Photoshop is the professional photo editor with some of the best generative AI tools available, including a Remove Tool that beat rival apps in Zapier's tests. It is worth paying for if free editors keep falling short and you need full control, and the $19.99 Photography plan is the best value way in. If you only remove backgrounds a few times a week, a free tool will do.
What Adobe Photoshop is
Adobe Photoshop is the long running professional image editor, now with generative AI built in. It runs on desktop, on the web and on mobile Photoshop plans ↗ Photoshop features ↗. The AI features are powered by Adobe's Firefly models, and they sit alongside the classic tools for layers, masks, selections and color adjustments Photoshop features ↗.
You cannot buy Photoshop outright. It is sold only as a subscription, and the only free way to use the full app is a 7 day trial Photoshop plans ↗. The mobile app is free to download, but its premium features need a subscription, and there is no free version of Photoshop on the web Photoshop features ↗. That is why it sits in our free photo editor guide as the upgrade pick rather than a free option.
Hands on testing is in progress; this review draws on Adobe's pages and Zapier's testing.
What it does well
Object removal is its standout. Zapier's reviewer found Photoshop's Remove Tool the best of the apps tested at removing objects and filling the gap with generated content that blends into the image Zapier review ↗. Adobe says its newer Firefly models give higher resolution, cleaner edges and sharper detail for Generative Fill, Generative Expand and the Remove Tool Photoshop features ↗.
Generative Fill lets you type what you want added or replaced in a selected area. It can use Adobe's Firefly model or partner models from Flux and Google Zapier review ↗. Zapier found it very good at replacing backgrounds, though not yet good enough for foreground elements Zapier review ↗. Generative Expand extends a photo beyond its edges, which helps when you need a wider crop for a banner or social post Photoshop features ↗.
Adobe has added other AI helpers too. Harmonize blends a person or object into a new background by matching lighting and color, and Topaz Labs partner models can upscale images inside Photoshop Photoshop features ↗.
The real advantage is control. You can combine an AI edit with precise manual work on layers and masks, which simpler free editors cannot match Zapier review ↗.
Where it falls short
It is hard to learn. Zapier notes that no one has ever said learning Photoshop is easy Zapier review ↗. If your team only needs a product photo on a white background, a template based tool will be faster.
Generative AI is metered. Each plan has a monthly number of generative credits, and the Photoshop single app plan includes only 25 Photoshop plans ↗.
Plans are annual commitments billed monthly, and the plans page does not explain cancellation fees or refunds Photoshop plans ↗. The trial turns into a paid membership after 7 days unless you cancel Photoshop plans ↗.
Pricing and plans
There is no free plan. Every individual plan has a 7 day free trial of the full app, which converts to a paid membership unless you cancel first Photoshop plans ↗. US prices on Adobe's plans page in October 2026, all on annual plans billed monthly Photoshop plans ↗:
Photography: $19.99 a month. Includes Photoshop on desktop, web and mobile, Lightroom, 1,000 generative credits a month and 1TB of storage Photoshop plans ↗. This is the best value for most people.
Photoshop single app: $22.99 a month, or $263.88 a year prepaid. Includes 25 generative credits a month, 100GB of storage and Adobe Express Premium Photoshop plans ↗.
Firefly Pro: $19.99 a month with 4,000 generative credits and 100GB of storage. It includes Photoshop on web and mobile, but the page does not list desktop Photoshop plans ↗.
Creative Cloud Pro: $34.99 a month for the first 3 months as a new subscriber offer, then $69.99 a month, or $779.88 a year prepaid. Includes 20+ apps and 4,000 credits a month Photoshop plans ↗. Students and teachers pay $19.99 a month for the first year after an eligibility check Photoshop plans ↗.
Teams: Photoshop for teams is $37.99 a month per license with 25 credits and 1TB, and Creative Cloud Pro for teams is $99.99 a month per license with 4,000 credits. Team plans have a 14 day trial Photoshop plans ↗.
Who should (and shouldn't) use it
- Good fit: people who edit photos often and need precise, layered control that free tools cannot give.
- Good fit: anyone who also wants Lightroom, which comes in the $19.99 Photography plan Photoshop plans ↗.
- Skip it if: you only need occasional background removal or quick social posts. Adobe Express does that free with a daily allowance Adobe Express pricing ↗.
- Skip it if: you do not want an annual commitment or a steep learning curve Photoshop plans ↗ Zapier review ↗.
Alternatives worth a look
- Adobe Express: free with a daily allowance of background removals and object edits; Premium is $9.99 a month Adobe Express pricing ↗.
- Canva: a design tool with Magic Eraser and Magic Edit; the free plan includes up to 20 AI uses and Pro is $144 a year Canva pricing ↗ Zapier review ↗.
- Photoroom: built for product photos, with 50 free exports a month Photoroom free limit ↗.
- Pixlr: Zapier calls it an affordable, easy online editor with a free tier Zapier review ↗.
Where it appears
Also greatThe Best AI Image UpscalerComparedThe Best AI Tools for PhotographersUpgrade pickThe Best Free AI Photo EditorWhat’s good
- Best object removal in Zapier's tests
- Full control
- Lightroom included in Photography plan
What to know
- Learning curve
- Annual commitment
Key features
- Remove Tool
- Generative fill with credits
- Lightroom in Photography plan
- 1,000 generative credits on Photography plan
- 1TB storage on Photography plan
Works with
Questions people ask
Is Photoshop free?
No. The only free option is a 7 day trial of the full app, which turns into a paid membership unless you cancel Photoshop plans ↗. The mobile app is free to download but premium features need a subscription, and there is no free web version Photoshop features ↗.
How much does Photoshop cost?
The Photography plan costs $19.99 a month on an annual plan and includes Lightroom and 1,000 generative credits. Photoshop alone costs $22.99 a month with 25 credits Photoshop plans ↗.
Is Photoshop worth it for AI editing?
If you need precise control, yes. Zapier found its Remove Tool the best of the apps it tested Zapier review ↗. For simple background removal, free tools such as Adobe Express are enough Adobe Express pricing ↗.
Where this comes from
Checked Oct 9, 2026. Vendor pages describe their own products; independent sources add outside views. Hands on testing is in progress.
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