Photoshop
by Adobe
Photoshop on iPad and iPhone is Adobe's mobile image editor, free to download with premium tools and generative AI by subscription.
- Price
- Free; premium from $7.99/month
- Runs on
- iPadOS, iOS
- Rating
- ★ 4.5 on the App Store (94K ratings)
MediBang Paint
by MediBang
MediBang Paint is a free, ad-supported painting and comic app for iPad, iPhone, Android and desktop with cloud sync and shared canvases.
- Price
- Free with ads; Premium plans from $2.99
- Runs on
- iPadOS, iOS, Android, macOS, Windows
- Rating
- ★ 4.6 on the App Store (33K ratings)
Feature comparison
| Feature | Photoshop |
MediBang Paint |
|---|---|---|
| Price and platforms | ||
| Price | Free; premium from $7.99/month | Free with ads; Premium plans from $2.99 |
| Free version | Yes, core editing tools | Yes, ad-supported |
| Subscription | Required for premium tools and PSD export | Optional MediBang Premium |
| Ad-free | Not advertised | No, ads unless removed for $7.99 |
| No account needed | Not advertised | Account needed for cloud features |
| iPad | Yes | Yes |
| iPhone | Yes, same app | Separate app, MediBang Paint for iPhone |
| Mac | Desktop Photoshop, separate plan | Yes, desktop version |
| Android and Chromebook | Separate Android app, in beta | Yes |
| Brushes | ||
| Built-in brushes | Painting and retouching brushes | 180 (700 more with Premium) |
| Brush customization | Basic brush settings | Adjustable; make your own |
| Brush import | Not advertised | Cloud brushes |
| Apple Pencil | Supported | Supported |
| Comics and manga | ||
| Comic panel layouts | Not advertised | Comic panel tools |
| Screentones | Not advertised | 1,000 screentones |
| Text and lettering | Text and fonts | 60 fonts |
| Layers and editing | ||
| Layer limit | Not advertised | Not advertised |
| Blend modes | Advanced blend modes (premium) | Yes |
| Masks | Layer masks | Not advertised |
| Adjustments and filters | Adjustment layers and targeted adjustments | Filters (extra Filter Pack available) |
| Selection tools | Tap Select, Object Select, Magic Wand | Not advertised |
| Liquify and distortion | Not advertised | Not advertised |
| Clone tool | Spot Healing and Remove Tool | Not advertised |
| Drawing aids | ||
| Symmetry | Not advertised | Not advertised |
| Perspective guides | Not advertised | Not advertised |
| Shape correction | Not advertised | Not advertised |
| Gradients | Not advertised | Not advertised |
| Paintable materials | Not advertised | Not advertised |
| Seamless patterns | Not advertised | Not advertised |
| Extras | ||
| Animation | Not advertised | Not advertised |
| 3D painting | Not advertised | Not advertised |
| Timelapse | Not advertised | Yes |
| Live collaboration | Not advertised | Group Project shared canvases |
| Generative AI | Yes: Generative Fill, Generate Image, AI Assistant (credits) | None advertised |
| Files | ||
| Photoshop PSD | Native PSD (premium export) | Not advertised |
| Export formats | PSD, TIFF, JPG, PNG | Images, with cloud saving |
| CMYK and print | Not advertised | Not advertised |
| App Store | ||
| Rating | 4.5 / 5 (94K ratings) | 4.6 / 5 (33K ratings) |
| Last updated | August 25, 2026 | September 11, 2026 |
| Languages | 19 | 16 |
Price
Both are free to download, but they charge for different things.
Photoshop on iPad and iPhone is free to download with core editing tools. Premium tools such as the Remove Tool, Content Aware Fill, advanced blend modes and PSD export need a subscription, starting at $7.99 a month for Photoshop Mobile & Web on the US App Store.
MediBang Paint is free with ads. MediBang Premium plans, from $2.99 on the US App Store, add 700 more brushes, and ads can be removed with a separate $7.99 add-on.
