kitio.aiAdobe Lightroom vs Adobe Photoshop Elements
A side-by-side look at pricing plans, free tiers, features, pros and cons, updated for 2026. Adobe Lightroom starts at $11.99/mo and Adobe Photoshop Elements starts at See pricing page. Check both pricing pages for current plans.
Consumer photo editor with AI fixes, generative expand and upscale
Free trialAt a glance
Best for
Pricing model
Starting price
Free plan
Made by
Based in
Rating
Key features
- AI masking
- Denoise
- Generative Remove
- Adaptive presets
- Cloud sync
- One-click AI fixes
- Guided edits
- Generative expand
- Generative Upscale
- Photo organizer
| Feature | Adobe Lightroom | Adobe Photoshop Elements |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Photo editing and organizing app with AI masking and denoise | Consumer photo editor with AI fixes, generative expand and upscale |
| Category | Image | Image |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Free trial |
| Starting price | $11.99/mo | See pricing page |
| Free plan | Yes | No, trial available |
| Made by | Adobe | Adobe |
| Based in | United States | United States |
| Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Key features |
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Pricing compared
Adobe Lightroom starts at $11.99/mo and Adobe Photoshop Elements starts at See pricing page. Check both pricing pages for current plans.
Free plan
Cheapest paid plan
Top plan
Free trial
3 plans
Free
Free
- Lightroom mobile app
- Basic editing tools
Lightroom
$11.99/mo
- Annual plan, billed monthly
- Lightroom on all devices
- 1TB cloud storage
Photography
$19.99/mo
- Annual plan, billed monthly
- Lightroom, Lightroom Classic and Photoshop
- 1TB cloud storage
Prices in USD, checked Oct 28, 2026 or later. Plans change often, so confirm on each tool's site before you buy.
Pros and cons
Adobe Lightroom
- Excellent RAW editing
- One-click AI masks
- Syncs across devices
- Subscription only for full features
- Cloud storage limits
- Two desktop versions confuse users
Adobe Photoshop Elements
- No subscription required
- Guided edits teach techniques
- Organizer included
- License expires after three years
- Fewer tools than full Photoshop
- Some AI features have usage limits
Which one should you choose?
Choose Adobe Lightroom if you want:
- Excellent RAW editing
- One-click AI masks
- Syncs across devices
Watch out: subscription only for full features.
Choose Adobe Photoshop Elements if you want:
- No subscription required
- Guided edits teach techniques
- Organizer included
Watch out: license expires after three years.
Adobe Lightroom vs Adobe Photoshop Elements FAQ
What is the difference between Adobe Lightroom and Adobe Photoshop Elements?
Adobe Lightroom: Photo editing and organizing app with AI masking and denoise. Adobe Photoshop Elements: Consumer photo editor with AI fixes, generative expand and upscale. Both are image tools.
Is Adobe Lightroom or Adobe Photoshop Elements cheaper?
Adobe Lightroom starts at $11.99/mo and Adobe Photoshop Elements starts at See pricing page. Check both pricing pages for current plans.
Do Adobe Lightroom and Adobe Photoshop Elements have free plans?
Adobe Lightroom: Yes. Adobe Photoshop Elements: No, trial available.
Who makes Adobe Lightroom?
Adobe Lightroom is made by Adobe, based in United States.
Who makes Adobe Photoshop Elements?
Adobe Photoshop Elements is made by Adobe, based in United States.
Which should I choose, Adobe Lightroom or Adobe Photoshop Elements?
Choose Adobe Lightroom if you value excellent raw editing and one-click ai masks. Choose Adobe Photoshop Elements if you value no subscription required and guided edits teach techniques.