If you’re in any of the creative industries, you’ve almost certainly heard of Adobe Photoshop. This powerful tool offers several helpful features for editing photos, designs, and more. And soon, using the platform on your computer could become much more accessible.

As of September 2023, the web-based version of Adobe Photoshop is no longer available as a free service and has been relaunched using a premium subscription model. You may enroll in a free 7-day trial. After your trial is up, subscriptions start at $22.99/month.

Adobe has begun trialing a free web version of Photoshop in selected markets, with the plan to roll it out to others in due course. This article will identify what’s happening and who can access the free version. You’ll also learn about the tools you can access, plus Adobe’s future roll-out plans.

Adobe Is Testing a Free Version of Photoshop on the Web

In June 2022, Adobe began testing a new free version of Adobe Photoshop on web browsers. The company already has a simplified web edition with limited capabilities, but the current one under testing has a broader range of tools.

While a lot of extra features are free for now, Adobe intends to make many of these exclusive to the program’s paying subscribers later on.

Who Can Access Adobe Photoshop for Free on the Web, and Where?

Man working on a computer in front of a window

To begin with, Adobe is testing its free web version of Photoshop in Canada. You will need to register for an account before editing your pictures or designs, but doing so is free.

You can use Adobe’s free web version on multiple computers, including MacBooks and devices running on ChromeOS.

If you live outside of Canada, you might be able to access the Beta version of Photoshop. Safari isn’t supported at the moment, though, so you’ll have to use Chrome or Edge.

What Features Are Available on the Free Web Version of Photoshop?

Adobe’s free version of Photoshop has various tools you can use without needing to activate a paid subscription.

Using layers in Photoshop is an excellent way to achieve your desired editing results, and you can use this feature through the new web edition, too.

screenshot showing how to create a layer in photoshop for web

If you want to alter the dimensions of your visuals, you can use the Transform feature to change sizing as you feel necessary. You can also use the Dodge tool to add brightness to specific parts of your project, while the Spot Healing Brush lets you remove unnecessary distractions. You can find these features, plus various others, in the left-hand toolbar.

screenshot showing how to use the transform tool in photoshop

You’ll notice Photoshop’s web version has a sleeker interface than the desktop app, making it easier to manage your workflow.

Adobe’s Future Roll-Out Plans

While Adobe plans to roll out its free web version to other markets, we don’t know exactly when.

Adobe also hasn’t announced which tools it’ll later make exclusive to paying customers. But once that change occurs, the company has said that users will still have access to the platform's most important mechanisms.

Photoshop Becomes More Accessible

Adobe Photoshop is the industry standard for editing visuals, and the news that it’s testing a free web version will be music to many creators’ ears.

While still in its early days, Photoshop’s accessible edition has significant potential for streamlining workflows and helping creators bring their ideas to life.

If you’re based in Canada, consider trying the free version of Photoshop to determine if it’s right for you. And if you live elsewhere, you’ve got something to look forward to.