Adobe Color vs Palette Maker: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Adobe Color and Palette Maker comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Bottom line: Adobe Color is our overall pick for color tools workflows. Pick Palette Maker if you need a fully free option.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Adobe Color
Create and explore color palettes for design projects
Best for you if:
- • Free color palette generator and explorer tool accessible via web browser
- • Create harmonious color schemes using color theory rules and extract palettes from images
Palette Maker
Generate AI-powered color palettes and preview them live on diverse design examples.
Best for you if:
- • Generates AI-powered color palettes.
- • Allows live preview of palettes on various design examples (logos, UI/UX, posters).
| At a Glance |  Adobe Color |  Palette Maker |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Color Tools | Color Tools |
Rating | 4.7/5 | 4.9/5 |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose Adobe Color or Palette Maker?
Choose Adobe Color if
Create and explore color palettes for design projects
- Good color tool
- Free to use
- Color harmony
Choose Palette Maker if
Generate AI-powered color palettes and preview them live on diverse design examples.
- Completely free to use, now and forever.
- Allows live testing of color palettes on real design mockups, saving time.
- Intuitive and easy to use for both designers and non-designers.
| Feature | Adobe Color | Palette Maker |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Free |
| User Rating | ★4.7/5 7,500 reviews | ★4.9/5 72 reviews |
| Categories | Color ToolsGraphic Design | Color ToolsGraphic Design |
In-Depth Analysis
Adobe Color
Create and explore color palettes for design projects
Strengths
- +Good color tool
- +Free to use
- +Color harmony
- +Adobe integration
- +Accessibility check
Weaknesses
- -Adobe account needed
- -Limited features
- -Web only
- -Better alternatives exist
- -Basic export
Key features
Value 100/100. Adobe Color is exceptionally generous as it offers all its features completely free of charge.
Watch out: Requires an Adobe account for use
Palette Maker
Generate AI-powered color palettes and preview them live on diverse design examples.
Strengths
- +Completely free to use, now and forever.
- +Allows live testing of color palettes on real design mockups, saving time.
- +Intuitive and easy to use for both designers and non-designers.
- +Offers diverse export formats for integration with various design workflows.
- +AI-powered suggestions help in discovering new color combinations.
Weaknesses
- -Limited to pre-made design examples, no option to upload custom designs for preview.
- -Does not include black and white in generated palettes (by design choice, but might be a con for some users).
- -No mention of advanced color theory tools beyond basic application.
Key features
Value 95/100. The pricing for Palette Maker is extremely generous, as it offers a fully-featured 'Free' tier with no apparent paid options.
Watch out: No apparent hidden costs; all features are free.
Pricing: Adobe Color vs Palette Maker
| Plan | Adobe Color | Palette Maker |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Free | Free Free |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Adobe Color pricing and Palette Maker pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are free. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Adobe Color
Want the highest-rated option?
Adobe Color: 4.7/5 (7,500 reviews). Palette Maker: 4.9/5 (72 reviews).
Go with: Palette Maker
Value user reviews?
Adobe Color: 7,500 reviews (4.7/5). Palette Maker: 72 reviews (4.9/5).
Go with: Adobe Color
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are free. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Both are color tools tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Palette Maker is rated higher: 4.9/5 vs 4.7/5.
Key Takeaways
Adobe Color
- Larger review base (7,500 reviews)
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Palette Maker
- Higher user rating: 4.9/5 vs 4.7/5
The Bottom Line
Adobe Color is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Adobe Color or Palette Maker better?
Adobe Color is rated in our evaluation. Both are free.
What are Adobe Color and Palette Maker used for?
Adobe Color: Create and explore color palettes for design projects. Palette Maker: Generate AI-powered color palettes and preview them live on diverse design examples..
What does Adobe Color cost vs Palette Maker?
Adobe Color is completely free. Palette Maker is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.