The hallmark of Elements is "Guided Edits" (walkthroughs for complex effects). v2025 will likely add guides for:

If you need standard Photoshop features (layers, masks, blend modes) without AI, Photopea.com runs in your browser for free. It handles PSD files natively and is 100% legal.

Elements 2025 is rumored to feature “Object Aware” selection that rivals the standard Photoshop. Click on a dog’s fur, a wispy strand of hair, or a glass of water, and the algorithm finds the edges instantly—no pen tool required.