Platforms
Both run on iPad, iPhone, Android, Mac and Windows.
Photoshop: The same Photoshop app runs on iPad and iPhone. Adobe also has an Android version in beta, and desktop Photoshop for Mac and Windows is sold separately.
MediBang Paint has an iPad app, a separate iPhone app, and versions for Android, Mac and Windows. Its cloud feature, which needs a MediBang account, lets you move a drawing between devices.
Brushes
Photoshop on mobile is built for photo editing and compositing first. It has brushes for painting and retouching, but its painting tools are far more limited than those in dedicated painting apps.
MediBang Paint includes 180 adjustable brushes, and Premium plans add 700 more. You can also make your own brushes.
Comics and manga
Photoshop on mobile is built for photo editing and does not advertise comic panel or screentone tools.
MediBang Paint was built with comics in mind, with 1,000 screentones, 60 fonts for lettering, easy comic panels and shared canvases for team projects.
Layers and editing
Photoshop: Its strength is editing: layers, masks, adjustment layers, Tap Select and Object Select, the Spot Healing Brush, Content Aware Fill and native PSD files that open in desktop Photoshop.
MediBang Paint: It covers the essentials with layers, blend modes and filters, and keeps the interface simple and lightweight, so it stays fast without needing much storage.
Drawing tools and extras
Photoshop leans on Adobe Firefly for generative tools such as Generative Fill and Generate Image, which use generative credits. It does not advertise painting aids such as symmetry or perspective guides, or animation.
MediBang Paint: Group Project lets you and your friends draw on the same canvas, cloud saving keeps drawings in step between devices, and MediBang Paint records a timelapse of your work.
Which should you choose?
Choose Photoshop if
- You mostly edit and composite photos rather than paint
- You need native PSD files that open in desktop Photoshop
- You need precise object selection, healing and retouching
- You want generative AI tools such as Generative Fill
Choose MediBang Paint if
- You make comics on a budget and want screentones and panels for free
- You want to draw on a shared canvas with friends or a team
- You also draw on Android
- You want a free app and do not mind ads
Frequently asked questions
Is Photoshop better than MediBang Paint?
Neither is better for everyone. Photoshop is the better pick if you mostly edit and composite photos rather than paint, or you need native PSD files that open in desktop Photoshop. MediBang Paint suits you better if you make comics on a budget and want screentones and panels for free, or you want to draw on a shared canvas with friends or a team.
Is Photoshop free?
Partly. Photoshop on iPad and iPhone is free to download with core tools such as layers, selections and adjustments. Premium tools and PSD export need a subscription, from $7.99 a month on the US App Store.
Is MediBang Paint free?
Yes, MediBang Paint is free with ads. Premium plans from $2.99 add 700 more brushes, and a $7.99 add-on removes ads.
Which works on iPhone, Photoshop or MediBang Paint?
Photoshop runs on iPhone in the same app as on iPad. MediBang Paint has a separate iPhone app, MediBang Paint for iPhone.
Do Photoshop and MediBang Paint work on Android?
Photoshop has a separate Android app, currently in beta. MediBang Paint has an Android version.
Can two people draw together in Photoshop or MediBang Paint?
Yes, MediBang Paint does (Group Project shared canvases). Photoshop does not advertise live collaboration.
Do Photoshop or MediBang Paint use generative AI?
Photoshop includes generative AI: Generative Fill, Generate Image and an AI Assistant, powered by Adobe Firefly and generative credits. MediBang Paint does not advertise any generative AI features.
Sources
- Adobe Photoshop on the App Store
- Photoshop Android beta announcement coverage
- MediBang Paint on the App Store
Facts checked on October 2, 2026. Prices are from the US App Store, and features from each app's listing and official site. Apps change often, so check the App Store for current prices and features. Photoshop and MediBang Paint are trademarks of their respective owners. App icons come from each app's App Store listing and belong to their owners. Paintrix Studio is not affiliated with the makers of Photoshop and MediBang Paint.