Online Stock Trading Reviews & Comparisons

Online Stock Trading Reviews

Why Choose Online Stock Trading?

The top performers in our review are OptionsHouse, the Gold Award winner; Fidelity, the Silver Award winner; and TradeKing, the Bronze Award winner. Here’s more on choosing a system to meet your needs, along with details on how we arrived at our ranking of 12 companies.

In the past, floor trading and phone trading, via communication with a broker who ordered and completed your trades, were the only choices for trading equity shares and other investment vehicles in the stock market. In the past few decades, online stock trading has replaced those dated means of buying and selling stocks. Online discount brokers provide platforms from where anyone from a first-time trader to experienced day traders can research, monitor and order trades.

A number of well-established online brokers provide their clients with access to stock markets. The best online stock trading services offer a solid platform with powerful researching and trading tools. All platforms differ, including their customizability and their design, and each service offers different levels of education and support. All brokers differ in their fees, so there is a range that you can expect to see. However, with some services, you pay more for the name and reputation, while lesser-known brands may charge less for trades. In our online stock trading reviews, you can learn about the features each platform includes and doesn't include, the fees you can expect to pay for stock and options trading, and support services offered.

What Every Online Investor Should Know

When you're involved with trading in the stock market, you should understand as much as you can about how to trade stocks online and about the investments vehicles you choose to trade, as there are many choices and those choices comes with varying degrees of risk. As is the case in most situations, the higher the risk, the higher the potential loss but, conversely, the higher the potential payoff. Outside forces affect the performance of stocks, including natural disasters, weather, world events and even civil unrest in foreign countries. Read our articles on online stock investing to learn even more.

Risks vs. Reward
Risk versus reward is a common phrase in the stock market because their correlation affects every investment. Where there is little risk of loss, there is also smaller potential for reward. And the opposite is true, that the higher the risk, the higher potential payoff. Just like in Vegas, if you win when the odds are stacked against you, your payoff can be enormous.

The decision to play it safe or play the odds depends on your trading strategy, your portfolio goals and the amount of money you choose to invest. Many investors choose to stay with simple stock trading, in which case you buy and sell stocks online at face value. Their value may increase and you'll see capital so you sell, or their value may decrease, so you sell before your loss becomes substantial. Or you may sit on a stock for years, taking a risk that the stock will make an upswing, increasing in value over time. Investment vehicles have varying levels of risk, from low-risk bonds and mutual funds to high-risk futures and Forex trading, which not all services on our online brokerage comparison offer. Read our guide on investment vehicles to learn the differences in investment choices.

Factors Affecting the Stock Market
The stock market is always shifting, but certain factors can create immediate changes or crashes, whether large or small. Many factors can contribute to market volatility, including internal and external events and forces. World events play a factor in market outlook and on supply and demand, among other facets of the market as well. Natural disasters, war and civil unrest can have negative impacts on the market and stock prices.

One of the greatest factors that affects the market is the outlook on the market itself. When the outlook of the market is more bearish and investors expect a downward move in the market's general trend, investors expect widespread losses that cause low sales and actualized losses, which creates a downward spiral. On the other hand, in a bullish market, investors expect prices to rise, which increases buying and optimism in the stock market.

Economics are a huge driving force of the market, and supply and demand has an obvious effect on market prices. Droughts can affect crops, driving up the prices of the commodity while an abundance of another commodity as the result of a favorable growing season can lower prices. Supply and demand may also be artificially manipulated to either increase or decrease the price of specific commodities.

What to Look for in a Good Online Brokerage

With all online brokers, you should expect certain features. These include tools to research and monitor stocks, features to manage your portfolio and assess the risk of your positions, and powerful reporting and charting choices. The best online trading platforms – whether online, desktop or mobile – offer many powerful tools and reporting options.

Research & Monitoring ToolsResearch features are standard, including real-time quotes providing the current buying and selling points of a stock. Screeners allow you to set parameters and specific metrics to filter by elements, including price, P/E ratio, volume, ROI and yield, among other options. These advanced filtering options allow you to watch only the stocks that meet the criteria you set for your trading strategy.

For those stocks, you also can create watchlists, showing multiple buying and selling points for a particular stock. Option chains show multiple bid, ask and strike prices for call and put options for a stock so you can find contracts that fit the parameters you're hoping for in an option contract.

Reporting & Charting
Streaming charts provide visual representations of watchlists and screeners for quick views of stocks and their performances. Many of these charts monitor down to the minute. Bar graphs and candlestick charts are common, complete with red and green color-coding to indicate a rise or fall in the performance and opening, closing and actual trade costs for a particular stock or trading pair. TD Ameritrade's thinkorswim platform offers more analytic charts and technical studies than any other platform we reviewed, with hundreds of interactive choices.

The ability to add technical indicators is a useful customization option that advanced traders find invaluable when monitoring stocks and Forex trends. optionsXpress offers 39 technical indicators, including momentum, trend and volume indicators. It also offers drawing tools to create trend and resistance lines and to access the Fibonacci retracement, fans, arcs and time series.

What We Evaluated; What We Found
When choosing the best stock trading site for you, you want to find one that offers the features and options that match your trading strategy. Some of those considerations are the trading platform's ease of use and the functionality of the mobile platform. The cost of investing with a specific broker may be a consideration, and if you're new to the market or just to the platform, the support and education a broker offers can be of the utmost importance.

Platform
We tested each of the platforms on our lineup to evaluate the ease of use and functionality. We set up watchlists and alerts, created option chains, filled out the trade ticket, and played around with customization. We performed research using the available analytic tools and charting options. We also downloaded the mobile trading app for each service, connecting to the online account, performing research and looking at funding options. For each service, we created a proprietary score for both the trading platform and the mobile app.

The scores for Platform Ease of Use reflect our experience using the online or desktop platforms. Overall, we found the online OptionsHouse to be an all-around solid choice. The online platform is simple to navigate and intuitive. TD Ameritrade's thinkorswim desktop platform is also a great choice, albeit a more advanced platform. It can be less intuitive than many online platforms, but it offers more options for charting analysis than any other service on our lineup.

All of the best online brokerages offer mobile trading. Mobile platforms across the board allow you to research and trade stocks, but some are not as easy to use or are not offered on all mobile devices. When evaluating and creating our Mobile App Functionality score, we looked at the ability to create and edit watchlists, perform research, and fund accounts from the app.

Fees
The benefit of a discount online broker is that you can perform your own trades at lower cost than directly paying a stock broker. Most services have set trading fees, but some offer tiered trading costs. The benefit of tiered commission schedules is that the more you trade, the cheaper each individual trade costs. TradeStation is one such broker. However, if you order fewer than 10 trades per month, most tiered pricing models don't benefit you.

Services such as OptionsHouse and TradeKing with low set prices are a cheaper option for the casual and average stock trader. With both of these services, each trade is a fixed $4.95 fee. Other services we reviewed charge more than that, but none on our review charges over $10. These costs are for processing your own trades within the platform, but trades over the phone or with the assistance of a broker will likely require additional costs.

If you choose to trade options, you pay the base fee – generally the same cost as the stock trading fee – plus a per-contract fee. These fees range as little as $0.40 up to $1.50 per contract. If an options contract is fulfilled, there will be an additional fee for the contract exercise or assignment. optionsXpress is the only broker that does not charge those two fees.

Education & Training
Educational resources can help you learn not only about a specific platform but also about the market. Every person has his or her own way of learning: some prefer to read while others prefer videos or self-paced courses with assessments to determine comprehension. All services we reviewed offer some complementary and supplementary learning material.

The knowledgebase TradeKing offers is impressive. Its educational options are organized by the topic, by your skill level and by the market outlook. If you are a rookie, you can read material that speaks your beginner language without being inundated with jargon and market terms that are foreign to you. If you find yourself facing an overly volatile market outlook, you can look up strategies to help you maximize your gain.

If training courses are your preferred means of learning, E-Trade provides access to the Morningstar Classroom. These courses walk you through a curriculum covering stock trading basics, building your portfolio and understanding the risks of investing in the stock market. Each course has a quiz at the end so you can test your knowledge.

Some online stock trading platforms offer simulated trading where you can test drive the market before you dive in with real money. optionsXpress, for example, offers its Virtual Trade, which gives you a free $25,000 virtual trading brokerage account, where you can practice trading stocks, options, futures and other investment vehicles. TD Ameritrade's thinkorswim platform offers a virtual trading platform as well: paperMoney. Similar to optionsXpress, paperMoney allows you to test drive the platform. The results are real, but the money is not so you will not lose or gain anything.

Our Verdict & Recommendation

When it comes to choosing a stock trading platform, "best" can be subjective. The best for you depends on your particular trading style, your strategies, your goals and your preferences. We have provided our top picks for best online stock brokers, and each has features and facets that make it a solid choice.

If your focus is strictly the bottom line and low fees are the deciding factor for you, OptionsHouse or TradeKing are a couple of your best choices. They both have low trade fees for basic stocks and for options. Their other fees and rates are competitive. They do have flat-rate fees, which benefit lower-volume traders. If you plan to order a high volume of trades, a tiered commission schedule from TradeStation may be better choices, though some of its other fees are comparatively higher.

For powerful platforms, you have the choice between online and desktop. OptionsHouse is a solid choice in online platforms. It is intuitive, customizable and offers powerful research and trading tools. If you're looking for a more powerful and versatile platform, thinkorswim is a good choice, though the learning curve may be steeper than with other platforms.

When reading through our reviews and considering which platform best suits your trading preferences, keep in mind that all platforms offer access to the stock market, so you can be in control of researching, monitoring, buying, selling and managing your portfolio. Have a look at our reviews and benefit from our research to find the best online stock trading service for you.

Medical Alert Systems Reviews

How to Choose a Medical Alert System

The top performers in our review are Medical Guardian, the Gold Award winner; LifeFone, the Silver Award winner; and Bay Alarm, the Bronze Award winner. Here’s more on choosing a system to meet your needs, along with detail on how we arrived at our ranking of 10 systems.

Medical alert systems are simple, easily accessible devices that can make a world of difference in a medical emergency. These devices allow you to contact emergency services in the event of a fall or other emergency. Whether you are a senior looking for extra security, a family member concerned about an older or disabled adult living alone, or a chronically ill individual wishing to give your family some peace of mind, you can benefit from considering a personal emergency response system. In our medical alert reviews, we looked closely at how effective each medical alert system works and compared the results.

How Do Medical Alert Systems Work?

In an emergency, you or your loved one presses the button on the pendant, which sends a call through the base station to the system’s monitoring center. One of the center's staff answers the call and, using the pendant’s speakerphone, asks if you need help. If you do need help or can't answer, the staff either contacts your emergency contacts, such as family members or neighbors, to have them come to check on you or alerts emergency medical personnel to go to your home.

Do I Need a Medical Alert System?

Many people may discount the need for a medical alert system. You might say, “I’m not old enough” or “I’m perfectly healthy right now.” Despite what many people think, personal medical devices are not just for the elderly.

These personal medical alert systems are good options for those who want to live independently but may have chronic illnesses or long-term disabilities. While the main market is still for senior alert systems, other groups find them useful.

Prolonged Illnesses
Ailments affect any age group. While most of these individuals live full, independent lives, the disease can take a turn for the worst or flair up at any moment. For example, if you over exert yourself one day or let your care lapse, you might find yourself in a life-threatening situation, needing immediate assistance.

Disabilities
Furthermore, you or a loved one may have been born with a disability or developed one over time. You may be an otherwise healthy individual, though many disabilities increase the changes for serious falls, seizures or strokes. Having a personal alarm system allows you to continue to live independently but call for help when you need it.
Components of a Medical Alert System

A medical alert system comprises a base station, typically connected to a phone line, along with an emergency pendant that you wear at all times. The base station stays in the same place in your home, preferably within range of where you are most of the day. You wear the pendant either on your wrist or around your neck, wherever it is most comfortable and easily accessible for you.

Base Station
Your base station is the epicenter of your medical alert system. The base station connects to your service provider via a landline or a cellular network. These stations have ranges between 300 and 2,000 feet, so there is plenty of wiggle room when determining the system that works best for you.

Medical Alert Device
Your medical alert device pairs with your base station and is with you at all times. Common choices in medical alert devices include wristbands and necklaces. Both are fully functional, so choose the one that is best for you. The above-mentioned range applies to how far away you can take this device from the base station. Any further and it will have difficulty sending the emergency signal when you push your help button, potentially not sending it at all.

Call Center
When you activate your help button, it alerts your service's call center. A trained operator will pull up your file and speak to you through the speakers and microphone in your base station. If the operator cannot confirm that you are all right or what type of help you need, he or she will send emergency responders to your home.

When choosing a service, make sure that the call center has fully trained staff prepared to deal with emergencies.

Emergency Contacts
Establishing emergency contacts is an important part of setting up your medical alert system. This is whom the center will call if you are taken to the hospital or need medical assistance for non-life-threatening situations.

There are many areas to consider when deciding your emergency contacts. Make sure it is someone that you trust with your medical information. Additionally, make sure it is someone who is frequently available; you need to rest assured that your first contact will also respond in a timely manner.

Another option is to legally authorize a medical proxy and assign them as your emergency contacts. This person will be able to make emergency medical decisions in your place if you are unable to do so.

Why Use a Medical Alert System?

Medical alert systems give family members piece of mind that their loved ones who live independently will be taken care of, and these systems can drastically increase response times in an emergency and improve the chances of recovery.

Stay Safe
A medical alert system cannot protect you from danger, but it can save precious minutes in an emergency, which can prevent an accident from turning into a tragedy. According to the CDC, more than 30 percent of people aged over 65 fall at least once. Many of these falls cause hip fractures, which are serious injuries that frequently lead to other long-term damage, disability and admittance into long-term care centers. Moreover, falling is only one concern associated with aging adults. Other concerns include stroke, heart attack and failing to turn off major appliances that may cause fires or other home disasters.

Many personal alarm systems not only alert others to your emergency, but also have add-on features, like smoke and carbon monoxide detection, that give your home comprehensive protection.

Maintain Independence & Save Money
In certain situations, family members may prefer an elderly relative or disabled adult to live with them in a family home or move into a nursing facility. While these concerns are valid, giving up independence is not an easy task. Maintaining your independence increases your quality of life and overall life satisfaction. Having a reliable medical alert device allows you to sustain your independence for a longer period without loved ones worrying about your well-being.

Staying in your own home can also help you keep costs low. Assisted living facilities generally start at around $3,500 a month for a single-room apartment and only get more expensive from there. Medical alert systems bridge the gap between staying home and needing care that is more advanced. While they cannot replace advanced care, they are a reasonably priced option if you do not need constant care.

Increase Emergency Response Times
In emergencies, every second matters. If injured in a fall, it is unlikely that you will be able to access the phone or call for assistance. Often times, adults living alone can go hours or even days before help arrives.

In instances like a heart attack, the chances of survival decline by roughly 10% for each minute a patient goes without assistance from first responders. A medical alert system can set the wheels of care in motion to ensure that this time is not wasted and that assistance is dispatched as soon as possible.

Be Aware of Medical Alert Scams

Popularity of medical alert devices has been steadily increasing as more options are available and people want to maintain their way of life for longer. However, as the medical alert systems market increases, so do medical alert scams and those who prey on the elderly.

Through these medical alert scams, you can have your credit card information and identity stolen. Once you unknowingly give out your personal information to a scammer, it is hard, if not impossible, to get it back.

Common scams include robocalls that offer free medical alert systems. Always be wary of these offers; remember nothing is ever truly free. Another popular method of scamming includes telling you that a friend or family member has purchased a medical alert system for you and they only need some follow-up information to complete the order. Thousands of people are victims of fraud and identity theft every year.

Here are a few ways you can protect yourself and your information against these scams:

1. Be alert. As mentioned above, nothing is ever free. If someone contacts you and is stating that you have won, been gifted or are eligible for a free medical alert system, hang up immediately and contact the Federal Trade Commission to file a complaint.

2. Research your own personal alarm system or ask a loved one to help you. While the idea of receiving a free system may be nice, it is highly unlikely this will happen. In order to ensure your information’s safety when making a purchase, research and pursue it yourself.

3. Never provide any information over the phone to unsolicited callers. Call the company you want to make a purchase from directly to ensure you are dealing with a reputable source.

4. Place your name and number on the national do not call list, DoNotCall.gov. Remember only to use this official government site to register your information. Many do not call sites on the internet are often scams themselves, used as a way to trick you into unknowingly giving your information to solicitors and scammers.

Remember to keep these tips in mind and to educate yourself about scams. If someone tries to scam you, speak out! Tell your family and friends so that they can avoid the same scams and be on alert if they receive calls from scammers asking for personal information.
Contracts & Fees Associated With Choosing the Best Medical Alert System

Cost is a large determining factor in any purchase you make but is especially important when considering something like a personal alarm system. On average, your medical alarm system should cost you around $1 per day. While some add-ons may increase this cost, $1 should be your base number to begin with.

When you purchase a medical alert system, you are actually buying the service, not just an alert device. With almost all systems, installation comprises of simply connecting the base unit’s power cord to an outlet and its phone cord to an available phone jack. Setup should be an easy process, so even those who are not technologically savvy can set up the device without assistance.

Shipping & Activation Fees
Other fees associated with purchasing a medical alert system could include shipping and activation fees. Hidden fees can quickly add up and cost you hundreds of dollars when you sign up for a service and order your devices.

The majority of the services we reviewed do not charge an activation fee when you purchase the service. This means you simply have to set up your device and you are good to go. One service, Life Station, does charge an activation fee when you purchase and set up your device and base console.

Payment Plan Options
The type of contract services offer is another careful thing to consider. You should be able to try a personal alarm system without worrying about being locked into a contract that is nearly impossible to end. The top-rated medical alert systems should offer plans that vary and fit to your specific needs and the demands of your life.

When considering a plan, ask yourself: Does the service try to lock you into a plan or are you free to leave at any time? The best medical alarm systems offer month-to-month plans that give you flexibility. Additionally, you should have the option of paying for a plan on a quarterly or yearly basis; these longer-term plans can save you money in the end as you are often given lower rates for longer terms of service. If you choose this option, be aware that if you cancel after paying upfront, many companies will not refund your money.

Cancellation Policy
You cannot predict when you will no longer need your personal alarm system. Maybe a move or loss of a loved one deems the service irrelevant. No matter the reason, when this happens, you do not want to worry about complications involved with cancelling your service.

