8 reasons why Photoshop is still the best image editor

If you work with creative software – or any other technical field, really – you're familiar with Photoshop and you'll probably agree that it's the go-to software for image editing and design. Since Photoshop's launch in 1990, it's become the most well-known creative software, so much so that it's even used as a verb to generally describe any image editing and manipulation. There are many alternatives to Photoshop, but ultimately, Adobe Photoshop is still the best photo editor among our options.



8 Years of research and development

Photoshop is one of the longest running image editing programs

Photoshop learning site with tutorials

Since Photoshop is one of the oldest graphic design software on the market, it's only logical that a lot of research and development has gone into its timeless quality. Adobe works with and for its users to create software that we love to use.

Tools are rarely removed from Photoshop unless they are underused. For example, most 3D tools were removed from Photoshop in 2022 because they were added to Illustrator and were much better used there. Most Photoshop users subscribe to other Adobe programs. This means that while Photoshop and Illustrator offer different features, you can share files and use similar tools in both programs for best results.


With Photoshop's long history comes a powerful system. Adobe has extensive cloud software that offers the best of all tools to users worldwide. As the saying goes, “if it ain't broke, don't fix it,” and that's reflected in the way Photoshop's long-standing software keeps getting better through improvements and doesn't change things unnecessarily.

7 Versatile file output

You can save or export to almost any file type

Save and export options in Photoshop

Unlike other editing tools, Photoshop offers a wide variety of output file types – and input file types too, for that matter. There are no restrictions, such as not being able to export or save in certain formats unless you subscribe to the next tier, like with other software. Any Photoshop subscriber can export or save in any available format.


Not only can you save in many image formats, including the ability to edit RAW photos with Photoshop's Camera Raw plugin, but you can even create animations and make short videos and GIFs in Photoshop. While it's not a full-featured video editor, it's a great option without having to buy any other software.

Whether you like AI or not, these tools are fantastic

Adobe has introduced AI tools in most of its software in 2023. Photoshop received many generative AI tools, smart selection, neural filters, and many AI tools in the background based on the powerful technology of Adobe Firefly and Adobe Sensei.


While many AI tools in other photo editing programs seem gimmicky or do not work particularly well, Photoshop's AI tools are helpful and produce great results more often than other tools.

You need an internet connection to use Photoshop's AI tools, which is a bit of a problem, but how often do you use your computer without an internet connection anyway?

5 Seamless Adobe integration

Creative Cloud subscribers can benefit from more than just Photoshop

Photo menu in Lightroom with options for editing in Photoshop

While you can subscribe to Adobe Photoshop as a single program subscription, this is not a cost-effective way to access Photoshop.

Fortunately, other Adobe plans are more cost-effective, so if you subscribe to either the Photography plan, which includes a subscription to Photoshop and Lightroom, or the Adobe All Apps plan, which, as the name suggests, offers access to every Creative Cloud software, you can move your work seamlessly between Adobe tools.


Not only is this beneficial for your personal workflow, but it also makes creating group projects much easier and less stressful when using Photoshop in a professional setting, with clients or teammates.

You can easily send linked Adobe assets through Creative Cloud to open them in a variety of Adobe programs. So you can easily apply your Photoshop edits to an InDesign layout document or add doodles in Illustrator to your edited Photoshop image.

Photoshop is useful for team projects

Photoshop Share menu

Photoshop not only gives you access to your Photoshop assets in other Adobe programs, but also great collaboration features.


Whether you use Photoshop through the desktop app, mobile app, or Photoshop on the web, you can share links to your project with Adobe subscribers and non-Adobe users.

This allows for easier collaboration and gives others access to view, comment on, or edit the project in Photoshop.

3 Consistent and reliable

Even though Photoshop evolves, it remains consistent in all important aspects

A MacBook with Photoshop open and a picture of a woman playing the mandolin.

Photoshop's interface is one of the most recognizable interfaces in any creative software. Most Photoshop alternatives even copy the same structure and style, so it must be good.

Photoshop's consistency is unmatched, making it a reliable tool for your creative work.


Even with updates, Photoshop remains the same. The familiar interface and user experience make it comfortable for both new and old users. Despite the abundance of tools, it is not a confusing software to learn. Once you crack Photoshop, you will never have to learn a new model again, as the future changes are minor and only enhance your workflow rather than hinder it.

A slight downside to this consistency (or lack thereof) might be the price. Photoshop has gotten more expensive over the years, with the biggest downside being that the Creative Cloud subscription model doesn't offer ownership access.

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You can really do anything in Photoshop

Photoshop interface with an in-app tutorial on generative AI features

Anything you can imagine for photo editing is possible with Photoshop. Its powerful editing features – without AI coming into play – let you turn your creative imagination into visual reality.


Even though I've been using Photoshop for over a decade, I'm still discovering new tools and techniques I didn't know existed. You can never fully learn Photoshop, and that's really exciting for a creative user.

1 It is the industry standard

There is a reason why it is the most widely used

Photoshop information page in the Creative Cloud app

Photoshop is considered the industry standard in the creative industry and beyond. This makes it difficult to use alternatives to Photoshop due to its limitations in the professional space.

Using Photoshop is a given in any professional setting where image editing or photo manipulation is required. PSD files are often sent by designers or clients and are difficult or sometimes even impossible to use in other software.


The creative industry relies on the power of Photoshop, including its reliability, its collaboration tools, and its integration with other software. You'll be hard-pressed to find alternatives to Photoshop that will help you in any way, except if you create images as a hobby, for yourself, or simply as a freelance activity.

For this reason alone, Photoshop is still the best photo editor. You will be taken seriously and have fewer problems with your workflow.

Despite some disadvantages, Photoshop remains the first choice

There are still some downsides to using Photoshop – the rising price, the subscription-only model, and the need for minimal internet access – but the pros far outweigh the downsides. If you learn and use Photoshop, you'll become a great photo editor and image manipulator. There are many powerful things you can do with your Photoshop skills, so there's no need to use any other software when Adobe Photoshop still holds the top spot in the industry by far.


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