As one of the most popular image editing software programs on the market, Adobe Photoshop is a program that many people are familiar with, whether their copy is legitimate or pirated.

What many people don't realize is that using a pirated copy of Photoshop is incredibly illegal. Not only that, but there are also several other reasons why it's not worth your time or effort to use a pirated copy of Photoshop.

Here is why you should never use a pirated copy of Photoshop.

1. You Could Be Putting Your Computer at Risk

When you download pirated software from the internet, there's no telling what else might come along for the ride—viruses, malware, and spyware.—all of which can seriously damage your computer or even put your personal information at risk. So why take that chance when you can buy legitimate software and avoid all those dangers?

Is it really worth risking your computer's safety, or even your own, for a pirated copy of Photoshop? We think not.

2. It's Hard to Find Customer Support

Adobe Photoshop is a complex program with constantly evolving features. When new versions or updates are released, Adobe provides support to users to ensure that they can continue using the software without any issues.

However, users of pirated copies of Photoshop don't have access to this support. This means that if you run into any problems while using Photoshop, you're on your own in terms of finding a solution.

3. You Might Not Get Full Functionality

Don't understand why you can't seem to find a feature your favorite photographer is raving about in their latest tutorial? There's a good chance it doesn't exist in your pirated version of Photoshop.

When you pirate software, you're not getting the full, complete version of the program. In many cases, key features are missing or disabled, which can seriously hinder your workflow.

If you're okay with working with a subpar version of Photoshop, then pirate at your own risk. But if you want access to all the features and functionality that Photoshop offers—and your industry competitors probably use—then you'll need to invest in a legitimate copy.

4. You Won't Get Any Updates or New Features

Adobe regularly releases updates for Photoshop with new features, bug fixes, and performance improvements. However, when you use a pirated copy of Photoshop, you won't be able to take advantage of these updates.

This means that over time, your pirated copy of Photoshop will become increasingly outdated, making it more difficult to use and less effective for your photo editing needs.

5. You Won't Be Able to Use Certain Plugins

Adobe Photoshop is well known for its huge array of plugins, which allow you to extend the functionality of the program and add new features. However, many of the most popular plugins will only work with legitimate copies of Photoshop.

So, if you're using a pirated copy of Photoshop and try to install one of these plugins, you'll likely get an error message telling you that the plugin is not compatible with your version of Photoshop.

6. It's Not a Legal Product

This one should be obvious, but it's worth mentioning, anyway. When you use a pirated copy of Photoshop, you're using software that was illegally obtained. This means that you could be subject to legal penalties if you're caught.

The risks might not be huge, but it's still not worth it when you can just buy legitimate software and avoid any potential legal trouble.

7. It's Not Very Reliable

Pirated software is often created by hacking into the code of legitimate software and making unauthorized changes. This can lead to instability and other problems, which means that a pirated copy of Photoshop is often less reliable than the legitimate version.

Depending on the particular pirated copy you have, you might experience crashes, errors, and other issues that can seriously hamper your workflow, and also possibly damage your computer. If your work depends on Photoshop, do you really want to risk using a pirated copy that might not work when you need it?

8. You Could Lose Your Work

Since pirated software is often less stable than legitimate software, there's a greater risk that you could lose your work when using a pirated copy of Photoshop.

If you're working on an important project and your pirated copy of Photoshop crashes, you could lose all of your unsaved work. This is a risk that you simply don't have to take when you use the legitimate version.

9. You're Supporting Software Piracy

If you wouldn't steal a car or a piece of jewelry, you shouldn't steal software either. When you use a pirated copy of Photoshop, you're effectively stealing from Adobe. This is because you're using software that you haven't paid for, which deprives Adobe of the revenue that it deserves.

Not only that, but you're also supporting the software piracy industry, which encourages others to steal software and deprives legitimate software developers of the revenue they need to continue making great products.

It's not hard to see what this could lead to—a world where software piracy is the norm and legitimate software developers can no longer afford to create new products. You'd agree this isn't an ideal scenario, to say the least.

10. "There Ain't No Such Thing as a Free Lunch"

"There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Lunch", or TANSTAAFL, means if something seems too good to be true, it probably is.

When you use a pirated copy of Photoshop, you're essentially getting the software for free. But as the saying goes, you'll never get something for nothing.

There are always risks and downsides associated with using pirated software, even if you're not caught and penalized. So, if you're still considering using a pirated copy of Photoshop, just remember that TANSTAAFL.

Using a Pirated Copy of Photoshop Is a Bad Idea

All in all, using a pirated copy of Photoshop is a bad idea. Not only is it illegal, but it also comes with several disadvantages that can seriously hamper your work and harm your computer.

If you're serious about using Photoshop, do yourself a favor and buy the legitimate software. Your wallet—and your conscience and workflow—will thank you for it.