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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

Photoshop Express Photo Editor vs Picsart AI Photo Editor

Photoshop Express Photo Editor 4.7★ · Free + IAP 70
Winner Photoshop Express Photo Editor
Picsart AI Photo Editor 4.7★ · Free + IAP 60

Photoshop Express Photo Editor is better for users seeking a more traditional photo editing experience with some free features, while Picsart AI Photo Editor offers more creative tools but is heavily criticized for its aggressive paywalls and AI focus.

Full reviews: Photoshop Express Photo Editor · Picsart AI Photo Editor

Photoshop Express Photo Editor and Picsart AI Photo Editor both offer photo editing, but recent updates have led to user frustration over paywalls and AI features. Photoshop Express is praised for its intuitive interface and useful free tools, despite some stability issues. Picsart offers a wider range of creative options but is heavily criticized for its aggressive monetization and AI focus.

Head to head

Features & Functionality tieR2R3R7R8
Photoshop Express Photo Editor Users appreciate Photoshop Express for its intuitive interface and a variety of tools, with some finding the free version sufficient for basic edits R2R8R14. However, many lament the removal of previously free features, now locked behind a subscription R13R19R25R34. There's also a strong pushback against the app's increasing reliance on AI, which some find rudimentary and unwanted R3R7R9R10. Specific issues include pixelation on iPad , fonts not downloading , and the removal of the 'Combine Photos' feature .
Picsart AI Photo Editor Picsart is lauded for its versatility in photo editing, graphic design, and collage making, with users finding it creative and easy to use . However, a significant number of users express disappointment with the app's heavy integration of AI, which they describe as 'garbage' and unwanted . Many also report issues with projects disappearing and slow export times for videos .
Ease of Use edge: Picsart AI Photo EditorR2R8R9R14
Photoshop Express Photo Editor Photoshop Express is generally considered intuitive and easy to use for quick edits, even for those new to editing R2R8R14. However, some users find the UI cluttered with AI options they don't want R9 and express frustration with a lack of guidance for specific tools .
Picsart AI Photo Editor Picsart is frequently praised for being user-friendly and easy to navigate, allowing for creative expression .
Reliability & Performance edge: Photoshop Express Photo EditorR1R6R16R22
Photoshop Express Photo Editor Photoshop Express users report frequent issues with the app crashing, freezing, or undoing work, leading to lost progress R1R6R16R22. There are also complaints about glitches when importing photos R6 and problems with cross-device compatibility .
Picsart AI Photo Editor Picsart users mention glitches and issues with projects disappearing . Some also report slow export times for videos .
Price & Value edge: Photoshop Express Photo EditorR4R13R18R19
Photoshop Express Photo Editor Many Photoshop Express users are highly critical of the app's monetization strategy, noting that many previously free features are now behind a paywall R4R13R18R19. The free version is seen as too limited R18R25, and there are complaints about watermarks on saved images unless a subscription is purchased . Some feel the premium features don't offer enough value compared to cheaper or free alternatives .
Picsart AI Photo Editor Picsart faces widespread criticism for its aggressive paywalls, with users feeling that almost everything requires payment . Users are particularly frustrated that basic functions like adding text or saving work are premium features . The subscription price is considered too high, with reports of significant increases .
Customer Support & Account Management edge: Photoshop Express Photo EditorR24R49R82R88
Photoshop Express Photo Editor Photoshop Express users report issues with account deletion R49 and problems with credits for premium users R24.
Picsart AI Photo Editor Picsart users struggle with canceling subscriptions R82 and report poor customer service, with denied refunds and generic email replies R88. Some mention a lack of contact support for issues like lost AI generation credits .
Pick Photoshop Express Photo Editor if

You are looking for a more traditional photo editor, appreciate an intuitive interface, and can tolerate some stability issues or the limitations of the free tier R2R8R14.

Pick Picsart AI Photo Editor if

You need a versatile app for creative projects beyond just photo editing, such as graphic design and collages, and are willing to pay for a subscription to access most features .

Evidence note: Both apps have a high volume of negative recent reviews, primarily concerning their monetization strategies and the push for AI features. The evidence for both apps is strong and consistent across multiple reviews for each dimension.

Frequently asked

Are Photoshop Express Photo Editor and Picsart AI Photo Editor truly free?
No, while both apps offer free versions, many essential or desirable features are locked behind paid subscriptions, leading to significant user frustration (R4, R13, R19, R25, R34, , for Photoshop Express; , , , , , , , , for Picsart).
Do these apps use AI for editing?
Yes, both apps heavily integrate AI features, which is a point of contention for many users; some find Photoshop Express's AI rudimentary and unwanted R3R7R9R10, while Picsart's AI features are often criticized as 'garbage' and a departure from traditional editing .
What are the common complaints about pricing?
Users of both apps complain about features that used to be free now being premium (R13, R19, R25, R34, for Photoshop Express; , , , for Picsart), and Picsart specifically faces criticism for high subscription costs, including weekly options and additional charges for AI credits .

