Serif Affinity Photo

£39 from www.snipca.com/23739 Tested: Issue 498

Designed for both full-time professional image retouchers and the rest of us keen amateurs, this is a beautifully designed and comprehensive program for both Windows and Mac users, although so far it performs better on Macs.

ALTERNATIVE: Xara Photo & Graphic Designer 365 For all-round design and drawing plus photo filters, this affordable app has a lot to offer. £50 from www.snipca.com/19280