Zoner Photo Studio

CNET Editors' note: Zoner Photo Studio 15 offers a free version with limited functionality from within the program. Otherwise the trial of the full version will expire after 30 days.

CNET Editors' review

Free photo and image tools are getting so sophisticated they more than rival expensive premium tools. Case in point is Zoner Photo Studio Free, an up-to-date graphics app that is packed with features. It can sort and manage image libraries; resize, enhance, and correct images; create albums, slideshows, calendars, panoramas, and other displays; and upload your images to popular photo-sharing sites. It incorporates full-featured Browser and Editor functions, but it also works with a wide range of other photo tools.

Zoner Photo Studio offers Standard and Custom Installation options; we chose the standard installation. A First Run Wizard walked us through the steps of setting up Zoner, though the program can also import settings from previous installations, if available. The setup options included file-type associations, destination folders, whether the program should open images in the Browser or Editor views, and whether or not to integrate it with Windows. We could change these and other settings at any time on Zoner's Preferences menu. Zoner's Browser interface sports the dark-gray tones, white font, and tree-view navigator typical of modern graphics apps, but there's also an interesting built-in folder view in the main window. Zoner handles layers, offers autocorrect functions on its Quick Fix menu, and features a palette of tools such as clone stamps, a morphing mesh tool, red-eye correction, and other useful effects. It works much like other graphics and photo editors, too; although it doesn't resemble Photoshop as closely as some of its competition, many of the functions, controls, and options will be familiar to anyone who's spent much time with similar programs. We browsed to and opened an image and quickly applied a variety of tools and effects to it in the Editor, including watermarks, brush strokes, and cropping. Zoner can use EXIF data to sort image collections automatically. One surprising but nifty extra is the ability to assign GPS data to images using Google Earth.

Zoner Photo Studio Free has all the tools and options to satisfy most users, even pros. It has a stylish interface, well-configured controls, excellent Help and Tutorials, and more settings and features than we can address in this space. Definitely recommended.

Zoner Photo Studio Free - Manage and edit your photos easily - Download Video Previews:

Publisher's Description

More Products to Consider

  • PhotoScape
    View, edit, print, or add frames to your photos.
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • Photo Pos Pro
    Edit, enhance, and manipulate your digital photos or graphics.
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • Magix Photo Designe...
    Optimize your photos and turn them into paintings or funny cari...
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • Picasa
    Organize, edit, and share pictures with this free photo manager...
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • Paint.NET
    Create and edit photos using layers, effects, and other tools.
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • Funny Photo Maker
    Edit photos, add photo frame, photo effects, and funny backgrou...
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • Photo Story 3 for W...
    Process your digital photos and create slide shows for sharing.
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • IrfanView
    View and edit most graphics formats simply and quickly.
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • Free Picture Resize...
    Optimize your images and change their size.
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • FastStone Image Vie...
    Manage, view, convert, and edit your images.
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • Magic Photo Editor
    Blend pictures and create single composition of two images.
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • PicPick
    Capture and edit your images with various tools.
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • Smideo
    Turn your picture into beautiful video.
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • Adobe Photoshop Ext...
    Create powerful images and discover new dimensions in digital i...

    This download is served from an external site

    close

    NOTICE: This link will open a connection to a third-party site. CNET cannot ensure the security of software that is hosted on external sites.

    Continue to download

    Sponsored Products

    Visit Site
  • SteganPEG
    Hide files in a JPEG image.
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • TSR Resize & Rotate...
    Rotate and resize more than one image at a time.
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • ArcSoft Perfect365
    Spice up your photos with one-click style templates and make yo...
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • TSR Resize & Rotate
    Rotate and resize more than one image at a time.
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • Free YouTube to MP3...
    Download YouTube videos to your computer and convert their audi...
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • GIMP
    Create and alter photos and graphics manually or via scripting.
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • GerbView
    Print and convert HPGL and raster files.
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • Ashampoo Photo Comm...
    Organize, optimize, and share your photo collection with ease.
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • Trimto Portable (64...
    Edit and process your digital images.
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
All User Reviews
  • All versions:

    3.6 stars

    out of 37 votes

    • 5 star: 12
    • 4 star: 13
    • 3 star: 4
    • 2 star: 0
    • 1 star: 8
  • Current version:

    2.0 stars

    out of 5 votes

    • 5 star: 0
    • 4 star: 1
    • 3 star: 1
    • 2 star: 0
    • 1 star: 3
  • My rating:

    0 stars

    Write review

Results 1-5 of 5

  • 1.0 stars

    "Not free as they stated"

    May 3, 2013  |   By juded55

    Version: Zoner Photo Studio 15 build 6

    Pros

    It's probably a good program, but I'm removing it from my computer because it is not what was advertized

    Cons

    This software IS NOT FREE as the ad states - it's free for 30 days only, then you have to pay. Don't get me wrong - I don't mind paying for software - I will if it's worthwhile, but please be up front about it and don't go advertising 'free' when it's really just a free trial.

