Introduction
Adobe Photoshop is a powerful tool for designers, photographers, and digital artists. However, its functionality can be further extended using plugins that streamline tasks, automate processes, and unlock new creative possibilities. As we enter 2025, several innovative Photoshop plugins have emerged to help professionals enhance their workflow. In this article, we will explore the top 10 Photoshop plugins that can save you time and improve your efficiency.
How to Install Photoshop Plugins
If you’re new and not sure how to install Photoshop plugins, simply follow the steps below to get started.
- Step 1: First, download the plugin file. It’ll come as a ZIP file
- Step 2: Extract the contents of the ZIP file
- Step 3: Create a folder on your computer to store all Photoshop plugins and copy your downloaded plugin files over to the new plugins folder
- Step 4: On Photoshop, go to the Edit menu and then to Preferences >> Plugins
- Step 5: Check the tickbox that says “Additional Plugins Folder” and then locate your new Photoshop plugins folder on your computer and click OK
- Step 6: Restart the Photoshop app to enable the new plugin
To enable some plugins, you’ll have to navigate to the Filters menu and locate it there.
Some Photoshop plugins come with setup files. Those can be easily installed by running the installation wizard. When downloading plugins from Adobe Exchange, make sure to have the Creative Cloud app installed on your computer to integrate the plugins with Photoshop.
Find a plugin from the list below to improve your workflow.
Luminar Neo – AI-Powered Photo Enhancement
Luminar Neo can be used as a standalone program or as a Photoshop plugin for quick photo editing, background removal, relighting, and skin retouching. We have found its UI very simple to operate. In fact, it has received the Red Dot Design Award and TIPA World Award in the best imaging software category.
It offers custom presets to apply to your landscapes and portraits and can save adjustments for shortcut applications. Its Accent AI lets you control shadows, highlights and ten other controls in one slider.
Key Features:
- AI-powered photo enhancement
- Sky replacement and lighting adjustments
- Noise reduction and detail enhancement
Nik Collection by DxO – Professional Photo Editing Suite
Nik Collection is a set of eight high-quality photo editing plugins that provide creative effects, sharpening, and noise reduction tools for Photoshop users.
Key Features:
- High-quality film effects and vintage filters
- Precision sharpening and noise reduction
- Advanced color grading tools
ON1 Effects – Instant Photo Filters and Presets
ON1 Effects offers hundreds of customizable filters, textures, and presets to quickly apply stunning effects to your images. It is an excellent tool for creative professionals who want to speed up their editing workflow.
This Photoshop plugin offers a wide range of file support. It has a standalone app for layer-based editing and raw file processing. This plugin’s retouching features include an AI eraser, skin retouching, brushing, healing brush, clone stamp, powerline and dust reduction. You can customize your workflow with preset manager and easily access it across multiple projects. It has advanced tools like panorama stitching, HDR merging, time-lapse, etc.
Key Features:
- Extensive collection of one-click effects
- Customizable filters and presets
- AI-powered masking tools
Retouch4me – Automated Portrait Retouching
While many “AI” portrait tools will turn the subject’s skin into what can best be described as Barbie-doll level plastic, Retouch4Me’s tools help reduce time spent editing and provide great results for fashion, beauty, portrait, and headshot images with minimal effort and stress.
The AI editing plugin can be purchased as a suite, or as individual components and offer its users options for healing, dodging, and burning, skin tone blending, backdrop and floor cleaning, volume — contrast and shadow — adjustments, and eye/teeth enhancements. While the results are not always perfect — sometimes the healing and clean-up can go a little too heavy-handed — the results still speak for themselves and it is incredibly easy to add a mask in photoshop to clean up and reduce any times the application might go too strong.
Key Features:
- AI-powered portrait retouching
- Natural-looking skin smoothing
- One-click enhancement for professional results
Infinite Color Panel – Smart Color Grading
Infinite Color Panel provides AI-powered color grading, allowing designers and photographers to create unique color styles effortlessly. It simplifies the color correction process, making it ideal for creatives who want professional-looking results quickly.
