If you’ve ever searched for a free version of Photoshop, you’re definitely not alone. Adobe Photoshop is considered the gold standard of photo editing software, used by professionals across the world. But is it available for free?
The short and simple answer is: no, there is no truly free version of Photoshop.
While Adobe may offer short-term trials or web-based lite versions, there’s no full, unlimited version of Photoshop available for free. That said, if you’re looking for powerful photo editing without the steep price tag, there are alternatives, like our own tool, Moncrome, which focuses on the essential parts of photo editing in a lightweight, user-friendly way.
Let’s dive deeper into why Photoshop isn’t free, how Adobe’s pricing works, and what your options are if you’re not ready to pay a monthly subscription.
Why Isn’t Photoshop Free
Adobe Photoshop is not just a piece of software, it’s an industry-leading platform that has been developed and refined over the last 30+ years. It’s packed with features not just for photo editing, but also for digital painting, 3D modeling, compositing, retouching, and much more.
All of this comes at a cost. Adobe invests significant resources in:
- Constant updates and feature development
- Cross-platform optimization
- Cloud-based syncing and storage
- AI-powered tools like Adobe Sensei
- Security and bug fixes
- Technical support for enterprise and education users
This level of ongoing development and infrastructure simply can’t be maintained by giving the software away for free. Like many software companies today, Adobe has adopted a subscription-based model, which gives users access to the latest version of the software without needing to purchase new licenses every few years.
How Much Does Photoshop Cost?
As of 2025, here’s a breakdown of Adobe Photoshop’s main pricing options:
1. Photoshop Plan (Single App)
- Price: Around $20.99/month
- Includes: Photoshop (desktop and iPad), 100GB of cloud storage, Adobe Fresco, and Adobe Express.
2. Photography Plan
- Price: Around $9.99/month
- Includes: Photoshop + Lightroom (desktop and mobile) with 20GB storage.
This is a popular option for photographers and casual users, though the 20GB storage can feel limiting.
3. All Apps Plan (Creative Cloud)
- Price: Around $54.99/month
- Includes: All Adobe Creative Cloud apps (Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Pro, After Effects, etc.)
This plan is geared towards creative professionals and agencies who use multiple tools.
Student and Teacher Discounts
If you’re a student, teacher, or part of an educational institution, you’re in luck. Adobe offers a heavily discounted plan for verified users in education.
- Price: About $19.99/month for the All Apps Plan
- That’s a huge discount, over 60% off the regular price.
However, this still means you’re paying about $240 per year, which might not be feasible for everyone, especially if you’re only interested in basic photo editing.
Photoshop is Powerful, but Expensive for Enthusiasts
Photoshop is, without question, an incredible tool. But here’s the thing:
If you’re just looking to do basic photo retouching, apply LUTs, color grade a portrait, or remove minor blemishes, you might not need all of Photoshop’s complexity or price.
In fact, many photography enthusiasts find themselves overwhelmed by Photoshop’s interface. It’s like using a Formula 1 car just to go grocery shopping.
And if you’re not a full-time creative professional, paying a subscription fee month after month can feel like overkill.
That’s exactly why tools like Moncrome exist.
Moncrome: The Simplified Photo Editing Alternative
We built Moncrome for people like you, photographers, retouchers, and creatives who want powerful, focused photo editing without the bloat or subscription trap.
Moncrome is a web-based editing tool that gives you the core features you need to create stunning black and white images, apply creative LUTs, retouch skin, and enhance your work, without drowning in menus or paying hundreds of dollars a year.
Whether you’re a beginner or a pro who wants fast results, Moncrome simplifies your workflow.
Why Users Love Moncrome:
- No subscription required
- Fast and runs in the browser
- Focused on the most important creative tools
- Intuitive interface designed for speed
- Works great on both desktop and tablet
And yes—it works perfectly even if you’re not a tech wizard.
What About Affinity Photo?
If you’re looking for a one-time payment alternative to Photoshop, Affinity Photo is one of the most well-known options on the market.
- Price: $69.99 (one-time purchase)
- Platform: macOS, Windows, and iPad
Affinity Photo is a full-featured photo editing app that comes very close to Photoshop in terms of capabilities. It offers layers, masks, retouching tools, color grading, RAW editing, and more. For many users, it’s more than enough.
However, it’s still quite advanced, and depending on your needs, you might find it more complex than necessary, especially if you only need quick edits and enhancements.
So is there a free Photoshop?
There’s no truly free version of Photoshop, but that doesn’t mean you’re out of options.
Photoshop is amazing, but it’s not always necessary. Whether you’re looking to avoid subscriptions, want a more focused experience, or just need to edit your photos without learning a whole new software suite, there’s a tool for you.
Give Moncrome a try and see how easy, fast, and focused modern photo editing can be.
No subscriptions. No clutter. Just creativity.