Adobe Photoshop vs Solo
Neutral, data‑driven comparison to evaluate design.
Comparing 2 AI tools.
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
Upvotes | 584 | 3 |
Avg. Rating | 4.0 | N/A |
Slogan | Create, edit, and design with industry-leading AI-powered image innovation. | Create Your Professional Website Instantly with AI |
Category | ||
Pricing Model | Subscription Enterprise Contact for Pricing | Free |
Pricing Details | Photoshop Single App $22.99/month, Photography Plan (Photoshop + Lightroom, 1TB) $19.99/month, Creative Cloud All Apps $69.99/month; Photography Plan 20GB at $9.99/month discontinued for new users after January 15, 2025. | Completely free; custom domains possible for as little as $1/year via partners. No subscription model currently active. |
Platforms | ||
Target Audience | Graphic Designers, Content Creators, Marketing Professionals, Educators, Students, Entrepreneurs | Content Creators, Entrepreneurs, Marketing Professionals, Educators, Students, Business Executives |
Website |
Why this comparison matters
This comprehensive comparison of Adobe Photoshop and Solo provides objective, data-driven insights to help you choose the best design solution for your needs. We evaluate both tools across multiple dimensions including feature depth, pricing transparency, integration capabilities, security posture, and real-world usability.
Whether you're evaluating tools for personal use, team collaboration, or enterprise deployment, this comparison highlights key differentiators, use case recommendations, and cost-benefit considerations to inform your decision. Both tools are evaluated based on verified data, community feedback, and technical capabilities.
Quick Decision Guide
Choose Adobe Photoshop if:
- Multi-platform flexibility—Adobe Photoshop supports 4 platforms (3 more than Solo), ideal for diverse teams
- Developer-friendly—Adobe Photoshop provides comprehensive API and 6 SDKs for custom integrations, while Solo has limited developer tools
- Automation powerhouse—Adobe Photoshop excels at workflow automation and reducing manual tasks
- Mobile-first workflows—Adobe Photoshop offers native mobile apps for on-the-go access
- Community favorite—Adobe Photoshop has 584 upvotes (19367% more than Solo), indicating strong user preference
Choose Solo if:
- Budget-conscious teams—Solo offers a free tier for testing, while Adobe Photoshop requires a paid subscription
- Advanced analytics—Solo provides deeper insights and data visualization capabilities
- Specialized in conversational ai—Solo offers category-specific features and optimizations for conversational ai workflows
- Multilingual support—Solo supports 5 languages vs Adobe Photoshop's 1
- Unique features—Solo offers ai website builder and no-code capabilities not found in Adobe Photoshop
Pro tip: Start with a free trial or free tier if available. Test both tools with real workflows to evaluate performance, ease of use, and integration depth. Consider your team size, technical expertise, and long-term scalability needs when making your final decision.
When to Choose Each Tool
When to Choose Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Photoshop is the better choice when you prioritize broader platform support (4 vs 1 platforms). Adobe Photoshop supports 4 platforms compared to Solo's 1, making it ideal for teams valuing community-validated solutions.
Ideal for:
- Multi-platform flexibility—Adobe Photoshop supports 4 platforms (3 more than Solo), ideal for diverse teams
- Developer-friendly—Adobe Photoshop provides comprehensive API and 6 SDKs for custom integrations, while Solo has limited developer tools
- Automation powerhouse—Adobe Photoshop excels at workflow automation and reducing manual tasks
- Mobile-first workflows—Adobe Photoshop offers native mobile apps for on-the-go access
- Community favorite—Adobe Photoshop has 584 upvotes (19367% more than Solo), indicating strong user preference
Target Audiences:
When to Choose Solo
Solo excels when you need cost-effective entry points (free tier available). Solo provides a free tier for testing, while making it ideal for teams with specific requirements.
Ideal for:
- Budget-conscious teams—Solo offers a free tier for testing, while Adobe Photoshop requires a paid subscription
- Advanced analytics—Solo provides deeper insights and data visualization capabilities
- Specialized in conversational ai—Solo offers category-specific features and optimizations for conversational ai workflows
- Multilingual support—Solo supports 5 languages vs Adobe Photoshop's 1
- Unique features—Solo offers ai website builder and no-code capabilities not found in Adobe Photoshop
Target Audiences:
Cost-Benefit Analysis
Adobe Photoshop
Value Proposition
Pay-as-you-go pricing aligns costs with actual usage. Multi-platform support reduces need for multiple tool subscriptions. API and SDK access enable custom automation, reducing manual work.
ROI Considerations
- Single tool replaces multiple platform-specific solutions
- API access enables automation, reducing manual work
Solo
Value Proposition
Free tier available for testing and small-scale use. Pay-as-you-go pricing aligns costs with actual usage.
ROI Considerations
- Start free, scale as needed—minimal upfront investment
Cost Analysis Tip: Beyond sticker price, consider total cost of ownership including setup time, training, integration complexity, and potential vendor lock-in. Tools with free tiers allow risk-free evaluation, while usage-based pricing aligns costs with value. Factor in productivity gains, reduced manual work, and improved outcomes when calculating ROI.
Who Should Use Each Tool?
Adobe Photoshop is Best For
- Graphic Designers
- Content Creators
- Marketing Professionals
- Educators
- Students
Solo is Best For
- Content Creators
- Entrepreneurs
- Marketing Professionals
- Educators
- Students
Pricing Comparison
Adobe Photoshop
Pricing Model
Subscription, Enterprise, Contact for Pricing
Details
Photoshop Single App $22.99/month, Photography Plan (Photoshop + Lightroom, 1TB) $19.99/month, Creative Cloud All Apps $69.99/month; Photography Plan 20GB at $9.99/month discontinued for new users after January 15, 2025.
