Link copied to clipboard # Paintshop Pro vs Photoshop Elements Comparison - What are their main differences? Share [ Export ](/compare/paintshop-pro/photoshop-elements/export.csv) Paintshop ProPhotoshop Elements[+ Add Product](#) Reviews **Paintshop Pro** [ 4.1/5(207) ](https://www.g2.com/products/paintshop-pro/reviews#reviews) **Photoshop Elements** [ 4.3/5(801) ](https://www.g2.com/products/photoshop-elements/reviews#reviews) Pricing **Paintshop Pro** No pricing available **Photoshop Elements** No pricing available **Pricing Insights** from reviews Time to Implement **Paintshop Pro** 2 months Based on 8 responses **Photoshop Elements** 2 months Based on 29 responses Return on Investment **Paintshop Pro** 13 months Based on 7 responses **Photoshop Elements** 8 months5 months sooner Based on 25 responses Perceived Cost **Paintshop Pro** $$$$$ **Photoshop Elements** $$$$$ Average Discount **Paintshop Pro** Not enough reviews yet **Photoshop Elements** 7% Pros & Cons **Paintshop Pro** [ Ease of Use (2) ](https://www.g2.com/products/paintshop-pro/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1272862&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[ Photo Editing (2) ](https://www.g2.com/products/paintshop-pro/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1272507&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[ Cost (1) ](https://www.g2.com/products/paintshop-pro/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=2065628&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[ Learning Curve (1) ](https://www.g2.com/products/paintshop-pro/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1272913&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews) **Photoshop Elements** [ Ease of Use (21) ](https://www.g2.com/products/photoshop-elements/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1788905&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[ Efficiency (15) ](https://www.g2.com/products/photoshop-elements/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1789323&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[ Limited Features (12) ](https://www.g2.com/products/photoshop-elements/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1789085&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[ Limited Customization (5) ](https://www.g2.com/products/photoshop-elements/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1789147&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews) Integrations **Paintshop Pro** Not enough data **Photoshop Elements** [ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_631289741aefb94562cf8cdf404fa7b6/adobe-photoshop-lightroom.png "Product Avatar Image") Adobe Photoshop Lightroom ](https://www.g2.com/products/adobe-photoshop-lightroom/reviews)[ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_631289741aefb94562cf8cdf404fa7b6/adobe-photoshop-lightroom-classic.png "Product Avatar Image") Adobe Photoshop Lightroom... ](https://www.g2.com/products/adobe-photoshop-lightroom-classic/reviews)[ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_20c010d5090054533c1b561ee4a019f9/dropbox.png "Product Avatar Image") Dropbox ](https://www.g2.com/products/dropbox/reviews)[ View all ](https://www.g2.com/products/photoshop-elements/integrations) Ratings Meets Requirements **Paintshop Pro** 8.4 8.4177 **Photoshop Elements** 8.5 8.5644 Ease of Use **Paintshop Pro** 8.4 8.4179 **Photoshop Elements** 8.5 8.5646 Ease of Setup **Paintshop Pro** 8.3 8.334 **Photoshop Elements** 8.9 8.994 Ease of Admin **Paintshop Pro** 8.4 8.429 **Photoshop Elements** 8.8 8.857 Quality of Support **Paintshop Pro** 8.1 8.1144 **Photoshop Elements** 8.4 8.4496 Has the product been a good partner in doing business? **Paintshop Pro** 8.2 8.226 **Photoshop Elements** 8.4 8.451 Product Direction (% positive) **Paintshop Pro** 7.5 7.5174 **Photoshop Elements** 7.8 7.8624 Features Photo Editing[Hide 35 FeaturesShow 35 Features](javascript:void(0);) 8.5 15 7.8 48 Generative AI AI Text-to-Image 8.4(won by 0.5) 15 (There is a greater than 0.5 difference between this product's rating and its competitors) 7.9 44 AI Text-to-3D 8.5(won by 1.4) 14 (There is a greater than 0.5 difference between this product's rating and its competitors) 7.1 37 Photos/Images Not enough data Not enough data Generative AI Not enough data Not enough data Agentic AI - Photo Editing Cross-system Integration Not enough data 8.5(won by default) 17 Additional Functionality File Conversion Not enough data Not enough data Image Editing Not enough data Not enough data Real Time Editing Not enough data Not enough data Social Sharing Not enough data Not enough data File Management Not enough data Not enough data Animations & Transitions Not enough data Not enough data Watermarking Not enough data Not enough data User Management Not enough data Not enough data Presentation Tools Not enough data Not enough data AI Copilot Not enough data Not enough data File Sharing Not enough data Not enough data Multiple Output Formats Not enough data Not enough data File Storage Not enough data Not enough data Customizable Templates Not enough