Adobe Photoshop vs. Photoshop Elements: Which photo editor is right for you?

Two powerful applications.

You can make amazing adjustments to your photos with either Photoshop or Adobe Photoshop Elements. Both apps have powerful, timesaving features that use Adobe Sensei AI technology. You can make tonal and colour adjustments, dehaze, smooth skin and replace backgrounds in both. So how do these apps differ?

Create advanced composites.

Adobe invented layers with Photoshop 3.0 and they remain a key feature of Adobe Creative Cloud graphic design and video editing apps. Using layers, you can retouch images and design everything from online ads to detailed backgrounds for feature films. Stack images on top of one another and choose portions of each layer to show or hide.

With fill and adjustment layers, you can change colours and tones without permanently altering the image. Add text overlays, vector graphics and special effects to create perfect, professional images.

Get more export options.

Because professional photographers and designers use Photoshop for so many purposes, it’s important to be able to export your work in different formats. In Photoshop, you can export files as PSD documents, artboards, layers and layer groups.

Export as vector images or SVG files, so you can scale up your designs without losing sharpness and clarity. Or save data and loading time by turning them into PNG, JPG and GIF file formats. And you can choose your preferred colour modes, using RGB for online work and CMYK for print.

Work in 3D.

Photoshop has easy-to-use tools for adding a third dimension to 2D models. This is especially useful for interior designers, architects and designers of product packaging to get a sense of how a project will look early in the design process. Turn a text layer into 3D or adjust the camera angle, light source or image position in just a few steps.

Learn through tutorials.

With so many features and infinite possibilities, there’s always more to learn. Check out tutorials for beginners and experienced designers for both Photoshop and Photoshop on the iPad. Get tips on everything from photo editing and photo compositing to layer masking and removing objects.

You can build your skills with guided projects using sample files and following along with video tutorials. You can also open the Discover panel in Photoshop for more hands-on tutorials. Select Command+F on a Mac or Control+F on a PC to find several helpful tutorials.

Keep up with the latest Photoshop features.

With your monthly subscription to Photoshop or Creative Cloud, you get the latest updates as soon as they’re released. Sky replacement, neural filters and preset syncing are just a few of the new improvements you can start using in your work.

Learn as you go.

Get step-by-step help for nearly any edit you want to make. From basics like colour correction and horizon straightening to more complex moves like double exposures or colour pops, you can follow 58 guided edits and have more fun than ever with your photos.

Create and share easily.

With Photoshop Elements, it’s easy to add quotes or personal messages to your photos. Create quote graphics by adding your own text to templates or build your own graphics from scratch. Add animations to really grab attention.

If you’re in the US, you can share your photos as prints or on gifts like device cases, mugs, wall art and clothing. Order prints from FUJIFILM Prints and Gifts service, built right into Photoshop Elements.