| Limner | Adobe Photoshop | |
|---|---|---|
| Price model | Free during beta; post-beta pricing not announced | See Adobe's current plans |
| Built for | Drawing and painting | Photo editing and everything |
| Platform | Windows, macOS, and iPad | Windows, macOS, iPad, web |
| PSD | Opens and exports layered PSD | Native |
| Photoshop .abr brushes | Imports | Native |
| Broader art workflows | Vector and Animation workspaces; separate Books | Vector and basic animation; no Book project |
| Generative AI | None | Firefly built in |
Comparisons reflect publicly available information as of September 2026 and may have changed since. Limner is not affiliated with or endorsed by the makers of the other apps named here.
Drawing first, not photo editing
Photoshop is a broad photo and image editor that many artists also paint in. Limner is built specifically for drawing, painting, inking, and comics. That focus keeps it lighter and quicker to learn if art, not retouching, is what you do.
It speaks PSD
- Opens PSD and PSB files up to 16384 by 16384 pixels: layers, folders, masks, text, layer effects, vector masks, pattern fills, Smart Objects, and live adjustment layers, in the standard color modes and bit depths Photoshop writes.
- Writes layered PSD that reopens in Photoshop with text still typeable, effects still adjustable, and vector masks still paths. Also exports OpenRaster, PNG, JPEG, CMYK TIFF, and SVG.
- Imports Photoshop
.abrfiles as brush tips.
Where Limner has no matching model for a Photoshop feature, it's built to keep that content as pixels or to list it in an Export with changes summary before the file is written, rather than drop it without telling you.
Pricing during the beta
Limner is free during the beta, and pricing for the full release will be announced before anything changes.
What Limner adds
- Editable vector line art alongside raster painting.
- A separate frame-by-frame Animation workspace and multi-page Book projects for Illustration or Vector pages.
- Native 4K timelapse recording, saved in the file.
- Pen pressure and tilt through Windows Ink, with inking correction.
An honest comparison
Photoshop is the industry standard for photo editing, retouching, compositing, color management, and studio pipelines, and it earns that reputation. Limner isn't trying to replace it there. It's built for artists who mainly draw and paint and want a focused workflow, with process-video recording built in.
Common questions
Can Limner open PSD files?
Yes. File > Open takes PSD and PSB documents up to 16384 by 16384 pixels, with layers, masks, text, effects, vector masks, Smart Objects, and adjustment layers live. Limner also writes layered PSD that Photoshop reopens with those still editable.
Can I use my Photoshop brushes?
Yes. Limner imports tip shapes from Photoshop .abr files, and you set their dynamics and behavior with Limner's own brush settings.
What does Limner cost?
Limner is free during the beta. Pricing for the full release will be announced before anything changes.
Is Limner a full Photoshop replacement?
Not for photo editing and retouching, where Photoshop goes much further. Limner focuses on drawing, painting, inking, and comics.