Adobe Photoshop vs Corel PaintShop Pro
Adobe Photoshop scores 8.5 to Corel PaintShop Pro's 5.9 among the photo editors we rate, and is the better pick for 2 of the 4 kinds of buyer below.
Adobe Photoshop wins, 8.5 to 5.9
Adobe Photoshop's cheapest plan is the Photography plan, which also includes Lightroom, at $19.99 a month; Corel PaintShop Pro is bought once instead of rented. Photoshop generates images from a prompt and fills or expands a photo with generative AI, and automatically selects a subject or sky, none of which PaintShop Pro does. PaintShop Pro still has AI erase and relight tools, one click background removal and AI upscaling, and runs on Windows only; Photoshop also runs on the iPad and in a browser.
Pick Adobe Photoshop if you want generative AI fill, prompt image generation and more platforms.
Pick Corel PaintShop Pro if you want a one time purchase with AI editing tools included.
Best for
Who each one suits, decided on the criteria that matter to that buyer and the checked facts where the two differ.
- Generative fill and expand: Adobe Photoshop yes, Corel PaintShop Pro no
- Generates images from a prompt: Adobe Photoshop yes, Corel PaintShop Pro no
- Selects a subject or sky by itself: Adobe Photoshop yes, Corel PaintShop Pro no
- Where it runs: 5 platforms against 1 platform
- Apps it connects to: 3 integrations against 0 integrations
- File formats it exports: 5 export formats against 3 export formats
- Cheapest plan you can edit in, monthly: Adobe Photoshop $19.99, Corel PaintShop Pro not published
- Commercial use allowed: Adobe Photoshop yes, Corel PaintShop Pro does not say
How they score
Both are scored the same way, against the other photo editors we rate, from facts on each vendor's own pages. Adobe Photoshop leads on 3 of 4 criteria.
Where they differ
Every point where the two vendors' published facts disagree, with a link to where each fact was read. "Not published" means the vendor does not say either way.
Published by only one of them
Where they match (8)
Pricing, plan by plan
Every plan each vendor publishes, monthly and yearly where both are offered.
Adobe Photoshop
Corel PaintShop Pro
For everything else about each tool, read the full Adobe Photoshop review and Corel PaintShop Pro review.
Adobe Photoshop vs Corel PaintShop Pro: common questions
Which is better, Adobe Photoshop or Corel PaintShop Pro?
Adobe Photoshop scores 8.5 and Corel PaintShop Pro 5.9 out of 10 among the photo editors we rate. Adobe Photoshop is ahead on what it adds beyond the basics, workflow and output and privacy and trust. Corel PaintShop Pro is ahead on pricing.
Is Adobe Photoshop or Corel PaintShop Pro cheaper?
Adobe Photoshop's cheapest paid plan is $19.99/mo (Photography plan, includes Lightroom) and Corel PaintShop Pro's is $79.99 one-time. Compare what each plan includes below before going on price alone.
What can Adobe Photoshop do that Corel PaintShop Pro cannot?
On the facts both vendors publish: generative fill and expand, generates images from a prompt, selects a subject or sky by itself and works in CMYK for print.