data Not enough data Task Management Not enough data Not enough data Image Library Not enough data Not enough data Collaboration Tools Not enough data Not enough data Batch Processing Not enough data Not enough data Project Management Not enough data Not enough data API Not enough data Not enough data Content Sharing Not enough data Not enough data Content Import/Export Not enough data Not enough data Drag & Drop Not enough data Not enough data Pre-built Templates Not enough data Not enough data Preview Functionality Not enough data Not enough data Search/Filter Not enough data Not enough data Image Protection Not enough data Not enough data Media Management Not enough data Not enough data Alerts/Notifications Not enough data Not enough data Activity Dashboard Not enough data Not enough data User Insights Reviewers' Company Size [![Paintshop Pro](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_18f1fd11b8c180bb3cd0000ab786f77f/paintshop-pro.png "Paintshop Pro")](https://www.g2.com/products/paintshop-pro/reviews) Paintshop Pro Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.) 67.3% Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.) 17.3% Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.) 15.3% [![Photoshop Elements](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/e8f77dbb61f08ce0a35a81a4205d4a28/photoshop-elements.svg "Photoshop Elements")](https://www.g2.com/products/photoshop-elements/reviews) Photoshop Elements Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.) 70.6% Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.) 18.7% Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.) 10.8% Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) 67.3% 70.6% Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) 17.3% 18.7% Enterprise (\> 1000 emp.) 15.3% 10.8% Reviewers' Industry [![Paintshop Pro](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_18f1fd11b8c180bb3cd0000ab786f77f/paintshop-pro.png "Paintshop Pro")](https://www.g2.com/products/paintshop-pro/reviews) Paintshop Pro Design 9.4% Graphic Design 6.9% Photography 5.4% Marketing and Advertising 5.0% Internet 4.5% Other 68.8% [![Photoshop Elements](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/e8f77dbb61f08ce0a35a81a4205d4a28/photoshop-elements.svg "Photoshop Elements")](https://www.g2.com/products/photoshop-elements/reviews) Photoshop Elements Photography 9.0% Marketing and Advertising 7.2% Design 7.2% Graphic Design 6.7% Higher Education 4.6% Other 65.2% FAQs ## Paintshop Pro vs Photoshop Elements FAQs Generated using AI Last updated: August 14, 2026 ### What is the difference between Photoshop Elements vs Paintshop Pro? Photoshop Elements is distinguished by its higher reviewer satisfaction scores and stronger ease-of-use sentiment compared to Paintshop Pro. | [Photoshop Elements](https://www.g2.com/products/photoshop-elements/reviews) | [Paintshop Pro](https://www.g2.com/products/paintshop-pro/reviews) | | --- | --- | | 4.3/5 (800 reviews) | 4.1/5 (207 reviews) | | Small-Business | Small-Business | | 8.9 | 8.3 | | 8.4 | 8.1 | | Ease of Use (21 all-time mentions) | Ease of Use | ### How do the pricing models of Photoshop Elements and Paintshop Pro compare? Photoshop Elements is rated higher for value, with a stronger satisfaction score on price and cost-related dimensions than Paintshop Pro. - **Photoshop Elements:** Reviewers highlight the one-time purchase model and affordability for high-quality editing, though some mention the price as high for certain users. - **Paintshop Pro:** Reviewers consistently cite affordability and the absence of a subscription as key value drivers, with frequent praise for its budget-friendly perpetual license. - **Switching reasons:** In recent reviews, buyers mention switching to Paintshop Pro to avoid ongoing subscription costs and to access a comprehensive toolset at a lower upfront price. ### What are the best alternatives to Photoshop Elements and Paintshop Pro? The top 3 alternatives to Photoshop Elements and Paintshop Pro are Adobe Photoshop Lightroom, GIMP, and Pixlr. | Product | G2 Rating (reviews) | Largest Segment | Pricing Insight | Top Reviewer-Cited Strength | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Photoshop Elements](https://www.g2.com/products/photoshop-elements/reviews) | 4.3/5 (800 reviews) | Small-Business | One-time purchase, affordable for high-quality editing | Ease of Use (21 all-time mentions) | | [Paintshop Pro](https://www.g2.com/products/paintshop-pro/reviews) | 4.1/5 (207 reviews) | Small-Business | Budget-friendly, perpetual license, no subscription | Ease of Use | | [Adobe Photoshop Lightroom](https://www.g2.com/products/adobe-photoshop-lightroom/reviews) | 4.6/5 (3298 reviews) | Small-Business | — | Advanced photo organization and editing | | [GIMP](https://www.g2.com/products/gimp/reviews) | 4.3/5 (1485 reviews) | Small-Business | — | Open-source flexibility and customization | | [Pixlr](https://www.g2.com/products/pixlr/reviews) | 4.4/5 (750 reviews) | Small-Business | — | Quick, browser-based editing | ### Which Photo Editing features should I prioritize