Even if you’ve never done a minute’s worth of graphic design work in your life, chances are you have at least a rough idea of what Photoshop is. As Adobe’s most famous software suite, Photoshop is so ubiquitous that it has become a generic name for any sort of digital image manipulation, and that’s not for no reason: If you’re after the best graphic design program out there, Photoshop is the one you should be looking for.
Of course, this premium software doesn’t always come cheap. Another challenge for those shopping for Photoshop is the number of different packages, subscriptions, and software bundles available — but fret not. Below, we’ve rounded up a collection of the best Adobe Photoshop deals you can score right now, along with a handy run-down of the different suites available (for PC, Mac, and even mobile devices) so you can easily decide which one is right for you.
Today’s best Adobe Photoshop deals
- Adobe Photoshop Elements 2020 — $70, was $100
- Adobe Photoshop Elements 2020 and Premiere Elements 2020 Student and Teacher Edition — $80
- Adobe Photoshop Elements 2020 and Premiere Elements 2020 — $100, was $150
- Adobe Creative Cloud Photography Plan (Photoshop + Lightroom) — $120/year
- Adobe Creative Cloud Student and Teacher Edition — $240/year
- Adobe Photoshop CC — $240/year
A beginner’s guide to Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Photoshop has been around for decades and has evolved a lot during that time. The popular, full-featured Photoshop program that most of us think of when we think of this software is now part of the Creative Cloud suite, which is a larger bundle of Adobe programs designed for professionals. That said, you can still get Photoshop by itself if you wish, or Photoshop with some other Creative Cloud apps, without paying for the whole bundle (although although at about $20 per month for Photoshop alone, buying one of the above Photoshop bundle deals is a much better value overall). Just bear in mind that these programs, including the standard Photoshop app, are subscription-based.
For those after something a bit more pared-down, however, as well as for casual users who don’t want to be tied to a monthly or yearly payment plan, there is Adobe Photoshop Elements. Originally released with Adobe Photoshop 6, Photoshop Elements is a simpler software suite that’s more geared toward photo editing and simple graphic design tasks rather than for serious professional work. It’s naturally cheaper and it doesn’t follow a subscription-based payment model. Like pretty much all Adobe software, both Adobe Photoshop Elements 2020 and the Creative Cloud software packages are available for both Windows and Mac.
Adobe Creative Cloud
Adobe Creative Cloud is a suite of multiple editing apps — think something akin to Microsoft Office, except even more expansive — that contains the full-featured Adobe Photoshop graphic design program along with a bundle of other software. The full Creative Cloud umbrella covers apps like Lightroom, Illustrator, Dreamweaver, and Premiere, to name only a few of the most popular, and follows a subscription-based structure where you pay a monthly or yearly fee (a yearly plan is arguably the best way to score an Adobe Photoshop deal here). There are different plans available as well, so you don’t necessarily have to pay for the whole thing if you don’t need it. Adobe Creative Cloud is premium software with a price tag to match, but it contains the full-featured version of Photoshop and is far and away the best choice for professionals and other serious users. One of the above Photoshop deals may also help you save some money on it, too.
Adobe Photoshop Elements 2020
Released last October, the latest 2020 revision of Adobe Photoshop Elements succeeded Photoshop LE (Limited Edition) as Adobe’s entry-level raster graphics editor and is the best choice for amateur and casual users. The standard Photoshop Elements 2020 package is more focused on photography and photo editing than on 2D graphic design, making it less useful than Creative Cloud (which features the standard full-featured Photoshop program) for professional use. Nonetheless, it’s a great pick for hobbyists and general users, especially when you consider that it’s considerably cheaper than Adobe Creative Cloud and doesn’t tether you to a monthly or yearly payment plan.
Is Adobe Photoshop a subscription?
Adobe Photoshop Elements is a one-time purchase, so when you buy it, you own that license for life with no subscription fees. The more full-featured and professional-grade Adobe Creative Cloud apps and bundles, on the other hand, are subscription-based (not unlike Microsoft’s Office 365 suite), but you don’t have to pay for the whole thing to get Photoshop. Packages like the Creative Cloud Photography Plan, which bundles Photoshop with Lightroom, represent some cheaper options for those who only need particular apps. Also, a good way to score an Adobe Photoshop deal on these subscription-based plans is to look for discounts on a yearly license paid in advance rather than month to month.
Does Adobe Photoshop work on Chromebook?
As of now, Adobe Photoshop and other Creative Cloud apps are only available for Windows and MacOS. However, those of you who work on a Chromebook aren’t without some options: Chrome OS users can download Photoshop Express, the mobile version of Photoshop which works on a Chromebook thanks to the operating system’s compatibility with Android apps. Chrome OS also allows for remote desktop control, meaning you can use your Chromebook to remotely access a PC or Mac that’s running Adobe Photoshop and use it that way.
Looking for more great stuff? Find tech discounts and much more on our curated deals page.
We strive to help our readers find the best deals on quality products and services, and we choose what we cover carefully and independently. The prices, details, and availability of the products and deals in this post may be subject to change at anytime. Be sure to check that they are still in effect before making a purchase.
Digital Trends may earn commission on products purchased through our links, which supports the work we do for our readers.
Editors’ Recommendations
Please follow and like us:
