NCH Software Photo Editor Review: Backhanded Tactics

Here is my review of the NCH software photo editor, and the results are rather surprising.

The downloadable software product is called the NCH Photopad Photo Editor, and this review is all about the FREE version.

Please note that I am not associated with NCH in any way. Let me be completely transparent with you

In this review, I am only here to explain as best I can (and as objectively as possible) any product benefits and things to beware with the NCH software photo editor from my own personal experience.

There are affiliate links within this post. What this means is that if you decide to purchase anything through one of my links, I'll be rewarded with a small commission at absolutely no extra cost to you. This small commission helps me run and maintain my website.

What Is the NCH Photopad Photo Editor?

Upon first glance, the NCH software photo editor would appear to be a viable low-cost option for any and all of your photo editing needs.

According to NCH’s website, the NCH software photo editor “…..is the fastest and most fun way to edit your digital photos. PhotoPad is one of the most stable, easy-to-use, and comprehensive photo editors available.”

Their website further mentions the NCH Photopad Photo Editor can:

And this may well be the case, as long as you do not have an issue with backhanded tactics. I will elaborate more about this later in this review.

However, what I discovered is this downloadable free software called NCH Photopad Photo Editing Software is not all it appears to be on the surface.

The Shiny Side of the NCH Software Photo Editor

When you first read through the introductory tutorial of the NCH Photopad Photo Editing Software you might become quite pleased and even excited about the possibilities of this free downloadable program.

The tutorial claims that the NCH Photopad Photo Editing software is complete and full-featured. The program allows you to remove blemishes and red-eye, add special effects, enhance colors, crop photos, and so much more.

Even when using the free program version, you can import your photos into PhotoPad for easy editing. Simply import images from your hard drive, a camera, or a scanner.

The tutorial appears to be very user-friendly and it will take you step-by-step through the entire process. You can even make a screenshot or take a picture with your webcam.

Here are 14 Features and Benefits of the NCH Software Photo Editor:

What’s Wrong with the ​NCH Software Photo Editor

First let me give you the lowdown on the Free NCH software photo editor.

Talk about disturbing backhanded tactics!

I have Jing installed on my computer and I use it frequently. For those who are unfamiliar with Jing, it’s an excellent tool to make shareable screenshots that you can send via a link.

Searching around, I was trying to find a Free tool I could use to make some specific photo edits. Photopea (another great free tool I use) didn’t have this function available, and I don’t have Photoshop installed on my computer.

So this is how I found NCH’s Photopad Photo Editing Software, which clearly in both the article and the meta description announced itself to be FREE to use to consumers.

Also I’ve used various NCH products in the past, and have found some good free ones to use.

Well, not very FREE as advertised anymore. When I downloaded the program, and selected the tool I needed, a box popped up and told me I had to pay $99 to use the program.

Not even a free trial. I remember NCH used to offer free 14-day trials at least.

So my plan was to remove the program from my computer, as I no longer had a use for it, and would never pay $99 for one special use.

Fast Forward Two Days Later

However after exiting the program, 2 days later I noticed even something more passive aggressive. Rather sinister really.

When I attempted to open my reliable Jing, I was expecting to see that bright “Sun” icon on the top of my screen, but Jing was Gone!

At first I couldn’t figure out why this happened, but then I had a hunch…..

See, I planned to remove the NCH Photopad program, but forgot to do it. Thinking back, I realized that Jing disappeared about the same time I installed the “Free” NCH” program.

My intuition was correct.

NCH Software Photo Editor: New Ways to Beat the Competition!

As soon as I removed that NCH Photo Pad Editor program,”Hoila!”

Jing reappeared!

Wow, that’s when I realized something very backhanded, and rather scary.

NCH Photopad is a competitor of Jing, as then I remembered they also has an onboard screenshot tool built into their Photo Editor.

NCH apparently figured out a way to vanquish (or block the view of) their competitor’s product (Jing) from our computers the moment we download theirs.

Then as soon as I removed their program, the original competitor product once again reappeared.

Think about how many of us add Free programs to our computers, but later forget about them forever and never remove them.

That’s what NCH is banking on!

Amazing yet very sinister!

I’m very happy I have my Ole reliable Jing back but…..

How can you trust using this NCH software photo editor when the company itself is doing this?

Talk about attempting crush your competition with back-handed tactics!

The NCH Photopad Photo Editor is now gone from my computer forever!

I would rather pay $5 per month for a program like Pixlr than to support a FREE product that attempts to undermine their competitors in this way.

Thought I would just let my tribe know to be on the lookout for another layer of unscrupulous behavior and activity in the online world.

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