Reasons to Avoid Adobe Photoshop: Why This Industry-Standard Software May Not Be Worth the High Cost
Adobe Photoshop is synonymous with photo editing and digital art. For over 30 years, it has been the go-to application for graphic designers, photographers, digital illustrators, and anyone who needs to manipulate images. Photoshop‘s powerful tools and comprehensive feature set are unrivaled. But this industry-leading position has also enabled Adobe to charge increasingly high prices while locking users into a subscription model and proprietary file format. A growing number of users are seeking alternatives as they ask: is Photoshop really worth the cost? Here are the top reasons you may want to avoid Photoshop.
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Subscription-only model is expensive over time
The biggest reason to avoid Photoshop is the cost. Unlike in the past where you could purchase a perpetual license for the software, Photoshop is now only available as a subscription. The Photography plan, which includes Photoshop and Lightroom, starts at US$9.99/month. The standalone Photoshop plan is $20.99/month. While this may seem affordable in the short term, the costs really add up over time, especially if you use the software for years. And if you ever cancel your plan or your credit card expires, you completely lose access to the app and the ability to open your PSD files. Over the course of 10 years, you‘d pay over $2500 for Photoshop – enough to buy a new computer! Many users would prefer a one-time purchase option. -
Most users don‘t need all the bells and whistles
There‘s no question that Photoshop is a powerful, feature-packed program that can handle the most demanding, professional-grade editing tasks. But the average hobbyist photographer or casual user simply doesn‘t need all those bells and whistles. Many users just need simple tools to crop, resize, adjust lighting and colors, remove blemishes, and apply filters. Photoshop‘s myriad advanced features – like 3D modeling, detailed typography, CMYK prepress editing, and AI neural filters – go unused by most people and just clutter the interface. Paying a high monthly fee for tools you‘ll never touch doesn‘t make sense for the typical user. Simpler, more affordable programs can meet most image editing needs. -
Open source and low-cost alternatives have arrived
In the early days, Adobe had little serious competition. But now capable Photoshop alternatives have emerged, many at low or no cost. GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is a free and open source application that offers a robust toolset similar to Photoshop. There‘s also Photopea, a browser-based clone of Photoshop that‘s free with ads or just $9/month for the Pro version. Affinity Photo is a low-cost but extremely capable Photoshop alternative, available for a one-time price of $54.99 with no subscription. Pixelmator Pro, Luminar, and Krita are other budget-friendly options. While not as full-featured as Photoshop, these alternatives meet the needs of most users at a fraction of the price. -
Web-based tools offer easy, free image editing
For quick, basic image editing, a number of web-based freemium tools have emerged that run right in your browser. Canva has become hugely popular as a graphic design app that requires no prior knowledge but helps anyone create professional-looking images and designs. Pixlr is like a streamlined online version of Photoshop that‘s free with ads. Fotor, Befunky, and Photoshop Express are other web apps that let you crop, resize, touch up, and add filters/effects to photos at no cost and without needing to download or install anything. These online editors can‘t match the power of Photoshop but their ease of use and "good enough" results make them appealing for casual users unwilling to pay for a costly app. -
Proprietary PSD format locks you in
Adobe has built not just a single app but an entire ecosystem of creative software. Using Photoshop often leads to using Lightroom, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere Pro, and other Adobe apps. While this integration has advantages, it also locks you into their proprietary formats and makes it harder to switch away. Photoshop‘s native PSD format is not well supported by other programs. And Adobe does not offer an easy way to export your photo catalog into a generic, portable format. So if you ever want to move to a different editing app, you may have trouble bringing all your work with you or you‘ll lose the ability to edit those PSD files. It‘s a way for Adobe to keep you tied to their tools. -
Resource intensive software requires a powerful computer
Working with Photoshop, especially on high resolution images with multiple layers and effects, takes a lot of computing power. Opening and saving files, applying filters, and exporting your work can be slow and resource intensive, eating up plenty of CPU and GPU capacity. If you don‘t have a newer computer with a fast processor, ample RAM, and dedicated graphics card, Photoshop‘s performance may be sluggish and frustrating. Adobe recommends your system have at least 8 GB of RAM (16 GB for 3D features), but 16 or 32 GB is preferable. Hard drive space and a fast SSD also make a big difference. Not everyone has a higher-end machine that can run Photoshop well. On older hardware, you may be better off with a more lightweight image editor. -
Steep learning curve takes time to master
Photoshop is not a simple, intuitive piece of software that you can just start using effectively right away. It has a notoriously steep learning curve thanks to its multitude of tools, controls, panels, settings, and menus. Achieving proficiency requires many hours of practice, experimentation, and instruction. Adobe has made efforts to make the app more friendly to beginners, but it‘s still a complex program at its core with a dizzying array of options. One-click filters and magic wand tools will only get you so far. To really harness the power of Photoshop, you‘ll need to roll up your sleeves and learn techniques like layers, masks, blend modes, curves adjustments, smart objects, frequency separation, and more. Prepare to invest significant time in courses, books, and tutorials before you can master the app. -
Adobe‘s customer support doesn‘t match the price
If you‘re paying over $250 per year for an app, you‘d expect top-notch customer support and service. Unfortunately, many users have found Adobe‘s customer support to be lacking, especially relative to the premium prices they charge. Support is only available by live chat or through a knowledge base of help articles, with no way to speak to a live agent. Response times can be slow. The support reps often cannot resolve complex technical issues and just give general advice. And there have been billing issues reported, where people were charged annually when they thought they signed up monthly or they have difficulty cancelling. For an expensive must-have app for many creatives, better support should be table stakes.
The Verdict
Adobe Photoshop remains the most powerful, full-featured image editing app available and the industry standard for creative professionals. But with its high cost, subscription-only model, steep learning curve, and resource-hungry performance, it‘s not the best choice for everyone. Many photographers, small business owners, and hobbyists can get the editing tools they need from lower-priced or even free alternatives. Those with older computers may struggle to run Photoshop well. And Adobe locks you into its expensive ecosystem. Consider your needs and budget carefully before committing to this pricey, complex software, when another graphics package may be a better fit for your situation.
