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Photoshop is not a permanently free desktop app. Adobe offers a seven-day trial of the paid experience, and the subscription starts automatically when the trial ends unless you cancel. If you need a lasting free option, Photopea is a practical starting point for PSD files, GIMP for installed photo editing, Krita for digital painting, and Adobe Express Free for quick template-based designs.
Adobe requires account and billing information for the trial. Before signing up, check the plan and post-trial price shown at checkout, note the trial deadline in your Adobe account, and set a reminder to cancel if you do not want a paid subscription.
Is Photoshop free?
No: Adobe’s desktop Photoshop is a paid app with a seven-day free trial, not a permanently free desktop version. The trial gives temporary access to the paid Photoshop experience. Adobe also offers mobile Photoshop apps with free tools and premium features behind a subscription, and Adobe Express and some Firefly tools have free tiers; none is the same as the full desktop app. Adobe’s official trial page describes the trial and its limits.
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Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteA pirated or “cracked” copy is not a legitimate free alternative. It can expose your device and files to malware, compromise updates and accounts, and create legal risks. Use Adobe’s trial or an official alternative instead.
#1 Best Overall
- Wacom Intuos Small Graphics Drawing Tablet: Enjoy industry leading tablet performance in superior control and precision with Wacom's EMR, battery free technology that feels like pen on paper
- Works With All Software: Wacom Intuos tablet can be used in any software program to explore new facets of digital creativity; draw, paint, edit photos/videos, create designs, and mark up documents
- What the Professionals Use: Wacom's industry leading pen technology and pen to paper feeling makes it the preferred drawing tablet of professional graphic designers
- Software and Training Included: Only Wacom gives you software with every purchase. Register your Intuos tablet and gain access to some of the best creative software and Wacom's online training
- Wacom is the Global Leader in Drawing Tablet and Displays: For over 40 years in pen display and tablet market, you can trust that Wacom to help you bring your vision, ideas and creativity to life
What the Photoshop trial includes
Adobe describes the offer as a seven-day trial of the full Photoshop app, with desktop, web, and mobile access where supported, plus current app updates during the trial. The Photoshop plan page also lists Adobe Express Premium. Cloud storage and generative credits are tied to the selected plan and checkout offer, and generative features can have usage limits, technical requirements, or regional restrictions. Check the plan details shown when you sign up rather than assuming every feature or AI tool is unlimited. Adobe Photoshop free trial
How to start the official Photoshop trial
- Go to Adobe’s official Photoshop trial page and select Start Free Trial.
- Choose the relevant category, such as individual, student or teacher, or business.
- Review the selected plan and checkout details. Note the price after the trial, billing frequency, commitment, and any optional Adobe Stock offer.
- Sign in with an Adobe ID or create an account, then enter the requested payment information and complete checkout.
- Install Photoshop through the Creative Cloud app or use supported web and mobile access. Record the start date and the cancellation deadline shown in your account or confirmation email.
Adobe says only one seven-day Photoshop trial is available per person. If the offer does not appear, check the official page while signed in and read the checkout details; eligibility, region, account history, and the offer itself can affect availability. Do not create duplicate accounts to evade trial eligibility.
When does billing begin?
The trial starts when you sign up. If you do not cancel before it ends, Adobe says the paid subscription begins automatically. Adobe illustrates the timing as Day 1 for the trial start and Day 8 for paid billing. Do not treat “seven days” as seven full calendar days after the signup date: use the specific deadline in your Adobe account and confirmation email.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteIf you need Photoshop only briefly, open Adobe Account → Manage Plans → Cancel Plan before that deadline, then complete every prompt and confirm the cancellation. The refund period after a conversion is separate from the trial: Adobe says most plans qualify for a full refund if canceled within 14 days of the initial purchase, subject to the applicable plan and purchase terms.
