Overview

Photoshop combines detailed image editing with design and image compositing. Layers, masks and precise selections support work on individual parts of an image, while batch editing and RAW support serve photographers handling multiple files or camera originals. Cloud sync extends a workflow across desktop, browser and mobile.

That range is useful when a project moves between retouching, graphic design and combining images. It also makes Photoshop a less direct fit for someone who wants only a narrow set of photo adjustments. The product is paid, although a seven-day trial and a free plan are offered; the mobile apps are free on their own, with premium features behind a subscription.

Key features

Layer editing and masking let users keep elements separate and shape which parts of an image are affected. Combined with precise selections, these tools suit detailed retouching and composites where edits need to target specific areas. Batch editing helps apply changes across multiple images, and RAW support makes Photoshop relevant to photographers working from camera files.

Generative Fill, Generative Expand and Remove Tool use Adobe Firefly models to add, extend or remove image content. Harmonize adjusts lighting, shadows and colors when placing people or objects into a background, helping with composite work. Topaz Labs partner models provide an image-upscaling option. These AI features broaden the toolkit, though their monthly credit allowances vary by plan.

The Plugin Marketplace includes UXP plugins such as Slack for Photoshop and Trello for Photoshop. Browser access is included in Photoshop plans, while standalone apps are available for iPhone and Android; mobile premium features require a subscription.

Pricing

Photoshop is sold through standalone and multi-app plans, with options for individuals, students and teachers, and businesses. A seven-day trial gives prospective subscribers a short period to assess the paid product, and a free plan is also offered. Custom pricing applies to the plans below.

Photography: 1TB of cloud storage. It suits photographers who want a storage-heavy option, though the plan name alone does not establish which other apps or features it includes.
Photoshop: 100GB of cloud storage and 25 monthly generative credits. This is the focused choice for someone who wants Photoshop itself; the relatively small credit allowance matters to users who expect frequent generative work.
Creative Cloud Pro: More than 20 apps, 4,000 monthly generative credits and 100GB of cloud storage. It fits people who need a wider app collection or expect heavy use of generative tools.
Creative Cloud Pro for students and teachers: More than 20 apps and 100GB of cloud storage. Its broad app bundle is aimed at education users, with no monthly generative credit amount stated for this plan.
Photoshop for teams: 100GB of cloud storage. This is the team-category standalone option; the plan details do not state a seat count.
Creative Cloud Pro for teams: More than 20 apps and 100GB of cloud storage. It suits teams that need multiple apps, though the plan details do not state a seat count.

The plans page provides a comparison and FAQ, and the product page links to a separate Photoshop FAQ. Without prices, buyers cannot compare the cost of the standalone and bundled options in advance.

Platforms

Photoshop supports Android, iOS, macOS, web and Windows. The browser-based version is included in Photoshop plans, and free standalone mobile apps are available for iPhone and Android. This spread works for people who switch between computers, a browser and a phone, while premium mobile features still depend on a subscription.

Who it's for

Photoshop is a strong fit for photographers, designers and image editors who need layers, masks, RAW support, compositing and targeted edits in one product. Its multi-app plans also make sense for people who need a wider set of creative applications, while the education and business categories address those audiences directly.

It is less compelling for someone who only wants occasional basic edits, or who wants a free editor without a paid plan. Readers who mainly need RAW photo development may prefer a photography-focused option; those who need extensive generative editing should weigh the 25-credit Photoshop plan against the much larger allowance in Creative Cloud Pro.

Pros and cons

Pros: Layers, masks, precise selections and compositing support detailed, non-destructive image work.
Pros: RAW input and batch editing cover both camera-file workflows and repeated edits across images.
Pros: Firefly-powered tools, Harmonize and Topaz Labs upscaling add several AI-assisted approaches to editing and composites.
Pros: Desktop, browser and mobile access, plus cloud sync, support work across devices.
Cons: The seven-day trial is brief for evaluating a broad workflow, and the product is primarily paid.
Cons: The standalone Photoshop plan includes 25 monthly generative credits, which may constrain frequent use of those tools.
Cons: Premium mobile features require a subscription, so the free apps do not provide the full experience.
Cons: Custom pricing makes it difficult to judge the cost difference between standalone access and larger bundles.

Alternatives

Photo Editing Software is a useful starting point for comparing editors across the category. For a narrower set of needs, Panorama Stitching Software focuses the search on stitching panoramas, while AI Photo Editors helps find products centered on AI-assisted editing.

Adobe Lightroom is the closer alternative for photographers who want a freemium product with RAW-oriented plan options and 1TB cloud storage on its Lightroom and Photography plans. Retouch4me is worth considering for a retouching-focused workflow; it has a free plan and trial, and its Start annual subscription is 169.00 USD per year with 2,400 retouching credits per year and 108,000 culling credits.

Photopea suits readers who want free editor access, with paid school-wide ad-free access also offered. PhotoFlare is a free and open-source option with basic image editing tools. Airbrush offers a freemium alternative across desktop, web and mobile, though its free plan limits upload size and access to several editing and export features.

ON1 Photo RAW is another paid photo editor with a free trial and no free plan. Photomator is a paid option for Apple platforms, with a monthly subscription at 7.99 USD per month. RawTherapee is free under the GPLv3 license for readers who want a no-cost editor and can do without digital asset management, printing and uploading features.

Verdict

Choose Photoshop if your work depends on precise selections, layered composites and a broad editing toolkit that spans desktop, web and mobile. Its AI features and multi-app options add useful range, but the paid model, limited generative credits on the standalone plan and custom pricing are reasons to compare alternatives. For focused RAW work, basic edits or a free-first workflow, another editor may be a better fit.

	Adobe Photoshop	Vivid Glam
Free trial	Yes
Platforms	Android, iOS, macOS, Web, Windows	iOS, macOS
Free plan	No	Yes
Batch editing	Yes
RAW input	Yes
Platform	multi-platform
RAW photo support	Yes
Layer editing	Yes
Masking tools	Yes
Cloud sync	Yes
AI retouching	Yes
Generative editing		Yes
Supported platforms		iOS and macOS
Mobile app		Yes

Adobe Photoshop vs Vivid Glam

Adobe Photoshop

Vivid Glam