Photoshop's core editing tools — layers, masks, selection refinement — remain the gold standard nearly 35 years in, and Generative Fill has genuinely changed retouching workflows rather than being a gimmick bolted onto the toolbar. Extending a background for a cropped product shot that used to take twenty minutes of manual cloning now takes two.
What keeps Photoshop essential for professional work isn't any single feature though — it's that literally everyone downstream, from print shops to ad platforms to fellow designers, expects and can open a PSD without conversion headaches.
The subscription model remains the sticking point for casual users: paying monthly for software you might open twice a week feels disproportionate compared to a one-time Affinity Photo purchase that covers 90% of the same raster editing needs.
We also noticed Generative Fill occasionally stalls or produces lower-quality results without a stable connection, which is a reminder that Photoshop's newest features quietly depend on Adobe's cloud infrastructure rather than running fully local. For agency and print-facing work, though, it remains the default for good reason.
| PLAN | PRICE | WHAT YOU GET |
|---|---|---|
| Photoshop Single App | $22.99 /mo | annual plan, paid monthly |
| Creative Cloud All Apps | $59.99 /mo | full Adobe suite |
| Photography Plan | $9.99 /mo | bundled with Lightroom |
Photo editors and compositors needing pixel-level control — and anyone who wants Photoshop to do the heavy lifting in this category.
you only need basic photo touch-ups occasionally — if that's a dealbreaker, look at the alternatives in the sidebar.
- Is Photoshop worth it?
- Still the reference point for raster image editing, and still the tool clients expect you to deliver files compatible with. We rate it 8.5/10, and it's the strongest pick for photo editors and compositors needing pixel-level control.
- How much does Photoshop cost?
- Photoshop lists Photoshop Single App at $22.99/mo, Creative Cloud All Apps at $59.99/mo, Photography Plan at $9.99/mo. List prices change often, so confirm with the vendor before you buy.
- What are the downsides of Photoshop?
- Subscription cost adds up for casual users Interface complexity intimidates newcomers Resource-heavy on large layered files Some AI features still require internet connection
Retouched and composited a five-image product photography set, testing Generative Fill against manual cloning for background extension.
We buy the tools, use them on real client and creator work, then write what we found.
LAST TESTED MAR 27, 2026
REVIEWED BY THE BESTCREATES DESK · REVIEWS TEAM · OUR DISCLOSURE POLICY