I tried to streamline the posts to make them more readable since we are all busy students with limited time. I hope you find this useful and if you're interested I have another post talking about free software for document production.

What I hope to do with this series of advice blog posts is share the information I wish I received from someone else earlier (would have definitely saved me some time which as anyone would know is quite valuable, especially when you're a very busy university student). I have personally used all of these at some point and would like to share my opinion and help someone else pick what's best for them.

(1) GIMP
Other than it's weird name, GIMP is free, great-quality software which includes a lot of great and useful features for all of your image editing purposes. Anyone I knew that uses it ends up recommending further. From the editing tools offered to the wide range of supported file types (which include GIF, PNG, TIFF and of course JPEG along with others) this software is where it is at.

Oh and while I didn't personally do this, there are plugins you can get online to further improve your image-editing experience.

Here's a link if you're interested.
P.S. if you're not going to use the link but rather search it directly on google be careful what you might find, i.e. use safe search xd

(2) Pixlr
Short disclaimer: I haven't used this one in a while and I have no idea how the Adobe flash player issue is going to play a role with it considering you need it to use the software.
Pixlr is a good alternative in comparison to Gimp and it's completely online which is an advantage for some people.
Compared to Gimp the tools are quite advanced. It has quite a bit of different brushes, filters and even masks.

If you are an experienced editor or studying something that requires graphic editing, this is definitely the software for you. However, even if you are a beginner looking for a way to quickly edit an image then its quick features help ease that for you as well.

2 Other features I would like to also highlight are how easy it is to import your pictures (even from social media like facebook if that's what you need).
The second feature if that you can personally customize and change the toolbar to make it more accessible for yourself.
Here's a link if you're interested.

(3) Paint.net
Yes this is basically the trust-dusty Paint. But Online. Wait don't skip it. It is worth it. Worth it being completely free. Don't let the word Paint fool you. II still have and use this one if something requires a little bit more bazaaz.
Paint.net is quite elaborate and sophisticated with a myriad of tools like composition improving tools such as multi-layering. Despite it being a feature you'd usually find in expensive software this is completely free and it gets regularly updated despite how it looks. 

It also consists of many colour editing options for all of your editing needs along with the ability to rotate in 3D and zoom in and out.

Just like Gimp it also offers support for almost every image type so you can use it for whatever you want.
Here's a link if you're interested.

(4) PE Photoshop Express

Honestly I personally don't like this one that much. Compared to other software on this list it is quite basic.
And the free version is of course the lite version. (Thus the name Express- Might just be the most normal name after Paint)
The only real advantage is that it's quite easy to use. Any beginner can get this and use it. But its basic. The features are limited. Like seriously limited.

Furthermore, as far as I remember, it is limited to JPEG which are under 16 mps and less than 8,191 pixels wide. Having a limitation like this is quite annoying if you're trying to work with images which are of a higher definition or just most pictures in general. Which again furthers my point, basic usage.

Here's a link if you're interested.

So these are the ones I know and have somewhat used over time. I am sure there are other ones and I'd be interested if you would like to share them with me in the comments. If you have any suggestions for the next one do hit me up and I do appreciate any useful criticism. Hoping to hear from you and stay healthy!