Cancellation fees are charged when you cancel a service before the duration of your contract. These fees can range from a one-time charge all the way up to having to pay the remainder of your contract. Before purchasing a personal alarm system, carefully look at the terms of service and ask your sales agent. On our lineup, ADT is the only service that charges a cancellation fee.

In general, most services do not charge cancellation policies and have services that you or a family member could easily install. We omitted from our lineup one service that departed from these norms. Life Alert requires an installation fee to cover activation and a technician who must come install and program the system, along with a minimum three-year contract commitment. There are only two ways to break out of the contract early should you choose the service: either the loved one using the system passes away, or he or she moves permanently to a long-term care facility. A technician must confirm both instances before the contract is ended.

The Most Looked For Features in Medical Alarm Systems

Medical alert systems can vary; some are developed to be senior alert systems while others cater to more general use. No matter your needs, there are some features that you should look for when choosing the best medical alert system.

Multi-Person Medical Monitoring
Extra medical monitoring provided by a service allows you to attain medical monitoring for another member of your household, such as your spouse, without purchasing an additional base unit. With this service, you often purchase an additional monitoring device to connect to your base until and may have to pay a small monthly fee. For example, Life Station lets you add an additional user for a low monthly fee after you purchase another monitoring device.

Check-In Service
When you are relying on your medical alert system for emergencies, it is important to know that the system will work in your time of need. Rather than just waiting for an emergency to occur, companies that offer check-in service will periodically conduct routine tests to ensure that your system is still running as it should.

Most services charge additional fees for this add-on service, but the best services on our lineup include check-in service at no additional cost to you.

Voice Extension
Often times, you may be far away from your base station when disaster strikes. A voice extender is handy in these situations and may be something you want to consider adding to your service, especially if you are still living in a larger house. Voice extenders include powerful microphones and speakers that ensure you will be heard even when you are not near your base station. These mini-units act as consoles and allow you to speak directly to the monitoring center.

Wall-Mounted Devices
In addition to being away from your base station, there are times when you may not be wearing your device. For example, you may like to remove it when you go to sleep or when you take a shower.

A wall-mounted device is a separate alert button that you station in locations where you are likely to remove your wrist or neck pendant. You can strategically place these buttons to ensuring that you are never far away from help and that you will not need to wear the device at less convenient times.

Comfort and Durability of Your Medical Alert Device
You medical alert device is your safety net if something should happen. This means you will be wearing it around the house, or if you have a mobile-enabled device, if you go to run errands. Therefore, you need a device that fits comfortably and doesn't break down as you go through your daily routines.

Most companies give you the option to choose a wrist pendant or a neck pendant; each device has its own set of pros and cons. While both are easily accessible to users, a wrist pendant may cause irritation on the wearer’s wrist, and, though extremely rare, a neck pendant carries the risk of strangulation if the cord wraps too tightly while the wearer is sleeping.

Another factor to consider includes durability. The medical alert device you choose should be waterproof and impact resistant. You would not feel safe and secure if you or a loved one was relying on a device that is going to break down at the first sign of water or if you accidently drop it or bang it against a wall.

Finally, consider the weight of your device. You are more likely to remove a device that is too heavy or bulky. When you take off your medical alert device, it is less likely it can help you when you need it.

Make sure to choose a device that comfortably integrates with your daily life so that you will wear it around the clock without any issue.

Go Mobile With Your Personal Alarm System

In the technological age, landlines are quickly becoming outdated. Instead of having a set home phone, more and more people rely on their cell phones as their main method of communication. If you have left your landline behind, a medical alert device is still an option.

There are a few different options to choose or combine when you want to connect to your medical alert system using a cellular network.

Home Stations
If you do not have a landline but still want the benefits of a medical alert system in your home, you can set one up using a cellular network. MobileHelp, featured on our lineup, connects you to assistance using a cellular network. With the basic plans, you get one home station, which acts just as a device connected through a landline would.

You also have the option of a mobile device, which carries your signal with you wherever you go and tracks your location using GPS. This is a great benefit knowing your medical alert bracelet or necklace will stay connected to your network. No matter where you go, as long as there is cell service, you can easily connect with the medical alert provider.

Mobile Apps
Some services allow you to add a mobile application onto your phone that connects with its medical alert system. For example, Lifeline offers an app that is compatible with Android and iOS. You do not need to own a Lifeline home device for this service to work for you.

When you download an app onto your cell phone, you typically pay for month-to-month service, and the service uses your cellular network when you access assistance. There are many benefits to using a mobile app for your medical alert service rather than a bracelet or necklace. For instance, most of us already carry our phone with us wherever we go. By connection your medical alert system to your phone, you are combining multiple services.

Cons of using your cell phone in place of a more standard medical device can include lower-battery power and less accessibility. Many cellphones need to charge every few hours and quickly run through battery power as they are used for multiple tasks. A designated medical alert device has a much longer battery life. Also, while we do carry our phones with us, it may be more difficult to access an app than it is to quickly push a button on your wristband or necklace.

While mobile apps can be a good medical alert option, you need to carefully consider your needs before pursing this route. If you would like more information specifically about medical alert apps, check out our article “Best Medical Alert Apps for Seniors.”

Add-On Mobile Devices
Other services combine these two options. Rather than providing you with a mobile device or an app, they provide one base that in designed for taking with you. While these stations are larger than devices created specifically for mobile purposes, they are much more portable than typical base stations.

LifeFone offers a base unit that runs through AT&T’s 3G cellular network. This streamlines the setup process since the unit runs through the company’s cellular network rather than your landline or mobile network.

Even though these systems are not as mobile as an app, they have a much longer battery life, so you are less likely to find yourself stranded in an emergency. These systems are portable enough to take with you on vacation and set up in your hotel room, though not portable enough to take on a walk.
How to Compare Medical Alert Systems

To provide the fairest comparison between services, we evaluated each using their lowest-cost base station and service, which cost about $30 a month with most systems. However, with all services we evaluated, you can elect to pay more each month to get enhanced equipment or service.

Each service offers similar basic features, so your choice may come down to how well they have performed in our hands-on tests

We describe some of those upgrades below and detail which systems offer them in our comparison chart. However, with two of those enhancements, we have created separate review sites that include more companies that provide systems with those special features. Systems with fall detection promise to automatically alert responders if the wearer falls – a plus should they then be incapacitated – while systems with GPS capability promise coverage even when the wearer roams out of range of the base station.

Medical Alert Systems: How We Test, What We Found

Two key attributes of medical alert systems are the maximum distance from the base station at which the pendant reliably activates the base station and how long the station’s built-in backup battery can keep the unit running in the event of a power outage. Manufacturers provide their own specifications on both, but we carried out our own tests to assess the reliability of that data. To conduct these tests, we acquired each service for a hands-on test. The companies on the lineup had no influence over our results and were not given advance notice of the outcomes prior to publication.

Range of Your Medical Alert System
The companies’ methods to determine their advertised ranges varies; sometimes, advertised ranges are based on a setup where there are limited obstacles, such as walls, that may interfere with signals and therefore reduce performance. To test the accuracy of those figures, we conducted a maximum-range test in an empty field devoid of obstacles. We used the system at progressive distances between the pendant and base station, until activating the pendant no longer reliably sent a signal to the station. The results of those tests: Our figures were sometimes higher than those provided by the manufacturers, with several pendants transmitting as much as twice as far as the advertised figure.

Within your home, you can expect a lower range, which our second batch of tests confirmed. We repeated the range tests in an actual home environment with brick walls (which provide greater interference than the wood and drywall construction of many homes). Unsurprisingly, the measured ranges were significantly lower – about one third of the open-range distances on average. Those systems with the longest indoor tested ranges offer the greatest likelihood, and greatest reassurance, that an alert would get through from even a distant and obstructed area of your home.

Life of Your Personal Alarm System’s Backup Battery
A backup battery for your medical alert system ensures the unit will continue running if the power goes out. Each company provides specifications about the battery life of the station’s backup battery. To verify these numbers and get true results, we conducted our own tests of the systems’ backup batteries.

When we tested these systems, we set up fully charged units and disconnected them from a power source. We then tracked how long a unit could continue to function at capacity without receiving any form of charge. The industry average is about 30; the low end of our lineup, ADT, only has additional battery life of 20 hours, while the longest performing backup, Rescue Alert, lasted 90 hours. It is important to test these features, even when the company provides its own specifications. For example, Medical Guardian states that the backup battery lasts for 36 hours, but in our tests, we found that it averaged closer to 32 hours of battery life.

What Else Is Important in Selecting a Medical Alert System?

While our tested attributes should be leading considerations in buying a system, other features and capabilities should figure in your choice. These additional features are reflected in our scores, recommendations and articles about Medical Alert Systems. Here is a rundown of some of the most important things to consider when choosing a medical alert system.

What Add-ons Are Most Important in Your Medic Alert System?
These premium features are not included in any service’s basic package. Instead, you can select features that are most important to you after you have acquired a service plan from a medical alert provider. This system gives you the option to personalize and pay for features that are most important to you, while avoiding the costs of features that are not applicable to your needs.

For example, if you are purchasing a medical alert system for an elderly relative, fall detection may be high on your list of needs. However, if you are a disabled adult living alone, then other features, like a mobile GPS system or lockbox, may be more important for you.

