Adobe Lightroom vs Adobe Photoshop
A comprehensive head-to-head comparison of two leading photography solutions in 2026. Compare features, pricing, ratings, and more to find the right fit.
Quick Verdict
Choose Adobe Lightroom if you need RAW photo editing and prefer comprehensive paid features. Choose Adobe Photoshop if you prioritize Advanced photo editing and want plans starting at $22.99/month. Adobe Photoshop has a higher user rating (4.5 vs 4.3).
Adobe Lightroom vs Adobe Photoshop: At a Glance
| Criteria | Adobe Lightroom | Adobe Photoshop |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | 4.3 | 4.5 |
| Pricing | $9.99/month | $22.99/month |
| Pricing Model | subscription | subscription |
| Free Plan | ||
| Platforms | Windows, Macos, Ios, Android | Windows, Macos, Ipad |
| Category | Photography | Photography |
| Founded | 1982 | 1982 |
Feature Comparison: Adobe Lightroom vs Adobe Photoshop
| Feature | Adobe Lightroom | Adobe Photoshop |
|---|---|---|
| RAW photo editing | ||
| Non-destructive editing | ||
| Batch processing | ||
| Color correction | ||
| Lens corrections | ||
| Adobe Creative Cloud | ||
| Adobe Stock | ||
| Adobe Portfolio | ||
| Photoshop | ||
| Cloud sync encryption | ||
| Version control | ||
| Backup and restore | ||
| Windows support | ||
| Macos support | ||
| Ios support | ||
| Advanced photo editing | ||
| Layer-based editing | ||
| Selection tools | ||
| Digital painting | ||
| 3D design | ||
| Typography tools | ||
| Lightroom | ||
| Illustrator | ||
| After Effects | ||
| Stock photos | ||
| Behance | ||
| Creative Cloud Libraries |
Adobe Lightroom vs Adobe Photoshop: Pricing Breakdown
Adobe Lightroom Pricing
Model: subscription
- Lightroom + Photoshop
- 20GB cloud storage
- Desktop and mobile apps
- Portfolio website
Adobe Photoshop Pricing
Model: subscription
- Photoshop
- Lightroom
- 20GB cloud storage
- Portfolio website
- Photoshop desktop
- Photoshop on iPad
- 100GB cloud storage
- Premium fonts
- 20+ Creative Cloud apps
- 100GB cloud storage
- Portfolio website
- Premium fonts
Pros and Cons
Adobe Lightroom
Pros
- Highly rated by users (4.3/5)
- Available on 4 platforms (Windows, Macos, Ios, Android)
- Rich feature set with 15+ capabilities
- Strong RAW photo editing functionality
- Strong Non-destructive editing functionality
Cons
- No free plan available
- May require time to learn advanced features
Adobe Photoshop
Pros
- Highly rated by users (4.5/5)
- Available on 3 platforms (Windows, Macos, Ipad)
- Rich feature set with 15+ capabilities
- Strong Advanced photo editing functionality
- Strong Layer-based editing functionality
Cons
- No free plan available
- May require time to learn advanced features
Who Should Use Adobe Lightroom vs Adobe Photoshop?
Choose Adobe Lightroom if you:
- Need RAW photo editing
- Have a budget of $9.99/month+
- Work primarily on Windows and Macos
- Value Non-destructive editing
Choose Adobe Photoshop if you:
- Need Advanced photo editing
- Have a budget of $22.99/month+
- Work primarily on Windows and Macos
- Value Layer-based editing
Frequently Asked Questions: Adobe Lightroom vs Adobe Photoshop
Is Adobe Lightroom better than Adobe Photoshop?
It depends on your needs. Adobe Lightroom has a 4.3/5 user rating while Adobe Photoshop has 4.5/5. Adobe Lightroom excels in RAW photo editing and Non-destructive editing, while Adobe Photoshop stands out with Advanced photo editing and Layer-based editing. Consider your budget ($9.99/month vs $22.99/month), platform needs, and specific feature requirements.
Which is cheaper, Adobe Lightroom or Adobe Photoshop?
Adobe Lightroom starts at $9.99/month. Adobe Photoshop starts at $22.99/month. Compare the specific plan features to determine the best value for your use case.
Can I use Adobe Lightroom and Adobe Photoshop together?
While both are photography tools, some teams use complementary software together. Check each product's API and integration capabilities for compatibility. However, most users find that one solution covers their core photography needs.
What are the main differences between Adobe Lightroom and Adobe Photoshop?
The key differences include: pricing model (subscription vs subscription), platform support (Windows, Macos, Ios, Android vs Windows, Macos, Ipad), and feature focus. Adobe Lightroom emphasizes RAW photo editing, Non-destructive editing, Batch processing while Adobe Photoshop focuses on Advanced photo editing, Layer-based editing, Selection tools. User ratings differ slightly: 4.3 vs 4.5 out of 5.
Ready to choose?
Explore detailed reviews, user ratings, and pricing for both Adobe Lightroom and Adobe Photoshop.