# Adobe Photoshop vs Paintshop Pro Comparison
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## AI Generated Summary
- **G2 reviewers report** that Adobe Photoshop excels in providing a comprehensive suite of professional-level tools, making it a favorite for users who require advanced image editing capabilities. Features like the layer system allow for complex edits without compromising the integrity of the original image, which many users find invaluable for their creative projects.
- **Users say** that Paintshop Pro offers a user-friendly experience, particularly for those who are new to photo editing. Reviewers appreciate how easy it is to get started, with straightforward tools that still allow for advanced tasks like editing RAW photos and removing backgrounds, making it accessible for beginners while still powerful enough for more experienced users.
- **According to verified reviews** , Adobe Photoshop has a significantly higher overall satisfaction score, reflecting its strong market presence and user loyalty. Many users highlight its flexibility and the ability to create professional-looking visuals, which is crucial for both personal and professional projects.
- **Reviewers mention** that while Paintshop Pro has a solid set of features, it sometimes struggles to match the depth and versatility of Adobe Photoshop. Users note that although it can compete with Photoshop in certain areas, the breadth of tools and capabilities in Photoshop often gives it the edge for more complex editing tasks.
- **Users highlight** the importance of support and community, with Adobe Photoshop receiving praise for its quality of support. Many users feel that having access to a robust support system enhances their overall experience, especially when navigating the more intricate features of the software.
- **G2 reviewers note** that while Paintshop Pro is appealing due to its perpetual licensing model, Adobe Photoshop's subscription model provides continuous updates and access to the latest features, which many users find beneficial for staying current in a fast-evolving digital landscape.



| | Adobe Photoshop | Paintshop Pro | 
|---|---|---|
| **Star Rating** | 4.6 out of 5 | 4.1 out of 5 | 
| **Total Reviews** | 13,381 | 206 | 
| **Largest Market Segment** | Small-Business (63.4% of reviews) | Small-Business (67.2% of reviews) | 
| **Entry Level Price** | Starting at $99.99 1 License Per Month | No pricing available | 

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## Top Pros & Cons

### Adobe Photoshop

Pros:
- Ease of Use (122 reviews)
- Features (98 reviews)

Cons:
- Expensive (88 reviews)
- Learning Curve (81 reviews)

### Paintshop Pro

Pros:
- Ease of Use (2 reviews)
- Photo Editing (2 reviews)

Cons:
- Cost (1 reviews)
- Learning Curve (1 reviews)

---
## Ratings Comparison
| Rating | Adobe Photoshop | Paintshop Pro | 
|---|---|---|
  | **Meets Requirements** | 9.4 (11833 reviews) | 8.4 (176 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Use** | 7.8 (11878 reviews) | 8.4 (178 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Setup** | 8.5 (1962 reviews) | 8.3 (33 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Admin** | 8.5 (1440 reviews) | 8.5 (28 reviews) | 
  | **Quality of Support** | 8.3 (9789 reviews) | 8.1 (143 reviews) | 
  | **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?** | 8.7 (1375 reviews) | 8.2 (25 reviews) | 
  | **Product Direction (% positive)** | 8.6 (11648 reviews) | 7.5 (174 reviews) | 

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## Pricing

### Adobe Photoshop

#### Entry-Level Pricing

Plan: Creative Cloud Pro for teams

Price: Starting at $99.99 1 License Per Month

Description: 20+ apps, including Photoshop on desktop, web, and mobile, plus Firefly creative AI for images, video, and audio, and exclusive business features.

Key Features:
- Create gorgeous images, rich graphics, and incredible art with Photoshop
- 20+ photo, graphic design, and video apps
- Unlimited access to standard creative AI image and vector features like Text to Image and Generative Fill

[Browse all 2 editions](https://www.g2.com/products/adobe-photoshop/pricing)

#### Free Trial

Yes

### Paintshop Pro

#### Entry-Level Pricing

No pricing available

#### Free Trial

No information available

---
## Features Comparison By Category

### Photo Editing

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Adobe Photoshop** | 7.6/10 | 478 |
| **Paintshop Pro** | 8.4/10 | 14 |

#### Generative AI

| Feature | Adobe Photoshop | Paintshop Pro | 
|---|---|---|
| **AI Text-to-Image** | 8.0 (422 reviews) | 8.3 (14 reviews) | 
| **AI Text-to-3D** | 6.9 (288 reviews) | 8.5 (14 reviews) | 

#### Agentic AI - Photo Editing

| Feature | Adobe Photoshop | Paintshop Pro | 
|---|---|---|
| **Cross-system Integration** | 7.9 (207 reviews) | Not enough data | 

---
## Categories
**Shared Categories (1):** [Photo Editing Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/photo-editing)




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## Reviewer Demographics

### By Company Size

| Segment | Adobe Photoshop | Paintshop Pro | 
|---|---|---|
| **Small-Business** | 63.4% | 67.2% | 
| **Mid-Market** | 23.1% | 17.4% | 
| **Enterprise** | 13.5% | 15.4% | 