Multilingual Assistance
All systems we evaluated offer 24/7 monitoring service – as in each has staffers around the clock who can respond to alerts. Not all, however, offer the option to provide a translation service should you or your family member use a primary language other than English. Such services all offer support in 150 or more languages. Note, though, that if the monitoring center does not have on-staff representatives who speak the language you need, such services usually require the additional time for the translator to take the user’s comments and translate them for monitoring center representatives, so it’s best to have the user speak English if they have sufficient facility to do so. If multilingual service is important to you, before you commit to a company, make sure it is aware of your language requirements, and note them on your profile, so your user can be connected to a translator as rapidly as possible.

Fall Protection for the Elderly
The now-trademarked advertising tagline “I’ve fallen, and I can’t get up” reflects the fact that fear of falls are generally the most common reason families consider getting a medical alert system. Yet a typical system relies on the fallen user being able to press the pendant for help. The wearer may not be able to press the pendant in the case of a serious fall, which might originate from a debilitating medical event, such as a heart attack or stroke, or which may lead to unconsciousness.

Around half of the systems we evaluated offer a feature that promises to automatically alert responders when the pendant wearer falls. With these systems, technology inside the pendant detects that a fall has occurred and immediately sends a signal to the base station. Companies either offer this feature as a package upgrade or as an add-on accessory for a minimal additional monthly fee. Life Alert, which owns the trademark for the “fallen” tagline, is not among the companies that offer fall detection. We did not include it in our lineup, for other reasons we noted above.

While this feature is a great benefit to ensure that you or your loved one can get immediate help during a fall, don’t depend on fall detection as a failsafe feature; the technology does not pick up 100% of falls. You can learn more about fall detection by reading our article about "Medical Alert Systems with Fall Detection."

GPS Medical Alerts
If the system’s user sometimes ventures away from home unaccompanied, you may also want to consider an upgraded medical alert system that has GPS capability. Companies offer these systems as part of package upgrades either alongside a base station unit or as separate packages that work without the need of a base station. Such systems use a combination of cellular and GPS technology to send calls to a monitoring center where they can determine your location to send emergency services. For active seniors or disabled family members who don't want to be limited to their homes, these systems can give you and your family the reassurance that if anything happens, the people you care about can always get help.
Important Security Features for Your Medical Alarm Systems

Security is another component of safety. When comparing the top medical alert systems, it is important to choose one that has add-on features you find valuable. While these features may cost more, they provide necessary monitoring and allow you to streamline multiple services into one device.

Medical Alert Access Lockbox
A lockbox is specially designed to store your house key so that emergency responders can enter your home without having to damage your property by breaking a window or taking down a door. The lockbox, designed to be stored in an accessible location outside of your home, has extra fortification, which projects it against break-ins. The lockbox provided by Alert1 has room for five keys and is reinforced to withstand damage from saws or hammers. An added, non-emergency bonus of this lockbox is the ability to enter your home if you ever lock yourself out.

These systems are typically purchased for a one-time fee, though some services like LifeStation charge you per month. During setup, you give your medical alert provider your secret code so that they can deliver it to first responders in case of an emergency.

Fire & Smoke Alert
Typical fire alarms make loud noises when they detect smoke in your home. Medical alert systems have add-on available that allow you to connect a smoke detector to your monitoring system. Rather than simply alerting you to a potential fire, these systems signal your medical alarm provider.

Bay Alarm Medical provides monitors that are sensitive to smoke, fire and high heat. If the monitor detects any of these in your home, it will emit an alert and send a message to the monitors at the call center.

CO Monitoring
Carbon monoxide is an odorless gas, dubbed the Silent Killer. This harmful gas kills more than 400 Americans each year and sends another 20,000 to the hospital with symptoms. Individuals with weaker immune systems, such as the elderly, are at a higher risk for carbon monoxide fatalities.

Carbon monoxide detectors identify unhealthy levels of this gas in your house and alert both you and your medical alert system provider to its presence. If the gas has already reached dangerous levels that leave you incapacitated, employees at your medical alert provider will dispatch emergency responders to the scene.

Help & Support in Medical Alert Devices
When you are depending on your medical alert system in an emergency, you need to know that it will come through for you. If you have issues with your device, it is imperative that you can quickly access technical support in case of a break down.

Each service on our lineup offers self-setup; meaning if everything goes smoothly, you can set up and activate the system without any additional help. In addition, each service offers FAQs on its site to help with simple questions.

While these features are useful, the true test of help and support comes when you find a product you depend on not working. For situations like these, you need to reach out through the phone or email. A few companies on the lineup even offer live chat, which can be useful for quick questions or those who are hard of hearing but still need to have an ongoing conversation, rather than waiting for email.

Medical Alert Systems: Our Verdict & Recommendations

Throughout our research, three medical alert systems – Medical Guardian, our Gold Award winner; LifeFone, our Silver Award Winner; and Bay Alarm Medical, our Bronze Award Winner – rose above the rest in our comparison, mostly due to their superior performance in operating range and run times – the factors we weighted most heavily in our rankings. No other systems offered as long an operating range in our simulated home environment. Medical Guardian edges out the other two with the longest range overall.

At least one other lower-ranked system merits consideration. If style counts with you, and you want to save a few dollars a month over the top-ranked services, consider Care Innovations Link. It is a newer med alert system by Intel-GE Care Innovations, a joint company between Intel and General Electric, two leading companies in appliances and technology.

The Care Innovations unit stands out with its base station design. Rather than the typical white- or cream-colored units of most services, the Care Innovations Link base station is a thin black box that can blend in with most appliances, such as an alarm clock or entertainment system. The company also offers a separate GPS-capable unit with different package options if GPS mobility is important to you.

If you or your loved one is in need of a medical alert device, carefully evaluate your options and choose the system that is most compatible with your life. Whether it is a service that offers advanced features or a more simplified version, your medical alert system should provide reliable service that will not fail in an emergency.

Home Security Systems Reviews

Why Install a Home Security System?

Whether you're away for fifteen minutes or two weeks, you need to know that your family and valuables are safe at home. A home security system can notify you when things happen in your home, such as when your children come home from school. It can also protect you from fire, flood, carbon monoxide, natural gas and human intrusion.

Installing a new system can be a significant financial investment, but it can lower your home insurance costs and save you money. From our research, we found that Frontpoint, Protect America and LiveWatch are among the best home security companies because of their versatile offerings that keep you and your home safe. For additional information, read our articles on home security systems.
Home Security Systems: What to Look For

When looking for a home security system, consider the things you want to protect, for example, children, pets and valuables. All services give you a baseline level of coverage, but some offer additional options as well. The best home security systems help you effectively protect your home by offering a variety of alerts and monitoring services, a large assortment of security devices, and strong customer support services.

Alerts 
Home surveillance systems can alert you in the event of various emergencies. Alerts for intrusion, fire, carbon monoxide and broken glass usually come as part of the basic service plan. Many companies also provide additional alerts that address child safety, medical emergencies, temperature change, flooding, power failure and natural gas detection. Security systems with a short response time can automatically notify the right party within seconds of an event.

Equipment & Security Devices
There are many types of installation and sensors available when choosing the best home security system for your needs. Wireless systems offer greater flexibility in device placement and often come as kits that you can easily install on your own.

Look for a home alarm system that protects all entrances and exits with a variety of door and window sensors, recessed door sensors and garage door sensors. The best security systems are compatible with security cameras that you can access remotely using a smartphone or laptop.

If you have pets, you may want to consider pet-immune sensors to reduce false alarms. A panic button allows you to activate a silent alarm that alerts the security company if something goes wrong. Additionally, look for a system that can use other security devices such as sirens, motion detectors and a variety of environmental sensors. These extra devices can enable the system to detect a greater variety of threats for greater security.

Monitoring Services
Monitoring services can alert local emergency services when a threat appears, which helps keep an eye on your home when you're away. Also, look for services that offer 24-hour monitoring, which helps protect your home at all times. Cellular and internet monitoring tools let you remotely see when your children get home or check on pets during the day. Many home security companies also offer home automation, which allows you to lock doors and adjust your thermostat remotely. Follow-up notifications and two-way intercoms give the security service a way to contact you after or during an emergency to see if you need further assistance.

Help & Support
It's crucial to be able to contact home security personnel easily, especially during a home emergency. All services in our review have a telephone service and email, and many have live chat available to answer questions about the system. Online tutorials, FAQs and alarm history reports can help you set it up or learn how the system works. Look for a warranty that protects your security system's equipment from manufacturer defects and other problems. Some companies offer installation and relocation services if you require assistance with system setup.

When choosing a home security system, always keep in mind the needs of your house and family. An effective system protects everything you hold dear, helps you feel safe and offers peace of mind. Strong support features and effortless interaction with the security company are surefire ways to help you feel a greater sense of security at home and while you’re away.

Why Buy Photo Editing Software?

Why Buy Photo Editing Software?

The top performers in our review are Corel Paintshop Pro X8, the Gold Award winner; Adobe Paintshop Elements 13, the Silver Award winner; and Serif PhotoPlus X8, the Bronze Award winner. Here’s more on choosing a product to meet your needs, along with detail on how we arrived at our ranking of 10 products.

Photo editing software comes in handy for several applications. It's not just relegated to the photography industry. Whether you are a graphic designer making a living designing logos and websites or a hobbyist photographer who likes to dabble in digital editing, there is software available to meet your needs.

