What is the difference between Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop?

Feature Adobe Illustrator Adobe Photoshop
Type of Graphics Vector Graphics (Scalable without losing quality) Raster Graphics (Pixel-based, loses quality when scaled)
Best Used For Logos, icons, illustrations, typography, infographics, vector art Photo editing, digital painting, web design, UI/UX, print design
File Formats AI, EPS, SVG, PDF PSD, JPEG, PNG, GIF, TIFF
Scalability Infinite scaling without losing quality Loses quality when enlarged
Editing Type Object-based (Each element is separate & editable) Layer-based (Works with multiple layers for compositing)
Drawing Tools Pen tool, shape builder, brushes (vector-based) Brushes, clone stamp, selection tools (pixel-based)
Best for Print? Excellent for print & branding (logos, business cards) Good for print but not as scalable for vector-based designs
Best for Web? Good for vector-based graphics (icons, web assets) Perfect for UI/UX design, image editing, and digital painting
Layer Support Basic layering Advanced layer support (masks, blending modes)
Photo Editing Limited Best for image editing & retouching
Complex Illustrations Best for creating vector artwork Limited for vector work
Ease of Learning Moderate (Focuses on precise paths & shapes) Easier for beginners (Photo manipulation & basic tools)

When to Use Illustrator vs. Photoshop?
Use Illustrator when :
* Creating logos, icons, or scalable graphics
* Designing vector illustrations or infographics
* Working on print materials that require scalability

Use Photoshop when :
* Editing or retouching photos
* Creating web & social media graphics
* Designing UI/UX elements & mockups
* Digital painting & photo manipulation