Choosing Your Adobe Photoshop Plan
Learning Objectives
By the end of this chapter, you will:
- Know the key differences between Adobe's Photography Plan and Single App subscription
- Compare Photoshop costs against alternatives like Canva Pro and Affinity Photo
- Switch between Adobe plans when your needs change
- Find and apply available Adobe discounts
Introduction
Adobe offers several Photoshop subscription options, and picking the wrong one can cost you money or leave you without the tools you need. This chapter breaks down each plan type, shows you how they compare to other photo editing software, and teaches you to switch plans as your skills develop. Getting this right from the start saves both money and frustration later.
Lessons
Understanding Adobe's Two Main Plans
Adobe offers two core subscriptions for Photoshop users. The Photography Plan bundles Photoshop with Lightroom and costs less than buying Photoshop alone. The Single App subscription gives you just Photoshop with no extras.
Photography Plan includes:
- Photoshop (full version)
- Lightroom Classic
- Lightroom (cloud-based)
- 20GB cloud storage
- Portfolio website
Single App subscription includes:
- Photoshop only
- 100GB cloud storage
The Photography Plan typically costs around £9.98 per month, while the Single App runs about £19.97 monthly. This makes the Photography Plan better value even if you only use Photoshop.
When to choose the Photography Plan: You're starting out, want good value, or might use Lightroom for photo organisation.
When to choose Single App: You already own other photo management software and only need Photoshop's advanced editing tools.
Comparing Costs with Alternatives
Before committing to Adobe, consider how it stacks up against other photo editing options:
Affinity Photo
- One-time purchase: around £54.99
- No monthly fees
- Professional-grade tools
- Missing some of Photoshop's advanced features
Canva Pro
- Monthly cost: around £10.99
- Better for design than photo editing
- Limited advanced photo editing tools
- Great templates and stock photos included
Cost comparison over two years:
- Adobe Photography Plan: £239.52
- Adobe Single App: £479.28
- Affinity Photo: £54.99 (one-time)
- Canva Pro: £263.76
Affinity Photo wins on cost, but Adobe Photoshop offers more advanced features and regular updates. Canva Pro sits between them but focuses more on design work than serious photo editing.
Switching Between Adobe Plans
Your needs will change as you learn more about photo editing. Here's how to switch plans:
- Sign into your Adobe account at account.adobe.com
- Click "Plans & products" in the left menu
- Find your current plan and click "Manage plan"
- Select "Change plan"
- Choose your new plan from the options shown
- Confirm the change and update payment details if needed
Important timing notes:
- Changes take effect at your next billing cycle
- You can upgrade immediately but downgrades wait until renewal
- Switching mid-cycle may result in prorated charges
Check your plan every few months. Adobe regularly adjusts features and pricing, so what worked at the start might not be the best option six months later.
Finding Adobe Discounts
Adobe offers several discount programmes that can significantly reduce your costs:
Student and teacher discounts:
- Up to 60% off Creative Cloud plans
- Requires verification through SheerID
- Must provide valid educational email or documentation
First-year discounts:
- New subscribers often get 40-50% off the first year
- Watch for seasonal promotions (Black Friday, back-to-school)
- Check Adobe's website homepage for current offers
Annual vs monthly billing:
- Annual plans cost less per month
- You pay upfront but save around 15-20%
- Monthly plans offer more flexibility but cost more overall
Sign up for Adobe's newsletter to get notified about special offers. Third-party retailers sometimes offer discounted Adobe gift cards, but always verify these are legitimate before purchasing.
Practice
List three types of photo projects you want to work on in the next six months. For each project, note which Adobe plan features you'll need. Based on this list, decide whether the Photography Plan or Single App subscription better matches your goals.
Example:
- Portrait retouching: Needs advanced healing tools (both plans have this)
- Wedding photo organisation: Needs Lightroom (Photography Plan only)
- Product photography: Needs precise selection tools (both plans have this)
FAQs
Can I cancel my Adobe subscription anytime?
You can cancel anytime, but annual plans may charge an early termination fee if cancelled within the first year. Monthly plans can be cancelled without penalty.
Do I keep my edited photos if I cancel?
Yes, you keep all your work. However, you won't be able to open or edit PSD files without Photoshop or compatible software.
Can I use my subscription on multiple computers?
Adobe allows installation on two computers (like a desktop and laptop) but you can only use one at a time.
What happens to my cloud storage if I downgrade plans?
If you exceed the new plan's storage limit, you'll need to delete files or upgrade again to access them.
Jargon Buster
Photography Plan – Adobe's bundle subscription including Photoshop, Lightroom Classic, and cloud-based Lightroom
Single App subscription – Adobe subscription for one application only, typically costing more than bundled plans
Lightroom Classic – Desktop-based photo organisation and basic editing software
Cloud storage – Online file storage accessible from any device with internet
Prorated charges – Billing adjustments when you change plans mid-cycle
Wrap-up
You now know the difference between Adobe's main Photoshop plans and how they compare to alternatives like Affinity Photo and Canva Pro. The Photography Plan offers the best value for most beginners, while Single App subscriptions suit users who only need Photoshop's advanced tools.
Remember to review your plan regularly and take advantage of discounts when available. In the next chapter, we'll cover downloading and installing Photoshop so you can start editing photos.
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