Adobe Photoshop Elements vs Adobe Illustrator vs Looka Comparison
Adobe Photoshop Elements
Starting at $59.99 One-Time Payment
- Free Trial
- Individuals
- Large Enterprises
Adobe Photoshop Elements is a digital photo editor to help to fix, organize and share images. Enjoy one-click auto fixes that let users instantly improve photos, then use simple yet powerful tools to adjust color, lighti…
Adobe Illustrator
Starting at $20.99 /Month
- Free Trial
- Individuals
- Medium Business
Adobe Illustrator is a powerful graphics tool for logos, icons, and digital illustrations. Quickly create professional quality art for web, print, video, and interactive projects. Capture ideas anytime, anywhere with the…
Looka
Starting at $4.99 /Month
- Individuals
- Medium Business
The looka design suite comprises a full software environment for every stage of a designer's work. The suite enables designers to create and share a seamless style in every image. With looka, any image can have a consist…
Adobe Illustrator leads on user satisfaction with a 4.6-star rating across 10,107 reviews.
Adobe Photoshop Elements vs Adobe Illustrator vs Looka — at a glance
| Feature | Adobe Photoshop Elements | Adobe Illustrator | Looka |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.3 / 5 | 4.6 / 5 | 4.1 / 5 |
| Reviews | 1,360 | 10,107 | 11,322 |
| Starting price | $59.99 One-Time Payment | $20.99 /Month | $4.99 /Month |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes | No |
| Free version | No | No | No |
| Best for | Individuals, Large Enterprises, Medium Business | Individuals, Medium Business, Small Business | Individuals, Medium Business, Small Business |
| Category | Photo Editing Software | Graphic Design Software | Graphic Design Software |
| Platforms | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac | SaaS/Web/Cloud |
| API | — | — | — |
| Support modes | Online | Online | Online |
| Certifications | — | GDPR | GDPR |
| Data residency | US | Global | US |
Key differences between Adobe Photoshop Elements and Adobe Illustrator
- Pricing: Adobe Photoshop Elements starts at $59.99 One-Time Payment, while Adobe Illustrator starts at $20.99 /Month.
- User satisfaction: Adobe Illustrator scores higher with a 4.6-star average.
- Deployment: Adobe Photoshop Elements supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows; Adobe Illustrator supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac.
Compare Adobe Photoshop Elements vs Adobe Illustrator vs Looka — and walk away knowing which one fits.
Which tool fits your team best
Which is actually cheaper for your team size
Where each product wins, per real buyers
Most Photo Editing Software tools look identical on paper. This comparison cuts to the differences that matter — pricing structure, team fit, and what real buyers found after signing up.
Biggest differences
Features
Pricing
Buying details
Security
Buyer feedback
Integrations
Product tour
Other options
Talk to an expert Talk to an expert | Talk to an expert Talk to an expert |
Biggest differences
Start here before you go deeper into features.
Best for beginner to intermediate photo editing with guided automation tools.
- You want easy one-click auto fixes combined with guided editing assistance.
- You are a photography enthusiast or small business marketer needing simple, flexible editing.
- You prefer a low-complexity setup with compatibility for multiple input methods.
- You require advanced professional-grade editing features beyond basic enhancements.
- You need extensive marketplace integrations or automation for enterprise workflows.
Best for professional vector graphic design and brand asset creation.
- You need industry-leading vector design tools for logos and illustrations.
- You want seamless integration with Adobe Creative Cloud apps.
- Your team consists of experienced graphic designers or branding specialists.
- You are a beginner with no prior design experience or training.
- Your company has a very limited budget for software subscriptions.
Best for quick, easy logo and brand identity design for small teams.
- You need fast, simple logo creation with minimal learning curve.
- You want consistent brand styling across multiple images effortlessly.
- You value responsive, personalized customer support for design issues.
- Your team requires advanced design features and deep customization.
- You represent a large enterprise needing complex design workflows.
Adobe Photoshop Elements: Best for beginner to intermediate photo editing with guided automation tools. Adobe Illustrator: Best for professional vector graphic design and brand asset creation.
Description | Adobe Photoshop Elements is a digital photo editor to help to fix, organize and share images. Enjoy one-click auto fixes that let users instantly improve photos, then use simple yet ... Read More about Adobe Photoshop Elements | Adobe Illustrator is a powerful graphics tool for logos, icons, and digital illustrations. Quickly create professional quality art for web, print, video, and interactive projects. Capture ... Read More about Adobe Illustrator | The looka design suite comprises a full software environment for every stage of a designer's work. The suite enables designers to create and share a seamless style in every image. With ... Read More about Looka |
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Spotsaas ScoreWhat's this? ↗ | 9.1/10 | 9.1/10 | 9.1/10 |
User RatingsBased on verified Spotsaas reviews | |||
Best Company Size | 1-50 employees51-500 employees | Small businessesMedium businesses | 1-50 employees51-200 employees |
Get pricing help | Get pricing help |
Software Demo
Demo |
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How do Adobe Photoshop Elements, Adobe Illustrator and Looka Compare on Features?
Total Features | 12 Features | 6 Features | 6 Features |
|---|---|---|---|
Unique Features | No unique features | No unique features | No unique features |
Get Quote | Get Quote |
Compare Adobe Photoshop Elements, Adobe Illustrator and Looka on pricing
Review starting price, plan structure, and free-trial access side by side so you can see which option fits your budget and buying process.
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Other Details
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Get help choosing | Get help choosing |
Security & Compliance
Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.
HIPAA | — | — |
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GDPR | — | ✓ Yes |
Data Residency | 🇺🇸 US | 🌐 Global |
Adobe Photoshop Elements vs Adobe Illustrator User Reviews & Rating Comparison
User Ratings | |||
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Rating Distribution | |||
Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI | Buyer sentiment Overall positive sentiment highlights ease of use and flexibility, tempered by concerns over performance and export limitations. What buyers like
Common complaints
| Buyer sentiment Overall, users praise Adobe Illustrator for its powerful and versatile design tools but note the steep learning curve and high cost as significant drawbacks. What buyers like
Common complaints
| Buyer sentiment Users generally appreciate Looka for its ease of use and outstanding customer support, though some note limitations in advanced features and occasional technical issues. What buyers like
Common complaints
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Pros and Cons |
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Positive Reviews | No reviews available for the product | No reviews available for the product | No reviews available for the product |
Media and Screenshots
Screenshots |  5 Screenshots |  2 Screenshots |
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Videos |  4 Videos |  2 Videos |
Alternatives
Alternatives |
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Disclaimer: This research has been collated from a variety of authoritative sources. We welcome your feedback at [email protected].
Frequently asked questions
- Which is better, Adobe Photoshop Elements or Adobe Illustrator?
- Adobe Illustrator edges out the other on user ratings (4.6 vs 4.3). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
- Do Adobe Photoshop Elements and Adobe Illustrator offer a free trial?
- Yes, both Adobe Photoshop Elements and Adobe Illustrator offer a free trial.
- What is the starting price of Adobe Photoshop Elements vs Adobe Illustrator?
- Adobe Photoshop Elements starts at $59.99 One-Time Payment. Adobe Illustrator starts at $20.99 /Month.
- What are the top alternatives to Adobe Photoshop Elements?
- Top alternatives to Adobe Photoshop Elements include Adobe Premiere Pro, PhotoEditor SDK, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Photoshop Express, Adobe Photoshop Lightroom.
- What are the top alternatives to Adobe Illustrator?
- Top alternatives to Adobe Illustrator include Looka, Figma, Adobe Photoshop, Canva, CorelDraw.