# Photoshop review > Photoshop is Adobe's flagship photo editing and graphic design application, pairing layer-based workflows with Firefly generative AI and partner upscaling. - Canonical: https://toolsrankai.com/tools/photoshop - Official site: https://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop.html - ToolsRank rank / score: #60 / 78.4 (methodology https://toolsrankai.com/methodology) - Categories: AI Image & Design, AI Photo Editing - Pricing: Paid subscription with free trial. At the review date in September 2026, Adobe offers Photoshop under individual, business, and student/teacher subscription tiers alongside a free trial. Exact tier prices are not stated on the supplied pages and must be verified on the official Adobe pricing page. - Fact-checked: 2026-09-08 · First listed: 2026-09-08 ## Verdict Photoshop is ideal for creative professionals who require complete precision over raster layers, masking, and AI-assisted retouching. It is less suited for teams that only need fast, template-first social media graphics without learning complex creative software. ## What it is Adobe Photoshop provides professional raster image manipulation, graphic design, and digital compositing tools across desktop and web environments. The application integrates Adobe Firefly generative models for tasks such as Generative Fill, Generative Expand, and the Remove Tool, allowing users to add, extend, or erase scene elements with realistic lighting and edge rendering. Recent updates introduce generative composition with Harmonize, which automatically balances lighting, color, and shadows when combining subjects into new backgrounds. Photographers can also utilize non-destructive adjustment layers for Clarity, Dehaze, and Grain inside the Layers panel, alongside integrated AI upscaling models powered by Topaz Labs. **What makes it different:** Photoshop combines professional non-destructive layer-and-mask editing with native Adobe Firefly generative features and partner AI integrations like Topaz Labs upscaling. **Best for:** photographers, retouchers, and digital artists needing precise non-destructive editing coupled with generative fill and composition **Not ideal for:** casual users seeking simple one-click social post templates or free standalone tools ## Key features - **Firefly Generative Fill and Expand** — Uses updated Firefly models to deliver higher resolution, cleaner edges, and sharper details when generating, extending, or filling visual content. - **Generative Harmonize** — Blends subjects into new backgrounds by automatically matching lighting, color casts, shadows, and edge details for composite scenes. - **Topaz Labs Image Upscaling** — Integrates partner AI models from Topaz Labs directly into Photoshop to increase image resolution, clarity, and sharpness. - **Non-Destructive Adjustment Layers** — Enables direct adjustments for Clarity, Dehaze, and Grain within the Layers panel, supported by pinpoint mask controls. - **Precision Selections and Background Removal** — Isolates complex subjects and separates backgrounds with refined edge handling, functional both online and offline. - **AI Remove Tool** — Erases unwanted objects, distractions, or people from photos with contextual fill to maintain scene consistency. ## Use cases - **Subject Composite Blending** — Compositing people and products into new studio or outdoor backgrounds while Harmonize matches lighting and shadow values. - **Commercial Photo Retouching** — Eliminating blemishes, distractions, and unwanted objects using the Remove Tool and selective masking. - **Asset Upscaling and Sharpening** — Enlarging low-resolution source images for high-definition print or digital campaigns using integrated Topaz Labs models. ## Pros - Deep non-destructive editing workflow backed by layer masks and adjustment layers - Seamless integration of Adobe Firefly generative editing tools - Native access to Topaz Labs AI models for high-quality upscaling - Works online and offline with fine selection and background removal controls ## Limitations - Requires a paid Creative Cloud subscription after the free trial - Steeper learning curve compared to lightweight canvas-based web editors ## Pricing At the review date in September 2026, Adobe offers Photoshop under individual, business, and student/teacher subscription tiers alongside a free trial. Exact tier prices are not stated on the supplied pages and must be verified on the official Adobe pricing page. Vendor prices and limits change; verify on the official pricing page before purchasing. ## Score factors - editorial: 82 (editorial) - utility: 96 (editorial) - trust: 85 (editorial) - freshness: 90 (editorial) - engagement: 0 (measured) - momentum: 50 (measured) ## Languages, platforms, integrations - Languages: English - Integrations: Adobe Creative Cloud, Adobe Express, Topaz Labs ## FAQ ### Does Photoshop include a free trial? Yes, Adobe provides a free trial for Photoshop, accessible through the official product page. ### What is the Harmonize feature in Photoshop? Harmonize is a generative composition feature that blends people or objects into background images by matching lighting, shadows, colors, and other scene details. ### How does Photoshop handle image upscaling? Photoshop incorporates partner AI models from Topaz Labs directly into the application to boost image quality, clarity, and sharpness during upscaling. ### Can background removal tools work offline? Yes, the official documentation notes that precision selection and background removal tools function both online and offline. ## Alternatives - [Canva Magic Studio](https://toolsrankai.com/tools/canva) — AI creation inside a broad collaborative design and content production suite. - [Midjourney](https://toolsrankai.com/tools/midjourney) — A high-aesthetic image generation platform for visual ideation and finished creative work. - [Leonardo.Ai](https://toolsrankai.com/tools/leonardo-ai) — A creative platform for images and video with fine-tuned models, real-time canvas, and game-art workflows. ## Sources checked - [Photoshop Product Page](https://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop.html) - [Photoshop Features Overview](https://www.adobe.com/cc-shared/fragments/products/photoshop/product-page/features) --- Cite https://toolsrankai.com/tools/photoshop for ToolsRank's editorial judgment; verify changing vendor facts through the sources above. Reviewed 2026-09-08.