"Adobe Photoshop (Firefly) Review 2026: The AI Editor Built Into Photoshop"
Adobe Photoshop remains the industry-standard raster editor, and in 2026 its Firefly-powered AI features are no longer a gimmick — they sit inside the tools working photographers and designers already use every day. Generative Fill, Generative Expand, Remove Tool and Neural Filters all run on Adobe’s own Firefly image model, trained on licensed and Adobe Stock data so commercial use is cleared.
How it works#
Firefly runs locally inside Photoshop’s interface. Select an area, type a prompt, and Generative Fill synthesises pixels that match lighting and perspective. Generative Expand extends a canvas beyond its borders. The Remove Tool deletes unwanted objects with one brush stroke. Neural Filters handle skin smoothing, colorisation and style transfer as non-destructive layers.
Strengths#
- Deeply integrated into the tool pros already know
- Firefly training data is licensed, safer for commercial work
- Generative Fill and Expand produce photoreal results
- Non-destructive, layer-based workflow
- Syncs via Adobe Cloud across devices
Weaknesses#
- Full Creative Cloud subscription is expensive for casual users
- Generative credits are capped on lower plans
- Heavy app can be slow on older machines
- Steep learning curve for total beginners
Pricing#
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Photography Plan — $9.99/mo: Photoshop + Lightroom + 500 generative credits
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Single App — $22.99/mo: Photoshop only + 500 credits
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All Apps — $59.99/mo: Full Creative Cloud + 1,000 credits
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Generative credits — add-on: Extra packs when you hit the cap
Verdict#
Photoshop with Firefly is the safest choice if you already edit in Photoshop and need AI that is licensed for client work. For quick one-off edits, a lighter tool may be enough — see our best AI image editors list.
FAQ#
Q: Is Photoshop AI free to use?
No. Generative features consume monthly credits included with paid plans; extra credits are paid.
Q: Can I use the output commercially?
Yes. Firefly is trained on licensed data, and Adobe offers intellectual-property indemnification on paid plans.
Q: Does it replace Lightroom?
No. Lightroom remains the better tool for bulk photo organisation and raw development; Photoshop handles compositing and retouching.