Previously, you could purchase a boxed copy of Photoshop without a subscription, but it would typically cost more than $700. While this means the cost of entry for using Photoshop is much lower than it was in the past, keep in mind that this subscription fee will add up over time, especially if you plan to keep the subscription for several years.
- So how much does Photoshop cost and how do you get the best deal? Photoshop is available as a subscription from Adobe Creative Cloud in a number of different plans. The best deal for Photoshop is as part of the Creative Cloud Photography Plan which costs $9.99. As a standalone app, Photoshop costs a monthly fee of $20.99.
- Both ways of purchasing InDesign have their advantages and disadvantages. If you haven’t purchased a licensed software before, I suggest looking at the CC edition since it receives regular updates, has tech support, a huge amount of cloud storage space, and close integration with other products. This version of InDesign costs.
Lesson 2: Buying Photoshop
/en/photoshopbasics/what-is-photoshop/content/
Introduction
If you're thinking about purchasing or upgrading to the latest version of Adobe Photoshop, there are some important things to consider before you buy. For example, you'll need to learn more about the different purchasing options and choose the version of Photoshop that's right for you.
Photoshop purchasing options
If you're interested in buying Photoshop, you have several options to choose from:
- Photoshop CC: If you want to buy the full version of Photoshop, you'll need to pay a monthly subscription fee for Adobe Creative Cloud. Photoshop CC is available for both Windows and Mac.
- Photoshop Elements: If you don't need all of the features of the full version of Photoshop, you might consider buying Photoshop Elements instead. Photoshop Elements is available for both Windows and Mac.
- Mobile apps: If you want to edit photos on the go, there are a few Photoshop mobile apps available for iOS and Android. However, most of these apps may be less powerful and offer less control than the full desktop version.
- Alternative software: If you don't need all of Photoshop's features—or if you're trying to save money—there are many other image editing applications you can use. You can review our lesson on Photoshop alternatives to learn more about some free and low-cost applications you might be able to use instead.
Adobe Creative Cloud and Photoshop CC
Unlike many other applications you may have used, you cannot buy a boxed copy of Photoshop CC. Instead, you'll need a subscription plan through Adobe Creative Cloud, Adobe's cloud-based software service. Then, you'll download Photoshop CC to your computer. A Creative Cloud subscription includes other benefits, including cloud-based storage for your Photoshop projects. You'll also receive the newest version of Photoshop whenever it's made available, so you'll never have to worry about upgrading to the most recent version.
You can subscribe to Creative Cloud for about $10 per month (or about $120 per year). Previously, you could purchase a boxed copy of Photoshop without a subscription, but it would typically cost more than $700. While this means the cost of entry for using Photoshop is much lower than it was in the past, keep in mind that this subscription fee will add up over time, especially if you plan to keep the subscription for several years.
You can also buy other Adobe applications through Adobe Creative Cloud, including Lightroom, Illustrator, and InDesign. There are different plans and pricing options available depending on your needs. Visit this page for more information on purchasing a Creative Cloud subscription. If you still have questions about how Creative Cloud works, you can visit Adobe's Creative Cloud FAQ page.
Photoshop Elements
If you don't need all of Photoshop's features, you might consider purchasing Photoshop Elements instead. You can think of Photoshop Elements as Photoshop Light. It gives you access to some of the most popular features from the full version, but it generally costs less than $100 and does not require a subscription. If you don't have a lot of previous experience with image editing, Photoshop Elements may be a good option for you.
Missing features in Photoshop Elements
Below, you'll find a list of some of the main limitations of Photoshop Elements. These are somewhat advanced features, which is why they're not included in this version. If you've never heard about some of the things we mention below, don't worry—we'll cover several of them throughout the tutorial.
- Adjustment layers: Elements has a limited selection of adjustment layers. For example, you won't be able to create a Curves adjustment layer, though it does have a similar feature you can use.
- Layer masks: Elements does not allow you to create layer masks. However, you will be able to edit layer masks for adjustment layers. You'll also be able to edit existing layer masks when working with files created in the full version of Photoshop.
