Quick comparison
| PS Online | Adobe Photoshop | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Paid subscription |
| Install | None, runs in a browser tab | Desktop app for Windows and macOS |
| Account | Not required | Adobe account required |
| Runs on Chromebook and Linux | Yes | Not the desktop app |
| PSD files | Open, edit and save | Native format |
| Layers, masks, adjustment layers | Yes | Yes |
| Layer styles and editable type | Yes | Yes |
| Generative AI tools | No | Yes |
| Cloud documents and libraries | No | Yes |
| Where your files go | Stay on your device | Local or Adobe cloud |
Where PS Online wins
- Cost. It's free, with no trial that expires.
- Zero setup. Open a link and you're editing. Great for borrowed computers, Chromebooks and Linux.
- Privacy. Everything runs locally in WebAssembly; nothing is uploaded.
- Familiarity. Panels, tools and shortcuts follow Photoshop, so there's little to relearn.
Where Photoshop wins
- Depth. Decades of features, including generative AI, advanced print and color workflows, and a huge plug-in ecosystem.
- Ecosystem. Cloud documents, Libraries, Lightroom and the rest of Creative Cloud.
- Autosave and recovery. PS Online doesn't autosave yet, so save or export before closing the tab.
Which should you use?
Choose Photoshop if image editing is your full-time job and you depend on its advanced or AI features.
Choose PS Online if you need to open a PSD, make a fix, remove a background or build a quick graphic, especially on a machine without Photoshop. Many people use both: PS Online for quick edits anywhere, Photoshop at their main desk.