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R2] Photoshop Express Photo Editor 4/5 · US Highly Intuitive: That’s my review. Lots of buttons too.
  2. [R3] Photoshop Express Photo Editor 3/5 · US Not as good as other free AI: Very rudimentary free options. There are so many other better free apps out there now
  3. [R7] Photoshop Express Photo Editor 2/5 · US AI issues: One would expect the AI to be more intelligent. The results were less than satisfactory.
  4. [R8] Photoshop Express Photo Editor 5/5 · US Best App Ever!: I love this app it does everything I need. I highly recommend!!!!
  5. [R9] Photoshop Express Photo Editor 3/5 · US Useful, but god they’re really pushing their AI on me.: I wish there was an option to just turn it all off so I don’t even see it on the UI. I don’t need it! I’ve been photoshopping for years! I have all the skills needed and don’t want slop bugging up my images!
  6. [R14] Photoshop Express Photo Editor 5/5 · US Best app: Photoshop is a best app offering easy editing for both Computer end phones.I really love this app and use it most time.But mostly occasionally.One thing I love is even with free editing version you have various tools to use and can edit as a pro.Meaning the app responds positively to customs.I personally use both computers and phone;you are the best.
  7. [R1] Photoshop Express Photo Editor 1/5 · US Doesn’t work: It undoes all my work with the fakest adjustments that can’t be undone even though they were just done. Ruining hours of tedious work.
  8. [R6] Photoshop Express Photo Editor 3/5 · US Glitchy when importing direct from iPhoto to PSE: Photos for collage will import to PSE directly from iPhoto but will show up in PSE rotated. Very frustrating to have to go into each photo within PSE - edit - crop - rotate. Please fix this.
  9. [R16] Photoshop Express Photo Editor 2/5 · US Crash: To pay for this app and have it crash half the time is ridiculous. Perform all these edits and it says error saving then crashes. All work lost.
  10. [R22] Photoshop Express Photo Editor 1/5 · US Terrible: This app keeps duplicating clips during editing. I’ve deleted it, replaced it and even started over (after an hour of work) and it’s still not working. I don’t do app reviews but that’s how much this has aggravated me for the amount of money we pay for this service. FIX IT!
  11. [R4] Photoshop Express Photo Editor 1/5 · US Money grab and bad tools: Don’t bother using this app if you arnt going to buy a subscription. Even with the subscription, the tools are very finicky and don’t deliver good results just mid. Very frustrating. Also be careful if you buy a subscription because they might try to charge you $100+ for canceling, completely motivated by making an extra buck where they can
  12. [R13] Photoshop Express Photo Editor 1/5 · US Terrible: This used to be my go to app for photo editing until they updated everything to require a paid subscription, features that I used to use that used to be free are now paid features
  13. [R18] Photoshop Express Photo Editor 3/5 · US Don’t want to pay for pro: Photoshop as an app is incredible for photo editing. However, I think that the free version is too limited and if there’s only so many things you can do why do any at all? That is my only complaint, as the app is very efficient.
  14. [R19] Photoshop Express Photo Editor 1/5 · US This is not a free app: I used to ma kb e the most basic changes for free, but now everything is under premium, which requires a subscription.
  15. [R24] Photoshop Express Photo Editor 3/5 · US Restore my credits already: This is annoying I pay for premium and have done so for decades.. restore my credits already
  16. [R49] Photoshop Express Photo Editor 1/5 · US Delete: Will not let me delete my account.
  17. [R82] Picsart AI Photo Editor 1/5 · US I can’t cancel my subscription: I’ve tried everything…
  18. [R88] Picsart AI Photo Editor 1/5 · US Steals money: Charged $90 without even notified of the trial ending like many apps do. So now I have to put a claim for a refund or my bank. Like are you kidding me rn???
  19. [R25] Photoshop Express Photo Editor 2/5 · US Not bad, but…: Almost everything is paid. I had this app for years and suddenly many features are premium. I used to get premium once in a while for certain edits, but now there’s almost nothing I can do without premium, and it’s very pricey. Probably works well if you’re a photographer and earn money by using this, otherwise, not so good. Adobe, we have enough subscriptions!
  20. [R10] Photoshop Express Photo Editor 2/5 · US Used to be so much better.: It used to be just like photoshop where you could make any change you wanted. Now, everything is generative AI and it’s hard to do anything manually and actually make it your own work. Subscribed and immediately unsubscribed. It’s time to stop with the AI and let people make their own stuff again.
  21. [R34] Photoshop Express Photo Editor 1/5 · US Definition of Self Sabotage: This app has become unusable and awful. The most simple features require a subscription now and they have removed everything that made this great.

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store