Let me break it down for you. So, when you subscribe to Adobe Creative Cloud, which includes access to Photoshop 2018, you are essentially renting the software. As long as you continue to pay the monthly or annual subscription fee, you have the right to use the software and receive any updates or new features that Adobe releases during your subscription period.
However, if you decide to cancel your subscription, whether it’s because you no longer need Photoshop or you want to switch to a different software, you will lose access to the program. This means you won’t be able to open the Photoshop application and use its features anymore.
Now, it’s important to note that Adobe operates on a subscription-based model, meaning that you need to keep paying the rent to continue using Photoshop. This is true even if you have no intention of upgrading to the latest version, such as Photoshop 2021, and plan to stick with Photoshop 2018.
The reason behind this is that Adobe wants to ensure a steady revenue stream and discourage users from pirating or sharing software without paying for it. By requiring a subscription, they can provide ongoing support, updates, and new features to their users.
So, if you want to continue using Photoshop, you’ll need to maintain your Adobe Creative Cloud subscription for as long as you need the software. If you cancel your subscription, you won’t be able to open Photoshop or access any of its features.
It’s worth mentioning that there are alternative image editing software available that don’t require a subscription, such as GIMP or Affinity Photo. If you’re looking for more affordable options or prefer not to commit to a subscription, these alternatives might be worth considering.
While you can use Photoshop 2018 as long as you have an active Adobe Creative Cloud subscription, if you decide to cancel your subscription, you’ll lose access to the software. So, if you want to continue using Photoshop, you’ll need to keep paying the rent, regardless of whether you want to upgrade to a newer version or not.