TL;DR
- Adobe is reportedly experimenting with making the web version of Photoshop free.
- Basic tools and core functionality would be included, with premium tools a paid upgrade.
- The company is conducting a trial in Canada with no word on an expansion date.
A new report suggests Adobe’s web version of Photoshop may become free for all users, significantly reducing the barrier to entry for the venerable image suite.
According to Neowin, Adobe is currently experimenting in Canada with a freemium version of Photoshop. Anyone with a free Adobe account can access the web version of the image editing program, with the company planning to move some of the app’s premium tools to a paid tier.
Adobe first launched the web version of Photoshop in 2021 as a relatively rudimentary alternative to the full desktop version. In the intervening months, the company has steadily improved the app to the point where it is now a viable option for many users.
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In addition, collaboration is front and center with the web version, allowing multiple users to easily work on the same image or project. The latest versions have even removed the restriction that did require an image to first be created via the desktop version and now allow users to begin their workflow directly from the web version.
Although the company is looking at making some premium features a paid option, Adobe reportedly plans to leave the free version with enough tools to provide core functionality. There’s no word when the trial will be expanded beyond Canada.