- Layer groups: Elements does not allow you to create new layer groups. However, you will be able to view existing groups when working with files created in the full version of Photoshop.
- Color options: Elements does not include as many advanced options for adjusting color, like the Channels panel. It also has limited support for working with different color profiles and color spaces (such as CMYK).
- Drawing tools: Elements does not include several of the commonly used vector-based drawing tools found in Photoshop, like the Pen tool and Paths panel.
- 8-bit mode: Elements is mostly limited to photos that use 8-bit mode; it offers very little support for 16- and 32-bit modes, which many photographers use to get even higher-quality photos. However, 8-bit mode still offers a high level of quality—it's actually the mode most digital cameras use—so for many people this will not be a major limitation.
Photoshop for mobile devices
If you want to edit photos on the go, Adobe offers mobile apps. They vary in both features and price, but you should be able to find one that meets your needs:
- Adobe Photoshop Express: Available for iOS, Android, and Windows Phone, this free app allows you to make quick changes to your photos, like cropping and applying simple filters. You can also purchase additional feature packs for a small price.
- Photoshop CC on iPad: Scheduled for release in 2019, this app will be just as powerful and fully-featured as the desktop version of Photoshop. While Adobe hasn't yet released many details, it will likely require an Adobe Creative Cloud subscription.
/en/photoshopbasics/photoshop-alternatives/content/
If you’re trying to buy Adobe Illustrator (AI) or Photoshop (PSD), you may have noticed their pricing structure is pretty confusing. This guide will help you find the best configuration and price for your needs.
If you are looking to use both apps you want to buy “Creative Cloud”. If you only need one of the apps you can buy a single app license for either Photoshop (click here) or Illustrator (click here).
If you only need Photoshop but do not need Adobe Fonts you can save at least $120 a year by buying just the Photography Plan.
Pro Tip: No matter what plan you purchase –– you will get the best deal by prepaying for the entire year.
Quick Links
How Much is Adobe Illustrator- Just Illustrator
- Creative Cloud
- Just Photoshop
- Photography Plan
How Much Is Adobe Illustrator?
We’ll start with Illustrator because its pricing models are a bit easier to explain. But before we begin, you will notice that the latest versions of both of these programs include the letters CC in their names. This stands for the aforementioned Creative Cloud, letting you know you’re dealing with subscription plans.
Illustrator is a popular vector graphics program, used by countless designers worldwide to create various types of artwork such as drawings, logos, illustrations, etc. If you are an individual user you can get the app via one of the following plans.
Illustrator Single App License
The less expensive option is to pay for the single-app plan. Here, you have three options regarding the price:
- Annual plan, monthly payments – $20.99/month (which adds up to $251.88 per year)
- Prepaid annual plan – $239.88/yr (which works out to $19.99/month)
- Monthly plan – $31.49/month ($377.88 per year)
The difference between the annual plans and the monthly plan is the cancellation fee. If you get an annual plan but decide to cancel it before the 12 months are up, you’ll need to pay 50% of the fee for the remaining months. With the monthly plan, you can cancel whenever you want without penalties.
Naturally, the prepaid annual plan gives the best value for money but requires a lump-sum payment.
All-Apps Bundle (Creative Cloud)
Creative Cloud allows you to download all the entire Adobe Creative Suite. This includes all desktop apps and mobile phone apps. The other way to get Illustrator is through a bundle that gives you all Creative Cloud apps. Once again, you have the same three options:
- Annual plan, monthly payments – $52.99/month($635.88 per year)
- Prepaid annual plan – $599.88/year
- Monthly plan – $79.49/month ($953.88 per year)
How Much Does It Cost To Get Microsoft Word On My Computer
This bundle can save you a lot of money if you need to use many different programs. Otherwise, the single-app plan is more affordable.
What is the price of Adobe Photoshop?
What Does Photoshop Cost
If you just need just photoshop it’s worth checking out the photography plan. If you plan to Photoshop for graphic design (pushing pixels) it might be worth getting the single license which includes Adobe Fonts (previously branded as Typekit).
