How can I get Photoshop without paying monthly?

Answered by Stephen Mosley

To be honest, getting Photoshop without paying monthly is a bit tricky. Adobe, the company behind Photoshop, has shifted towards a subscription-based model with their Creative Cloud (CC) suite. This means that in order to use the latest version of Photoshop, you need to pay a monthly subscription fee. However, there are a few options you can explore if you’re not keen on paying a recurring cost.

One option is to look for older versions of Photoshop that were sold as one-time purchases. These versions, such as Photoshop CS6 or earlier, are still available on websites like eBay or Amazon. However, keep in mind that these versions may not receive updates or support from Adobe anymore, so you won’t have access to the latest features or bug fixes.

Another alternative is to consider using Photoshop Elements. This is a more affordable and user-friendly version of Photoshop that still offers many of the commonly used features and tools. It’s a one-time purchase, so you don’t have to worry about monthly fees. While it may not have all the advanced capabilities of Photoshop CC, it can still be a great option for most casual users or hobbyists.

If you’re open to exploring alternatives to Photoshop, there are also other image editing software available. GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is a popular open-source option that offers many features similar to Photoshop. It’s free to download and use, and although the interface might be a bit different from Photoshop, it can be a powerful tool once you get the hang of it.

Additionally, there are online photo editing platforms like Pixlr or Canva that offer a range of editing tools and features. While they may not have the same level of sophistication as Photoshop, they can still be useful for basic image editing tasks.

While it may be difficult to get the full version of Photoshop without paying monthly, there are alternatives available. Buying older versions, opting for Photoshop Elements, or exploring free or open-source software can provide you with image editing options that suit your needs.