 4.0


    FotoSketcher Icon

    FotoSketcher turns digital photos into drawings or paintings, for free!
    FotoSketcher can apply special effects to a picture, create PNG graphics and optimize graphics.