Freemium
Google Gemini
Chat-based photo editing inside Google's AI assistant: describe the change, the image model makes it.
BeginnerWebMac
Adobe Firefly
Adobe's AI studio: generate images and edit photos with prompts, across Adobe's and partner models.
FreemiumBeginnerWebiOSAndroid
Overview
Adobe Firefly is Adobe's AI creation studio. It generates images from text and edits photos you upload. Generative Fill replaces elements from a prompt, Generative Remove erases objects and Generative Expand extends the frame. AI Markup lets you draw on the exact area to change. The same interface also runs partner models from Google, OpenAI and others, so you pick the model per job. Firefly's technology powers the generative features inside Photoshop and Lightroom.
It runs as a web app and as iPhone and Android apps with an Adobe account. The free plan gives a monthly allowance of generative credits. Paid plans are subscriptions, and Adobe currently advertises unlimited image generations on paid tiers across many models.
Key features
✓Generative Fill adds or replaces from a prompt
✓Generative Remove erases objects
✓Generative Expand extends photos to new sizes
✓Generative Upscale enlarges images
✓One-click background removal
✓AI Markup: draw on the area to change
✓Runs Adobe & partner models from Google, OpenAI & more
✓Custom models trained on your own style (paid beta)
When to use
Firefly fits prompt-driven photo work with a choice of models. Use it if:
- You want generative editing, fill, remove, expand, on your photos without owning Photoshop.
- You want several leading AI models in one interface instead of separate subscriptions.
- You make commercial work and care about Adobe's stated commercially-safer training for its own models.
- You want targeted control: you draw on the exact area to change instead of prompting again.
- You already use Adobe's other apps, since Firefly connects with Photoshop and your Creative Cloud account.
When NOT to use
Skip Firefly if any of these describe you:
- You need pixel-level manual editing alongside AI. That is Adobe Photoshop, which embeds the same generative tools inside a full editor.
- You want quick chat-style edits without an Adobe account. ChatGPT and Google Gemini edit photos conversationally.
- You want to avoid AI-content labeling. Firefly output carries Content Credentials metadata.
- Your job is correcting real photos, exposure, color, sharpening, rather than generating content. Use a photo editor.
Frequently asked questions
There is a free plan with a monthly allowance of generative credits. Every generation spends credits, and unused ones expire at the end of the month. Paid Firefly plans raise the limits, and Adobe currently advertises unlimited image generations on paid tiers across many models. Some Creative Cloud subscriptions also include Firefly credits.
Both. You can upload a photo and use Generative Fill, Remove, Expand, Upscale and background removal on it, including drawing directly on the region you want changed with AI Markup.
Adobe states that its own Firefly models were trained on licensed Adobe Stock and public-domain content, and positions their output as safer for commercial use. Partner models available inside Firefly have their own terms, so check which model you used before commercial publication.
Yes. Firefly attaches Content Credentials, industry-standard metadata that records the image was AI-generated and with what tool. Platforms and clients that read the standard will see it.
The same technology powers Photoshop's Generative Fill and related features. Firefly is the standalone, prompt-first studio. Photoshop wraps the same generation inside a full manual editor. If you already pay for Photoshop, you have the core features there.
The web app plus iPhone and Android apps, signed into an Adobe account. Every version, including the installed phone apps, needs internet, since generation runs on Adobe's servers.
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