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Adobe Lightroom vs Canva photo editor
Adobe Lightroom scores higher overall (8.3 vs 8.2), but the right pick depends on what you need.
Choose Adobe Lightroom if…
Photographers who want pro-grade editing and a synced photo library on every device
8.3/10★★★★★Full review →Choose Canva photo editor if…
Non-designers who edit photos to use in social posts, slides and marketing
8.2/10★★★★★Full review →Side by side
| Adobe Lightroom | Canva photo editor | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 8.3/10 | 8.2/10 |
| Rank in category | #2 of 12 | #3 of 12 |
| Price | Freemium · from $11.99/month | Freemium · from $144/year |
| Free version | Free mobile app with core editing tools | Basic adjustments, filters, effects and cropping with no watermark |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android, Desktop app, Mac, Windows | Web, iOS, Android, Desktop app |
| Made by | Adobe | Canva |
| Edit quality | 9 | 7 |
| Ease of use | 7.5 | 9.5 |
| Features | 8.5 | 8 |
| Value for money | 7 | 8 |
| Platforms | 10 | 10 |
Adobe Lightroom: what the AI does
- Generative Remove and Generative Expand
- AI masks for subject, sky, background and people
- AI Denoise and AI Sharpen
- Assisted Culling
- Adaptive presets and Quick Actions
- Photo to Video
- Best-in-class masking and raw editing
- Syncs edits across desktop, web and mobile
- Generative Remove handles distractions well
- Free mobile app is genuinely useful
- Subscription only; no one-time licence
- Generative tools use a monthly credit allowance
- More to learn than one-tap apps
Canva photo editor: what the AI does
- Magic Edit (prompt-based edits)
- Magic Eraser
- Background Remover
- Background Generator
- Magic Expand and Magic Grab
- Easiest editor here for beginners
- Edits flow straight into designs and templates
- Runs on web, mobile and desktop
- Free plan has no watermark
- Most AI photo tools need Pro
- Little fine control compared with Lightroom or Photoshop
- Not built for raw files or pro retouching