Rank #2
- Large Active Drawing Space: UGEE M708 V3 graphic drawing tablet features 10 x 6 inch large active drawing space with papery texture surface, provides enormous and smooth drawing for your digital artwork creation, offers no-lag sketch and painting experience
- 16384 Passive Stylus Technology: A more affordable passive stylus technology offers 16384 levels of pressure sensitivity allows you to draw accurate lines of any weight and opacity according to the pressure you apply to the pen, sharper line with light pressure and thick line with hard pressure for artistry design or unique brush effect for photo retouching
- Compatible with Multiple System and Softwares: Powerful compatibility, tablet for drawing computer, perform well with Windows 11/10/8/7, Mac OS X 10.10 or later, Android 10.0 or later, mac OS 10.12 or later, Chrome OS 88 or later and Linux; Driver program works with creative software such as Photoshop, Illustrator, Macromedia Flash, Comic Studio, SAI, Infinite Stratos, 3D MAX, Autodesk MAYA, Pixologic ZBrush and more
- Ergonomically Designed Shortcuts: 8 customizable express keys on the side for short cuts like eraser, zoom in and out, scrolling and undo, provide a lot more for convenience and helps to improve the productivity and efficiency when creating with the drawing tablet
- Easy Connectivity for Beginners: The UGEE M708 V3 offers USB to USB-C connectivity, plus adapters for USB C, ensuring easy connection to various devices and allowing beginner artists to set up quickly and focus on their creativity without compatibility concerns; Whether using a laptop, desktop, chromebook, or tablet, the UGEE M708 V3 provides a seamless experience for those just starting their digital art journey
How to cancel the trial
- Sign in to your Adobe account.
- Find the Photoshop plan and select Manage Plans.
- Select Cancel Plan, choose a reason, and continue through the prompts.
- Wait for Adobe’s cancellation confirmation. Check that the plan status says canceled, and save the confirmation email or a screenshot.
- Uninstalling Photoshop does not cancel the plan. Removing a payment card or closing the browser is not a substitute for cancellation.
- If you bought through Apple, Google, Microsoft, or another reseller, that provider may handle cancellation under its own terms. An organization-managed account may also require an administrator.
- Download originals and export cloud documents before access changes. Keep layered files in PSD, TIFF, XCF, or another suitable format, and save a flattened copy for quick viewing.
Adobe’s subscription terms explain that a canceled individual account becomes a Creative Cloud free membership and that premium apps and services are removed. If stored files exceed the free membership’s storage allowance, Adobe warns users may have 30 days to move the excess. Check the terms for your account and save files locally before cancellation. Adobe subscription terms
What if Adobe has already charged you?
If the charge was within the initial refund window
Check the plan and transaction in your Adobe account, cancel the subscription, and follow Adobe’s refund process. Adobe says most plans qualify for a full refund when canceled within 14 days of the initial purchase. This is not a universal promise: country, plan, purchase channel, and specific terms can affect eligibility. If you subscribed through an app store or reseller, use that provider’s refund and cancellation process. Save the receipt and cancellation confirmation.
If more than 14 days have passed
Adobe’s terms describe different outcomes by plan type. For an annual plan billed monthly, payments may be non-refundable and a cancellation fee equal to 50% of the remaining contract obligation may apply. An annual prepaid plan is generally non-refundable after 14 days, with service continuing through the contracted term. A month-to-month plan without an annual commitment generally has a non-refundable current month, with service through that billing period. These terms can vary by country, purchase channel, and promotion; check the terms attached to your actual order before canceling. Adobe’s subscription terms
If the cancel option is missing
Check whether you are signed in to the Adobe ID that owns the plan, whether the purchase was made through a reseller, or whether an organization manages the account. If none applies, check for a payment or account-status issue and contact Adobe support. Deleting your Adobe account is not the normal way to cancel a plan.