### By Industry

#### Adobe Photoshop

- **Design:** 9.9%
- **Marketing and Advertising:** 9.1%
- **Graphic Design:** 7.0%
- **Photography:** 4.5%
- **Information Technology and Services:** 4.5%
- **Computer Software:** 4.2%
- **Higher Education:** 3.6%
- **Architecture & Planning:** 3.1%
- **Education Management:** 2.7%
- **Non-Profit Organization Management:** 2.3%
- **Other:** 49.0%

#### Paintshop Pro

- **Design:** 9.5%
- **Graphic Design:** 7.0%
- **Photography:** 5.5%
- **Marketing and Advertising:** 5.0%
- **Internet:** 4.5%
- **Writing and Editing:** 3.0%
- **Retail:** 3.0%
- **Architecture & Planning:** 3.0%
- **Animation:** 2.5%
- **Information Technology and Services:** 2.5%
- **Other:** 54.7%

---
## Alternatives

### Alternatives to Adobe Photoshop

- [Canva](https://www.g2.com/products/canva/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (7575 reviews)
- [GIMP](https://www.g2.com/products/gimp/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (1485 reviews)
- [Pixlr](https://www.g2.com/products/pixlr/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (749 reviews)
- [PicMonkey](https://www.g2.com/products/picmonkey/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (421 reviews)
- [Fotor Photo Editor](https://www.g2.com/products/fotor-photo-editor/reviews) — 4.2/5 stars (341 reviews)
- [ACDSee](https://www.g2.com/products/acdsee/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (282 reviews)
- [PhotoWorks](https://www.g2.com/products/photoworks/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (99 reviews)
- [Capture One Pro](https://www.g2.com/products/capture-one-pro/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (79 reviews)
- [PhotoDirector](https://www.g2.com/products/photodirector/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (51 reviews)
- [Corel AfterShot Pro](https://www.g2.com/products/corel-aftershot-pro/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (49 reviews)

### Alternatives to Paintshop Pro

- [Adobe Photoshop Lightroom](https://www.g2.com/products/adobe-photoshop-lightroom/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (3296 reviews)
- [GIMP](https://www.g2.com/products/gimp/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (1485 reviews)
- [Photoshop Elements](https://www.g2.com/products/photoshop-elements/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (799 reviews)
- [ACDSee](https://www.g2.com/products/acdsee/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (282 reviews)
- [Luminar Neo](https://www.g2.com/products/luminar-neo/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (115 reviews)
- [PhotoDirector](https://www.g2.com/products/photodirector/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (51 reviews)
- [Capture One Pro](https://www.g2.com/products/capture-one-pro/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (79 reviews)
- [Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic](https://www.g2.com/products/adobe-photoshop-lightroom-classic/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (895 reviews)
- [Pixlr](https://www.g2.com/products/pixlr/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (749 reviews)
- [Canva](https://www.g2.com/products/canva/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (7575 reviews)

---
## Top Discussions

### Adobe Photoshop

- Title: [How are digital artists using Adobe Photoshop's latest features to push the boundaries of digital art?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/how-are-digital-artists-using-adobe-photoshop-s-latest-features-to-push-the-boundaries-of-digital-art) — 8 comments, 7 upvotes
  > **Top comment:** "One of the best tool in the digital creation."
- Title: [It has a high cost for licenses.](https://www.g2.com/discussions/33193-it-has-a-high-cost-for-licenses) — 7 comments
  > **Top comment:** "In my experience you get what you pay for and it is a first class quality product."
- Title: [It has a high cost for licenses.](https://www.g2.com/discussions/30372-it-has-a-high-cost-for-licenses) — 7 comments, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "Adobe is offering special price of US$19.99/mo (for the 1st year) for all Creative Cloud applications for students and teachers.
"
- Title: [What is Adobe Photoshop used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-adobe-photoshop-used-for) — 6 comments, 3 upvotes
  > **Top comment:** "Adobe Photoshop used for mainly Photo Editing. Also it takes a huge place in Graphic Designing."
- Title: [What are the uses of Adobe Photoshop?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-are-the-uses-of-adobe-photoshop) — 6 comments
  > **Top comment:** "Photo enhancement, photo manipulation, color correction, layout and design for certain printed materials, special effects, etc."

### Paintshop Pro

- Title: [Is Corel PaintShop Pro free?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/is-corel-paintshop-pro-free) — 2 comments
  > **Top comment:** "It's very affordable, but it's not free."
- Title: [What is Paintshop Pro used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-paintshop-pro-used-for) — 1 comment
  > **Top comment:** "Photo editing and graphic design to make professional design"
- Title: [Is PaintShop Pro as good as Photoshop?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/is-paintshop-pro-as-good-as-photoshop) — 1 comment
  > **Top comment:** "Yes it is but still but you will miss out some advanced photoshop tools in paintshop pro"
- Title: [Is PaintShop pro a subscription?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/is-paintshop-pro-a-subscription) — 1 comment
  > **Top comment:** "Unlike the Adobe products requiring monthly subscriptions, PaintShop Pro does not require a subscription and has a reasonable price."
- Title: [What does PaintShop pro do?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-does-paintshop-pro-do) — 1 comment
  > **Top comment:** "Paintshop pro is a program like photo-paint, but with a slightly different tool set."

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**Source:** [G2.com](https://www.g2.com) | [Comparison Page](https://www.g2.com/compare/adobe-photoshop-vs-paintshop-pro)