lsimpkins Loc: SE Pennsylvania

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Simplify... Get Adobe Elements 2020. That's the "lite" version of Lightroom & Photoshop, combined into a single, stand-alone, permanently licensed (not subscription) program. Costs less, has more built in support and shortcuts, handles almost everything the vast majority of amateur users ever need (and, if needed, there plug-ins such as Elements Plus, to add features).

Free to download from the Adobe web site and try for 30 days. Might not need it, but may want to get a "how to" book about Elements before starting the trial, so you have quick answers to any questions right at hand and won't waste time during the trial period struggling to figure out things or waiting for someone to get back to you.

one_eyed_pete Loc: Colonie NY

Hi San, welcome to the UHH world of Photography Discussion. I hope you continue to enjoy photography for a long time to come. I noticed you have been a member for over 2 1/2 years so I assume you've read these discussion posts before. You would have fared better if you lead with your second, more specific question. You can get help and learn on this forum if you ask specific detailed questions. Otherwise you simply tee up the numerous sarcastic responders. It's like asking what is the best car and why.

I think you have already received some good answers. PS and LR are such powerful tools that most who use them only use a fraction of their capability. It sounds like "Faststone" currently satisfies your needs so stick with it for now. In the future you may feel the urge to do more and may even go back to LR or PS which set the bar. There are many other options and I've tried a few but keep going back to LR because I'm comfortable using it and I can do all I need quickly 95% of the time. I really appreciate that it's non destructive to the original. I encourage you to keep exploring other software using tutorials and free trials to see if another flavor may be to your liking. It's largely a personal preference thing and can change from time to time.

Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

Don't know, but, if you are good just down load and print.

Pmortx

For simple and quick editing, try Irfanview. $39. It's actually quite powerful for the price. Look it up.

Bill_de Loc: US

Since when do you have to pay for Irfanview?

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burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

The one you're willing to spend time to learn thoroughly. They all get at least part of the job done. The better part of all of it is in your head.

You didn't say whether you're editing text, vector graphics, page layouts, video, audio, or still images, so you left the door wide open.

Personally, what I know and love:

Apple TextEdit and Microsoft Word for text

Apple iMovie and Final Cut Pro X for video/filmmaking

Apple GarageBand and Audacity for audio recording, mixing, editing, sweetening

Adobe Lightroom Classic and Photoshop CC 2020 (Photography Bundle) for still image editing

I don't deal with vector graphics or page layout any more, but would probably use Adobe solutions for them.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Free for personal use, fee for commercial use.

revhen Loc: By the beautiful Hudson

"It's deja vu all over again." attributed to -- who else? -- Yogi Berra

Bill_de Loc: US

Thanks.

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cahale Loc: San Angelo, TX

The one you like best after trying several. You're the only expert who matters here.

yorkiebyte Loc: Scottsdale, AZ/Bandon by the Sea, OR

yorkiebyte Loc: Scottsdale, AZ/Bandon by the Sea, OR

Pixlr.
Easy and Free. (And yes, I have PhotoShop.)

Angel Star Photography Loc: Tacoma, WA

Pmortx

To get everything it does.