Adobe Photoshop Review 2026: AI Photo Editor, Pricing and Plans
Adobe Photoshop is a professional image editor with generative AI. See pricing, plans, and features in this review.
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This Adobe Photoshop review covers the desktop, web and mobile versions of Adobe's professional image editor and its built-in generative AI features. It includes Generative Fill, Generative Expand, the Remove tool, Firefly and Topaz Labs partner models, and Harmonize, with plans starting at $22.99 a month on an annual plan billed monthly with 25 generative credits and a 7-day free trial. It suits photographers, designers and retouchers who want a full-featured AI photo editor with AI tools built in, and anyone comparing options can browse these AI image generation tools.
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Quick Summary
Overall Rating 4.5/5 Best For The tool suits people who need a full professional editor rather than a template tool. Pricing From $22.99 a month (annual plan, billed monthly) with 25 generative credits Free Plan 7-day free trial; free mobile app with paid premium features Ease of Use 3.8/5
What Is Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Photoshop is professional image editing and design software from Adobe, available on desktop, web and mobile. It combines standard editing tools with built-in generative AI, including Generative Fill, Generative Expand, the Remove tool, text to image, and generative video and audio features such as Text to Video. The AI features draw on Adobe's own models and partner models, and they use generative credits that depend on your plan. Some of the underlying technology comes from Adobe Firefly, Adobe's generative AI model family. The Photoshop mobile app is a free download, with premium features available with a subscription.
Who Adobe Photoshop Is For
The tool suits people who need a full professional editor rather than a template tool. It is subscription-only, and the single-app plan includes 25 generative credits a month, so heavy AI use may require a higher plan.
- Professional photographers Photographers use it for retouching images. The Remove tool and Generative Fill help with cleanup and edits inside a full editor.
- Designers Designers build composites and marketing visuals in it. Generative Expand and text to image support layout and image creation.
- Content teams Content teams can make AI edits like Generative Fill without leaving a full editor. The desktop, web and mobile apps cover different working setups.
- Beginners Beginners can start with the free Photoshop mobile app. Premium features then require a subscription.
Photoshop Generative Fill and Other AI Features
Generative Fill
Photoshop generative fill is an AI feature named by Adobe for adding or changing content in an image. It uses generative credits, and the number of credits depends on your plan. The single-app plan includes 25 generative credits a month.
Generative Expand
Generative Expand extends an image with AI-generated content. It is one of the AI features Adobe lists for the platform. Partner AI models from Topaz Labs are also named by Adobe among the AI features.
Remove Tool
The Remove tool is an AI feature named by Adobe for removing elements from an image. It sits alongside Generative Fill and Generative Expand in the tool. It is available in the desktop, web and mobile apps.
Firefly and partner models
The platform includes new Firefly models and partner AI models from Topaz Labs. These models support the generative features Adobe lists. The AI features use generative credits that depend on your plan.
Harmonize and text to image
Harmonize and text to image are AI features named by Adobe for the platform. Text to image creates images from text prompts. Harmonize is listed among the generative AI features, and both use generative credits.
Generative video and audio
It includes generative AI video and audio features, including Text to Video. These are named by Adobe among the AI features. They use generative credits, with 25 a month on the single-app plan.
How Much Does Photoshop Cost in 2026?
It costs $22.99 a month for the single-app plan (annual plan billed monthly), which includes 25 generative credits a month. The Photography plan is $19.99 a month with 1,000 generative credits a month. Creative Cloud Pro is regularly $69.99 a month (currently offered at $34.99 a month) and includes 4,000 generative credits a month and 20+ creative apps. Firefly Pro is a separate $19.99-a-month plan with 4,000 generative credits. Photoshop pricing varies by plan, so check which tier fits your needs.
| Plan | Price | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| Photoshop | $22.99/mo | Annual plan billed monthly; 25 generative credits a month |
| Photography | $19.99/mo | Annual plan billed monthly; 1,000 generative credits a month |
| Creative Cloud Pro | $69.99/mo | 20+ apps, 4,000 credits; Adobe currently offers it at $34.99/mo |
| Free trial | $0 | 7-day trial of the full desktop app |
Prices checked on adobe.com (US) in November 2026; Adobe runs frequent offers, so confirm on the Photoshop plans page before you buy.
