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Photography · head to head

Corel PaintShop Pro vs Facetune

Corel PaintShop Pro logo

Corel PaintShop Pro

Photography

One-time purchase photo editor from Corel, positioned as a budget Photoshop alternative with no subscription

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Facetune logo

Facetune

Photography

Selfie and portrait retouching app from Lightricks, sold on a subscription with a short free trial

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Facetune has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Corel PaintShop Pro corel has slowed its release cadence, so buyers researching a current edition often find the newest widely sold version is PaintShop Pro 2023, not a genuinely new annual release.; Facetune the free trial is short, commonly around 3 days, and automatically converts into a paid annual subscription unless the user proactively cancels beforehand, a pattern that has generated a consistent volume of complaints about unexpected charges.
  • They diverge on capability: Corel PaintShop Pro covers Layer-based editing, Facetune covers Skin and blemish retouching.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Corel PaintShop Pro and Facetune actually diverge.

Attributes where Corel PaintShop Pro and Facetune differ
AttributeCorel PaintShop ProFacetune
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelOne-time purchase, paid upgradesFree download with a short free trial, most tools require a Facetune Pro subscription that auto-renews annually
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWindowsiOS, Android

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Photography).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Corel PaintShop Pro

  • Layer-based editing
  • RAW processing
  • AI selection tools
  • Batch processing scripts
  • HDR merge and photo restoration tools
  • Perpetual licensing with paid upgrades

Only in Facetune

  • Skin and blemish retouching
  • Facial reshaping
  • Body contouring
  • Teeth whitening and eye enhancement
  • Background blur and replacement
  • One-tap auto-enhance

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Corel PaintShop Pro

  • A Windows hobbyist who wants layer-based photo editing without paying an Adobe subscriptionnot Facetune
  • A long-time PaintShop Pro user with existing scripts and workflows built around the productnot Facetune
  • Someone restoring old family photos who wants the bundled restoration and HDR tools rather than assembling a plugin stacknot Facetune
  • A budget-conscious small studio doing basic compositing that does not require Photoshop plugin compatibilitynot Facetune

Facetune

  • Someone wanting quick, targeted retouching of a single selfie or portrait before posting to social medianot Corel PaintShop Pro
  • A user comfortable cancelling a free trial through their phone app store settings before it converts to a paid annual chargenot Corel PaintShop Pro
  • Someone who has decided to pay for the annual subscription and wants a broad set of face and body retouching tools in one appnot Corel PaintShop Pro
  • A user who has used Photoleap or Videoleap from the same publisher and wants a consistent editing tool stylenot Corel PaintShop Pro

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Corel PaintShop Pro

  • Corel has slowed its release cadence, so buyers researching a current edition often find the newest widely sold version is PaintShop Pro 2023, not a genuinely new annual release.
  • It is Windows-only, ruling it out for Mac-based photographers entirely.
  • Its RAW processing and colour engine trail Lightroom, Capture One and DxO PhotoLab in independent quality comparisons, particularly on noise and dynamic range.
  • The plugin and brush ecosystem is much smaller than Photoshop, so third-party workflows built around Adobe filters do not transfer.
  • Paid upgrades to major new versions mean the true cost over several years can approach a Photoshop Elements-style total, eroding the one-time-purchase advantage.

Facetune

  • The free trial is short, commonly around 3 days, and automatically converts into a paid annual subscription unless the user proactively cancels beforehand, a pattern that has generated a consistent volume of complaints about unexpected charges.
  • Cancellation must be done through the phone Apple App Store or Google Play subscription management screens rather than a clear button inside the app itself, adding friction specifically at the point users most want to stop paying.
  • Nearly all meaningful retouching functionality is locked behind the paid tier, so the free download is not a genuinely usable product on its own, only a gateway to the trial.
  • Heavy reliance on face and body reshaping tools has drawn broader criticism, common to this whole app category, over promoting unrealistic beauty standards, particularly among younger users.
  • Published subscription pricing has varied by region and promotional period, so the price a new user is quoted is not necessarily stable or consistent across markets.

Pricing, plan by plan

Corel PaintShop Pro

On request
  • PaintShop Pro$79.99/one-time
    • Layer-based editing and RAW processing
    • Perpetual licence, no subscription
    • Paid upgrade for the next major version
  • PaintShop Pro Ultimate$99.99/one-time
    • Everything in the standard edition
    • Bundled AI and utility add-ons
    • Extra brush and effect packs

Facetune

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Very limited basic editing tools
    • Most retouching features locked
    • Trial access to Pro tools for a short period, commonly around 3 days
  • Facetune Pro$47.99/year
    • Full access to retouching, reshaping and enhancement tools
    • Auto-renews annually unless cancelled before trial or renewal date
    • Cancellation handled through Apple App Store or Google Play subscription settings, not inside the app

Which should you pick?

Choose Corel PaintShop Pro if

  • You need layer-based editing.
  • You work on Windows.
  • You also want raw processing.
Corel PaintShop Pro review

Choose Facetune if

  • You need skin and blemish retouching.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on iOS, Android.
  • You also want facial reshaping.
Facetune review

Questions people ask

Is Corel PaintShop Pro or Facetune better?
Neither clearly leads. Corel PaintShop Pro starts at On request and Facetune at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Corel PaintShop Pro or Facetune?
Facetune has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Corel PaintShop Pro and Free for Facetune.
Does Corel PaintShop Pro or Facetune run on more platforms?
Corel PaintShop Pro runs on Windows. Facetune runs on iOS, Android.
Can I use Facetune for free?
Yes. Facetune has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Corel PaintShop Pro starts at On request.
What is Corel PaintShop Pro best used for?
Corel PaintShop Pro is most often used for a windows hobbyist who wants layer-based photo editing without paying an adobe subscription, a long-time paintshop pro user with existing scripts and workflows built around the product, someone restoring old family photos who wants the bundled restoration and hdr tools rather than assembling a plugin stack, a budget-conscious small studio doing basic compositing that does not require photoshop plugin compatibility. Of those, a windows hobbyist who wants layer-based photo editing without paying an adobe subscription and a long-time paintshop pro user with existing scripts and workflows built around the product are not what Facetune is typically brought in for.
What can Corel PaintShop Pro do that Facetune cannot?
Corel PaintShop Pro covers Layer-based editing, RAW processing, AI selection tools, Batch processing scripts. Facetune covers Skin and blemish retouching, Facial reshaping, Body contouring, Teeth whitening and eye enhancement.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Corel PaintShop Pro: Is PaintShop Pro a subscription like Photoshop?

No, it is sold as a one-time purchase; major new versions are separate paid upgrades rather than a recurring subscription.

Facetune: Does Facetune have a free trial?

Yes, typically around 3 days, after which it automatically converts to a paid annual subscription unless cancelled beforehand.

Corel PaintShop Pro: Does PaintShop Pro edit RAW files?

Yes, it imports and processes camera RAW files, though its RAW engine is less capable than dedicated tools like Lightroom or Capture One.

Facetune: How do I cancel a Facetune subscription?

Cancellation is done through the Apple App Store or Google Play subscription settings on your phone, not through a button inside the Facetune app itself.

Corel PaintShop Pro: Is there a Mac version?

No, PaintShop Pro is Windows-only.

Facetune: Can I use Facetune without paying?

The free download offers very limited functionality; nearly all retouching tools require the paid Facetune Pro subscription after the trial ends.

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