With digital cameras becoming more affordable, whether part of a smartphone or the latest DSLR, photography is quickly growing in popularity. In the age of social media and "selfies," it has never been easier to share your life moments and creative art with the world.

Depending on the picture editing software you choose, you have a myriad of features at hand. Each one can help you create renderings and digital art, touch up photos, and so much more, enabling you to take your hobby or profession to the next level. Ideal for restoring old family photos, posting pictures to social media and creating original works of art, versatile photo editors offer a virtually limitless array of creative tools and features.

There are many options when it comes to the technical aspects of software and how to use it. Typically, you install photo editing software on your computer, accompanied by an in-depth user guide that introduces you to the many features and options available. Some programs are available as a digital download after purchase and may include the option to buy a physical copy of the disk to have on hand. There are also programs that are entirely cloud based, requiring no installation at all. These types of photo editors are ideal for users who need maximum accessibility and a portable solution they can take on the go and access from any location.

Most photo editing software programs are compatible with PCs running Windows, with some also available for Mac. However, it is important to carefully check the specifications and system requirements of the individual program you choose to ensure it is compatible with your setup. Most programs require or highly recommend anywhere between 128MB to 4GB of available hard-disk space and 100MB to 4GB of RAM for installation and use. If you don't have enough space, or it's too close to your capacity, the program won't run properly, and you won't be able to take advantage of its features.

Depending on your needs, there are software programs designed for beginners through advanced super-users. With the purchase of many programs, the manufacturer offers technical support, including email and phone assistance, FAQs and tutorial videos. While some programs are more intuitive and easier to learn than others, it is important to note the features and capabilities of the program to ensure it can complete the tasks you need it to perform. Many times, there are additional plug-ins available, from either the manufacturer or third parties, which take the software even further in its capability.

Photo editing software typically comes with a one-time use license with purchase, although several programs offer multiple licensing for businesses that require installation on several computers. Other manufacturers offer pay-as-you-go, with a monthly fee for a cloud-based solution. A program hosted entirely online is ideal if usage is minor or you'd rather not make a big upfront investment. Online options are also a good choice when you want access to updates as soon as they become available without having to purchase a newer release.

Photo Editing Software: Key Elements & Features

Each photo editing software program comes with a different set of features. After thoroughly analyzing each aspect of our top ten photo editing software programs, here is a round-up of our key findings. This breakdown helps determine what essential tools and features you need to look for when purchasing a new editing program.

Must-Have Features & What to Look For

Most good photo editing programs have basic features that are essential for graphic design and other photography disciplines. These include basic editing and organization tools and file-sharing abilities. Other added benefits include importing capability from various devices and the ability to read different types of data as well as the capacity to save in a variety of file formats. More advanced users and professionals must look for the tools that they need to utilize in their workflow as this varies considerably based on the creative nature of the project. Reading through photo editing software reviews gives a good breakdown of the features and benefits of a program, who it benefits most and whether it is worth the investment.

Editing Tools: The Basics Are Standard in Most Programs

Most photo editing software programs come with the basic tools necessary for simple photo editing and graphic design. Some of the most popular editing tools included are color management, red-eye removal, resizing, cropping, text, drawing, layers and zoom. These are the necessary tools for beginner-level users looking to do simple editing.

Color Management
The color-management feature allows you to adjust the overall color and tone of a photograph without needing to have in-depth knowledge of color-correcting techniques. Color-management tools may include filters, brightness, contrast, hue, saturation or curves. These features are beneficial to every level of photographer, from selfie queen to professional portrait artist. The tools apply to either the entire photo as a whole or particular areas of a photographic image. It's a simple way to increase the overall brightness of a picture that was taken in shadow, remove red tones from bad lighting or highlight items in shadow.

Red-Eye Removal
A red-eye removal tool comes in handy for editing out the red glow effect that often occurs in photos taken with a flash. Usually with just a few clicks, this tool easily removes red eye from everyone in the picture. It's a built-in feature in most popular photo editor software and is included in all of the programs in our top ten review.

File Sizing
If you want to share your images on social media or send draft files via email to your clients, you may have to make the file size smaller and easier to upload. The larger a file size is, the longer it takes to upload, and some email programs have size limits. This is where a resizing tool comes in handy, allowing you to quickly adjust the overall size of the image and prepare it for sharing or sending digitally.

For beginners needing basic editing tools, Corel PhotoImpact and ACDSee Photo Editor 6 are rated in the middle of the pack, while Cyberlink PhotoDirector Ultra 7 and Photolightning rated among the lowest for their basic editing capabilities.
Advanced Editing Tools: Taking Your Creativity to the Next Level

For those who dabble in photography, having the basic tools is often enough. However, if you're a professional photographer or a digital artist looking to break out into the scene, you'll need more tools in your arsenal. Some of the better photo editing software options offer a broader range of tools, with virtually limitless options to take your creativity exactly where you want to go. More advanced programs geared toward experienced users, professional photographers and graphic artists may include tools such as auto straightening, object removal, touch-up, border designs, batch processing and recordable actions.

Touch-Up Elements
When editing skin, touch-up tools, also known as cloning tools, are handy to remove blemishes, wrinkles or other marks you don't want visible in the photo. Some programs have a built-in tool to whiten teeth in an image. These are especially important tools for wedding and portrait photographers, where close up shots are key in the photo gallery, or for anyone who works on images of people who want to look their best in photos.

An auto-straightening feature is handy for landscape photographers as well as everyday photos. This tool automatically rotates an image based on the settings you provide. It turns a slanted horizon into a beautiful landscape photo in just a few simple steps. This especially comes in handy when the camera is off angle when shooting a photo session.

Cropping & Object Removal
For the ability to remove unwanted objects from a photo, such as an unsightly background or a person that jumped into the shot at the last minute, an object removal tool is helpful. This type of tool in the photo editing software helps you quickly remove an object and blend the background to make it appear that there was never anything there. Landscape photographers also find this function helpful to clean up the scenery or remove a bird that flew into the photo. The end result is a pristine, professional-quality shot that's ready for publication whether online or in a magazine.

Batch Processing
If you're working with large groups of photos, tools such as batch processing and recordable actions are useful in applying the same edits to multiple photos. Instead of having to do the same actions repeatedly, these types of tools streamline the process, saving you lots of editing time in the long run. Some third-party vendors even offer presets of these tools to save you additional time. This lets you make the appropriate changes using just a click of a button rather than fidgeting to create the settings you need and wasting valuable time.

When choosing your preferred photo editor software, it's important to take into account the type, or types, of editing you do to ensure the tools necessary are in the package you choose. One program on our list, Corel Paintshop Pro, scored a perfect 10 out of 10 for its editing capabilities. Serif PhotoPlus came in a close second.

Organizing: A Key to a More Streamlined Workflow

As a photographer or graphic artist, it's important to stay organized and on top of your files, or you may quickly become overwhelmed. With digital photography, it's easy to take thousands of photos in a very short amount of time. The best photo editing software includes the tools necessary to stay organized. Some of the most popular tools include a built-in organizing system, a file browser, an advanced image search, the ability to create albums and easy access to EXIF data. There are also features, like keyword tagging and facial recognition, for even easier access to your images. If you have a large library of images, organizational tools are invaluable.

File Browsing
Most, if not all, photo editing software programs come integrated with a file browser. This browser allows you to view your files as thumbnails, along with image data, before opening the file for editing. This saves time when you're searching through a large file folder trying to find a specific file as you don't need to open each individual file to find the one you're looking for.

EXIF Data
The ability to view EXIF data is another important feature, especially for professional photographers. Wedding photographers find this particularly helpful when putting together an album in chronological order to tell a story of the wedding day. EXIF data includes information such as the time and date you took the photo, the resolution of the image, and the camera settings. Beginner photographers find camera setting information useful when learning what settings create different types of images.

Archiving
Archiving is also essential to create a backup of your images. Many programs offer the ability to burn your images directly to a CD from the program, making archiving that much easier. You never know when technology might fail, and having a good backup system in place, such as regularly burning your files to a disk, will save you the heartache of losing precious memories and all that hard work you put into editing.

In our review of the top 10 photo editing software programs, Corel PaintShop Pro, Zoner Photo Studio Pro and Photolightning came in with a perfect score of 10 for their organization tools, with Cyberlink PhotoDirector Ultra coming in at a close second.
Sharing Capability: Allows for Publishing Directly to the Web in an Instant

In most cases, you take photographs to share them with the world, and photo editing software offers various methods for sharing your work. In a time when people rely so heavily on computers and the internet, often times we amass a huge library of photos that never make it to print.

Sharing photos through social media is the next best thing. Most software programs offer the ability to post directly to social media, create an online photo gallery and send file attachments via email. The best software programs offer optimization tools as well to ensure your photos look their best when uploaded to the web.

Sharing capabilities come in handy for professional photographers and designers as well. You can quickly save drafts and mock-ups in an optimized file format and send them via email to a client or team member with ease. If sharing is a critical feature in your workflow process, then the best programs for this include Corel PaintShop Pro, Adobe Photoshop Elements, Zoner Photo Studio Pro and ACDSee Photo Editor 6.

Importing: The More Versatile, the Better

Photo editing programs support a variety of file formats for easy access to your photos. Some programs support over 80 different file formats, while others are very limited. These formats may include RAW, PG, TIF, PNG, GIF and PSD files. Most programs also offer convenient tools to import files directly from a DSLR camera, an iPhone or Android phone, or from removable media such as an SD card or CD. File format is always evolving, so the more file formats a program can read, the better.