Photoshop Strengths and Limitations
- Built-in generative AIThe tool includes Generative Fill, Generative Expand, the Remove tool, and new Firefly models. It also supports partner AI models from Topaz Labs.
- Cross-platform accessIt runs on desktop, web, and mobile. The mobile app is a free download, with premium features available with a subscription.
- Advanced AI video and audioThe platform offers generative AI video and audio features, including Text to Video. These expand its use beyond static images.
- Professional editing depthIt is Adobe's professional image editing and design software. It provides many features for detailed work.
- Subscription onlyIt is subscription-only; no one-time purchase is listed. You must pay monthly or annually to use it.
- Limited credits on base planThe single-app plan includes only 25 generative credits a month. Heavy use of AI features may require a higher-tier plan.
- Annual commitment for lowest priceThe cheapest price shown is for an annual commitment billed monthly. You cannot get that rate with a monthly-only plan.
- Steep learning curveIt is a professional tool with many features to learn. Beginners may need time to become proficient.
Photoshop AI Photo Editing: Common Use Cases
Remove unwanted objects
Use the Remove tool to delete distractions from photos. For more options, see our list of AI photo editors.
Extend canvas with Generative Expand
Generative Expand lets you extend a photo's canvas to fit new formats. This is useful for adapting images to different aspect ratios.
Build composites with Harmonize
Harmonize blends multiple images into a composite by matching color and lighting. It helps make composites look natural.
Create marketing visuals from text
Use text to image to generate visuals from prompts. This supports creating marketing graphics quickly.
How to Start With Photoshop
Download the desktop app or the free mobile app.
Start a free trial of the full desktop app if you are new.
Choose a plan that fits your needs, such as the single-app plan or Photography plan.
Open an image and try a basic AI feature like Generative Fill.
Monitor your generative credits and upgrade if you need more.
Is It Worth It?
It is worth it if you need professional editing with built-in generative AI and can commit to a subscription. The single-app plan is affordable but includes only 25 generative credits a month, so heavy AI users should consider a higher tier. Wondering is Adobe Photoshop free? No, it requires a subscription. For alternatives, see our AI tools for graphic designers.
Photoshop vs Canva and Other Photo Editors
It is a professional image editor with AI features, while Canva and Adobe Express focus on templates and quick design. Luminar Neo offers a one-time purchase alternative for AI photo editing.
Adobe Photoshop vs Canva
Canva is a browser-based design tool with templates, while the tool is a desktop, web, and mobile app for professional image editing. It includes advanced AI tools like Generative Fill, whereas Canva focuses on easy design with templates. For users who need precise control and AI-powered editing, Photoshop vs Canva shows the former is more capable, but Canva is simpler for quick designs.
Adobe Photoshop vs Luminar Neo
Luminar Neo is sold as a one-time purchase, while the platform requires a subscription. Luminar Neo offers AI photo editing features, but it includes a broader set of tools, including generative AI for images, video, and audio. It is a professional tool with many features to learn, whereas Luminar Neo is more focused on photo enhancement.
Adobe Photoshop vs Adobe Express
Adobe Express is a template-based design app, while the tool is a full-featured image editor with AI capabilities. It provides advanced AI features like Generative Fill and Expand, which are not part of Adobe Express. Adobe Express is suited for quick designs, but the platform offers deeper control for professional work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Adobe Photoshop free?
No, it is subscription-only with no one-time purchase listed. However, Adobe offers a free trial of the full desktop app, with a 7-day free trial listed in the plan comparison. The mobile app is a free download, but premium features require a subscription.
