Adobe Photoshop vs Windows 11

by Gralio Feb 03, 2025

Adobe Photoshop and Windows 11 cater to different needs. Photoshop excels in image editing, offering powerful tools for creative professionals. Windows 11 provides a platform for various applications and a user-friendly interface for everyday computing.

At Gralio.ai we help to simplify your decision-making process by offering detailed, side-by-side software comparisons like this one, to help you confidently choose the tool that aligns with your business goals.

This comparison was created by analysing 5149 reviews and 60 websites, saving 1 day, 5 hours, 6 minutes of reading.

Logo of Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Photoshop
Logo of Windows 11
Windows 11

About

Adobe Photoshop is the industry standard software for editing and manipulating images. Photoshop offers advanced features like layers, masks, and filters that give you fine-grained control over your visuals. While powerful, it's also accessible for beginners who want to make quick edits. Photoshop promises professional-quality results for print and digital media.
Windows 11 is Microsoft's latest operating system. It features a redesigned interface with a centered Start menu and taskbar, rounded corners, and updated icons. Windows 11 emphasizes productivity and multitasking with features like Snap Layouts and virtual desktops. It also includes a redesigned Microsoft Store, integrated Teams chat, and improved gaming performance. Security is paramount with enhanced hardware requirements for Windows 11.

Summary

Main difference
Adobe Photoshop is a specialized image editing software for professionals and hobbyists seeking advanced features, while Windows 11 is a general-purpose operating system designed to run a wide range of applications and provide a user-friendly computing experience.

Relative strengths of Adobe Photoshop (compared to Windows 11)

  • Offers advanced image editing tools like layers, masks, and filters.

  • Industry-standard software with wide community support and resources.

  • Caters to a broad range of creative needs from photo retouching to digital painting.

Relative weaknesses of Adobe Photoshop (compared to Windows 11)

  • Requires a subscription, which can be expensive for occasional users.

  • Resource-intensive and may not perform well on older hardware.

  • Steep learning curve for mastering all features.

Who should use Adobe Photoshop VS. Windows 11

Adobe Photoshop is the industry-standard image editing software for businesses of all sizes. Users love its powerful features like generative fill and AI capabilities but dislike the subscription model and occasional complexity. Photoshop excels in delivering high-quality results for diverse creative projects.

Windows 11 is a versatile operating system ideal for individuals, businesses, and gamers. It offers a modern interface, enhanced productivity features, and improved gaming performance. Windows 11 prioritizes security with enhanced hardware requirements.

  • Best for small, medium, and large businesses seeking professional image editing.

  • Ideal for various sectors, including marketing, e-commerce, media, and more.

  • Ideal for small, medium, and large businesses.

  • Best fit for the software, IT, and telecommunications industry.

Adobe Photoshop and Windows 11 features

Supported
Partially supported
Not supported
Type in the name of the feature or in your own words tell us what you need
  • Company history information
    Not supported

    Photoshop is image editing software and does not provide company history.

    Partially supported

    Windows 11 does not provide company history information itself, but compatible apps may be available.

  • Trusted AI development tools
    Not supported

    Photoshop uses AI for photo editing, but not for developing trustworthy AI.

    Supported

    Windows 11 supports AI development with tools like Windows AI Studio, aligning with Microsoft's responsible AI principles.

  • AI for health and science
    Not supported

    Photoshop uses AI for image editing, not for health or science.

    Not supported

    Windows 11 can run AI applications, but lacks built-in support for health and science AI advancements.

  • AI-powered productivity assistant
    Not supported

    Photoshop is focused on photo editing and does not offer AI-powered productivity assistance.

    Supported

    Windows 11 offers AI-powered assistance via Copilot for tasks like writing emails and managing schedules.

  • Filters and Effects
    Supported

    Adobe Photoshop offers a wide range of built-in filters and effects, confirmed by multiple sources.

    Supported

    Windows 11 offers built-in filters and effects through the Photos app.

  • PSD Support
    Supported

    Adobe Photoshop natively supports importing and exporting PSD files.

    Partially supported

    PSD files can be imported and exported using photo editing software on Windows 11.

Qualities

  • Value and Pricing Transparency
    -0.78
    Strongly negative sentiment
    -0.11
    Neutral sentiment
  • Customer Service
    +0.26
    Neutral sentiment
    +0.5
    Rather positive sentiment
  • Ease of Use
    +0.38
    Rather positive sentiment
    +0.86
    Strongly positive sentiment
  • Reliability and Performance
    +0.31
    Rather positive sentiment
    +0.36
    Rather positive sentiment
  • Ease of Implementation
    -0.41
    Rather negative sentiment
    +0.25
    Neutral sentiment
  • Scalability
    -0.17
    Neutral sentiment
    +0.2
    Neutral sentiment
Adobe Photoshop and Windows 11 Pricing
No data

User sentiment

Strongly negative
-0.78

See full Pricing page

No data

User sentiment

Neutral
-0.11
We couldn't find a pricing page for Windows 11.

