Last updated on March 12th, 2024
Is Photoshop Free?
Photoshop is not free and requires an Adobe Creative Cloud subscription starting at $9.99/month. However, it is possible to try out the Photoshop desktop version with a free 30-day trial.
How to Get Photoshop for Free
Here’s the deal, a Photoshop license with an Adobe Creative Cloud plan allows two installations of Photoshop. If you have a friend that already has a CC plan and is willing to share their login info, then you can get Photoshop for free.
Keep in mind, Adobe only allows running one instance of Photoshop at a time with the two included installs. Therefore, you and your friend can’t use Photoshop simultaneously.
Furthermore, sharing Creative Cloud memberships is against Adobe’s end-user agreement and is discouraged.
Though the desktop version of Photoshop is a premium, the mobile versions are free, and all you need is a free Adobe account. There are actually three Photoshop mobile versions, which I’ll discuss later in this post.
Photoshop is king when it comes to photo editing.
When the general public thinks of photography software, they think of Photoshop. Heck, Photoshop is now a verb like Google.
And that’s why many photographers want or need Photoshop. It’s an amazing software for advanced image editing.
But Photoshop can do more than image editing; quite a few graphic artists use Photoshop to draw. It’s is also capable of editing videos but is not recommended (there is better video-editing software like Premiere Pro and Final Cuts Pro).
As fantastic as Photoshop is, it’s not free.
Photoshop Desktop Version
To utilize the full power of Photoshop, you need its desktop version for advanced image editing.
Previously, photographers and designers could buy Photoshop outright with a perpetual license, meaning they owned the software and only had to pay for upgrades.
But with the introduction of Adobe’s business method of subscription-based software, the Creative Cloud came into fruition. Eventually, Photoshop was added to the Creative Cloud, and users could no longer buy a perpetual license. The subscription method angered many users, and many of them no longer use Photoshop.
In my opinion, the Adobe Create Cloud Photography plan at $9.99/month is still a great deal and includes Photoshop and Lightroom. And as you probably know, you can’t get Lightroom for free.
Get Photoshop Mobile Free
The good news about the Creative Cloud is it includes Photoshop Mobile for free – all three versions of them.
Yup, three different versions of Photoshop are available for Android and iOS devices: Express, Mix, and Fix.
- Photoshop Express: This is the main version of Photoshop Mobile that allows you to make edits and the one you’ll use the most.
- Photoshop Fix: As the name suggests, it allows image retouching and restoration.
- Photoshop Mix: Allows users to make collages, cut photos, and other effects.
When I first tried to install Photoshop Mobile, I wondered why there were three different versions, and I thought it was a bit redundant. And it is.
In fact, Adobe has discontinued Photoshop Fix and Mix from the App Store and probably will follow for the Play Store. Adobe acknowledged the features from Fix and Mix would be added to Photoshop Express, which is excellent news for a mobile photographer’s workflow.
There is a premium version of Photoshop Express, but many photographers don’t need it (always). The premium version is included with a Photoshop CC plan.
Is Photoshop Elements Free?
Photoshop Elements is not free, and it usually costs $99.99 but does include a 30-day free trial.
On the other hand, Photoshop Elements is a dumbed-down version of Photoshop CC (full version), and I highly don’t recommend it. You’re not going to get the same results.
Is Photoshop Free for Students?
The premium versions of Photoshop are not free for students. However, the Creative Cloud All Apps plan is reduced to $19.99/month (instead of $52.99/month) for the first year and $29.99/month after that. That’s a savings of over 60% the first year.
But if students only want Photoshop, it’s still cheaper to go with the Adobe Photography plan at $9.99/month.
Conclusion
Photoshop is arguably the best image-editing software, but it does come at a premium. The one thing Photoshop can’t do is organize photos, but you can check out the best photo organizing software or how to organize photos with my digital photo filing system.
Though you can’t get Photoshop for free, the Adobe Creative Cloud Photography plan includes Photoshop and Lightroom, a great ROI compared to other photography software.
I also recommend downloading Photoshop Express on your smartphone because it’s a great app, and the free version is sufficient for many.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Photoshop cost now?
The cost of Photoshop depends on which version you choose. Adobe offers a range of subscription options for Photoshop, including individual and student/teacher plans, as well as Creative Cloud All Apps or Photography plans. The prices range from $9.99 per month to $53.99 per month, depending on the plan you choose.
Is Photoshop free for students?
No, Photoshop is not free for students. However, students are eligible to receive a 60% discount off the full suite of Creative Cloud. Students can purchase the full suite for $19.99 per month, or they can opt for a single-app plan and pay only $9.99 per month for Photoshop. Students can also take advantage of Adobe’s free 30-day trial period to try out the program before making a purchasing decision. Additionally, some schools may offer discounted rates on Adobe products through their educational programs. Be sure to check with your school’s IT department to see if this is an option for you.
Is Photoshop a one-time purchase?
No, Photoshop is not a one-time purchase. Although you can purchase a license for Photoshop directly from Adobe, the software also comes bundled with some Creative Cloud plans. This gives you access to the latest versions of all your favorite creative tools and services as soon as they become available and allows you to upgrade or downgrade your plan according to your needs. With Creative Cloud plans, each month of use is billed separately, so it’s more like a subscription than a one-time purchase.
Does Google have a free version of Photoshop?
No, Google does not have a free version of Photoshop. However, there are other free or low-cost alternatives for those looking for a more budget-friendly option. There is GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program), which is a freely distributed and open-source image editor. It offers features similar to Photoshop, but it does require some technical knowledge to use. Additionally, there is Paint.NET which is also free and feature-rich for image editing. Both programs provide an alternative to the expensive Adobe Photoshop software without sacrificing too much in terms of features and capabilities.
It’s important to note that while these two programs offer good options, they cannot replace Adobe Photoshop completely as they lack certain advanced tools and functions available in Photoshop. However, if you are looking for an alternative that is free and easier to use than Adobe Photoshop, these two programs may be worth considering.
Can you use Photoshop without a subscription?
No, Photoshop must be purchased through an Adobe CC subscription. A standalone version of Photoshop is no longer available, meaning you must subscribe to one of Adobe’s Creative Cloud plans in order to use the software. However, there are other alternatives available if you do not wish to pay for a subscription. Some of these include Gimp, Paint.Net, and Pixlr Editor. These programs provide basic image editing capabilities that may be sufficient for many users.
Hola Parceros,
I’m the founder of Aperlust. I enjoy web development and SEO and am into snowboarding and linguistics. In my spare time, you can find me destroying my opponents in chess across the globe.
