Adobe Photoshop vs Adobe Lightroom

Adobe Photoshop9.4Visit Adobe Lightroom9.2Visit

Higher score Adobe Photoshop #1 in Photo Editing Software 9.4/10 7-day trial Free trial✓ 6 of 6 features Try Adobe Photoshop

vs

Adobe Lightroom #2 in Photo Editing Software 9.2/10 Free plan · 7-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 5 of 6 features Try Adobe Lightroom

• Adobe Photoshop fits best

  Professional compositing and advanced editing

• Adobe Lightroom fits best

  RAW workflows and cross-device photo editing

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Side by side

Feature	Adobe Photoshop 9.4/10 Visit ↗	Adobe Lightroom 9.2/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.4	9.2
Ranking	#1 in Photo Editing Software	#2 in Photo Editing Software
Best for	Professional compositing and advanced editing	RAW workflows and cross-device photo editing
Pricing model	Paid	Free plan + paid
Starting price	—	—
Free plan	—	✓ (best)
Free trial	7 days	7 days
Free trial length	7 days	7 days
Deployment	Cloud, Desktop, Mobile	Cloud, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms	Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android	Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
Support	Community, Docs · 24/7	Community, Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Adobe Photoshop 6/6 · Adobe Lightroom 5/6
RAW photo support	✓	✓
Layer editing	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Masking tools	✓	✓
Batch editing	✓	✓
Cloud sync	✓	✓
AI retouching	✓	✓
Specs
Platform	Multi-platform	Multi-platform
Our review
Pros	Editable layers, masks, Smart Objects, and Camera Raw support Batch processing, automated conversion, and cloud documents Generative Fill, Generative Expand, and AI-powered Harmonize	Comprehensive RAW processing, masking, and selective adjustments AI tools cover culling, retouching, Lens Blur, and distraction removal Syncs photos and edits across web, Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android
Cons	Desktop, web, and mobile versions have different feature sets Web and full desktop access require a plan or trial Cloud storage ranges from 100GB to 1TB by plan	Advanced features and expanded synchronization require a subscription The broad feature set may exceed the needs of occasional editors Lightroom Classic is oriented toward desktop-focused workflows
Our verdict	Adobe Photoshop is an image-editing application for creating, retouching, compositing, and transforming photos and graphics. It is aimed at professionals and advanced editors who need editable layers, masks, RAW adjustments, batch… Read the review →	Adobe Lightroom combines photo organization with editing tools for photographers, creators, and anyone managing digital image libraries. It supports exposure, color, effects, cropping, presets, selective adjustments, masking, RAW import… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Adobe Photoshop — where it wins

  • Editable layers, masks, Smart Objects, and Camera Raw support
  • Batch processing, automated conversion, and cloud documents
  • Generative Fill, Generative Expand, and AI-powered Harmonize

  Where it doesn't

  • Desktop, web, and mobile versions have different feature sets
  • Web and full desktop access require a plan or trial
  • Cloud storage ranges from 100GB to 1TB by plan

• Adobe Lightroom — where it wins

  • Comprehensive RAW processing, masking, and selective adjustments
  • AI tools cover culling, retouching, Lens Blur, and distraction removal
  • Syncs photos and edits across web, Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android

  Where it doesn't

  • Advanced features and expanded synchronization require a subscription
  • The broad feature set may exceed the needs of occasional editors
  • Lightroom Classic is oriented toward desktop-focused workflows

• Adobe Photoshop9.4/10 · 7-day trial

  A deep, multi-platform editor for compositing, retouching, RAW work, and AI-assisted edits.

  Try Adobe PhotoshopFull verdict →
• Adobe Lightroom9.2/10 · Free plan · 7-day trial

  A broad Lightroom workflow for RAW editing, masking, organization, and synchronized access.

  Try Adobe LightroomFull verdict →