vs
Google Photos vs Adobe Lightroom
Google Photos scores higher overall (8.4 vs 8.3), but the right pick depends on what you need.
Choose Google Photos if…
Anyone who wants quick, free AI fixes on the photos already on their phone
8.4/10★★★★★Full review →Choose Adobe Lightroom if…
Photographers who want pro-grade editing and a synced photo library on every device
8.3/10★★★★★Full review →Side by side
| Google Photos | Adobe Lightroom | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 8.4/10 | 8.3/10 |
| Rank in category | #1 of 12 | #2 of 12 |
| Price | Free | Freemium · from $11.99/month |
| Free version | All editing tools, including conversational editing, are free | Free mobile app with core editing tools |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android | Web, iOS, Android, Desktop app, Mac, Windows |
| Made by | Adobe | |
| Edit quality | 8 | 9 |
| Ease of use | 9.5 | 7.5 |
| Features | 7 | 8.5 |
| Value for money | 9.5 | 7 |
| Platforms | 7.5 | 10 |
Google Photos: what the AI does
- Help me edit (conversational editing by text or voice)
- Personalised edits using face groups
- Nano Banana restyling
- One-tap suggestions
- Create with AI templates
- Free AI editing built into a photo library many people already use
- Describe an edit instead of learning tools
- Big Gemini-powered upgrades through 2025–2026
- Newest AI tools roll out by country and device
- Little manual control for serious editing
- Ties your photos to a Google account
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