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Adobe Photoshop

Detailed image editing and layered composites

Profile reviewed 17 Sept 2026 · Official pricing, product and help documentation checked on 17 September 2026. This profile does not claim a hands-on trial, performance benchmark or verified file round-trip. Recommendations are editorial deductions from the documented capabilities and limits.

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Where it fits

Photoshop is worth considering when detailed image work and editable production files are central to the job. Its desktop workflow covers layered composites, retouching and nondestructive adjustments, with local or cloud saving. The desktop editor requires a subscription; Adobe separately offers free mobile entry points with different entitlements. That distinction matters when comparing it with a browser editor or a free desktop application. Photoshop can operate offline after activation, but licensing checks and connected features still apply. The strongest reason to pay is a required workflow, client handoff or tool capability you can identify clearly rather than a general reputation.

Consider it for

Know the limits

Prices & plans

Published prices keep their original currency and billing terms. Taxes, promotions and checkout prices can differ.

Adobe Photoshop

Mobile entry plan

Free

Free mobile app with optional premium features

AvailabilityApp availability varies by region

This does not include perpetual free desktop Photoshop.

Source

Photoshop — annual billed monthly

USD 22.99/month

Annual subscription billed monthly

AvailabilityUnited States

Includes desktop, web and mobile plus Express Premium. This is not a cancel-any-month plan.

Source

Photoshop — annual prepaid

USD 263.88/year

Annual subscription paid upfront

AvailabilityUnited States

Official FAQ annual price; 100 GB cloud storage.

Source

Photography — annual billed monthly

USD 19.99/month

Annual subscription billed monthly

AvailabilityUnited States

Includes Photoshop and Lightroom; 1 TB shown in the comparison.

Source

Features and practical details

10 features

Documented differences. An unverified answer means we do not have enough evidence.

Platforms

Adobe Photoshop

Desktop on Windows and macOS with separate web, phone and iPad experiences.

Vendor documentedSource 1Source 2

Offline use

Adobe Photoshop

Installed apps can work offline after activation; periodic licensing checks and plan-dependent grace periods apply.

Vendor documentedSource

Collaboration

Adobe Photoshop

Share for review supports browser comments. Invite to edit requires the document to be saved in the cloud.

Vendor documentedSource

Export

Adobe Photoshop

Save locally or to Creative Cloud. Save a Copy can produce flattened JPEG or PNG while preserving the working document.

Vendor documentedSource

Project portability

Adobe Photoshop

Embedded Smart Objects preserve source information; PSD, TIFF or PSB can retain layers while JPEG flattens them.

Vendor documentedSource

Free plan limits

Adobe Photoshop

Free mobile and iPad apps have optional premium features. Desktop pricing offers a seven-day trial rather than an ongoing free desktop plan.

Vendor documentedSource 1Source 2

AI features

Adobe Photoshop

The Photoshop single-app offer lists 25 monthly generative credits. Larger bundles have different allowances.

Vendor documentedSource

Nondestructive changes

Adobe Photoshop

Adjustment layers, masks and Smart Objects support revisable image workflows.

Vendor documentedSource 1Source 2

Local or cloud

Adobe Photoshop

The default save location can be set to the computer or Creative Cloud.

Vendor documentedSource

AI Assistant availability

Adobe Photoshop

The current mobile page places AI Assistant beta on web and mobile and explicitly excludes desktop.

Vendor documentedSource
Feature comparison
FeatureAdobe Photoshop
Platforms

Desktop on Windows and macOS with separate web, phone and iPad experiences.

Vendor documentedSource 1Source 2
Offline use

Installed apps can work offline after activation; periodic licensing checks and plan-dependent grace periods apply.

Vendor documentedSource
Collaboration

Share for review supports browser comments. Invite to edit requires the document to be saved in the cloud.

Vendor documentedSource
Export

Save locally or to Creative Cloud. Save a Copy can produce flattened JPEG or PNG while preserving the working document.

Vendor documentedSource
Project portability

Embedded Smart Objects preserve source information; PSD, TIFF or PSB can retain layers while JPEG flattens them.

Vendor documentedSource
Free plan limits

Free mobile and iPad apps have optional premium features. Desktop pricing offers a seven-day trial rather than an ongoing free desktop plan.

Vendor documentedSource 1Source 2
AI features

The Photoshop single-app offer lists 25 monthly generative credits. Larger bundles have different allowances.

Vendor documentedSource
Nondestructive changes

Adjustment layers, masks and Smart Objects support revisable image workflows.

Vendor documentedSource 1Source 2
Local or cloud

The default save location can be set to the computer or Creative Cloud.

Vendor documentedSource
AI Assistant availability

The current mobile page places AI Assistant beta on web and mobile and explicitly excludes desktop.

Vendor documentedSource

Compare the alternatives

Affinity vs Adobe Photoshop: free desktop editing and file handoffs

Graphic design · Affinity is a serious candidate when you want local photo work without a recurring payment for the core editor. Photoshop deserves priority when a client's editable PSD requirements or an established Adobe workflow determine the handoff. Verify the actual files before switching.

GIMP vs Photoshop: choose by files and workflow

Graphic design · Choose GIMP when an open-source desktop workflow fits the job and you can validate the handoff. Choose Photoshop when a specific Adobe capability or client requirement justifies the subscription. Keep GIMP's native XCF archive separate from files exported for other applications.

Photoshop vs Photopea: when does the paid editor earn its cost?

Graphic design · Try Photopea for a small browser-based edit or a PSD you need to inspect. Choose Photoshop when a required Adobe workflow, detailed capability or client file handoff makes it necessary. Neither name guarantees that a complex document will behave exactly as you expect.

Sources for this profile