# Paintshop Pro vs Photoshop Elements Comparison --- ## AI Generated Summary - **G2 reviewers report** that Photoshop Elements excels in user-friendliness, making it a great choice for beginners. Users appreciate its **step-by-step guided edits** and useful editing tools like **background removal** and **motion effects** , which help create professional-looking photos without overwhelming complexity. - **According to verified reviews** , Paintshop Pro offers a wide range of tools and options that can compete with more established software like Photoshop. Users highlight its ability to perform **advanced tasks** such as **editing RAW photos** and **working with layers** , making it suitable for those who want to dive deeper into photo editing. - **Users say** that Photoshop Elements has a significantly higher overall satisfaction score, reflecting its strong performance in areas like **ease of setup** and **quality of support**. Reviewers mention that the software is intuitive, allowing for a quick start without a steep learning curve. - **Reviewers mention** that while Paintshop Pro is easy to get started with, it may not match the same level of user satisfaction as Photoshop Elements. Some users feel that it lacks the same level of **guidance and support** that makes Photoshop Elements a preferred choice for those new to photo editing. - **G2 reviewers highlight** that Photoshop Elements benefits from a larger volume of recent reviews, indicating a more active user base and ongoing improvements. This is reflected in feedback praising its incorporation of **AI features** that enhance editing capabilities, making it a more modern tool for users. - **According to verified reviews** , Paintshop Pro's perpetual licensing model is a plus for users looking for long-term value. However, some users feel that despite its many features, it doesn't quite deliver the same level of **overall satisfaction** as Photoshop Elements, particularly in terms of user experience and support. | | Paintshop Pro | Photoshop Elements | |---|---|---| | **Star Rating** | 4.1 out of 5 | 4.3 out of 5 | | **Total Reviews** | 206 | 799 | | **Largest Market Segment** | Small-Business (67.2% of reviews) | Small-Business (70.5% of reviews) | | **Entry Level Price** | No pricing available | No pricing available | --- ## Top Pros & Cons ### Paintshop Pro Pros: - Ease of Use (2 reviews) - Photo Editing (2 reviews) Cons: - Cost (1 reviews) - Learning Curve (1 reviews) ### Photoshop Elements Pros: - Ease of Use (21 reviews) - Efficiency (15 reviews) Cons: - Limited Features (12 reviews) - Limited Customization (5 reviews) --- ## Ratings Comparison | Rating | Paintshop Pro | Photoshop Elements | |---|---|---| | **Meets Requirements** | 8.4 (176 reviews) | 8.5 (643 reviews) | | **Ease of Use** | 8.4 (178 reviews) | 8.5 (645 reviews) | | **Ease of Setup** | 8.3 (33 reviews) | 8.9 (93 reviews) | | **Ease of Admin** | 8.5 (28 reviews) | 8.8 (56 reviews) | | **Quality of Support** | 8.1 (143 reviews) | 8.4 (495 reviews) | | **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?** | 8.2 (25 reviews) | 8.3 (50 reviews) | | **Product Direction (% positive)** | 7.5 (174 reviews) | 7.8 (624 reviews) | --- ## Pricing ### Paintshop Pro #### Entry-Level Pricing No pricing available #### Free Trial No information available ### Photoshop Elements #### Entry-Level Pricing No pricing available #### Free Trial No information available --- ## Features Comparison By Category ### Photo Editing | Product | Score | Reviews | |---|---|---| | **Paintshop Pro** | 8.4/10 | 14 | | **Photoshop Elements** | 7.8/10 | 47 | #### Generative AI | Feature | Paintshop Pro | Photoshop Elements | |---|---|---| | **AI Text-to-Image** | 8.3 (14 reviews) | 7.9 (43 reviews) | | **AI Text-to-3D** | 8.5 (14 reviews) | 7.1 (37 reviews) | #### Agentic AI - Photo Editing | Feature | Paintshop Pro | Photoshop Elements | |---|---|---| | **Cross-system Integration** | Not enough data | 8.5 (17 reviews) | --- ## Categories **Shared Categories (1):** [Photo Editing Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/photo-editing) --- ## Reviewer Demographics ### By Company Size | Segment | Paintshop Pro | Photoshop Elements | |---|---|---| | **Small-Business** | 67.2% | 70.5% | | **Mid-Market** | 17.4% | 18.7% | | **Enterprise** | 15.4% | 10.8% | ### By Industry #### 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% #### Photoshop