Adobe Photoshop Elements review

Photoshop Elements is Adobe's editor for people who want Photoshop-style results without learning Photoshop. The Mac App Store listing for Photoshop Elements 2025 describes an AI-powered Remove tool plus an Object Removal Guided Edit that leads you through the job, an AI Depth Blur filter where you pick a focal point and adjust blur strength, focal distance and focal range, and automatic selection for changing the color of any object. Four one-click Quick Actions add camera motion, sparkles or animated frames, and Photo Reels and collages help you share the results. The price model is the main reason to choose it over Lightroom: $99.99 buys a 3-year term license on the US Mac App Store after a 7-day trial, so there is no monthly bill. It is not a perpetual license, though, and it lacks Lightroom's phone sync. The Mac edition needs macOS 13 or later and 8GB of RAM.

Who it is for

beginners who want guided steps and no monthly fee

Price

$99.99 for a 3-year term license on the US Mac App Store, with a 7-day trial.

3-year term license $99.99
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 11, 2026.

Key features

• AI-powered Remove tool and an Object Removal Guided Edit
• AI Depth Blur filter with control over focal point and blur strength
• Automatic selection to change the color of any object
• One-click Quick Actions for motion effects and animated frames
• Photo Reels, collages and textured backgrounds for sharing

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Guided Edits walk through tasks step by step
• Strength: One payment covers three years, no monthly bill
• Strength: Uses Adobe's Remove and selection tools
• Weakness: The license is a 3-year term, not a perpetual license
• Weakness: Mac edition needs 8GB of RAM and macOS 13 or later
• Weakness: No synced phone app like Lightroom

Key facts

• US Mac App Store price: $99.99 for a 3-year term license
• Trial: 7 days
• Mac requirements: macOS 13 or 14.4+, 8GB RAM, 10GB disk
• Edition on the Mac App Store: Photoshop Elements 2025

Where it ranks

Adobe Photoshop Elements is No. 2 in our Best Photo Editing Software for Beginners verdict.