Our round up showed once again Corel PaintShop Pro with a perfect 10 for importing capabilities, alongside Adobe Photoshop Elements and ACDSee Photo Editor 6. Cyberlink PhotoDirector Ultra scored the lowest of the 10, offering the least amount of importing file formats and capabilities.
Output Capability: Save Your Images Exactly How You Need Them

Once you create a file, or finish editing one, there are various output options you have depending on the program. Some of the most popular supported output file formats include JPG, TIF, PNG, GIF, PDF and animated GIFs. There are also options for image slicing and image optimizing for web, which is especially important if you want to post the images to social media or an online gallery.

Image slicing is an important tool in photo editing software for web designers. This technique divides an image into small pieces, which are later reassembled using HTML tables or CSS. This provides for optimal performance of a web page. When an image is very large, such as a featured image or background on a webpage, it increases load times, potentially turning off site visitors. Reducing the file size via image slicing decreases loading times and helps a webpage work more efficiently.

Another important tool is the ability to optimize a photo for web. This feature resizes and compresses an image for faster loading times and better overall clarity. This tool is ideal for professional photographers who are posting photos to their social media profiles or their online portfolio galleries.

More advanced users and graphic designers appreciate the capability of outputting animated GIFs. This file format consists of layers of images that display in sequence. The more frames the file contains, the bigger the file size is. However, more frames make for a smoother animation. Cartoon animations and advertising banners are popular examples of animated GIFs.
What Is the Best Photo Editor for You?

When determining what is the best photo editing software for you, it's necessary to evaluate the features and, more importantly, what you plan to use the software for. Graphic artists may require a professional program that offers more advanced tools. Whereas if you're just looking to edit family photos and create online galleries to share with friends, an easy photo editing software with a simple interface will suffice.
Photo Editing Software: What We Tested, What We Found

Two key components to look for in photo editing software include how easy the software is to use and how quickly it can perform tasks. To test the effectiveness of each software, we found control images and performed common editing tasks on them, for example, resizing, cropping or adjusting the color of an image. We evaluated how easy it was to perform tasks, how quickly the software applied the edit and how the image quality was affected. We used those figures to comprise a score that reflects how easy the software is to use.

The software workspace plays a role in how quickly we found the editing tools. Ones that were clean and user friendly helped us edit quickly. Aside from each software interface, there was little variation between the performances of each software. Each program’s photo editing tools produced similar results. They all performed each edit quickly and with similar quality.

To determine what photo editing software will work best for you depends on the level of editing you plan on doing. We created an ease-of-use score that takes into account the interface, type of tools and the speed at which the software completes tasks. We awarded software that offers automatic edit options. In addition to an easy-to-use software, you want a program that offers all of the tools you need. Whether you are simply editing personal photos or manipulating images to create art, you can use our comparison chart to view which tools each software has.

We found that our Gold Award Winner, Corel PaintShop Pro, offered a wide range of features that helped us perform both simple edits and more complicated tasks. With a user-friendly interface and a plethora of support options, we were able to transform our photos with ease.

Top Ten Reviews seeks, whenever possible, to evaluate all products and services in hands-on tests that simulate as closely as possible the experiences of a typical consumer. The manufacturers had no input or influence over our test methodology, nor was the methodology provided to any of them in more detail than is available through reading our reviews. Results of our evaluations were not provided to the companies in advance of publication.
What Else Is Important in Selecting Photo Editing Software?

Now that we have reviewed the basic editing tools and overall capabilities of most photo editing software, there are some other considerations you should take into account when choosing a program that's right for you. If you're new to editing, support services and instructions are important to ensuring you learn the tools at hand and have help available when necessary. Understanding the technical requirements of the program before purchasing a product will spare you added costs of having to upgrade your computer setup or having to purchase a different software package if the one you chose is not compatible.

Support & Documentation: Essential Information When Learning a New Program
Support is essential, especially when you're floundering with a specific feature or task. Many photo editing software companies offer a support forum where users can interact with each other and ask specific questions, often getting multiple responses in a short amount of time. Good tech support is also essential, especially if you're just getting started with a new program. Some popular technical support options include live chat, phone support and email. Many programs also have user manuals, text and video tutorials, and a FAQs section to further assist you when you need support. It's important to ensure the photo editing software program you choose has the support and documentation necessary, according to your skill level and needs.

Most of the photo editor software programs we reviewed received a good score for support and documentation. Corel Paintshop Pro and Adobe Photoshop Elements were the top scorers, while Photolightning offered the least amount of support in the lineup. Photolightning's manufacturer only offers support via email and provides users with a few FAQs. There are also limited instructions to get you familiar with the tools and features of the program.
Configurations: Determining Compatibility Between Your Computer and the Software

Most picture editing programs require a PC running the Windows operating system. However, some may also offer editions that are Mac compatible. It's important to determine exactly which operating system your computer has before making a purchase, as you don't want to be stuck with a program that doesn't perform optimally, or worse, doesn't perform at all.

The most popular photo editing software programs are compatible with Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7 (32- and 64-Bit). Some are also compatible with Windows 8 and 10 (32- and 64-Bit). Every program lists the necessary OS and technical requirements for the program to operate as designed. If you're questioning compatibility with your computer, contact the manufacturer for additional information.

Our Gold Award winner, Corel Paintshop Pro, is only compatible with Windows operating systems, including Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista and Windows XP. It requires 2GB of RAM (4GB recommended), 1 GB of hard drive space (2GB recommended), a 1024 x 768 screen resolution, and an Intel or AMD 1.5 Ghz processor or better.
Online Photo Editing vs. Software

When researching photo editing software, it's important to compare traditional software with an online photo editor. Some factors to consider are your current computer setup, accessibility and program updates.

Traditional software installs directly on your computer and requires a minimum set of technical specifications to operate at efficiency. These requirements are in the product description and are available from the manufacturer. Once you purchase a license for a software program, it's typically yours forever; however, updates and new program features may only be available through additional purchases.

If you're looking for a program that is more easily accessible, for example if you need to access it from more than one computer or while traveling, an online photo editing program may work better for you. These online programs may be free or subscription based.

Some cloud-based programs include PicMonkey, iPiccy, Pixlr and Photoshop. These online photo editing programs work within your internet window browser without having to download and install anything to your hard drive. The downside is that you cannot access these programs without internet access, and they may disappear from existence without any warning. However, these programs offer instant access to updates and new features, whereas photo editing software that you install directly on your computer requires periodic updates. Some of these updates could prove to be costly, especially if you're required to purchase the newer edition the company releases.
Free Photo Editing Software

Many companies offer free photo editing software with basic features and tools. These programs are ideal if you're just starting out or for quick edits of photos you post to social media. They may offer features such as creating collages, converting an image to black and white, or adding text. Using free photo editing software helps you understand the basic concepts of photo editing without an upfront cost. It's a good way to test the waters and get started in photo editing.

If you find that you have outgrown free picture editing software, you already have a good grasp of basic editing techniques, such as cropping, color contrast and composition. From there, it is easier to determine which software purchase may be right for you. Some of the best free photo editor programs and apps include Google's Picasa, Serif PhotoPlus Starter Edition and the online alternative Pixlr.

Photo Editing Software: What Programs Work for Whom

We've touched base on the numerous features and benefits that come with many photo editing programs. The type of program that works best for you varies on your individual needs. Some programs are created for growth, designed for beginners through advanced levels, while others are strictly beginner or advanced. Whether you are a beginner or a pro, there is a photo editing software program catered to your creative needs.

What Is the Best Photo Editing Software for Beginners?

When just starting out with photo editing, a basic photo editor that is easy to use is ideal. Learning the foundational skills in editing prepares you for using more advanced software in the future. Some photo editing programs are solely for a certain skill level, while others accommodate a range of skill levels within one program.

One easy photo editing software program is Serif PhotoPlus X8. It has integrated help features as well as extensive instructions and video tutorials to help you get started. This makes the program easy to use, no matter where your skill level lies. Integrated sharing tools allow for direct upload to social media sites, such as Flickr and Facebook, with just a single click of the mouse. Organizing your files is also easy with this photo editing software program's intelligent photo library, offering a photo tagging and rating system. Another great feature is Google's Map of the World, which shows you exactly where you took your photos.

PhotoPad Photo Editor is also among one of the easiest programs to use in our top ten list. This simple program may have an outdated design, but the toolbox has several basic editing tools you can use to transform your photos. With a typical interface, the program allows for basic features, such as layers, text effects and editing. However, the organizing system lacks several features, making it difficult to locate photos quickly. This is an ideal photo editing software program for a beginner that is looking to complete the most basic photo edits. This program has the lowest overall score in our list, mostly due to an organizing system that lacks features and missing editing tools.
What Are the Best Advanced Photo Editors?

More advanced users and professional photographers need image editing software that offers efficient workflow and delivers professional, high-quality results. Advanced programs have a steeper learning curve yet deliver the best results once you have them mastered.

One of the best professional photo editing software options for more advanced users is Corel PaintShop Pro X8. It offers professional tools and a fast workflow. Although it is only compatible with Windows operating systems, Pro X8 has a user-friendly interface. This advanced photo editor provides excellent organization and sharing tools, including the Find People facial recognition feature, Photo Mapping and direct integrations with photo-sharing sites such as Flickr. The professional photo editor also offers over 50 different formats for saving photos, including JPG, GIF, PICT and PCX. Additionally, Corel PaintShop Pro X8 provides users with a host of customer service and support options, including email, phone, live chat, built-in tutorials and how-to videos as well as FAQs and a community forum to collaborate with other users.