How much does Photoshop cost per month?
The single app plan costs $22.99 a month with an annual plan billed monthly. The Photography plan is $19.99 a month, and Creative Cloud Pro is regularly $69.99 a month but currently shown at $34.99 a month as an offer. All prices are US$ and require an annual commitment billed monthly.
Is generative fill in Photoshop free?
No, generative fill uses generative credits, which are included in subscription plans. The number of credits depends on the plan, with 25 a month on the single-app plan. A free trial is available, but continued use requires a subscription.
What does generative fill do in Photoshop?
Generative Fill is an AI feature that allows you to add, remove, or expand content in an image using text prompts. It is one of the AI features named by Adobe, along with Generative Expand and the Remove tool. These features use generative credits and are part of the built-in generative AI.
What are the best Photoshop alternatives?
Photoshop alternatives include Canva, a browser-based design tool with templates; Luminar Neo, a one-time-purchase AI photo editor; Pixlr, a browser-based photo editor with an AI background remover; and Fotor, an online AI photo editor. Each offers different strengths, such as templates, one-time pricing, or browser-based editing. It remains a professional tool with many features to learn.
Key Takeaways
- Adobe Photoshop is a professional image editing and design software with built-in generative AI, available on desktop, web, and mobile.
- Plans range from $19.99 to $69.99 a month (with a current offer at $34.99), all requiring an annual commitment billed monthly.
- Generative AI features like Generative Fill use generative credits, with 25 credits a month on the single-app plan.
- For more options, see our roundup of AI image editing and upscaling tools.
Photoshop Alternatives
- Luminar Neo is a one-time-purchase AI photo editor that runs on desktop and offers AI-powered enhancements.
- Canva is a browser-based design tool with templates for quick graphics and social media posts.
- Pixlr is a browser-based photo editor with an AI background remover and support for export in various formats.
- Fotor is an online AI photo editor with tools for enhancing and retouching images in the browser.
For more choices, explore our list of AI photo editors.
Bottom Line: Adobe Photoshop is a subscription-only professional image editor with built-in generative AI, available on desktop, web, and mobile. It offers a range of plans with generative credits, but the single-app plan includes only 25 credits a month. The software has many features to learn, making it suitable for professionals and dedicated hobbyists.
Last Reviewed: November 2026
Key Features
Generative Fill
Generative Expand
Remove Tool
Firefly And Partner Models
Harmonize And Text To Image
Generative Video And Audio
Use Cases
Remove unwanted objects
Extend canvas with Generative Expand
Build composites with Harmonize
Create marketing visuals from text
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Built-in generative AI
- Cross-platform access
- Advanced AI video and audio
- Professional editing depth
Cons
- Subscription only
- Limited credits on base plan
- Annual commitment for lowest price
- Steep learning curve
Quick Answers
Is Adobe Photoshop free?
No, it is subscription-only with no one-time purchase listed. However, Adobe offers a free trial of the full desktop app, with a 7-day free trial listed in the plan comparison. The mobile app is a free download, but premium features require a subscription.
How much does Photoshop cost per month?
The Photoshop single app plan costs $22.99 a month with an annual plan billed monthly. Other plans include the Photography plan at $19.99 a month and Creative Cloud Pro at $69.99 a month (currently $34.99 as an offer).
Is generative fill in Photoshop free?
No, generative fill uses generative credits included in subscription plans. The single-app plan includes 25 generative credits a month.
Adobe Photoshop
🖼️ Image Generation
Pricing Plans
Paid
Check website for details
Photoshop
$22.99/moAnnual plan billed monthly; 25 generative credits a month
Photography
$19.99/moAnnual plan billed monthly; 1,000 generative credits a month
Creative Cloud Pro
$69.99/mo20+ apps, 4,000 credits; Adobe currently offers it at $34.99/mo
Free trial
$07-day trial of the full desktop app