Best beginner astrophotography editing software and tips for newbies?

Hi everyone,

I'm new to astronomy and currently using a Dwarf Mini as my main beginner setup. I'm starting to learn how to capture images, but now I'm trying to figure out the next step: editing and processing astrophotography images.

For someone just starting out, the editing side can feel a little overwhelming. I know there are advanced programs out there, but I'm looking for beginner-friendly software that can help improve images from a small smart telescope or beginner setup without making the learning curve too painful.

I've seen people mention programs like Siril, GIMP, GraXpert, Photoshop, and other tools, but I'm not sure what makes the most sense for a complete beginner.

A few questions I'd love help with:

What is the best beginner astrophotography editing software?

Should a newbie start with simple app-based editing first, or export images and learn desktop software?

Is Siril a good first choice, or is it too advanced when you are just starting out?

Is GIMP useful for final touch-ups after stacking and stretching?

Where does GraXpert fit into a beginner workflow?

Is Photoshop better than GIMP for editing?

What are the first editing steps a beginner should learn, such as stacking, stretching, color correction, background removal, sharpening, or noise reduction?

I'm not trying to make perfect images right away. I mostly want to learn a simple workflow that helps me get better results while understanding what each step actually does.

For other beginners using smart telescopes, small travel setups, or traditional beginner rigs, what software and tips helped you the most when you were first learning to edit astro images?

I am also curios about this? Anyone have any thoughts?