How Much Does Photoshop Cost? (Get the Best Deal)

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by David Em

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Adobe Photoshop is a top-notch graphics and photo editing software. Since it offers many powerful tools, how much does Photoshop cost?

Laptop on a table displaying the Photoshop logo.
Photo courtesy of Canva.

Photoshop is a graphic design and photo editing software. It’s so well-known that many refer to digital image editing as Photoshop.

The software has many excellent capabilities and features.

Before, you only had to buy Photoshop once. If you wanted to get a few updates a year, you could.

Today, Adobe charges a monthly or annual fee for Photoshop.

So, how much does Photoshop cost? Adobe offers several plans at different prices.

The following covers each plan’s pricing details and how you can get the best deal.

How much does Photoshop cost without other apps?

Screenshot of the Photoshop free trial page on Adobe.
Screenshot by David Em/Portraits Refined and Adobe.

If you only want Photoshop, Adobe offers a few pricing plans for the subscription.

The following are the subscription options for Photoshop as a stand-alone app:

  • Monthly: $31.49 per month.
  • Annual, prepaid: $239.88 per year.
  • Annual, paid monthly: $20.99 per month.

If you want a Photoshop-only plan, the annual, prepaid plan because it’s the cheapest option.

The price comes out to $19.99 per month. The drawback is that you have to pay the whole amount upfront.

Photoshop as a stand-alone app isn’t the most cost-effective option. But if it’s all you need, it’s worth it.

The Photography (20GB) plan is the cheapest way to get Photoshop

Adobe Photography plan page.
Screenshot by David Em/Portraits Refined and Adobe.

The best deal for Photoshop is through the Photography (20GB) plan.

It comes with Lightroom, Lightroom Classic, Photoshop, and Photoshop Express.

The following are the subscription options for the Photography (20GB) plan:

  • Annual, paid monthly: $9.99 per month.
  • Annual, prepaid: $119.88 per year.

If you choose the Photography (20GB) plan, you must commit to it for a year. Adobe only offers an annual subscription.

Regardless of monthly or yearly payments, it comes out to $9.99 per month.

If you need more cloud storage, you can upgrade to 1TB, which is $19.99 per month or $239.88 per year.

The cost of Photoshop for teachers and students

Adobe Creative Cloud pricing for students and teachers.
Screenshot by David Em/Portraits Refined and Adobe.

Students and teachers get the best deal for Photoshop.

While the discount doesn’t work on a Photoshop-only plan, you get the Creative Cloud plan.

You get more than 20 Adobe apps and 100GB of cloud storage for $19.99 per month or $239.88 per year.

The drawback is that the monthly $19.99 rate only applies to your first year. It’s $29.99 per year after that.

Even then, it’s better than the $54.99 that everyone else pays.

Adobe Photoshop 7-day free trial

The only official and free way to get Adobe Photoshop is with the 7-day trial.

If you want to start, go to Adobe’s website and select Photoshop.

There’s a free trial option. But you must choose a plan and enter payment information before starting.

The free trial is an excellent way to ensure it’s the right fit for your needs.

Before you start the free trial, confirm that you have time to test all the features. It allows you to get the most out of it.

Adobe Photoshop Elements is a one-time purchase

Since Photoshop’s a subscription, consider using Adobe Photoshop Elements.

It’s a simplified version of Photoshop that works best as a photo editing software.

Photoshop and Photoshop Elements have many overlapping features.

But, Photoshop is best for advanced composites, 3D models, and many export options.

If you only need to make photo edits, get Photoshop Elements. It offers AI tools, facial touch-ups, background removal, and many other features.

It’s $99.99, and you only need to buy it once. Photoshop Elements is cheaper than Photoshop in the long run.

Frequently asked questions about Photoshop and the cost

Can I buy Photoshop outright?

No, you can’t buy Photoshop outright as a one-time purchase. Adobe Photoshop is a monthly or annual subscription.

What’s the cheapest way to get Photoshop?

The cheapest way to get Photoshop is through Adobe’s Photography (20GB) plan, which is $9.99 per month. You get Lightroom for desktop and mobile, and Lightroom Classic and Photoshop for desktop and iPad.

Is Photoshop free for students?

No, Photoshop isn’t free for students. But students and teachers get a discount. The Students and Teachers plan is $19.99 per month. You get all the Creative Cloud apps, which have a retail price of $54.99 per month.

Can you pirate Adobe Photoshop?

While you can pirate Adobe Photoshop, it’s illegal and can damage your computer. Buy a legitimate subscription through Adobe. If you can’t afford Photoshop, use free editing software like GIMP, Canva, or Fotor.

Conclusion

Adobe Photoshop dates back to 1988. Over the decades, Photoshop became the industry standard.

The software is a powerhouse, and you can buy a subscription from Adobe.

Teachers and students get the best discount. But the cheapest way to get Photoshop is through the Photography (20GB) plan.

If you don’t need all the bells and whistles, buy Photoshop Elements, as it’s not a subscription.

Related: How to Resize an Image in Photoshop

Featured image courtesy of Canva.

About David Em

David Em.

David Em is the founder of Portraits Refined. He’s a published portrait photographer dedicated to helping photographers develop skills, capture incredible photos, and build successful businesses.

About Portraits Refined

Portraits Refined (PR) is a media company that publishes the latest expert-backed portrait photography tips, in-depth camera gear reviews, and advice to grow your photography business. Learn more about Portraits Refined