Elements - **Photography:** 9.0% - **Design:** 7.2% - **Marketing and Advertising:** 7.1% - **Graphic Design:** 6.7% - **Higher Education:** 4.6% - **Architecture & Planning:** 3.6% - **Information Technology and Services:** 3.2% - **Retail:** 3.1% - **Education Management:** 3.0% - **Media Production:** 2.2% - **Other:** 50.2% --- ## Alternatives ### Alternatives to Paintshop Pro - [Adobe Photoshop Lightroom](https://www.g2.com/products/adobe-photoshop-lightroom/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (3290 reviews) - [GIMP](https://www.g2.com/products/gimp/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (1484 reviews) - [ACDSee](https://www.g2.com/products/acdsee/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (281 reviews) - [Affinity Photo](https://www.g2.com/products/affinity-photo/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (234 reviews) - [Luminar Neo](https://www.g2.com/products/luminar-neo/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (112 reviews) - [PhotoDirector](https://www.g2.com/products/photodirector/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (50 reviews) - [Adobe Photoshop](https://www.g2.com/products/adobe-photoshop/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (13362 reviews) - [Capture One Pro](https://www.g2.com/products/capture-one-pro/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (78 reviews) - [Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic](https://www.g2.com/products/adobe-photoshop-lightroom-classic/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (888 reviews) - [Pixlr](https://www.g2.com/products/pixlr/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (747 reviews) ### Alternatives to Photoshop Elements - [GIMP](https://www.g2.com/products/gimp/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (1484 reviews) - [Pixlr](https://www.g2.com/products/pixlr/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (747 reviews) - [CorelDRAW](https://www.g2.com/products/coreldraw/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (553 reviews) - [ACDSee](https://www.g2.com/products/acdsee/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (281 reviews) - [Affinity Photo](https://www.g2.com/products/affinity-photo/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (234 reviews) - [Luminar Neo](https://www.g2.com/products/luminar-neo/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (112 reviews) - [Capture One Pro](https://www.g2.com/products/capture-one-pro/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (78 reviews) - [PhotoDirector](https://www.g2.com/products/photodirector/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (50 reviews) - [Corel AfterShot Pro](https://www.g2.com/products/corel-aftershot-pro/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (49 reviews) - [Canva](https://www.g2.com/products/canva/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (7492 reviews) --- ## Top Discussions ### 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." ### Photoshop Elements - Title: [What is Photoshop Elements used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-photoshop-elements-used-for) — 2 comments > **Top comment:** " Adobe Photoshop Elements is a user-friendly software for entry-level photo and video editing. It offers basic photo editing tools, guided edits for..." - Title: [When do you know it’s time to upgrade besides needing a few more elements?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/when-do-you-know-it-s-time-to-upgrade-besides-needing-a-few-more-elements) — 2 comments, 1 upvote > **Top comment:** "when a tool can have more creative uses" - Title: [Is Photoshop Elements 2020 worth the upgrade?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/is-photoshop-elements-2020-worth-the-upgrade) — 1 comment, 1 upvote > **Top comment:** "Yes, it offers more powerful tools and creative options." - Title: [Is Photoshop Elements any good?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/is-photoshop-elements-any-good) — 1 comment > **Top comment:** "Yes its good to use" - Title: [Is Photoshop Elements the same as Photoshop?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/is-photoshop-elements-the-same-as-photoshop) — 1 comment > **Top comment:** "No, I'd say it's better." --- **Source:** [G2.com](https://www.g2.com) | [Comparison Page](https://www.g2.com/compare/paintshop-pro-vs-photoshop-elements)