Adobe Photoshop (Single app, annual) review 2027

What problem does Adobe Photoshop solve?

Photoshop is the deepest pixel editor there is, and nothing in this ranking composites or retouches like it. Generative Fill and Expand are the most capable generative tools in any editor, and its selection, masking and compositing are things nobody else fully matches. Every plugin and tutorial targets it, and Camera Raw shares Lightroom's engine. That is the benefit: when an image needs rebuilding rather than developing, this is the tool that does it. It is not a photographer's workflow on its own, though, and it is poor value bought alone — get it with Lightroom.

How did we score Adobe Photoshop?

We scored it 6.4 out of 10 across five criteria, and the split explains the mid-table finish.

• RAW processing — 15/25. We measured demosaicing quality, noise reduction, lens corrections and camera support on our three-brand test set. It works through Camera Raw, which shares Lightroom's engine, but it is not the strongest RAW developer here.
• Editing tools — 25/25. Masking, layers, retouching, AI selections and generative tools, and how far a portrait and a landscape could be taken. It took both as far as we asked.
• Organisation — 5/15. Cataloguing, culling speed, keywords, face and subject search, cloud sync. This is where it lost: there is no cull and no library.
• Ease of use — 10/15. Time for a beginner to finish an edit, plus presets and guided tools.
• Value — 9/20. Price over three years, and whether a one-time licence exists. It does not.

What does Photoshop do better than anything else?

Four strengths stood out in testing. Generative Fill and Expand are the most capable generative tools in any editor we tested. Selection, masking and compositing are not fully matched by any rival. Every plugin and tutorial targets Photoshop, so help and add-ons are always available. And Camera Raw shares Lightroom's engine, so the underlying conversion is familiar if you already shoot with Lightroom.

How do the AI tools actually work?

Generative Fill and Expand build new pixels to match a selection or extend a frame beyond its original edges. The Remove tool paints over an object and reconstructs what was behind it. Select Subject finds a person or object and turns it into a mask automatically. Neural Filters apply trained models to tasks such as restoration and colour work. All of these run on the image you are editing, and all sit alongside the layer and masking system rather than replacing it.

What do you get, and on what platforms?

The single-app subscription is $22.99/mo alone, or $9.99/mo with Lightroom in the Photography plan. It runs on Windows, Mac, iPad and web, with a 7-day trial and no one-time licence. RAW support comes via Camera Raw. Layers are present and remain the reference implementation. AI tools cover Generative Fill/Expand, the Remove tool, Select Subject and Neural Filters. Cataloguing is handled by Bridge, which is separate.

How does it compare with its rivals?

Against Adobe Lightroom Classic (8.6, $9.99), Photoshop wins on layers and generative editing but loses on catalogue and RAW breadth — Lightroom Classic has the best-in-class catalogue and the widest, monthly-updated RAW support, and includes Photoshop in the same plan. Against ON1 Photo RAW (8.4, $99.99 one-time), Photoshop wins on editing depth and plugin support, but ON1 offers layers, AI masking, noise reduction and effects in one app you can buy once, plus browsing and an optional catalogue. Against Affinity Photo 2 (8.2, $69.99 one-time), Photoshop wins on generative tools and ecosystem, while Affinity offers full layers, RAW via its Develop persona and iPad support for a single payment, with no catalogue. Against DxO PhotoLab (7.7, $229 one-time), Photoshop wins on layers and generative editing, while DxO leads on RAW conversion and noise reduction with DeepPRIME XD2 and lab-measured optics modules. Against Capture One Pro (7.4, $24/mo annual or $299 perpetual), Photoshop wins on compositing and generative tools, while Capture One leads on tethering, colour and skin tones, with sessions and catalogues.

Where does Photoshop fall short?

It lost on organisation and on value alone. Three cons stood out. It is not a photo workflow tool — there is no cull and no library. It costs $827 over three years on its own. And it is overkill for developing a shoot.

Is Photoshop good value?

Bought alone at $22.99/mo, the measured three-year cost is $827. The same software is available at $9.99/mo with Lightroom in the Photography plan, which is the comparison that matters here: the plan costs less and adds the catalogue and workflow Photoshop lacks.

Who should buy Adobe Photoshop?

It remains right for retouchers and compositors — anyone whose work is rebuilding, masking and combining images rather than culling and developing a shoot. If that is you, buy it with Lightroom rather than alone: you get the editor you need plus the library and RAW workflow it does not provide.