Photoshop Single License
- Annual plan, monthly payments – $20.99/month (which adds up to $251.88 per year)
- Prepaid annual plan – $239.88/yr (which costs $19.99/month)
- Monthly plan – $31.49/month ($377.88 per year)
Photography Plan
Image editor freeware download. The third way to get Photoshop is through the “Photography” plan. Along with Photoshop, you also get two versions of Lightroom (another image editing program) and 20GB of cloud storage. All plans have an annual commitment.
Pricing options:
- 12 monthly payments of $9.99 (true cost $119.88)
- Annual plan pre-paid cost of $119.88
All to say, there is no discount for prepaying for the photography plan.
The difference between the Photography plan and the One-App plan is that the One-App plan also includes Adobe Fonts (premium fonts), Adobe Portfolio (portfolio website), premium features of Adobe Spark (software for visual storytelling), and 100GB of cloud storage. Still, if you do not need these features, then the Photography plan represents the most affordable way to gain access to Photoshop.
Suggested read: If you are looking to do image editing at a professional photography level you might find our other article interesting Adobe Lightroom vs. Photoshop.
All-Apps Bundle (Creative Cloud)
Just like Illustrator if you buy Creative Cloud you get Photoshop in addition to the other Adobe Apps. The pricing is the same as above:
- Annual plan, monthly payments – $52.99/month ($635.88 per year)
- Prepaid annual plan – $599.88/year
- Monthly plan – $79.49/month ($953.88 per year)
How to get the best price:
First, it’s best to decide what Adobe apps you need. If you need more than one app, get Creative Cloud. Otherwise, the best deal is going to be buying just a single app license. If you just need Photoshop and/or Lightroom and you don’t need Adobe Fonts to do design work you should get the photography package it’s the cheapest way to get Photoshop. The price is the same for both Mac and Windows versions of the software. If you are a designer there is really no good alternative to the creative suite. Amature designers might enjoy the simplicity of Canva but you will quickly find it is missing key features.
Students plan: The Adobe Student Discount is the best price for the entire suite of applications but requires you to be an enrolled student at a university or a university staff member. You do get the pricing for one additional year after graduation.
Annual vs. prepaid annual vs. monthly: You will get the best price by purchasing the prepaid annual plan, then the annual plan with monthly payments, and last the monthly plan. Note that all Adobe creative software is now subscription-based. This means even after downloading the app you must continue to pay for the service for it to work. The benefit being you always have the most recent version.
International pricing: Adobe products are available in local currency subscription models. These prices are equal to the USD amount though so don’t expect any savings here.
Potential Hack: If you needed only Illustrator and Photoshop you could in theory save $13 a month by buying two single licenses (one for AI and PS) vs. creative cloud. We have yet to confirm this is possible on the same account. If you can confirm this please add a comment.
FAQ
Can I buy Photoshop / Illustrator permanently?
No. Adobe now only offers a subscription model. Though this means you have to pay each month it also means your software is never out of date. One of the issues with the one-time purchase model was many designers had different versions and when files were shared (think sending to printer) there were compatibility issues.
Is there a free version of Photoshop / Illustrator?
There is no fully free version. You can get a 7-day free trial to all 30 Adobe apps including PS and AI. Note this will require you to enter your credit card info.
Is Photoshop / Illustrator worth it?
Adobe products are the industry standard for designers and thus they are able to command a premium price. Ultimately for creatives earning from their design the cost is actually low when compared to other industries where you could easily pay hundreds of dollars a month for software.
How can I cancel Adobe free trial?
To cancel the free trial go to your Adobe Account online at https://account.adobe.com/plans/ then click “manage plan”.
On the next screen you will see your product plan information and you can click the “cancel plan” button to the left of “change plan”.
Is Adobe Illustrator free on iPad?
The app is free for users who are already subscribers to Creative Cloud. If you are not already a subscriber you can pick up a subscription here. The Illustrator iOS app is only available on the iPad.
Facebook CommentsDaily Logo Challenge staff writers focus on creating in-depth guides focusing on mastery of design and development. Let us know what you think in the comments section above.
Review