Estimated Monthly Cost
$+/month
SoloBest Value
Pricing Model
Free
Details
Completely free; custom domains possible for as little as $1/year via partners. No subscription model currently active.
Estimated Monthly Cost
$+/month
Strengths & Weaknesses
Adobe Photoshop
Strengths
- Multi-platform support (4 platforms)
- Developer-friendly (6+ SDKs)
- API available
Limitations
- No free tier
- Few integrations
- Not GDPR compliant
Solo
Strengths
- Free tier available
- Developer-friendly (2+ SDKs)
Limitations
- Limited platform support
- Few integrations
- Not GDPR compliant
- No public API
Community Verdict
Adobe Photoshop
Solo
Integration & Compatibility Comparison
Adobe Photoshop
Platform Support
✓ Multi-platform support enables flexible deployment
Integrations
Developer Tools
SDK Support:
✓ REST API available for custom integrations
Solo
Platform Support
Integrations
Limited integration options
Developer Tools
SDK Support:
Integration Evaluation: Assess how each tool fits into your existing stack. Consider API availability for custom integrations if native options are limited. Evaluate integration depth, authentication methods (OAuth, API keys), webhook support, and data synchronization capabilities. Test integrations in your environment before committing.
Developer Experience
Adobe Photoshop
SDK Support
API
✅ REST API available
Solo
SDK Support
Deployment & Security
Adobe Photoshop
Deployment Options
Compliance
GDPR status not specified
Hosting
Global
Solo
Deployment Options
Compliance
GDPR status not specified
Hosting
Global
Common Use Cases
Adobe Photoshop
+10 more use cases available
Solo
+8 more use cases available
Making Your Final Decision
Choosing between Adobe Photoshop and Solo ultimately depends on your specific requirements, team size, budget constraints, and long-term goals. Both tools offer unique strengths that may align differently with your workflow.
Consider Adobe Photoshop if:
- •Multi-platform flexibility—Adobe Photoshop supports 4 platforms (3 more than Solo), ideal for diverse teams
- •Developer-friendly—Adobe Photoshop provides comprehensive API and 6 SDKs for custom integrations, while Solo has limited developer tools
- •Automation powerhouse—Adobe Photoshop excels at workflow automation and reducing manual tasks
Consider Solo if:
- •Budget-conscious teams—Solo offers a free tier for testing, while Adobe Photoshop requires a paid subscription
- •Advanced analytics—Solo provides deeper insights and data visualization capabilities
- •Specialized in conversational ai—Solo offers category-specific features and optimizations for conversational ai workflows
Next Steps
- Start with free trials: Both tools likely offer free tiers or trial periods. Use these to test real workflows and evaluate performance firsthand.
- Involve your team: Get feedback from actual users who will interact with the tool daily. Their input on usability and workflow integration is invaluable.
- Test integrations: Verify that each tool integrates smoothly with your existing stack. Check API documentation, webhook support, and authentication methods.
- Calculate total cost: Look beyond monthly pricing. Factor in setup time, training, potential overages, and long-term scalability costs.
- Review support and roadmap: Evaluate vendor responsiveness, documentation quality, and product roadmap alignment with your needs.
Remember: The "best" tool is the one that fits your specific context. What works for one organization may not work for another. Take your time, test thoroughly, and choose based on verified data rather than marketing claims. Both Adobe Photoshop and Solo are capable solutions—your job is to determine which aligns better with your unique requirements.
Top Design tools
- 1Freepik AI Image GeneratorFree tier
Generate on-brand AI images from text, sketches, or photos—fast, realistic, and ready for commercial use.
- 5
Create your way with Adobe Firefly—AI for every creative vision.
- 6Google AI StudioFree tier
Start building with Gemini: the fastest way to experiment and create with Google's latest AI models.
Explore by audience
FAQ
Is Adobe Photoshop better than Solo for Design?
There isn’t a universal winner—decide by fit. Check: (1) Workflow/UI alignment; (2) Total cost at your usage (seats, limits, add‑ons); (3) Integration coverage and API quality; (4) Data handling and compliance. Use the table above to align these with your priorities.
What are alternatives to Adobe Photoshop and Solo?
Explore adjacent options in the Design category. Shortlist by feature depth, integration maturity, transparent pricing, migration ease (export/API), security posture (e.g., SOC 2/ISO 27001), and roadmap velocity. Prefer tools proven in production in stacks similar to yours and with clear SLAs/support.
What should I look for in Design tools?
Checklist: (1) Must‑have vs nice‑to‑have features; (2) Cost at your scale (limits, overages, seats); (3) Integrations and API quality; (4) Privacy & compliance (GDPR/DSA, retention, residency); (5) Reliability/performance (SLA, throughput, rate limits); (6) Admin, audit, SSO; (7) Support and roadmap. Validate with a fast pilot on your real workloads.
How should I compare pricing for Adobe Photoshop vs Solo?
Normalize to your usage. Model seats, limits, overages, add‑ons, and support. Include hidden costs: implementation, training, migration, and potential lock‑in. Prefer transparent metering if predictability matters.
What due diligence is essential before choosing a Design tool?
Run a structured pilot: (1) Replicate a real workflow; (2) Measure quality and latency; (3) Verify integrations, API limits, error handling; (4) Review security, PII handling, compliance, and data residency; (5) Confirm SLA, support response, and roadmap.