Adobe Photoshop and Windows 11 review insights

5149 reviews analysed from and

Users love

  • Generative fill is a game-changing feature
  • The "AI features are getting increasingly more useful and innovative."
  • Industry-standard software for image manipulation
  • Offers advanced features for professional-quality results
  • Strong security features and wide software compatibility.
  • User-friendly interface.
  • Easy installation and upgrade process.
  • Helpful Microsoft customer support.
  • Fast boot and restart times.

Users dislike

  • The subscription model is expensive and not ideal for those who want a one-time purchase
  • New features are not always intuitive and can be difficult to learn
  • Can be slow and resource-intensive, especially on older computers
  • The mobile app has limited functionality
  • High resource usage (CPU and memory) can be problematic.
  • Mandatory updates and occasional bad updates are disruptive.
  • Less user configuration compared to previous versions.
  • Software and hardware incompatibilities exist.
  • Forced Microsoft account creation and Edge browser are intrusive.

Adobe Photoshop and Windows 11 Ratings

  • G2
    4.6/5
    (2488)
  • Capterra
    4.8/5
    (2088)
  • Glassdoor
    4.3/5
    (10097)
  • G2
    4.6/5
    (573)

Company health

Employee growth

4% increase in the last year
3% increase in the last year

Web traffic

1% decrease in the last quarter
11% decrease in the last quarter

Financing

June 1984 - $3M
No data

How does Windows 11's new interface impact creative workflows in Photoshop?

Windows 11's redesigned interface, featuring a centered Start menu and taskbar, may slightly impact creative workflows in Photoshop, primarily concerning screen real estate and muscle memory. Users accustomed to the left-aligned taskbar in previous Windows versions might experience minor adjustments in their workflow initially. However, Photoshop's core functionality remains unaffected by the OS interface changes. The impact is likely minimal and easily adaptable to.

Which product better supports a hybrid workflow of online and offline activity?

Adobe Photoshop better supports a hybrid online-offline workflow. Its core functionality, image editing, is primarily performed offline. While cloud integration exists for features like syncing and asset libraries, the software remains fully functional without an internet connection. Windows 11, as an operating system, facilitates both online and offline activity, but doesn't inherently support specific offline workflows in the same way Photoshop does for image manipulation. Therefore, for tasks like image editing which can be done offline with robust software, Photoshop is the superior choice in a hybrid workflow.

What are the advantages of Adobe Photoshop?

Adobe Photoshop offers industry-standard image editing and manipulation capabilities, including advanced features like layers, masks, and filters, enabling professional-quality results for both print and digital media. It also provides extensive color grading tools and robust RAW photo processing capabilities. While powerful, it remains accessible to beginners for basic edits. The recent addition of generative fill provides innovative AI-powered editing options.

What are the disadvantages of Adobe Photoshop?

Adobe Photoshop's subscription model can be expensive, particularly for occasional users. Some users find new features difficult to learn, and the software can be resource-intensive, potentially slowing down older computers. The mobile app also offers limited functionality compared to the desktop version.

Alternatives to Adobe Photoshop and Windows 11

Logo of Photoshop Elements
Photoshop Elements
Photoshop Elements is photo editing software designed for non-professionals. It offers a range of tools for enhancing, organizing, and sharing photos, balancing ease of use with powerful features. It's ideal for individuals who want to improve their photos without needing advanced design skills. Photoshop Elements helps you achieve professional-looking results with automated options and guided edits.
Logo of Red Hat Enterprise Linux
Red Hat Enterprise Linux
Red Hat Enterprise Linux is a stable operating system used by businesses of all sizes. It's known for its flexibility and security, especially important for companies moving operations online. Red Hat offers support, helping your business use this system whether your data is stored locally, or accessed through the cloud.
Logo of Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams is a communication and collaboration platform designed for businesses. It offers chat, video conferencing, file sharing, and integration with other Microsoft Office apps. Aimed at improving teamwork and productivity, Teams centralizes communication and provides a hub for all work-related activities.
Logo of Windows 11
Windows 11
Windows 11 is the latest version of Microsoft's operating system. It features a redesigned interface with a centered Start menu and taskbar, along with new productivity tools like Snap Layouts for better multitasking. Windows 11 prioritizes security and integrates Microsoft Edge for work and leisure. While familiar to Windows 10 users, it introduces modern features and design elements.
Logo of Capture One Pro
Capture One Pro is professional photo editing software developed for photographers who demand the highest quality results. This powerful tool offers advanced color editing, precise image adjustments, and efficient file management. Capture One Pro is known for its exceptional color accuracy and its ability to handle large, complex photo shoots, making it ideal for professional photographers and studios.
Logo of Debian
Debian is a free and open-source operating system known for its stability and security. It's like the foundation of a house, providing the core software to run your computer system. Debian offers a wide range of applications and software, making it suitable for various purposes. It stands out for its large, active community of developers who ensure its reliability and provide support.

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