You have smart cropping in Faststone IMage resizer and it can do it in batches.
Google "xnconvert". It's a freeware that allows you to do exactly that.
Try gimp, it's free. Remember if it can be done with Photoshop it can be done with gimp. Plenty of tutorials to do it with gimp for free
As you have never heard of it
" Photoshop is Adobe's photo editing, image creation and graphic design software. The software provides many image editing features for raster (pixel-based) images as well as vector graphics. ... Photoshop is used by photographers, graphic designers, video game artists, advertising and meme designers. "
I see he is looking for Bulk then I must suggest the Adobe Light Room this is good for rendering and editing pictures bulky.