In this article, we will show you how you can enjoy Nik Software's plugins for Photoshop for free.
We will also recommend the best strategy to familiarize yourself with Nik’s impactful collection of software before you decide whether or not purchasing a Nik license is right for you.
What Is Nik Software?
Nik Software was founded in 1995 and is known for its plugins and photography tools for editing platforms like Adobe Photoshop and Snapseed. The company was acquired by Google in 2012, and was later sold to DxO in 2017.
Despite having multiple owners, Nik has managed to keep its core software collection intact and available to the public in both licensed and free legacy versions.
The legacy Nik Collection includes Analog Efex Pro, Color Efex Pro, Dfine, HDR Efex Pro, Perspective Efex, two sharpening programs, Silver Efex Pro, and Viveza.
Get a 30-Day Free Trial
DxO offers a 30-day trial for the Nik Collection 3, which includes eight additional plugins that come with the paid license.
We highly recommend that you take advantage of this offer to get a feel for what the complete collection entails. It also allows you to experiment with all the plugins to discover what works best for you.
Try the Free Legacy Version
DxO offers a free download of the Nik Collection 2012 on its website. You’ll have to enter your email address to receive the download link.
But don’t expect any support for Nik Collection 2012. This software suite is a legacy version that is no longer being developed or supported.
Nik Collection: Our Recommendation
To get the most value from the Nik Collection, we recommend that you start with a 30-day free trial. This way, you will become familiar with every plugin DxO has to offer.
If you need more time to decide, you may download the legacy version and continue to use the scaled-back version with your photos. You may discover this is good enough for your needs. If not, a lifetime license is available for purchase.
In case you decide that Nik isn't right for you, there are plenty more Photoshop plugins for you to choose from.
Image Credit: Kilian M/Pexels