    Summary

    Removing from my computer

    Reply to this review Read reply (1)

    Was this review helpful? (0) (0)

  • 1.0 stars

    "NOT FREE -- RANSOMWARE"

    April 4, 2013  |   By R_E_C

    Version: Zoner Photo Studio 15 build 6

    Pros

    Works well, for 15 days or extend another 30

    Cons

    This is not free. Give the developers a mask and a gun so they look the part. BAIT AND SWITCH

    Summary

    Not Free

    Reply to this review Read reply (1)

    Was this review helpful? (1) (0)

  • 3.0 stars

    "Does some functions extremely well."

    March 29, 2013  |   By Lloyd_Hayes

    Version: Zoner Photo Studio 15 build 6

    Pros

    I have not found any software which will edit Raw files or EXIF data better then this software.

    Also, a good set of tools work extremely well.
    Free online backup of photos with the software doing the work.

    Cons

    To use it's best features, you must have the paid version.

    There is a limited selection of tools.
    The layers tools need work.

    Summary

    This software deals better with RAW files and EXIF data better then anything else I have found. But that experience is limited the first 30 days that you have this software. After that, you must have the Paid Version of this software to use those functions.

    The free version will handle all of the editing that a casual photographer, who has a point-n-shoot camera, will need. Pros or serious photographers will need the paid versions.

    Online backup and sharing is free, and handled by the software. They also have an online blog where you can comment.

    On a previous version of this software I commented that you had to renew the software license each year. That has turned out to be incorrect. You purchase a version and your license is good forever. However, they charge you again for each new version.

    In general, as I stated above, the casual photographer will like this free version of the software.
    Serious photographers shooting with DSLRs will want the paid versions of this software to add to their library of photo editing software.

    Reply to this review

    Was this review helpful? (1) (0)

  • 4.0 stars

    "It's a good product."

    March 25, 2013  |   By Joe Bernardi

    Version: Zoner Photo Studio 15 build 6

    Pros

    It's easy to make 3D pictures by combining left and right photos with Zoner Photo Studio.

    Cons

    Zoner Photo Studio 15 is NOT free. It is a free time-limited trial only.

    Reply to this review Read reply (1)

    Was this review helpful? (0) (0)

  • 1.0 stars

    "Ransom ware.."

    March 16, 2013  |   By Joshua_Friend

    Version: Zoner Photo Studio 15 build 6

    Pros

    Get hook makes you pay every year...

    Cons

    Ransom ware...

    Summary

    NOT FREE NEED TO BUY to get proper use...

    Reply to this review Read reply (1)

    Was this review helpful? (0) (1)

Results 1-5 of 5

Add Your Review

or Log in or create an account to post a review.
You are logged in as . Please submit your review for Zoner Photo Studio 15 build 6
Add Your Review

The posting of advertisements, profanity, or personal attacks is prohibited.
Click here to review our site terms of use.

Submit your reply

Submit

The posting of advertisements, profanity, or personal attacks is prohibited.
Click here to review our site terms of use.

cancel

E-mail this review

Submit cancel

Report offensive content

If you believe this comment is offensive or violates the CNET's Site Terms of Use, you can report it below (this will not automatically remove the comment). Once reported, our staff will be notified and the comment will be reviewed.

Select type of offense:

Offensive: Sexually explicit or offensive language
Spam: Advertisements or commercial links
Disruptive posting: Flaming or offending other users
Illegal activities: Promote cracked software, or other illegal content
Submit cancel

Previous Versions:

Error

close

ERROR MESSAGE

If you think this is an error, please contact CNET TechTracker Support for further assistance.

Ok

Running Request

close

loading

Smart Install Software

close

CNET TechTracker will now automatically install software without requiring further action by you. (Note: This feature automatically accepts associated EULAs and third party applications on your behalf.)

You have selected the following software to Smart Install:

CNET TechTracker will attempt to install this software without interrupting you again. If an application requires manual installation, CNET TechTracker will download the installer and prompt you to take further action.

Proceed with Smart Install?

Confirm Standard Install Cancel

Submit a problem report for Zoner Photo Studio

close

Please describe the problem you have with this software. This information will be sent to our editors for review.

Problem:

The CNET Installer isn't working as expected

The download link does not work

The software has a newer version

The software contains malware

Other

Description:

Please select a feedback type.

Please enter a description.

Submit Problem Report

Problem Report submitted

close

Thank you for submitting a problem report! The Download team is committed to providing you with accurate software information.

OK

Installed

Smart Install

About CNET Installer

The CNET Download.com Installer is a tiny ad-supported stub installer or "download manager" that helps securely deliver your downloads from Download.com's servers. We also include offers for carefully screened software that complies with Download.com Software Policies as part of our Installer process. Learn more

Zoner Photo Studio