Compare · Last checked October 20, 2026
ImageQuarry vs Photoshop for editing images with AI
Adobe Photoshop is a professional image editor on desktop, web and mobile. Generative Fill, powered by Firefly, fills a selection from a prompt, and the August 2026 release added editing with natural language prompts. Partner models from Google and Black Forest Labs, plus GPT Image 2, are available inside it. ImageQuarry is a lighter workspace built only around the conversation: describe or upload, ask for changes in words, keep and branch versions. Choose Photoshop for layers, masks and pixel level control. Choose ImageQuarry for describing changes without editing skills.
We make ImageQuarry. We compared it with Adobe Photoshop using Adobe Photoshop's own public pages, checked October 20, 2026, and say where Adobe Photoshop does more.
Last updated October 20, 2026
At a glance
| ImageQuarry | Adobe Photoshop | |
|---|---|---|
| Kind of tool | A conversational workspace for creating and editing images | A professional raster editor with generative features |
| Editing by instruction | Select a version and describe the change | Photoshop: "Edit your image with natural language prompts", plus Generative Fill on a selection |
| Precise control | Say what to keep and what to change in your request | Photoshop: selections, masks, markup to guide AI edits, nondestructive Generative Layers |
| Models | Nano Banana 2.1, Nano Banana Pro, GPT Image 2.5 Flare, GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst | Firefly, plus Gemini 3 with Nano Banana Pro, FLUX.2 pro and GPT Image 2 |
| Price | Starter at $9 per month with 100 image credits a month | Photoshop plan: USD 22.99 a month on an annual plan billed monthly |
ImageQuarry and Adobe Photoshop: the differences that matter
Pixel level control
Photoshop combines its AI with selections, masks, a Light adjustment layer and Markup to guide edits, and puts generated content on a nondestructive Generative Layer. For retouchers and designers who need exact control over every area, that depth is the reason to stay in Photoshop.
Words without the toolbox
ImageQuarry is built for people who would rather describe the change than learn the tools: select a version, write "Put the bottle on folded fabric. Warmer light." and get a new version while the earlier one is kept. Photoshop now also takes natural language prompts, inside a full editor.
Models in both
Photoshop offers Firefly and, on desktop, Google's Gemini 3 with Nano Banana Pro and FLUX.2 pro in Generative Fill, with GPT Image 2 added in September 2026. ImageQuarry offers Nano Banana 2.1, Nano Banana Pro, GPT Image 2.5 Flare and GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst, with Nano Banana 2.1 as the default.
Trying before paying
Adobe offers a 7 day trial of Creative Cloud that converts to a paid membership unless cancelled, and points to Adobe Express for a no cost option. ImageQuarry plans are paid: Starter at $9 per month with 100 image credits a month or Pro at $29 per month with 300 image credits a month.
A conflicting answer on commercial use
Adobe's Generative Fill FAQ answers "Yes" to whether it is safe for commercial use, then says content generated in the Photoshop app may not be used for commercial purposes. Check Adobe's current terms before relying on either line. ImageQuarry has not published rights terms yet.
ImageQuarry vs Adobe Photoshop, side by side
Checked against Adobe Photoshop's public pages on October 20, 2026. "Not stated" means the pages we read do not say; it is not a claim that the feature is missing. "Not published" means ImageQuarry has not published that detail.
| Topic | ImageQuarry | Adobe Photoshop |
|---|---|---|
| Starting point | Describe the image in plain language, or upload an image and describe how you want it changed | Your own images, documents and selections; text prompts for Generative Fill |
| Editing with words | Select a version and ask for a change in words: lighting, background, an added object, composition or color | Generative Fill on a selection; "Edit images with a prompt" (August 2026); masks and markup to guide AI edits |
| Reference images | Add one or more source and reference images to guide material, color, light or shape | Reference Image upload with the prompt (Photoshop app) |
| Versions, variations and branching | Each change makes a new version and earlier versions are kept; make variations and branch from any version | Generate Similar for variations; Generative Layers keep edits nondestructive |
| Projects and library | Projects and a persistent library that keep prompts, references and versions together | Documents and layers; 100GB storage on the Photoshop plan |
| Image models | Nano Banana 2.1 (default), Nano Banana Pro, GPT Image 2.5 Flare and GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst | Firefly; Gemini 3 with Nano Banana Pro and FLUX.2 pro on desktop; GPT Image 2 |
| Output resolution and formats | Not published | Professional export options; online try it upload accepts JPEG or PNG up to 40MB |
| Commercial use terms | Not published | FAQ says yes to commercial use, then says app generated content may not be used commercially |
| Price | Starter at $9 per month with 100 image credits a month; Pro at $29 per month with 300 image credits a month; optional metered overage, off unless you turn it on; every plan is paid | USD 22.99 a month on an annual plan billed monthly, or USD 263.88 a year (October 2026) |
As of 2026-10-20
Sources: Adobe Photoshop photoshop; Adobe Photoshop generative fill; Adobe Photoshop whats new in adobe photoshop on desktop; Adobe Photoshop plans
Pricing
ImageQuarry plans come from its pricing. Adobe Photoshop prices are as of October 2026, from adobe.com. Credits are not comparable across products, because each vendor defines its own credit. Check the vendor for current pricing.
