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Thijs5EA7
Thijs5EA7
Known Participant
March 5, 2026
Question

Use Photoshop for free because of the photos I sell on Adobe Stock.

  • March 5, 2026
  • 5 replies
  • 98 views

I've been using phoptoshop for free for a few years now because of the photos I upload and sell through Adobe Stock. This year, I haven't received any notification that the option is back, even though my subscription ends at the end of March. Is there any news about this? Has Adobe discontinued this service?

    5 replies

    Gironalb
    Gironalb
    Participant
    March 6, 2026

    Hi,

    I am also waiting. My license is about to expire. I use it mainly to upload my photos to Adobe Stock Contributor, so I´m not gonna pay more than what I earn each year.

      Thijs5EA7
      Thijs5EA7Author
      Known Participant
      March 6, 2026

      Ah, so I'm not the only one!!
      Six months ago, I bought a new desktop with Windows 11. Now my old programs don't work properly anymore. For Microsoft Office 2007, I now have LibreOffice, which works just as well. I also had the new Photoshop on my previous computer, but I always worked with the old Adobe Photoshop 7.0. I'm only using the new Photoshop on this computer with Windows 11. But I don't do enough to pay for a subscription. I'd be better off looking for a free photo editing program or reconnecting my old desktop somewhere in the house. 

      Nancy OShea
      Community Expert
      Nancy OSheaCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      March 6, 2026

      Nobody here is privy to what Adobe Stock plans to do with the Bonus program.

       

      In the meantime, you can buy a 3-year license to PS Elements or a PS/PR Elements bundle for photo & video editing. No annual subscription required.

      https://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop-elements.html

       

      The other option is to buy an annual Photography Plan -- Lightroom or Lightroom with Photoshop bundle.

      https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/photography/compare-plans.html

       

      If bonuses are awarded later, make sure to redeem them before they expire.

       

      Nancy O'Shea— Product User & Community Expert
        Thijs5EA7
        Thijs5EA7Author
        Known Participant
        March 6, 2026

        Thanks Nancy,
        As I wrote to Gironalb, I don't use Photoshop enough to warrant a subscription. Stock sites don't provide much clarity to their members about their plans. And unfortunately, there's no admin who can provide more clarity.
        I'll wait a bit and look for a free program.

        Thijs5EA7
        Thijs5EA7Author
        Known Participant
        March 5, 2026

        I'm wondering if there are more people with an Adobe Photoshop subscription that's ending, waiting for the Adobe Stock Contributor Bonus Program.

        RALPH_L
        Community Expert
        RALPH_LCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        March 5, 2026

        A Bonus Program based on 2025 has not yet been announced.

          O
          Community Expert
          Oh.N8Community Expert
          March 5, 2026


          Adobe Stock Program
          https://helpx.adobe.com/ca/stock/contributor/help/royalty-details.html


          the Adobe Stock Contributor Bonus Program, which offers complimentary access to Adobe software based on your sales performance. 

          As of 2024–2025, active contributors who meet specific download thresholds can receive one year of free access to Creative Cloud applications. 

           

          Adobe +1

          Here is how that program works and why you have free access:

          • Requirements: You must be an "active" contributor, which generally requires uploading and having at least 150–200 new assets approved during the calendar year.
          • Threshold 1 (350+ Downloads): If you hit between 350 and 6,999 downloads in a year, you qualify for a free one-year subscription to one app, such as the Creative Cloud Photography plan (which includes Photoshop and Lightroom).
          • Threshold 2 (7,000+ Downloads): If you achieve 7,000 or more downloads in a year, you qualify for a free one-year subscription to the All Apps Creative Cloud plan.
          • Video Boost: If you upload video, each video download counts as 3 downloads toward these thresholds.
          • How to Claim: Eligible contributors usually see a blue banner in their Adobe Stock contributor portal around January to redeem their code for the year.

            Cheers Nate
            Thijs5EA7
            Thijs5EA7Author
            Known Participant
            March 5, 2026

            Thanks, I'm familiar with those requirements and have been using the Bonus Program for a few years. When I use Photoshop now, I get a message saying I have to pay by the end of the month to renew my membership. Since I only use a few features of Photoshop, it's not worth the effort. If the Bonus Program based on 2025 doesn't launch soon, I'll have to cancel my membership and look for a free program. (I used a very old Photoshop program before, but it no longer works on Windows 11.)
            Hence my question if anyone knew more about this year's Bonus Program.

            O
            Community Expert
            Oh.N8Community Expert
            March 5, 2026

            Hey ​@Thijs5EA7 

            On the premise that I don’t know what you know and don’t know.  That’s the reason for sharing the link. Adobe would have the answer to your Question.

            We are volunteers that do our best to answer your questions and provide the links and info that could assist you.

            Cheers

            Nate

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