How to download Photoshop free or with Creative Cloud

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Want to download Adobe Photoshop CC? You’re in the right place. Whether you’re looking to download Photoshop for free, or intending to buy Photoshop through Creative Cloud – but you’re not sure how – we’ve got you covered. 

• The best Adobe deals right now

Here’s everything you need to know to get hold of Adobe’s advanced image editor quickly and easily, from how to easily download Photoshop CC for PC or Mac, to how to get a free trial of Adobe Photoshop, and the best Photoshop tutorials to follow once you've got the software… 

Can I download Photoshop for free?

The short answer is: yes – in a way. Photoshop is a paid-for image-editing program, but you can download a free trial of Photoshop for both Windows and macOS from Adobe. You’ll get seven days to use the full version of the software, which gives you access to all the latest features and updates.

Downloading Photoshop for free in any other way is illegal and definitely not recommended. Not only is it software piracy, it’s also unsafe – you’ll put your machine at risk of viruses and malware.    

How do I buy Photoshop CC?

You have to buy Photoshop as part of a Creative Cloud membership. There are a number of different options: you can choose a single app plan, which will give you just Photoshop CC; or a plan that includes more of Adobe’s creative apps. 

The Photography Plan, for example, gives you access to Photoshop CC, Lightroom CC and Lightroom Classic; whereas an All Apps plan gives you access to all of Adobe’s apps – plus a range of other benefits too (but is more expensive). There are options for individuals and businesses, and if you’re a student or teacher you can save up to 65% if you buy Photoshop as part of the All Apps plan. 

What’s the price of Photoshop CC?

CS Light Bulbs: Packaging created by Angelina Pischikova

The cheapest way to buy Photoshop CC is as part of the Photography plan, which costs $9.99/£9.98 per month and gives you access to Photoshop CC, Lightroom CC and Lightroom Classic, plus 20GB cloud storage.

Alternatively, you can choose a Creative Cloud Single App plan, which costs $20.99/£19.97 per month, and will give you just Photoshop, plus 100GB cloud storage, Adobe portfolio, Adobe Fonts and Adobe Spark. 

On the same page of the Adobe website, there's also an All Apps option, which gives you access to Photoshop as well as Adobe’s entire collection of creative desktop and mobile apps – plus the same additional benefits as the Single App Plan – for $52.9/£49.94 per month. And finally, you can buy Photoshop through an All Apps + Adobe Stock option for £73/month, which (clue’s in the name) gives you Adobe Stock on top of the All Apps benefits. 

Photoshop discounts for teachers and students

Bear in mind that if you’re a student or teacher, you can buy Photoshop as part of a discounted All Apps plan at a much lower rate – so you’ll get the entire collection of creative desktop and mobile apps, plus 100GB cloud storage, Adobe Portfolio and more – for just £16.24/month. 

The only non-subscription version of Photoshop you can buy is Photoshop Elements, which is an entry-level iteration of the image-editing software. It contains most of Photoshop’s pro features, but has fewer options. You can download Photoshop Elements 2019 for a one-off cost of $99 / £69.96 

How can I get started with Photoshop?

In this Photoshop tutorial, illustrator Charlie Davis walks through how to use the Pen tool and textures to add depth

Once you've downloaded Photoshop, head over to our collection of the best Photoshop tutorials to sharpen your skills. Whether you're a beginner, intermediate-level or a pro, you'll find a wide range of new tips and tricks to work smarter and more creatively in Photoshop.

And don't worry if you're pressed for time: we've also got a selection of handy Photoshop Two-Minute Tool School videos that walk through the essential tools in less time than it takes to make a cup of tea.

Also, if you need some free Photoshop brushes, we've searched around and found the best ones the internet has to offer. Get involved.

Photoshop CC: key info you need to know

Photoshop CC is Adobe’s flagship image-editing app. The industry-standard software is the best photo-editing software in the world for a reason: it’s slick, quick and boasts a powerful, extensive tool set to bring your ideas to life.

For layered image editing – including typography, 3D modelling, and drawing – it remains the first choice for professional creatives across the planet. And with new AI-powered updates streamlining workflow even further, graphic designers, artists and photographers are becoming increasingly freed from the tyranny of tedious processes, and more able to focus on the fun part of creating.

• Photoshop CC review

As part of your CC subscription plan, you’ll receive all Photoshop updates free. The 2019 version offers improvements to existing features like Content Aware Fill and Home Screen, as well as new tools like the Frame Tool and dynamic Blend Mode previews. 

That said, if you’re a beginner, you might not want to be tied into a Creative Cloud subscription plan immediately. We’d recommend testing the water with a free Photoshop trial; investing in Photoshop Elements; or looking to one of the many non-subscription Photoshop alternatives, such as Affinity Photo. 

Photoshop is available for desktop, smartphone or tablet, and supports every file format available. If you’re ready to get started, hit the links above to buy Photoshop or trial the software for free.

Also read:

• The best Adobe deals right now
• The 10 commandments of Photoshop etiquette
• 69 incredibly useful Photoshop shortcuts

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