The debate between Photoshop Express vs. Lightroom has been ongoing for a long time. Both offer great features and online tools for editing.
But you want to know whether to invest in Adobe Photoshop Express or Lightroom based on your photography needs. Let us delve into each program.
Quick comparison
Photoshop Express is a basic editor with stickers and text, whereas Lightroom is more for professional work to improve the overall image tone.
What are both
Photoshop Express
Photoshop Express is an elder brother of Lightroom on PC, but the table turns on the mobile.
With Photoshop Express, you can place images in meta folders and add descriptive metadata for file saving and sharing purposes.
One of the primary complaints is that you can only work on one photo at a time, and the editing is a bit complicated for beginners.
Some features you can operate with include:
- Resizing images and cropping out edits
- Light adjustments
- Adjusting pixel settings
- Change shadows, highlights, and contrast angles
- Saturate, clarify, sharpen, or reduce noise
It also allows you to add text to photos, correct red-eye, remove blemishes, add watermarks, and eliminate blur in photos.
Lightroom
If you like the ease of use, this is the program you need. It’s accessible and fun to edit, and you can share images on Facebook and Flickr.
This is a definite selling point for younger users who like social media. It utilizes a library-style system to save edits.
So, you can view multiple forms of your images in one place; this is impossible with Photoshop Express.
A significant drawback is editing; Lightroom does not offer as many tools as Photoshop.
However, if you are a beginner in photography who doesn’t have that crisp eye for detail, this is a great tool to help you learn the editing process and create nice-looking digital shots.
Lightroom features an intuitive interface, which allows you to create presets to save time and quickly transfer adjustments in your catalog.
Graduated filters and crop overlay tools are also an excellent addition, and the web export tool is something younger users who like sharing everything will deeply appreciate.
Related: Snapseed vs. Lightroom
Photoshop Express vs. Lightroom
Tools
The table compares the tools both offer for free. Overall, Photoshop Express supports more.
| Photoshop Express | Lightroom |
|---|---|
| Looks (over 100) Lights (over 85) Crop Pre-made aspect ratios Rotate Straighten Flip Transform (multiple) Color adjustment Blemishes remove Red-eye remove Text editor Borders (over 25) Stickers Frames Collage maker Watermark | Crop Rotate Flip Profiles (over 45) Auto adjust Auto fix Light adjustment Color adjustment Split tone Clarity Dehaze Vignette Midpoint Detail Optics (unique) Color presets (6) |
File handling
Lightroom does not edit photos or move them around; users’ changes are kept within their catalog. It keeps a log of edits, but the original image remains intact.
The app has more RAW format editing options than its opponent.
Photoshop Express operates differently. You’re always working on the original file when editing an image unless a PSD file is saved (iOS only).
Exporting
Both export in JPG formats. Photoshop offers to choose image resolution.
You can also select the original to get the original image resolution back. Lightroom exports the same resolution with an option to change the resolution.
Every time you share on Lightroom, the app asks whether to add and show a watermark, caption, photo location, and photo info, while Photoshop only offers to add a watermark.
Related: VSCO vs. Lightroom
Pricing
Both are free to use, but some options are premium. Photoshop Express iOS is more advanced than the Android version. Lightroom has almost the same options on both platforms.
Usage differences
Ultimately, it is a personal decision and possibly a generational one. For those who like the original, Photoshop Express wins. It is the gold standard.
You know you’re getting quality, precision, and unparalleled use of editing tools. It is, however, more complicated to use.
If you are a beginner or novice, it will require a learning curve and Adobe and other tools over time to perfect the craft.
If ease of use, simplicity, social sharing, and the option to edit multiple photos at once are what you seek, Adobe Lightroom is the winner. It is effortless to use, and there’s virtually no learning curve.
If you want more editing tools, filters, cropping, exacting detail, or a more advanced photographer, you might opt for Photoshop Express.
And, with the same price point, this aspect will not edge out one program over the other if you’re trying to find a more affordable option.
It is the debate of new versus old. Both offer great features, functions, and editing. If you are a purist who wants excellent editing and sharpness, Photoshop Express is it.
For those who want new, fresh, and zero-guess work, go with Lightroom.
Summary
Photoshop Express vs. Lightroom covered essential topics. I hope the article helped you pick your ideal app.
Let me know what you think of both in the comments below. Also, subscribe to the newsletter for future updates.
Madhsudhan Khemchandani has a bachelor’s degree in Software Engineering (Honours). He has been writing articles on apps and software for over five years. He has also made over 200 videos on his YouTube channel. Read more about him on the about page.