| ImageQuarry plan | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Starter | $9 per month | 100 image credits a month; optional metered overage at $0.12 per extra credit, off unless you turn it on |
| Pro | $29 per month | 300 image credits a month; optional metered overage at $0.09 per extra credit, off unless you turn it on |
| Product | Plan | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adobe Photoshop | Photoshop | USD 22.99 per month, annual plan billed monthly | Photoshop on desktop, web and mobile, Adobe Express Premium, 100GB storage, 25 monthly generative credits |
| Adobe Photoshop | Photoshop | USD 263.88 per year, prepaid | Same plan, paid annually |
| Adobe Photoshop | Firefly Pro | USD 19.99 per month, annual plan billed monthly | Photoshop on web and mobile plus 4,000 credits for creative AI |
| Adobe Photoshop | Photography | USD 19.99 per month, annual plan billed monthly | Photoshop and Lightroom, 1TB storage, 1,000 monthly generative credits |
| Adobe Photoshop | Creative Cloud Pro | USD 69.99 per month, annual plan billed monthly | Regular price; 4,000 monthly generative credits and models from Adobe, Google, OpenAI and more |
Prices as of 2026-10
About each product
ImageQuarry
ImageQuarry is a conversational AI image workspace. You describe an image or upload one, then ask for specific changes in words, such as new lighting, a different background or an added object. Each change makes a new version and earlier versions are kept, so you can make variations, branch from any version, add reference images and organize the work in projects and a library. You can choose between four image models: Nano Banana 2.1 (the default), Nano Banana Pro, GPT Image 2.5 Flare and GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst. Plans: Starter at $9 per month with 100 image credits a month, and Pro at $29 per month with 300 image credits a month, with optional metered overage that is off unless you turn it on. Every plan is paid. ImageQuarry has not published output specifications or rights terms yet, and it is not a headshot or background removal tool.
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe describes Photoshop as tools to "Create, edit, and design with advanced workflows, precise selections, and AI-powered speed." Generative Fill, powered by Firefly, generates inside a selection from a prompt, Generative Expand fills an extended canvas, Generate Similar makes variations and Reference Image guides results. Recent releases added prompt based editing, an AI Assisted Editor in beta, a Light adjustment layer and GPT Image 2. Plans include the Photoshop plan with 25 monthly generative credits, Firefly Pro, Photography and Creative Cloud Pro, mostly as annual plans billed monthly. Photoshop runs on desktop, the web and mobile.
Which one fits your work
Choose ImageQuarry when
- You want to describe changes instead of learning selections, masks and layers
- You want every version kept automatically, with branches from any of them
- You want a monthly plan without an annual commitment on the page
- You want to start from a blank description as easily as from a photo
Choose Adobe Photoshop when
- You need precise masks, layers and nondestructive editing
- You already work in Creative Cloud and want AI inside the same files
- You want a 7 day trial before paying
- You need professional export and print workflows
How to try both on the same image
- Pick one photo that needs a new background and warmer light.
- In Photoshop, select the background, use Generative Fill with a prompt, then try a prompt based edit for the light.
- In ImageQuarry, upload the same photo and ask for both changes in one sentence, saying what to keep.
- Compare the effort and the control: Photoshop's layers and masks, or ImageQuarry's versions from plain requests.
Questions about ImageQuarry vs Adobe Photoshop
Can Photoshop edit images from a text prompt?
Yes. Adobe's August 2026 release notes list "Edit images with a prompt", and Generative Fill generates inside a selection from a prompt.
Which AI models are in Photoshop?
Firefly, plus Google's Gemini 3 with Nano Banana Pro and FLUX.2 pro in Generative Fill on desktop, and GPT Image 2 since September 2026.
Do I need Photoshop skills to use ImageQuarry?
No. You describe the image or the change in words, and ImageQuarry makes a new version while keeping the earlier ones.
Is there a trial of Photoshop?
Adobe offers a 7 day trial that converts to a paid Creative Cloud membership unless you cancel. ImageQuarry plans are paid.
What does each cost?
Photoshop is USD 22.99 a month on an annual plan billed monthly, as of October 2026. ImageQuarry is Starter at $9 per month with 100 image credits a month or Pro at $29 per month with 300 image credits a month.
Sources
Every competitor fact on this page comes from the vendor's own pages, checked on the date shown. Recheck them before you buy.
Checked October 20, 2026
Create an image. Edit it with words. Keep refining.
Describe the edit instead of building it
Upload a photo or describe one, ask for each change in plain words and keep every version you make.
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