For a one-off restoration job, Photoshop Elements’ guided edits are generally the easier starting point for a beginner, while ON1 Photo RAW suits someone who wants more advanced control and is willing to spend more time learning it.
Who each tool suits
- Photoshop Elements suits you if: this is your first time restoring an old photo, and you want step-by-step guided edits rather than a blank set of tools.
- ON1 Photo RAW suits you if: you are comfortable with more technical photo-editing tools, or you also shoot and edit RAW photos from a modern camera and want one tool for both.
What each tool actually offers
- Photoshop Elements’ Guided Edits mode walks you through restoration step by step with on-screen instructions, which ON1 Photo RAW does not offer in the same structured way.
- ON1 Photo RAW includes strong RAW photo processing for modern camera files, which is not something most old-photo restoration projects need, since scanned prints and slides are not RAW files.
- Both are one-off purchases rather than subscriptions (check each company’s current licensing, as this can change), so cost comparison should be based on their current listed prices.
- ON1 Photo RAW has a steeper learning curve overall, with more panels, settings and terminology aimed at more experienced users.
Questions to ask about the job
- Is this a single restoration project, or do you expect to do a lot of ongoing photo editing beyond just restoration?
- Do you also shoot photos on a modern camera in RAW format, which would make ON1’s RAW processing more broadly useful to you?
- Would you prefer step-by-step guided instructions, or are you comfortable exploring a more open-ended set of tools?
A way to decide either way
If in doubt, both companies offer free trials — testing your actual damaged photo in each one before buying is the most reliable way to judge which interface suits you.
Next step
Try Topaz Photo AI on one difficult old photo is a useful comparison if you are also considering a dedicated AI restoration tool.
Sources and date checked
Adobe Photoshop Elements Help and ON1’s own Photo RAW documentation. Checked 22 September 2026. Researched from both companies’ published features, not a hands-on side-by-side test performed for this article.