Rank #3
- Word-first 16K Pressure Levels: The upgraded stylus features 16,384 levels of pressure sensitivity and supports up to 60 degrees of tilt, delivering smoother lines and shading for a natural drawing experience. With no battery or charging needed, it operates like a real pen, making it easy for beginners to create effortlessly. This functionality helps novice artists develop their skills and explore their creativity without the intimidation of complex tools
- Designed for Beginners: This drawing pad desinged with 8 customizable shortcuts for both right and left-hand users, express keys create a highly ergonomic and convenient work platform
- Perfectly Adapted for Android: The XPPen Deco 01 V3 art tablet supports connections with Android devices running version 10.0 and above. It is recommended to download the XPPen Tools Android application, which adapts to your smartphone's screen aspect ratio, ensuring accurate mapping. It also supports mapping on Android screens with different aspect ratios in portrait mode
- Large Drawing Space, Bigger Bold Inspiration: This expansive drawing pad has10 x 6.25-inch helps you break through the limit between shortcut keys and drawing area
- Easy Connectivity for Beginners: The Deco 01 V3 offers USB-C to USB-C connectivity, plus adapters for USB C. This ensures easy connection to various devices, allowing beginner artists to set up quickly and focus on their creativity without compatibility concerns. Whether using a laptop, tablet, or desktop, the Deco 01 V3 provides a seamless experience, making it an ideal choice for those just starting their digital art journey
What Photoshop costs after the trial
On Adobe’s U.S. plans page on August 18, 2026, the displayed prices were as follows. These are plan signals for the United States, not guaranteed checkout prices elsewhere; taxes, eligibility, promotions, and later price changes can affect what you see.
| Plan | Displayed U.S. price | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Photoshop | US$22.99 per month | Annual commitment, billed monthly. |
| Photography | US$19.99 per month | Includes Photoshop and Lightroom; annual commitment, billed monthly. |
| Creative Cloud Pro | Regular price US$69.99 per month; promotional pricing may be lower | Includes more than 20 apps and Adobe Firefly features. A promotion is not necessarily the ongoing price. |
Check Adobe’s plans page and your checkout screen for the current offer and commitment. Students and teachers may qualify for a discounted Creative Cloud plan, but Photoshop is not thereby a free student app; verify eligibility and the current price at checkout. Adobe’s Photoshop trial page
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Best free Photoshop alternatives
Photopea: PSD work in a browser
Photopea is a browser-based editor with free online access and support for opening and saving PSD files. It offers layers, masks, blending, adjustment layers, channels, paths, smart objects, and layer styles, making it a useful first choice for quick layered edits without installing software.
It is not Photoshop: Adobe-specific plugins, automation, and some advanced features will not transfer exactly. Large projects may depend on browser and computer performance, and it is not an offline workflow. For confidential client, medical, legal, or unreleased commercial images, review the service’s privacy and file-processing information before using a browser editor.
Rank #4
- Working Area Configuration - HUION art tablet equips with a 10 x 6.25 inches working area, providing the user with the most comfortable size to work; the 10mm slim structure and minimalist design of appearance make the drawing tablet more attractive.
- Tilt Function Battery-free Stylus: This computer graphics tablet come with a battery-free stylus PW100, no need to charge, allowing for constant uninterrupted drawing. ±60° tilt support enables imitation of lines input with diverse drawing gestures, with accuracy ensured.
- Press Keys:12 programmable press keys plus 16 programmable soft keys, you can set shortcut keys on drawing tablet's driver based on your preferences, such as erase, zoom in/out, scroll up and down, and so on.
- Compatibility: HUION graphics tablet supports Windows 7 or later/ macOS 10.12 or later/ Android 6.0 or later/ Linux (Ubuntu). A USB adapter is required to connect to a Mac computer. H1060P supports various mainstream design and drawing software, including PS, SAI, AI, CDR, etc. (Please note: The H1060P is compatible with Ubuntu, but it requires the use of the Xorg display server. Wayland is not supported.)
- NOTE: You can easily connect your phone to the art tablet via the OTG connector; while iPhone and iPad are NOT at the moment. The cursor will not show up in the SAMSUNG Galaxy S series at present. If you are not sure whether the product is compatible with your Phone or any help, please contact us.
GIMP: a free installed editor for general image work
GIMP is free, open-source software available for GNU/Linux, macOS, Windows, and other systems. It supports photo manipulation, restoration, compositing, original artwork, color management, scripting, and plugins. It is a good fit if you want a permanent desktop editor without a paid signup.
Its interface and terminology differ from Photoshop, so Photoshop tutorials and shortcuts may not map directly. GIMP can work with PSD files, but complex effects, smart objects, adjustment layers, or other Photoshop-specific content may not be preserved exactly.
Krita: painting, illustration, and animation
Krita is free, open-source software aimed especially at digital painting and illustration. Its tools include varied brushes, layers, drawing assistants, stabilizers, and animation features. It is a stronger fit for artists and illustrators than for Lightroom-style photo organization or a conventional commercial-retouching workflow.