Sometimes I used to spend hours trying to perfect the colors in my photo designs during the editing process, but then I found Infinite Color Panel. If you’re also tired of spending so much time twisting colors in your photos, say hello to this amazing Photoshop tool. Trust me, it’s so easy to use that even your pet hamster could become a photo-editing pro. Let me share my story, Adjusting the colors of my images after working on the lighting was always a daunting task for me. However, ever since I discovered the Infinite Color Panel, that’s become a breeze now I can add a nice and customizable color grade with just a few easy steps using this Photoshop ingredient. Just like Retouch4me it also creates separate layers with which you can easily adjust the opacity and blending mode.
Key Features:
- AI-driven color grading
- Non-destructive editing
- Endless color combinations
Raya Pro – Advanced Exposure Blending
Raya Pro is a must-have plugin for landscape and HDR photographers. It helps users blend multiple exposures seamlessly, achieving stunning high-dynamic-range images with realistic tones.
Key Features:
- Auto-blend exposure tool
- Advanced luminosity masks
- Seamless sky replacement
Portraiture by Imagenomic – Advanced Skin Retouching
Meet Portraiture, the fantastic skin-retouching plugin brought to you by Imagenomic. Using its precise masking tool, you can make your skin heal, and smooth. Portraiture is equipped with a brand-new uniformity algorithm that excels at eliminating blemishes and imperfections. Another great thing about Portraiture is with the host support for Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom it also supports Windows and Mac.
Key Features:
- Precise skin smoothing and retouching
- Customizable presets for different skin tones
- Fast and efficient workflow
Fontself Maker – Custom Font Creation
Fontself is one of the Photoshop plugins for artists for custom font making. You can easily turn your letterforms on iPad and desktop into custom fonts with this plugin. It can detect your hand-drawn letters, vector graphics, and even artwork and convert them into a set of custom fonts. Such fonts can be used for branding. This plugin offers features like ligature support, kerning adjustments, and character set customization. Pros and beginners can use its features easily.
Key Features:
- Convert hand-drawn letters into fonts
- Easy-to-use drag-and-drop interface
PixelSquid – 3D Object Integration
This Shutterstock plugin for Photoshop is resourceful for graphic designing and digital photo illustrations. You can add 3D objects to a canvas in a customized way. Its vast library comprises more than 356,000 3D objects to search and add to your design creations. You can pick and add objects like animals, flowers, vehicles, etc, to your Photoshop lightbox. Add optional shadows, transparent PNGs, layered PSDs, and watermark-free objects.
Key Features:
- Massive library of 3D objects
- 360-degree rotation and customization
- High-resolution textures and lighting controls
Adobe Camera Raw – RAW Image Editing
Adobe Camera Raw is a built-in plugin that provides advanced RAW editing capabilities for Photoshop users. It allows for fine-tuned adjustments to exposure, color, and sharpness.
Key Features:
- Non-destructive RAW editing
- Advanced color grading and tonal correction
- Lens correction and noise reduction
Conclusion
Enhancing your Photoshop workflow with the right plugins can save time, improve efficiency, and unlock new creative possibilities. Whether you’re a photographer, designer, or digital artist, these top 10 Photoshop plugins for 2025 will help you work smarter and achieve professional-quality results with ease.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are Photoshop plugins?
Photoshop plugins are third-party tools that extend Photoshop’s functionality, helping users automate tasks, enhance images, and improve workflow efficiency.
Are Photoshop plugins free?
Some Photoshop plugins are free, while others require a one-time purchase or a subscription. Free plugins often provide basic features, while premium ones offer advanced tools and AI-powered functionalities.
How do I install Photoshop plugins?
To install a Photoshop plugin:
- Download the plugin file (usually in .zxp or .exe format).
- Open Photoshop and go to Edit > Preferences > Plug-ins.
- Enable third-party plugins if necessary.
- Use Adobe Extension Manager or manually place the plugin file in the Photoshop Plug-ins folder.