Adobe is introducing a new license to access Photoshop Elements 2025.
Here’s what you need to know about choosing the best option for you in digital scrapbooking and photo artistry.
Adobe Software Subscriptions vs. Licenses | Photoshop Elements 2025
A Little History
PSE2 (2002) was my first experience using Adobe software.
I very quickly made the switch to PS8.
PS8 became PSCS (Creative Suite) (Both licensed products).
PSCS then became PSCC (Creative Cloud) and the introduction of Subscription-based products.
I have 22 years of experience in using Adobe Software.
I do NOT have any affiliation with Adobe.
Subscriptions v. Licenses
Software subscriptions and licenses are two ways to use and access software.
Software Subscription:
You get Temporary access to software after paying a Recurring monthly or annual fee.
Provides continuous updates to New versions and features with an active subscription.
Allows for Cancellation after your commitment has ended.
Software Licences
Pay a set fee for a License to use a specific Version of the software.
You receive a ‘serial number’ to Access the software.
Enables Use for the ‘life’ of the software (or for as long as it’s supported.)
No ‘automatic’ upgrades or New Versions are provided.
Photoshop Elements 2025 License
Offers a ‘3-year term’ License activated by a Redemption Code.
You pay Once and have access to the software for 3 years.
Includes performance improvements and Bug Fixes only (first 2 years.)
New feature updates will NOT be provided.
PSE25 is NOT a subscription.
There are system Requirements for this version.
Learn more about Photoshop Elements 2025 here.
FAQs here.
My Thoughts
Change is ALWAYS hard but it is a CONSTANT.
It’s easy to ‘feel forced into a corner’ when something you’re used to changes.
Whether Adobe will move to a Photoshop Elements Subscription-Based service in the future remains to be seen
From a business, standpoint, Adobe knows a big chunk of its market is running Years-old Versions and they want to change that.
As a consumer, try to see this as being given another purchasing Choice.
In my experience, you don’t often know you Need something until you have it 🙂
The new Photoshop Elements 2025 be how I teach and create my PSE stream Classes.
You now have 3 choices:
Get PSE25 for 3 years ($99)
You can upgrade to PSE24 until the end of the October 2024 ($79)
You can also just keep running your current version.
Consider This
The 3-year offering ($99) is just $20 more than their new upgrade ($79) over three years.
This enables you to use PSE for $2.75 per month.
Even if you use PSE just once a month it’s cheaper than buying a cup of coffee.
Use it once a week and that cost falls to $0.69.
Open PSE25 twice, your investment is $0.34.
And so on…
Try looking at any offer using a value-to-joy ratio approach.
Assess how many times on average you Use PSE per month.
Divide that number by the subscription price.
And consider if the ‘offer’ is of Value to you.
If you like the math then go for it!
You can always Reassess your options in 3 years!
Benefits of Subscriptions
Things to keep in mind:
Photoshop Elements will change exponentially in 3 years with Technological Advancements making software obsolete (no longer supported by hardware options) faster than ever.
Software (and digital products) are Non-Tangible because they don’t actually physically exist!
Upgrades, advancements, and changes make software very Difficult to ‘own’ as we march into the future of digital scrapbooking.
New features and technology offer Efficiency and will save you time in your memory-keeping.
PSE25 is still a Big Saving compared to Photoshop CC (Photosgraphy Plan) Subscription.
Closing Thoughts
Like I said, I’m not trying to Convince you here.
Rather share information about PSE25 so you can choose the Best option.
Just don’t let hanging onto ‘what used to be’ prevent you from moving into ‘What Could Be‘ in your digital scrapbooking.
Need Guidance for Choosing Software for your Digital Scrapbooking?
A Beginners Guide to Scrapbooking
