Adobe offers the best programs in the creative industry, and unfortunately, that means that usually, its programs don't come cheap. Thankfully, there are several free programs, some Adobe discounts, and plenty of free trials at your disposal to help you get what you need. Take advantage of these offerings to determine what works best for you and get creating!
Best Adobe deals
The very best deal available to anyone at present is the Adobe CC Students and Teachers discount. This Adobe discount provides you with over 20 of the very best Adobe programs at 60% off the full price. However, you will need to provide proof that you are a student or teacher in order to obtain this subscription option.
Free Adobe trials
Almost every big Adobe program offers a seven-day free trial. This includes the heaviest hitters like Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Lightroom, and Premiere Pro. After the seven days are up, you'll need to pay a subscription in order to continue to have access, but you can always cancel at any time.
Is Adobe worth a subscription?
Adobe is by far the biggest software company for creatives. Each of its programs has a specific focus whether that be raster (pixel) photo editing with Photoshop, vector-based graphic design with Illustrator, video editing with Premiere Pro, and much more. In each case, the software is usually considered the best option in the industry making it compatible with more people and often more powerful than alternatives.
Now the one big issue many people have with Adobe is that most of its programs are subscription-based rather than one-time purchases.
Adobe alternatives
If you're specifically interested in a competitor to Photoshop, there are plenty of other photo editing app alternatives that you can obtain with a single purchase. But before you leave Adobe completely behind, you should consider the simplified programs Adobe has to offer. For photo editing and video editing apps, there are Photoshop Elements or Premiere Elements respectively. They are $100 each or $150 for the two bundled together. That's far less costly than a one-year subscription of Photoshop or Premiere Pro.
As far as drawing apps go, Adobe Fresco is something you shouldn't skip out on. It's absolutely free, offers a far more simplified interface than Photoshop, and works incredibly well. It's available for iPad, iPhone, Windows, and Microsoft Surface. In fact, it's one of my very favorite programs.
Best devices for Adobe programs
It's a very well-known fact that many creatives prefer to use Apple devices when creating their work. This is also seen from Adobe's perspective as the company often prioritizes software compatibility and updates for Mac, iPad, and iPhone over other tech. This being the case, Adobe programs function extremely well on Apple gear — making Mac and iPad best for artists. Combined with the Apple Pencil, an iPad can really give you the control and pressure sensitivity you want.
Of course, most Adobe programs also work well on Android, PC, and Microsoft Surface devices. However, you'll need to check each program's requirements on Adobe's website to know for sure which devices can access them. While the Surface Pen for Microsoft Surface devices is also admirable, it isn't as responsive as the Apple Pencil, but can still serve you well.
Some programs are designed specifically for Mac and PC, but also have mobile counterparts for iPad and iPhone. Meanwhile, there are also other Adobe programs that were intended specifically for mobile.
