The subscription model is inherently more expensive over time, just because you can’t pay for something once and be done with it. The truth is that most programs have moved to cloud-based platforms and the subscription model.
If you want a software solution that’s going to keep advancing as you do, Photoshop is an excellent all-around solution. That does require an investment of money, but that means that it’s constantly getting better, too. Having an upfront cost of $700 can be more painful for people like students, even if it would get them the best iteration of the software.Īdobe is doing a lot of work behind the scenes to make sure that its software remains the gold standard. In reality, for most people, paying $10 a month makes more sense than having to pay $700 a year for the latest version. Photoshop no longer requires that kind of upfront payment.
While it was once possible to purchase a license and own the software forever, realistically, you’d have to be upgrading the software regularly and buying a new license. The software is automatically updated whenever you load it.
You don’t need an IT professional to install these updates, either. The price stays the same for your subscription, but you’re going to get all the updates, improvements, features, or even new versions, as they roll out. When you purchase an Adobe Photoshop license, you’re purchasing the right to use the most current version of Photoshop. However, people who have never used Photoshop or who have no experience at all in Photoshop are going to find it difficult to advance. That’s not to say that you can’t get away with not using Photoshop, because you can. Simply having expert knowledge of Photoshop can make someone more attractive to recruit, giving them an edge over others in terms of employment. People who haven’t learned Photoshop are going to find it very difficult to break into an industry that revolves around Adobe Suite. Many companies purchase Photoshop by default. People within the industry are expected to purchase Photoshop. Because Photoshop is the standard, it can charge a lot more. It’s a commercial program that is used throughout the photography and photo manipulation industries.įrom film design to advertising and marketing, Photoshop is the software program to use, and it has been for the last decade. Photoshop is the de facto industry standard. Photoshop is so expensive because it can be. Why Is Photoshop So Expensive? (Top 10 Reasons) Today, Photoshop is a subscription that starts at around $10 a month or $120 a year-forever. Previous iterations of Adobe Photoshop ran around $600 to $800 for a license. Open-source alternatives like Gimp are free. That might lead you to wonder why Photoshop is so expensive. Whether you’re a hobbyist or a professional, if you’re interested in photography, you’re likely to eventually run into Adobe Photoshop.