Google's free Picasa for Mac gives iPhoto real competition

Apple iPhoto's full-screen editing mode, search, and organizing features have long set the standard for dealing with pictures on Macs. But keeping up with iPhoto's annual upgrades can cost as much as $79 per year for individual users. Google's new Picasa for Mac, released early January, is a free and worthy alternative.

Picasa has already built a strong following among PC users based on the software’s ability to quickly catalog, label, and edit large personal photo collections. But features such as face recognition, automatic syncing with Google's Picasa Web albums, and strong privacy management have given it an edge over the stock iPhoto app.

For new users, Picasa's import wizard offers a single-click operation for setting up a new photo library. The software leaves files where they are, making it easy to try without committing. Advanced niceties like password-protected "Hidden Folders" allow for hanging on to those bachelor party photos without having the kids accidentally seeing them, matching iPhoto's "Hide Photo" function well.

In fact, many of Picasa's photo editing and effects (such as "Warmify") mimic iPhoto functions but make them easier to find and use. Other standout features, such as ways to make free-form photo collages and "Gift CDs" for friends, simply offer fun new ways to display and share photos.

Apple's ability to integrate iPhoto into the Mac OS will keep it competitive in the long run, but what was once a marathon it was running alone is now a real race.

--Michael Fitzhugh, tech writer