when comparing Photoshop Elements and Paintshop Pro? Buyers comparing Photoshop Elements and Paintshop Pro should prioritize ease of use, AI-powered editing, background removal, performance, and advanced editing controls. - **Ease of Use:** Photoshop Elements (21 all-time mentions), Paintshop Pro (2 all-time mentions) - **AI Tools:** Photoshop Elements (6 all-time mentions), Paintshop Pro (recent reviews highlight AI-powered editing but fewer mentions) - **Background Removal:** Photoshop Elements (7 all-time mentions), Paintshop Pro (1 all-time mention) - **Performance:** Photoshop Elements (3 all-time mentions for slow performance), Paintshop Pro (recent reviews cite performance issues) - **Advanced Editing Controls:** Photoshop Elements (12 all-time mentions for limited features), Paintshop Pro (recent reviews note advanced tools but also a learning curve) ### What are the pros and cons of Photoshop Elements vs Paintshop Pro? Photoshop Elements stands out for ease of use, while Paintshop Pro is praised for affordability and a comprehensive toolset. - **Photoshop Elements strengths:** Ease of use (21 all-time mentions), efficiency (15), photo editing (12), features (10), quality (10), background removal (7), AI tools (6), time-saving (3), easy integrations (2) - **Photoshop Elements trade-offs:** Limited features (12), limited customization (5), slow performance (3), subscription requirement (4), expensive (2) - **Paintshop Pro strengths:** Ease of use, affordability, background removal, versatility, quality, useful for both beginners and advanced users - **Paintshop Pro trade-offs:** Learning curve, limited features, performance issues, slow performance, cost (1 all-time mention each) ### Is Photoshop Elements or Paintshop Pro better for small businesses? Photoshop Elements is the stronger fit for small businesses, supported by its largest segment and positive small-business reviewer sentiment. - **Photoshop Elements:** Small-Business is the largest segment, with reviewers highlighting ease of use, affordability, and time-saving features for small teams. - **Paintshop Pro:** Small-Business is also the largest segment, with reviewers noting its affordability and comprehensive toolset, but some mention a steeper learning curve for new users. ### Which Photo Editing platform has better integrations? Photoshop Elements is favored for integrations, with more reviewer-cited integration mentions than Paintshop Pro. - **Photoshop Elements:** Integrates with Adobe Photoshop (62 all-time mentions in reviews). - **Paintshop Pro:** Reviewers mention compatibility with technical documentation suites and Adobe file formats, but no integration has more than a few mentions. ### How do Photoshop Elements and Paintshop Pro compare on customer support? Photoshop Elements and Paintshop Pro are rated within 0.3 points on Quality of Support, indicating near parity by the materiality threshold. - **Photoshop Elements:** Reviewers frequently cite responsive support and helpful resources, with a Quality of Support score of 8.4. - **Paintshop Pro:** Reviewers mention helpful tutorials and responsive customer service, with a Quality of Support score of 8.1. ### Which is easier to implement, Photoshop Elements or Paintshop Pro? Photoshop Elements leads Paintshop Pro on Ease of Setup by 0.6 points, a material difference in reviewer satisfaction. - **Photoshop Elements:** Reviewers consistently describe the setup as quick, straightforward, and beginner-friendly, with an Ease of Setup score of 8.9. - **Paintshop Pro:** Reviewers note a simple installation process but mention a steeper learning curve for advanced features, with an Ease of Setup score of 8.3. Alternatives **Paintshop Pro Alternatives** ![Adobe Photoshop Lightroom](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/9564ba120f5c03c806b95f934cfb3ec2/adobe-photoshop-lightroom.svg "Adobe Photoshop Lightroom") [ Adobe Photoshop Lightroom ](/products/adobe-photoshop-lightroom/reviews) ![GIMP](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_c1ef7dba448cecec96775ad06eb16ca8/gimp.png "GIMP") [ GIMP ](/products/gimp/reviews) ![ACDSee](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/19cd466d837e9d56c88843d8c7339fee/acdsee.svg "ACDSee") [ ACDSee ](/products/acdsee/reviews) ![Luminar Neo](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_74418aef0c411b72a21f6e043d566f71/luminar-neo.png "Luminar Neo") [ Luminar Neo ](/products/luminar-neo/reviews) **Photoshop Elements Alternatives** ![GIMP](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_c1ef7dba448cecec96775ad06eb16ca8/gimp.png "GIMP") [ GIMP ](/products/gimp/reviews) ![Pixlr](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_ffe46f2ca4b34fd92c06d6ec0ee8e036/pixlr.jpg "Pixlr") [ Pixlr ](/products/pixlr/reviews) ![CorelDRAW](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_6cb6dce76837a8c34937bb03040a7889/coreldraw.jpg "CorelDRAW") [ CorelDRAW ](/products/coreldraw/reviews) ![ACDSee](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/19cd466d837e9d56c88843d8c7339fee/acdsee.svg "ACDSee") [ ACDSee ](/products/acdsee/reviews)