Pre-loaded with over 175 fonts and 67 creative filters, Xara Photo and Graphic Designer 11 is another ideal option for advanced users, specifically in the graphic design realm. This advanced photo editor has a steep learning curve compared to other similar photo editing software programs; however, it is versatile and delivers powerful design and editing capabilities. One dynamic feature of the program is its intuitive background removal tool, which is ideal for removing unsightly background objects or cropping out photo-bombers. Although it requires some patience and practice to master, Xara Photo and Graphic Designer 11 does offer tutorials and videos to assist in learning the program.
Photo Editing Software: Our Verdict & Recommendations

The top three performers in our photo editing software review include Corel PaintShop Pro X8, Adobe Photoshop Elements and Serif PhotoPlus. The clear winner, with almost a perfect score, is Corel PaintShop Pro. Delivering professional tools, this easy-to-learn program scored the Gold Award spot.

Ideal for beginners, hobbyists and professionals, Corel PaintShop Pro allows for quick and easy photography edits with high-end results. With a multitude of instructional videos and tutorials to guide you along, users of any skill level quickly learn the toolbars and menus within the program. With a score of 10 out of 10 for editing tools, and perfect 10s across the boards for organizing, sharing, importing and output capabilities, and help and support, Corel is the frontrunner in photo editing software. The product delivers excellent value and is fun to use. Whether you are creating a family photo album, designing a new business logo or professionally editing a portrait session, Corel PaintShop Pro X8 streamlines workflow and delivers the quality results you desire.

Coming in a close second, the Silver Award goes to Adobe Photoshop Elements. This powerful product, designed for users of all skill levels, scored a perfect 10 for editing tools. With three editing modes, including Quick Edit, Guided and Expert, the program adapts to your skill level. With another perfect 10 for its sharing capabilities, Adobe Photoshop Elements has the ability to upload your photos directly to the social media site of your choosing, including Facebook, Flickr, Twitter and SmugMug. Overall, this friendly photo editor grows as you do and is an ideal option for beginner photo editors who would like to quickly advance their skill set.

Serif PhotoPlus comes in as our Bronze Award winner. Although it has a steeper learning curve compared to Adobe and Corel, Serif is one of the best photo editing programs. There are plenty of video tutorials and software guides to help get you started. Offering slightly less editing options than our Gold and Silver award winners, Serif offers excellent sharing capability, with one-click uploads to social media pages such as Facebook or Flickr. The most expensive of the three, Serif PhotoPlus is most ideal for the experienced photo editor or a beginner with a lot of patience to learn.
Photo Editing Software: Wrapping It Up

With hundreds of options to choose from, picking a photo editing program can be a difficult decision. There are free programs, web-based programs and software you install on your computer. Some programs are subscription based, while others are one-time install purchases. Whether you are a novice photographer looking to make minor edits to photos or a professional looking to produce high-quality images for your clients, there is a photo editor designed for your skill level and needs.

Considerations to take into account include how much editing you plan to do, the types of tools you need, file formats you might work with and your skill level. You also need to take a look at your computer system and ensure it has the technical specifications to run a photo editing program, as some require a lot of RAM and hard drive space for operation. Or, you may want to consider a cloud-based program that runs on a month-to-month subscription with immediate access to program updates. Once you have considered these important items, take a look at our Photo Editing Software Review for detailed scoring and an excellent comparison of the top 10 programs, including a pricing comparison. If you're looking to learn more about the programs and photo editing in general, check out our articles on photo editing software.

Product 1 Recap: Corel PaintShop Pro X8

The Gold Award Winner, Corel PaintShop Pro X8, puts a host of professional-grade tools at your fingertips with an easy-to-use interface. Delivering high-quality results, whether you are a beginner or a pro, Corel edits quickly and efficiently using 64-bit processing.

Scoring a perfect 10 out of 10 in our overall breakdown and analysis, Corel offers excellent organizational tools, social sharing features, importing and output capabilities. It also provides top of the line support and assistance with its software. With many built-in tutorials, a helpful forum, and customer service support via live chat, email or phone, PaintShop is one of the best all-around photo editing software program for beginners, amateurs and professionals.

One of the only concessions made when choosing Corel PaintShop Pro X8 is its sole compatibility with Windows operating systems. There currently is no option for Mac users. Corel requires higher-quality system specifications compared to others in our lineup as well. For the most basic install, this photo editing software requires Intel or AMD 1.5 GHz, 2GB of RAM, 1GB of hard disk space and a 1024 x 768 screen resolution with a 16-bit color display. For optimal performance, the manufacturer recommends 4GB or more of RAM, as well as at least 2GB of hard disk space.

Sharing your photos is also easy with Corel PaintShop. Social media has a substantial influence on our lives and sharing photos and art has never been easier. X8 offers the capability to share your photos online in a snap. The Find People application within X8 identifies faces in your photos, which makes tagging easy. A Photo Mapping feature applies location information to your photos and creates a map of your photos' location, a helpful option for frequent travelers and travel photo bloggers.

In our opinion overall, Corel PaintShop Pro X8 is the best photo editing software we tested. It delivers good value with a user-friendly program. Its support and tutorials make it ideal for those just starting out in editing while its advanced editing tools and a wide range of features that offer professionals what they need to produce high-quality images and files.

Product 2 Recap: Adobe Photoshop Elements 13
Our Silver Award Winner, Adobe Photoshop Elements 13, came in a close second to Corel. The intuitive design of the program and its various editing modes are ideal for both beginners and veterans alike.

With three editing modes, this photo editing software offers an in-depth range of editing tools and other features. The Quick Edit mode is great for basic editing, such as lighting and color correction. The Guided Mode is ideal for beginners as it's packed with step-by-step tutorials to guide the editor through the process of some of the most common editing techniques. This mode is also useful for more advanced editors that are looking to learn something new. Then, Expert Mode is also available, which places all of the program's editing tools in front of the editor for total control over photo editing.

One of the few cons we came across during our review was with the program's organizing feature. Elements 13 comes with Adobe Revel, a separate organizational software program. Elements does not have its own independent photo organizing tool, which adds an additional step to the organizing process. However, it does streamline the process of importing, sorting and rating your photos.

Adobe Elements scored a perfect 10 in our analysis of social sharing capability. Its ability to upload photos directly to Facebook, Flickr and private web albums is crucial in today's social media-conscious world. Another feature of this picture editing software, which operates through Adobe Revel, is the ability to upload photos to cloud storage, making them accessible from virtually anywhere.

Overall, Adobe Photoshop Elements 13 is an ideal image editing software program suitable for a range of skill levels. However, it is missing some features that professionals rely on, such as the use of actions. The need for Adobe Revel, included with the purchase of Elements, also adds an extra step to the workflow process.

Product 3 Recap: Serif PhotoPlus X8
The Bronze Award Winner of our top 10, Serif PhotoPlus X8, is an easy-to-use photo editing software program. It offers a virtually limitless array of editing tools with tons of video tutorials that make the software user friendly.

As with most image editing software programs, Serif provides integration and direct upload capability to social media sites, such as Facebook and Flickr, with just a single click of the mouse. The editing tools in this program are endless. The versatile PhotoFix tool offers quick, simple editing of exposure, brightness, contrast, color temperature, saturation and tint. Removal of blemishes, enhancements such as teeth whitening and red-eye removal are all simple to achieve. With the Makeover tool, portrait photographers can quickly remove dark under-eye circles and even out the subject's skin tone, while the Deform tool allows for slimming down a person's figure when necessary.

Although there is a learning curve to get an in-depth grasp of the entire program, Serif provides extensive video guides, tutorials and instructions under the how-to tab for learning the popular features of this photo editing software. The convenient "Do this for me" tool assists beginner editors in completing an edit using preset actions, which is an excellent resource for just starting out.

Serif's PhotoStack allows for easy library management. It offers intelligent and easy-to-use photo management tools, including a tagging and rating system. The program also includes the "Map of the World" feature from Google, which adds location information to photos. This is a convenient tool when sharing travel and vacation photos.

Serif PhotoPlus X8 offers tools and features for advanced photo editors as well as those new to photo editing. The program's editing toolbox allows creative users to achieve the high-quality final images they desire, while the integrated social media tools allow for easy upload and sharing.

Product 4 Recap: Zoner Photo Studio Pro 17
Zoner Photo Studio Pro 17 offers a selection of both basic and advanced editing tools that beginners and professionals can use. In addition to its wide assortment of editing capabilities, the software is also compatible with over 95 file formats, making it versatile to use.

With almost 50 different editing tools, including cloning, multi-layer support, brushes, text, transform and more, you can customize your images. The program has most of the tools beginner editors need to successfully edit their photos, as well as the advanced capabilities professionals need. With smart automatic edits, the program adjusts the colors of your photo by the push of a button. It also features LCP Profile Correction to correct distortions caused by lens.

In addition to the basic editing tools, Zoner Photo Studio Pro also features more advanced features. The software has the capability to create panoramas, HDR images and 3D effects. With a cloning tool, you can use it as a touch-up tool and correct flaws in your photos. The program also uses layer masks that you can use to delete unwanted objects in the background.

