fitgap

Adobe Photoshop

Features
Ease of use
Ease of management
Quality of support
Affordability
Market presence
Take the quiz to check if Adobe Photoshop and its alternatives fit your requirements.
Pricing from
$19.99 per month
Free Trial
Free version unavailable
User corporate size
Small
Medium
Large
User industry
  1. Media and communications
  2. Professional services (engineering, legal, consulting, etc.)
  3. Real estate and property management

What is Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Photoshop is a desktop and iPad-based raster graphics editor used for photo retouching, compositing, and 2D design work. It is commonly used by photographers, designers, and creative teams that need precise pixel-level control, layered workflows, and color-managed output. The product supports non-destructive editing patterns through adjustment layers, masks, and smart objects, and it integrates with Adobe Creative Cloud services. Recent versions also include generative and AI-assisted features for tasks such as background changes, object removal, and image expansion.

pros

Deep pixel-level editing

Photoshop provides advanced selection, masking, retouching, and compositing tools designed for detailed image manipulation. Layer-based workflows support complex edits with blending modes, adjustment layers, and smart objects. This depth is typically required for professional photo post-production and high-control 2D design tasks.

Broad file and color support

Photoshop supports common and professional formats such as PSD/PSB, TIFF, JPEG, PNG, and many RAW workflows via Adobe Camera Raw. It includes color management features (ICC profiles, soft proofing) used in print and production pipelines. These capabilities help teams maintain consistency across devices and output targets.

Integrated AI-assisted workflows

Photoshop includes AI-assisted features such as Generative Fill/Expand (where available), content-aware edits, and neural filters for specific enhancement tasks. These tools can reduce manual steps for common operations like object removal, background replacement, and extending canvases. Integration with Adobe’s broader ecosystem can streamline handoffs across related creative applications and shared libraries.

cons

Subscription and licensing complexity

Photoshop is primarily sold via subscription, which can be a barrier for cost-sensitive users compared with one-time purchase tools. Feature access may vary by plan, region, and entitlement, and some AI features can involve usage limits or additional terms. Organizations often need license management processes to control access and compliance.

Steep learning curve

The interface and toolset are extensive, and effective use often requires training and practice. Teams may need documented workflows and standards to ensure consistent results across users. For simpler design or quick-edit needs, lighter tools can be easier to adopt.

Hardware and performance demands

Large layered documents, high-resolution images, and AI-assisted operations can require substantial CPU/GPU resources and memory. Performance can degrade on lower-spec devices, especially with many smart objects, filters, or large canvases. Some workflows also depend on reliable internet connectivity for cloud-linked features.

Plan & Pricing

Plan Price Key features & notes
Photoshop (Single-app, Individuals) $22.99 per month (annual, billed monthly) — or $263.88/year (annual, prepaid) Full Photoshop on desktop, web, and mobile; Adobe Express Premium included; 100GB cloud storage; 25 generative credits/month; 7-day free trial. Source: Adobe official plans page.
Photography (Photography plan) $19.99 per month (annual, billed monthly) Includes Photoshop (desktop, web, mobile) + Lightroom; 1TB cloud storage; 1,000 generative credits/month; includes desktop Photoshop.
Creative Cloud Pro (Individuals, All Apps) Regularly $69.99 per month (annual, billed monthly); promotional $34.99/mo for first 3 months for new subscribers Access to 20+ apps including Photoshop; Adobe Express Premium; 4,000 generative credits/month; unlimited standard creative AI image & vector features; promotional discount for new subs.
Photoshop for Teams $37.99 per month per license (annual, billed monthly) Photoshop on desktop, web, and mobile with business features (Admin Console, centralized license management); 1TB cloud storage; enterprise support.
Creative Cloud Pro for Teams $99.99 per month per license (annual, billed monthly) 20+ apps including Photoshop; Firefly creative AI; 4,000 generative credits/month; 1TB cloud storage; 14-day free trial.
Students & Teachers (Creative Cloud Pro for Students & Teachers) $19.99 per month for the first year, then $39.99 per month (annual, billed monthly) Discounted all-apps plan for eligible students/teachers; includes Photoshop on desktop, web, mobile; 100GB cloud storage; 4,000 generative credits/month.

(Notes: All prices are US dollar amounts shown on Adobe's official Photoshop/plans pages and are subject to regional taxes and local pricing. Promotional/introductory prices and credit allocations noted on Adobe's site.)

Seller details

Adobe Inc.
San Jose, California, USA
1982
Public
https://www.adobe.com/
https://x.com/Adobe
https://www.linkedin.com/company/adobe/

Tools by Adobe Inc.

Adobe RoboHelp
Adobe AIR
ColdFusion Builder
Workfront
Adobe Acrobat Sign API
Acrobat SDK
Adobe Advertising Cloud
TubeMogul
Adobe Audience Manager
Adobe Presenter
Adobe Captivate
Data Loader for Marketo
Adobe Export PDF
Adobe InCopy
Adobe Acrobat Reader
Adobe Reader Mobile
Adobe Brand Concierge
Adobe Firefly Foundry
Adobe Journey Optimizer Experimentation Accelerator
Adobe Media Encoder

Best Adobe Photoshop alternatives

Canva
Affinity Photo
Photopea
AutoRetouch
See all alternatives

Popular categories

All categories