Krita is not a direct substitute for Photoshop’s photography ecosystem. Photoshop actions, plugins, and smart-object workflows will not transfer as if the apps were interchangeable.
Best Value
- Customize Your Workflow: The 6 customizable press keys on Huion H640P drawing tablet for pc let you assign your most-used commands—like undo, zoom, brush switch, or save—so you can keep your hands on the tablet and your mind on the art. Whether you're a digital painter switching brushes, or a comic artist zooming in and out, these keys keep your workflow smooth and uninterrupted. Plus, the Huion driver lets you save different shortcut profiles for different apps, so you never have to reconfigure when switching software.
- Professional Pen Performance: Huion H640P drawing pad for computer comes with the battery-free PW100 stylus that's always ready when inspiration strikes. With 8192 levels of pressure sensitivity, every light sketch, or bold stroke responds naturally to your hand—just like a real pen. The 5080 LPI resolution and 233 PPS report rate deliver lag-free, precise strokes, so you can draw confidently without second-guessing your cursor. The pen side buttons help you switch between pen and eraser instantly.
- Compact and Portable: Huion H640P computer graphics tablet features a compact, ultra-portable design at just 0.3 inches thin and 0.61 lbs light, so it slides easily into your backpack—perfect for sketching in coffee shops, taking notes in class, or editing on the go between home and studio. The 6x4 inch active area offers enough room for natural pen movements while fitting comfortably on crowded desks, or lecture hall seats.
- Stable Compatibility: Huion H640P graphic drawing tablet works seamlessly with Mac, Windows, Linux PCs, and Android smartphones/tablets (OS version 6.0 or later). Left-handed friendly, and you just need to flip the tablet and adjust the settings in the driver. Please note: H640P does NOT support iPhone/iPad.
- Move Beyond the Mouse: Huion Inspiroy H640P is a pen tablet that replaces your mouse for more natural, precise control. Freehand draw, take notes, or even play OSU—everything you do with a mouse, you can do better with a pen. The precise tip makes it ideal for detailed photo editing, graphic design, or signing PDF. Meanwhile, the ergonomic pen grip helps you avoid the strain that comes from hours of using a mouse.
Adobe Express Free: quick template-based designs
Adobe Express Free is aimed at social graphics, flyers, simple collages, templates, and lightweight content creation. Adobe lists templates, fonts, images, and tools for these kinds of designs on its Photoshop trial page. Express is simpler than Photoshop: advanced compositing, detailed retouching, and complex layer-based work call for a different tool. Some templates, assets, and features may require a paid plan.
Which option fits your task?
| Your need | Best starting point | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| You need an exact Photoshop workflow for a one-off task | Photoshop’s trial | Seven-day limit, billing information, and automatic paid conversion unless canceled. |
| You need to open or save a PSD quickly | Photopea | Browser performance and incomplete compatibility with Photoshop-specific features. |
| You want a permanently free installed editor | GIMP | Different workflow and no guarantee that complex Photoshop files will render identically. |
| You want to draw, paint, or make illustrations | Krita | Less focused on photo-editing and cataloging workflows. |
| You need a social post or flyer from a template | Adobe Express Free | Less control for detailed retouching and complex compositing. |
| You need photo cataloging or a RAW workflow | Choose a tool specifically for that workflow | GIMP and Krita are not direct Lightroom-style cataloging replacements; camera support and RAW handling vary by app. |
Before committing to an alternative, consider whether you need offline access, PSD fidelity, layers and masks, RAW support, AI features, or commercial-use rights for software, fonts, templates, assets, and plugins. If you are handing off a project, export a flattened PNG, JPEG, or TIFF as well as the editable file so someone without the same app can view the result.
Why an alternative may not match Photoshop
A file that opens is not necessarily a file that will look or behave exactly as it did in Photoshop. Differences can come from unsupported plugins, smart objects or adjustment layers, substituted fonts, color-management behavior, blend modes, filters, RAW decoders, or AI-generated content that is not embedded in a portable form. If exact compatibility matters, use Photoshop for that project; otherwise, test the important layers and export a reference image before switching your whole workflow.
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