DataCamp’s August 13, 2026 review of the best AI photo editors compares ten tools, from Adobe Photoshop at 22.99 dollars a month to free options such as Photopea and Google’s Magic Editor. For most people, the useful question is which of these tools can do the everyday jobs that once meant opening Photoshop.
This guide maps common basic Photoshop tasks, such as removing a background, erasing an object, extending a photo, sky replacement and upscaling, to the AI photo editing tools that DataCamp says offer them, with the prices DataCamp lists. Prices and features change, so check each vendor before you buy.
Which Basic Photoshop Tasks Can AI Tools Replace?
Basic tasks are the ones that follow a pattern: cut out a subject, erase something distracting, extend the canvas, brighten a face or enlarge a low resolution image. DataCamp’s review describes AI features in each tool for several of these tasks.
| Task | Tools DataCamp lists with a matching feature |
|---|---|
| Background removal | Canva, Photopea, Photoroom, Pixelcut, Fotor, Pixlr |
| Generative fill | Adobe Photoshop, Canva (Magic Edit), Photopea Premium, Luminar Neo (GenErase and GenExpand), Pixlr |
| Object removal | Adobe Lightroom (Generative Remove), Luminar Neo (GenErase), Google Magic Editor (Magic Eraser), Fotor |
| Image upscaling | Canva, Pixelcut |
| Sky or background replacement | Google Magic Editor |
| Relighting | Luminar Neo (Relight AI) |
| Product shadows | Photoroom (AI Shadows) |
DataCamp notes features that were not listed for each tool, so absence from this table means DataCamp did not list it, not that the tool cannot do it.
Best AI Photo Editing Tools by Job
DataCamp assigns each tool a best use. The table below summarises them with the prices as DataCamp lists them.
| Tool | Best for (DataCamp) | Price listed by DataCamp |
|---|---|---|
| Adobe Photoshop | Professionals doing layered, detailed edits | 22.99 dollars a month; no permanent free tier |
| Adobe Lightroom | Photographers editing large libraries | Adobe plans from 19.99 dollars a month for Photography |
| Canva | Fast, beginner friendly edits | Free plan; Pro 110 euros a year |
| Luminar Neo | Landscape and portrait work | One time purchase from 99 dollars |
| Photopea | Free, browser based layered editing | Free; Premium 5 dollars a month or 50 dollars a year |
| Google Magic Editor | Quick everyday phone fixes | Free, with 10 saves a month for non-Pixel users |
| Photoroom | E-commerce and product catalogs | Free plan; Pro 4.99 dollars a month |
| Pixelcut | Product photos and social content | Free; Pro 10 dollars a month |
| Fotor | Beginner friendly all-in-one editing | Free; Pro 8.99 dollars a month |
| Pixlr | Casual, browser based editing | Free; Plus 2.49 dollars a month |
All prices are DataCamp’s figures as of its August 13, 2026 publication and may have changed since. Always check the vendor’s current page.
AI Photo Editing Tools for Beginners
DataCamp recommends Canva for fast, beginner friendly edits and Fotor for beginner friendly all-in-one editing and stylised effects. Canva’s listed features include Magic Edit, a background remover and an image upscaler, and it has a free plan.
If you edit photos for a blog or social channel, our guide to AI tools for content creators shows how these editors fit into a wider workflow. Small teams on a budget can also see our list of free AI tools for small business.
Free Photoshop Alternatives With AI
Photopea is DataCamp’s pick for free, browser based layered editing. It lists Generative Fill on the Premium plan and a background remover, and describes the free tier as ad supported. Google Magic Editor is free for quick phone fixes, with sky and background replacement and Magic Eraser, though non-Pixel users get 10 saves a month and unlimited saves need a Google One plan of 2TB or more. Pixlr offers Generative Fill, Generative Expand and background removal, with a free tier.
| Free option | What you get | Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Photopea | Layered editing in the browser | Ad supported; Generative Fill needs Premium |
| Google Magic Editor | Sky and background replacement, Magic Eraser | 10 saves a month for non-Pixel users |
| Canva free plan | A free plan, with Pro at 110 euros a year | Features by plan are not detailed by DataCamp |
| Pixlr free tier | Browser based editing | Paid tiers for more features |
AI Photo Editors for Product and E-Commerce Photos
For product images, DataCamp points to Photoroom for e-commerce and product catalogs and Pixelcut for product photos and social content. Photoroom lists background removal and AI Shadows, and Pixelcut lists background removal, Uncrop, AI image generation and upscaling.
If you sell photos rather than edit them, read our guide to stock photography as passive income.
Where Photoshop Still Wins
DataCamp describes Adobe Photoshop as the choice for professionals doing layered, detailed edits and lists Generative Fill and Harmonize among its AI features. Luminar Neo is positioned as a plugin for Photoshop and Lightroom users.
If your work involves complex composites, precise masks, colour management or print production, a full editor still makes sense. For quick social posts, product cutouts and tidy-ups, the tools above can do the job faster and cheaper.
How to Choose and Edit Responsibly
| Question | If yes, consider |
|---|---|
| Do you need a free tool? | Photopea, Google Magic Editor or Canva’s free plan |
| Do you edit product photos? | Photoroom or Pixelcut |
| Do you edit large photo libraries? | Adobe Lightroom |
| Do you want a one time purchase? | Luminar Neo |
| Do you do layered, detailed work? | Adobe Photoshop |
Edit honestly: if you use generative fill to change what a photo shows, disclose it where the context requires, particularly in news, reviews or product images.
