Is Photoshop Elements a good alternative to Photoshop?

Yes, Photoshop Elements is a great alternative to Photoshop if you want most of the photo editing power without the complexity or monthly subscription costs. It's actually made by Adobe itself as a simpler, more affordable version of their flagship program.

Wait, Adobe Made Their Own Alternative?

It might sound weird, but Adobe created Photoshop Elements specifically for people who found regular Photoshop too complicated or expensive. Think of it like how car companies make both luxury models and budget-friendly versions – same company, different products for different needs.

Photoshop Elements costs about $100 as a one-time purchase, compared to Photoshop's $20 monthly subscription. That means Elements pays for itself after just five months. You own it forever with no recurring fees.

What's the Same and What's Different?

Elements includes most of the photo editing tools you'd use from regular Photoshop. You can still remove backgrounds, fix colors, remove blemishes, adjust lighting, and create cool effects. The tools work similarly, so learning Elements teaches you skills that transfer to full Photoshop later.

The main difference is that Elements is designed to be much easier to use. Instead of overwhelming you with hundreds of options, it guides you through common editing tasks with step-by-step instructions. It's like having training wheels on a bike – you get most of the functionality with less chance of getting confused.

What You're Missing

Elements doesn't include some of the advanced features that professional designers use daily. You won't get the full suite of professional color management tools, advanced layer blending modes, or the ability to create complex vector graphics. It also lacks some of the newest AI features that Adobe keeps adding to the full version.

However, for most high school students and casual users, these missing features won't matter. Elements still handles 90% of what most people want to do with photo editing.

The Guided Learning Advantage

One of Elements' best features is its guided edits. These are essentially built-in tutorials that guide you through popular effects, such as creating double exposures, applying artistic filters, or correcting common photo issues. It's like having a teacher built into the software.

This makes Elements perfect for beginners who want to learn photo editing without feeling overwhelmed. You can follow the guided edits to create cool effects while learning how the tools work.

Who Should Choose Elements?

Elements is ideal for students, hobby photographers, and anyone who wants powerful photo editing without the complexity or cost of full Photoshop. If you're editing family photos, creating social media content, or working on school projects, Elements has everything you need.

It's also great if you want to stick with Adobe's ecosystem but don't need all the professional features. Since Adobe makes it, you can be assured of its reliability and support.

The Bottom Line

Photoshop Elements hits a sweet spot between power and simplicity. It's more capable than most free alternatives but much easier to learn than full Photoshop. The one-time purchase price makes it budget-friendly for students and families.

While there are many best alternatives to Photoshop available, Elements stands out because it's basically "Photoshop Lite" made by the same company. You get Adobe's quality and reliability in a package that's designed for regular people rather than professional designers.

If you want Adobe quality without Adobe complexity or subscription costs, Photoshop Elements is worth considering.