The market for Image Editing software is strong and forecasts predict it to grow at a CAGR of 6.35% between 2017 and 2021. In the past,the most predominant drivers was the digitization of photography and artwork. For professional photographers and those in the entertainment industry, photo editing is a key aspect of post-production activities.

However, these days the ubiquity of social media and online marketing activities is driving this software category. A wide range of users are using graphics, designs and edited photos across their social media channels, which has inevitably increased the demand for simpler products that can be used to edit images quickly to a high standard.

The market is led by early adopters such as Illustrator CC, who have continued to build upon decades of experience in this software category. Market leaders generally offer advanced image manipulation capabilities, including retouching and complex 3D design. However, over the last ten years, the landscape has seen a substantial increase in the number of vendors focusing on more niche solutions, such as image compression, file and vector conversion, and products that offer streamlined and more user-friendly image editing and drawing tools.

The Crozdesk Market Radar™ also reveals some vendors offer products that go beyond image editing, with solutions providing organizational tools for storage, publishing, output and, of course, sophisticated pixel graphic design software, such as the long-time market leader Photoshop.