Alternatives to iPhoto: The 5 best photo apps

There are many alternatives to iPhoto. We present the 5 best in this practical tip.

Picasa as a free alternative to iPhoto

You can download Picasa for Mac for free:

After installation, your Mac can be automatically searched for images. You don't have to import photos one at a time, saving you so much time. You can also decide whether to search only individual folders or the entire Mac.
The photos are automatically sorted into folders and categories after import. In addition, they are arranged chronologically.
After all photos have been imported, you can also manage them manually. You assign tags, create folders and create catalogs and collections.
"Picasa Web Albums" allows you to share photos with other users. There is no such function in iPhoto.
The only disadvantage is the very confusing user interface, especially at the beginning.
Overall, Picasa is a good and free alternative to manage photos. In addition, there are also some simple editing functions.

Lyn is also available free of charge for the Mac and is a particularly clear alternative:

Switching from other programs is particularly easy here, as libraries from iPhoto, Aperture and Lightroom can be imported without any problems.
Like iPhoto, Lyn creates a copy of the original file before you edit a photo. So you can go back to the original photo after each edit if you are not satisfied with the result.
You can configure the Explorer individually. Metadata and geotags are also supported.
Lyn's interface is less expensive than iPhoto's. But it is all the more clear.
All common photo formats such as JPEG, TIFF, JPEG-2000, PNG, TGA, RAW, HDR, OpenEXR, PPM and GIF are supported by Lyn as well as by iPhoto. All formats supported by Lyn can be found on the manufacturer's website.
Direct import from the camera is also possible with Lyn.
Overall, Lyn is more aimed at amateur photographers because there are few editing tools. But the program is also clear and intuitive to use.

Pixa can be found in the Mac App Store for around 22 euros.

Pixa is an app in the typical Mac design and thus fits perfectly with the other system apps from Apple.
The simple application contains only the essential functions.
As a core function, you can edit several photos in parallel in Pixa.
The program automatically takes over other features such as tags. This will relieve you of some tedious work.
Live folders are a new function. Images with different information or colors are collected here. However, the original image remains in the original folder at all times.
Overall, Pixa contains fewer features and editing options than the other programs, but it is particularly beautifully designed and, above all, very clear.

Aperture is also available in the Mac App Store for a total of around 70 euros:

Like iPhoto, Aperture comes directly from Apple, but is significantly more expensive. This is due to the significantly larger range of functions.
Direct photo import from the iPhoto library is practical for iPhoto users.
In Aperture you will find countless editing functions. For example, you can manage your entire image database and edit individual images down to the smallest detail.
As in iPhoto, original image files are saved separately before editing.
For better order in the database, photos can be automatically sorted by faces and locations.
Overall, Aperture is an extremely extensive program for professional photographers. At the same time, however, it takes some training.

You can buy the professional solution from Adobe for about 130 euros on the Adobe homepage:

Like Aperture, the powerful photo manager is aimed at professional photographers and contains similarly extensive editing functions as Photoshop.
Of course, the program also performs simple functions: you can save and sort images. The multitude of editing options show the real potential of Lightroom.
The main difference to Photoshop is that many edits work fully automatically. For example, you can easily correct minor errors with a brush.
In addition, there are various effects that you can use, for example, to convert color images into black and white images.
Most of the meta information, such as geotags, is supported by Lightroom.
Overall, the range of functions is clearly aimed at professional photographers. Getting started is much easier compared to Aperture.

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In another practical tip, we will introduce you to the most important functions in iPhoto.