In addition to the assortment of editing tools, the software has a user-friendly photo organizer that helps you find and edit your photos fast. Whether you tag your photos by name, date, location or rating, you can find them using the program’s organizer. As you browse through photos, the browser expands selected photos to zoom in and preview. The built-in organizer also features batch processing so that you can apply the same edit to multiple photos. This feature saves time.

After editing all your photos, the software has several different options to share your photos. You can export directly to social media sites, such as Facebook, Flickr or Picasa. You also can use the Android app to back up your mobile library or edit photos on-the-go.

Product 5 Recap: Corel PhotoImpact X3

Ideal for photo editors and graphic designers looking for basic editing capabilities, Corel PhotoImpact X3 offers an extensive toolbox combined with the ability to import to almost any image file format.

Corel includes features for simple photo enhancements, such as the ExpressFix Mode, which provide automated enhancements for exposure, color and photo composition. Using the Cloud Pen, you can add realistic looking clouds to landscape photos or you can add other creative filters, effects and text.

For graphic designers, there is an entire array of editing tools to choose. This image editing software features the ability to create 2D and 3D objects. You can use Bucket Fill and Gradient Fill for color designs; twist and bend images with Shear Effect and Creative Transform as well as edit text and add various type effects.

PhotoImpact X3 features project wizards to create over 200 different photo gifts and art, including photo collages, comic strips, greeting cards and calendars. The Slideshow Prep Wizard helps you create a DVD slideshow. You can also design and print DVD labels, case covers and DVD menus for fully customizable photo DVDs to share with family and friends or to archive your photo library.

Using the Photo Explorer's Digital Camera Wizard, managing photos is easy. However, the software's organizational tools are lacking. The wizard helps manage files, including tools to transfer photos, add keywords and tags, and capture still images from video. Additionally, this Corel photo editing software program offers very limited social sharing capability compared to other programs in our review. The manufacturer does offer good help and support as well.

Although Corel PhotoImpact X3 is a basic photo editing software program, it is still packed with a broad range of editing tools and creative features. This program is ideal for photo editors and graphic designers just testing the waters in editing and design.

Product 6 Recap: Xara Photo & Graphic Designer 11
Geared toward more advanced photo editors, Xara Photo & Graphic Designer 11 by Magix is an image editing software that offers a versatile suite of editing tools and features. It comes preloaded with fonts and filters for an extensive choice of creative editing options. However, Xara does have a steeper learning curve than some other programs in our top 10 review.

This full-featured photo editing software delivers powerful tools to create professional-grade images and art. Basic editing tools include all the standards, such as crop, resize, red-eye removal and image rotation. For graphic artists, Xara comes with over 60 creative filters and 175 font choices. It also offers the ability to access over 600 Google fonts from within the program for even more creative power. For photographers, the background removal feature makes it easy to remove almost any object from a photo with a little patience and practice.

Compared to other photo editing software programs, Xara Photo & Graphic Designer 11 takes time and patience to figure out where all the tools and features lie within the program. However, once you have mastered the interface, the creative possibilities with Xara are quite extensive.

Xara Photo & Graphic Designer 11 operates on Microsoft Windows operating systems only, including 32-bit and 64-bit. It has minimal system requirements compared to other editing programs, so this is an ideal choice if you are running on a less-powerful computer setup. The program requires 500MB of RAM and 300MB of free hard drive space as well as a minimum of 1024 x 600 screen resolution.

Although it takes patience to learn the ins and outs, Xara's robust library of editing tools, creative filters, font library and support options make it an ideal choice for more advanced photo editors.

Product 7 Recap: ACDSee Photo Editor 6
The user-friendly ACDSee Photo Editor 6 is an excellent option for photo editors just starting out. However, it does offer tools to achieve professional-grade results. This picture editing software program comes loaded with project templates and a basic editing toolbox.

One convenient feature of ACDSee is the ability to edit in a non-destructive environment. This means any edits you apply to your photo happen while keeping the original image file intact. This feature is ideal for beginners who may not yet have a good grasp on editing techniques as they don't need to worry about ruining photo memories during editing experimentation.

ACDSee Photo Editor 6 includes artistic filters and effects to apply to images. The LCE tool, patented by ACDSee, corrects lighting, contrast and exposure on a photo. The LCE tool works manually or with presets loaded into the software. However, there is no capability for correcting lens distortion or creating panoramic photos. If you are a landscape photographer, this is important to consider.

For creatives looking to complete photo projects or even create photo gifts, this photo editing software comes loaded with templates. With a variety of project templates to choose from, you can create graphics for things as various as T-shirts and wine bottles. For archiving and backing up photos, the software includes 2GB of free storage space online. This space is expandable, for a fee, and acts as an online photo gallery you can share with friends and family. It also allows for easy access to your photos from anywhere with an internet connection.

The manufacturer offers good customer service support via phone or email. There is also a user community forum for asking questions and getting tips from other ACDSee users. Overall, ACDSee Photo Editor 6 is an ideal image editing software option for getting your feet wet in photo editing and design as well as completing more advanced edits.

Product 8 Recap: Cyberlink PhotoDirector Ultra 7
PhotoDirector Ultra 7 is a photo editing software that offers a good balance of tools and features for the basic editing needs of photographers. It delivers convenient features for organizing and editing; however, it lacks some fundamental tools.

The design and interface of PhotoDirector are impressive, as the program is easy to navigate and use. With the majority of the tools located within six modules - Library, Adjustment, Edit, Layers, Slideshow and Print - the tools you need are easy to find.

One of the biggest assets in PhotoDirector Ultra 7 is its organizational capabilities. Importing and organizing photos under the Library module is simple and completed either individually or by folder. Tagging and keywords are easy tasks for further time saving and organization. The face-tagging feature allows for tagging people in single photos or in batches. Another great feature of this image editing software program, the People Beautifier, provides the ability to edit portraits extensively. You can make wrinkles disappear, whiten yellowed teeth and brighten eyes in just a few simple steps. Additionally, the content-aware feature is one of the best compared to all the photo editing programs we reviewed. Removing unwanted artifacts from a photo is simple, delivering quality results.

The program has limited capabilities in terms of file formats when importing and exporting images. It supports the popular JPG, PNG, TIFF and RAW files but does not support other popular formats, such as BMP and GIF images. It also does not support Photoshop PSD project files, which can be an issue for professional photographers and graphic artists.

Although this is a powerful photo editing program, it lacks some basic editing capabilities like the ability to work with common image files. PhotoDirector Ultra 7 is ideal for photographers looking to do basic photo editing. However, the program does offer excellent organizational tools for keeping your image library organized and under control.

Product 9 Recap: Photolightning 5.51
Photolightning 5.51 is an ideal photo editing program for editors just getting started. Although it's not a powerful editing program, it does offer the most basic editing tools, which comes in handy when learning the features.

A lot of editing tools in the program work using preset options for quick and easy edits with just the click of the mouse. Beginners get a good grasp of photo editing using this technique. This image editing software allows for adjusting lighting, text addition, color correction, red-eye removal and much more.

One of the better features of the program is its batch processing tool. With this function, you can easily apply the same edits to a group of photos all at once, eliminating the need to edit individual pictures and thus saving time. There is also a good organizational app for sorting and labeling images as well as separating photos based on whether you've edited them yet or not.

Another great feature in Photolightning is the ability to order prints of your images through Snapfish, Walgreens, Shutterfly or other online photo print companies. For printing at home, the program comes with templates for printing on specialty paper. You can also create an instant slideshow from a photo album or attach image files directly to an email.

Photolightning does not support RAW files, which may be an issue for many photographers who prefer to work on RAW images for more precise edits. Support for the program is also lacking. Customer service is only available through email support, although there is additional help found in a few FAQs.

A good photo editing program for beginning editors, Photolightning 5.51 offers an easy-to-use program with basic editing features. Its batch processing is ideal for editing groups of photos all at once; however, the inability to import RAW photos does not allow for professional-grade, detailed photo editing.

Product 10 Recap: PhotoPad Photo Editor
With an easy-to-use interface, PhotoPad Photo Editor serves as a good option for novice photo editors.

The program has tabs that have all of the photo editing tools, making it a clean interface with easy-to-find tools. The software has basic tools to help you crop, rotate, resize and flip pictures. It also has touch-up tools so you can perfect portraits using the red-eye removal tool or blemishes tool. In addition, the program has 15 photo filters you can use to make your photos look like oil paintings, cartoons or old-time photos.

While the software has a limited amount of advanced editing tools, it still features automatic edit options, batch processing and type effects. It also has photo stitching that you can use to combine multiple photos and create a panoramic image.

The organizing program this software uses is limited. You can view thumbnails of images and rotate between pictures as you edit them. The program is compatible with 12 popular image formats, including JPG, GIF and PNG files. You can upload photos from a variety of sources, including DSLR cameras, iPhones and Android phones.

After you edit your photos, you can share the images in multiple ways. You can upload images directly to Facebook and Flickr. You also can email your edited photos to friends and family or archive the images by burning them to a CD or DVD. In addition, you can print them.

While the program is limited by its basic editing tools, it offers strong support. With video tutorials, user guides, FAQs and user forums, you can find the answers to most of your questions. If you need additional help, you can contact technical support by phone or email. NCH Software, PhotoPad’s manufacturer, promptly responds to inquiries.