Photoshop is a powerful photo editing software used by professionals and amateurs alike. However, the software comes with a hefty price tag that not everyone can afford. Many people turn to Photoshop free download sites to get the software without paying for it. But is it legal and safe to download Photoshop for free? In this article, we will explore how to get Photoshop for free without breaking the law or risking your computer’s security.
Free Adobe Photoshop benefits
While Adobe offers a range of pricing options for its Creative Cloud subscription service, many people are looking for free alternatives. While there is no completely free version of Photoshop, there are several benefits to using the software’s free trial or other free options.
- Try before you buy: The free trial of Adobe Photoshop allows you to try out the software for 7 days before committing to a subscription. This gives you the opportunity to see if Photoshop is the right tool for your needs before investing in a subscription.
- Learn valuable skills: Photoshop is a powerful tool that is used by professionals in a wide range of industries. By learning how to use Photoshop, you can gain valuable skills that can be used in your career or personal projects.
- Access to premium features: The free trial of Photoshop gives you access to all of the software’s premium features, including layer support, image retouching, and special effects. This allows you to create professional-grade designs and images without investing in a subscription.
- Improve your creativity: Photoshop is a tool that allows you to unleash your creativity and create stunning designs and images. By using Photoshop’s free trial, you can experiment with different techniques and styles, and develop your creative skills.
- Try other adobe software: Adobe offers a range of software as part of its Creative Cloud subscription service. By using Photoshop’s free trial, you can also try out other software, such as Lightroom or Illustrator, and see if they are the right fit for your needs.
While there is no completely free version of Adobe Photoshop, there are several benefits to using the software’s free trial or other free options. These include the ability to try the software before committing to a subscription, access to premium features, and the opportunity to improve your creativity and develop valuable skills.
How to get Adobe Photoshop free trial
In order to start using Adobe Photoshop for free, you must first download the trial version offered by Adobe, in which you can enjoy Photoshop or any program of the Creative Cloud completely free for 7 days.
If you want to download the free trial, you must access the Adobe website. Once you access it, you will see that at the top of the screen, there is a button called “Free Trial”.
Click it, and a window will show up with different options:
- Photography Plan: This is one of the best options for photographers or people who want to use both Photoshop and Lightroom for free. Comes in 2 versions, 20GB, and 1TB cloud storage.
- Photoshop: This plan only includes Adobe Photoshop and its respective extras (step-by-step tutorials, 100GB of cloud storage, your own portfolio website, and Premium fonts).
- Creative Cloud All Apps: This plan includes all the applications available in the Creative Cloud, plus the extras.
At the bottom of each plan, is located the “Start free trial” button, you must click here to follow the steps that will lead you to the download.
Why shouldn’t you use the pirated version of Photoshop?
Using a pirated version of Photoshop is illegal and comes with many risks. Here are some reasons why you shouldn’t use the pirated version of Photoshop:
- Legal Consequences: Using a pirated version of Photoshop is a violation of copyright law. If you get caught, you could face legal consequences, including hefty fines and even imprisonment in some cases.
- Security Risks: Pirated versions of Photoshop can contain viruses and malware that can harm your computer, steal your personal data, or even give hackers remote access to your system. Such malware can cause irreversible damage to your computer and compromise your online security.
- Lack of Support: Adobe does not offer support for pirated software. If you encounter any issues while using a pirated version of Photoshop, you will have nowhere to turn to for help. You will be solely responsible for troubleshooting any problems, which can be time-consuming and frustrating.
- No Updates: With a pirated version of Photoshop, you will not receive any updates. Adobe releases updates regularly to improve the software’s functionality and fix any security vulnerabilities. If you use a pirated version, you will miss out on these updates, leaving your system exposed to security threats.
- Ethical Concerns: Using pirated software is unethical. The creators of Photoshop spent years developing the software and investing millions of dollars to make it the industry standard. By using a pirated version, you are depriving them of the revenue they deserve and potentially putting their business at risk.
Using a pirated version of Photoshop is not only illegal but also comes with many risks. It is best to obtain the software legally through Adobe’s website or by taking advantage of their free trial or student discounts. By doing so, you can enjoy all the benefits of Photoshop without putting your computer or personal data at risk.
Free alternatives to Photoshop
While Adobe Photoshop is an excellent software for editing and manipulating images, it can be costly and not accessible to everyone. Luckily, there are several free alternatives to Photoshop that offer similar functionality. Here are some of the best free alternatives to Photoshop.
GIMP
GIMP is an open-source image editing software that is widely considered the most powerful free alternative to Photoshop. It has a wide range of tools and features, including layer masks, image retouching, and customizable brushes.
Paint.NET
Paint.NET is a free image editing software that is easy to use and offers many of the same features as Photoshop. It has a user-friendly interface and offers a wide range of tools, including layer support and special effects.
Krita
Krita is a free, open-source digital painting software that offers a range of tools for artists and designers. It is ideal for creating digital paintings, illustrations, and animations.
Inkscape
Inkscape is a free vector graphics software that is ideal for creating illustrations, logos, and icons. It offers a wide range of tools for drawing and editing vectors, including Bézier curves, gradients, and transparency effects.
Canva
Canva is a free online graphic design software that offers a range of tools for creating social media graphics, posters, flyers, and other design elements. It has a user-friendly interface and offers a wide range of templates and design elements to choose from.
There are several free alternatives to Photoshop that offer similar functionality and can be a great option for those who cannot afford Adobe’s premium software. These free alternatives are often open-source and community-driven, making them a great option for those who prefer to support and contribute to the open-source community.
FAQs about Free Photoshop
Here are some frequently asked questions about Adobe Photoshop and its free options.
No, there is no completely free version of Adobe Photoshop. However, you can access the software’s free trial for 7 days or consider other free options, such as student discounts or the Creative Cloud Photography Plan.
No, downloading and using Adobe Photoshop without paying for it is illegal and can come with many risks, including security vulnerabilities and legal consequences.
The free trial of Adobe Photoshop gives you access to all of the software’s premium features, including layer support, image retouching, and special effects.
Yes, you can use the free trial of Adobe Photoshop for commercial projects. However, you will need to purchase a subscription once the trial period ends.
Yes, there are several alternatives to Adobe Photoshop, including GIMP, Pixlr, and Canva. However, it is important to note that these alternatives may not offer the same level of functionality as Photoshop.
Adobe Photoshop free download
Instead of resorting to illegal methods, there are several legitimate ways to access Photoshop for free. Here are some of the most popular options:
- Free Trial: Adobe offers a free trial of Photoshop that allows you to try out the software for 7 days. This is a great option if you need to use Photoshop for a short period of time or just want to try it out before committing to a subscription.
- Student Discounts: Adobe offers discounts for students and teachers on its Creative Cloud subscription service, which includes access to Photoshop and other Adobe software. If you are a student or teacher, you can sign up for a discounted subscription using your school email address.
- Creative Cloud Photography Plan: Adobe offers a Photography Plan that includes access to Photoshop and Lightroom for a lower monthly fee than the full Creative Cloud subscription. This plan is ideal for photographers and hobbyists who don’t need access to all of Adobe’s software.
In conclusion, while it may be tempting to download Photoshop for free, it is important to remember that doing so is illegal and can come with many risks. Instead, consider using one of the legitimate options for accessing Photoshop, such as the free trial or student discounts. By doing so, you can enjoy all the benefits of Photoshop without putting your computer or personal data at risk.
