Adobe Lightroom vs Apple Photos / Google Photos:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Adobe Lightroom had more branded searches than Apple Photos / Google Photos among photo editing apps in New Zealand. Adobe Lightroom had about 900 branded searches, while Apple Photos / Google Photos had 10. Adobe Lightroom made up 4.1% of all photo editing app searches we track, and Apple Photos / Google Photos accounted for 0.05%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about photo editing apps, Adobe Lightroom appeared in all five answers and Apple Photos / Google Photos in two. Adobe Lightroom was mentioned before Apple Photos / Google Photos in every answer.

Among photo editing apps in New Zealand in September 2026

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Top photo editing apps in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Adobe Lightroom appeared in all five answers. Apple Photos / Google Photos was mentioned in two out of five: not in any of the three ChatGPT answers, but in both Google AI Overviews. Adobe Lightroom was listed before Apple Photos / Google Photos in every answer.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

How many AI answers named each brand
Brand	ChatGPT	Google	Answers that named it
Adobe Lightroom	Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers	Named in 2 of 2 Google AI Overviews	5 of 5
Snapseed	Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers	Named in 2 of 2 Google AI Overviews	5 of 5
VSCO	Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers	Named in 2 of 2 Google AI Overviews	5 of 5
Picsart	Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answers	Named in 2 of 2 Google AI Overviews	3 of 5
Apple Photos / Google Photos	Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answers	Named in 2 of 2 Google AI Overviews	2 of 5
Pixlr	Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answers	Named in 1 of 2 Google AI Overviews	1 of 5
Photopea	Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answers	Named in 0 of 2 Google AI Overviews	0 of 5

Adobe Lightroom5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Snapseed5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
VSCO5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Picsart3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Apple Photos / Google Photos2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Pixlr1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Photopea0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about photo editing apps

5 answers

Asked ChatGPT
“Which photo editing app should I use in New Zealand?”
1. 1Adobe Lightroom
2. 2Snapseed
3. 3VSCO
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best photo editing apps in New Zealand?”
1. 1Adobe Lightroom
2. 2Snapseed
3. 3VSCO
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best photo editing app in New Zealand for creative editing?”
1. 1Adobe Lightroom
2. 2Picsart
3. 3VSCO
4. 4Snapseed
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best photo editing app”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“photo editor app”

Not named in any answer:

Photopea

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 2026.

Is Adobe Lightroom or Apple Photos / Google Photos more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Adobe Lightroom and Apple Photos / Google Photos by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven photo editing apps we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.

Adobe Lightroom and Apple Photos / Google Photos among photo editing apps in New Zealand, by month

Month	Photopea	Pixlr	Picsart	Adobe Lightroom	Snapseed	VSCO	Apple Photos / Google Photos
Oct 2025	48.8%	29.3%	11.9%	3.9%	3%	3.1%	0.04%
Nov 2025	49.5%	29.7%	12%	3.6%	2.7%	2.6%	0.04%
Dec 2025	44.3%	26%	16.1%	4.9%	4.2%	4.3%	0.05%
Jan 2026	47.1%	23.3%	14.3%	5.3%	4.4%	5.6%	0.06%
Feb 2026	52%	25.4%	12.5%	4.3%	2.9%	2.9%	0.04%
Mar 2026	52.8%	25%	12.7%	3.9%	3.3%	2.3%	0.03%
Apr 2026	49.1%	24%	14.6%	4.3%	4.8%	3.3%	0.05%
May 2026	49%	25.2%	15%	3.7%	4.3%	2.8%	0.04%
Jun 2026	52%	25.3%	12.8%	3.9%	3.7%	2.3%	0.04%
Jul 2026	55.7%	21.9%	13.2%	3.7%	3%	2.4%	0.04%
Aug 2026	56.4%	21.9%	13.7%	3.3%	2.7%	1.9%	0.04%
Sep 2026	55.3%	22.1%	13.5%	4.1%	2.7%	2.3%	0.05%

How has the Adobe Lightroom and Apple Photos / Google Photos comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings

Adobe Lightroom was ahead of Apple Photos / Google Photos in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Adobe Lightroom’s share of searches among photo editing apps in New Zealand moved from 3.9% to 4.1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 970 to 900.
Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Apple Photos / Google Photos’ share of searches among photo editing apps in New Zealand moved from 0.04% to 0.05%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 10.

How did search popularity change for New Zealand photo editing apps in September 2026?

1 change

In September 2026, Adobe Lightroom gained share of searches among photo editing apps in New Zealand, from 3.3% to 4.1%.

How are branded searches counted?

7 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Adobe Lightroom’s and Apple Photos / Google Photos’ names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.