Comparison
PhotoCraft vs Photoshop: A Complete Comparison
Adobe Photoshop has defined raster image editing for three decades, but its subscription model and resource footprint leave a gap for users who want a capable, free, and lightweight alternative. PhotoCraft, built from scratch in pure Rust by the ArtCraft project, aims to fill that gap. This comparison covers the real differences — not just the marketing.
| Feature | PhotoCraft | Photoshop |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free forever (open source) | $9.99–$22.99 / month |
| License | MIT / Apache-2.0 | Proprietary EULA |
| Runs offline | Yes, fully local | Yes (after activation) |
| PSD file support | Native read + write | Native |
| Layers & masks | Yes | Yes |
| Adjustment layers | Yes | Yes |
| Vector & text | Yes | Yes |
| RAW processing | Limited | Yes (Camera Raw) |
| Plugins & extensions | Early stage | Mature ecosystem |
| Cloud sync & libraries | No | Yes |
| AI generative tools | No | Yes (Firefly) |
| Memory footprint | Lightweight | Heavy |
| Mobile apps | Web only | iPad + Express |
The Verdict
PhotoCraft cannot yet match Photoshop's depth in RAW processing, plugins, and AI tools, but it covers the core raster workflow — layers, masks, adjustments, brushes, and real PSD files — completely free and locally. For hobbyists, students, and anyone who edits images without a professional pipeline, PhotoCraft is a genuine, cost-free alternative. For commercial studios that depend on the full Adobe ecosystem, Photoshop remains the safer choice for now.