Originally Posted by
Manfred M
Most of the members here seem to use commercial software. If I were to guess, Adobe Lightroom is likely the most popular piece of software used by the members here as a raw editor. Adobe Camera Raw (is used by some; it uses the same "engine" as Lightroom's Develop Module), Phase One Capture One is used by others (especially Sony shooters,as a version comes with Sony cameras) and some use DxO PhotoLab. There are a number of other raw convertors, especially the ones that come with the camera that are also used by some(Canon's Digital Photo Pro, Nikon's ViewNX-i, etc.). There are a few others that pop up from time to time; ACDSee, Corel, OnOne, etc are ones I have seen discussed here too.
In terms of pixel based editors, Adobe Photoshop is used by a lot of members, some use Adobe Photoshop Elements. Serif Affinity has quite a following as well. Corel Paintshop Pro has quite a following as well, but not so much by the members of this site.
As a general "rule" the raw convertors have a parametric editor. This tool is excellent for global adjustments, reasonably good for area adjustments and not particularly good at all for local adjustments.
Pixel based editors are very good (in fact I would say just as good as many parametric editors) for global adjustments, excellent for area adjustments and excellent for local adjustments.
Most people who are starting off will often find that a raw convertor / parametric editor suffices for their needs. As their needs / skills improve, most will also start learning to use a pixel based editor.