How to Get Photoshop CS5 Free & Legally

By Ann Young 2024-10-19, Australian Blog

Adobe Photoshop CS5

  • Rank
    (4.5/5)
  • Reviews: 547
  • License: Trial version
  • Downloads: 56.2k
  • Version: CS5
  • Compatible: Windows, macOS

Don’t know if the use of Photoshop CS5 free is totally legal? Then go on reading this post. You will discover all the important information regarding this program. Moreover, you will learn about safe methods of getting Photoshop CS5 free and examine several excellent analogs to this program.

photoshop cs5 interface

Photoshop CS5 Free Benefits

  • Remarkable workflow
  • Updated HDR imaging
  • Auto lens correction
  • Puppet Warp
  • Updated Raw processing
  • Content-Aware Fill
  • Saves XFL files
  • Helpful guides and customer support

FAQ

  • What is the price of Photoshop CS5?

As for a lifetime license, the price of Photoshop CS5 is $699 for the full version and $199 for an upgrade. But you can also use a free trial version.

  • How to launch Photoshop CS5?

Select the Adobe Photoshop CS5 application file, which is supposed to be installed in the Applications/Adobe Photoshop CS5 folder.

How to launch Photoshop CS5 in 32-bit and 64-bit modes:

  1. Close Photoshop CS5.
  2. Go to the Program Files (x86) > Adobe > Adobe Photoshop CS5 folder.
  3. Double-click the Adobe Photoshop CS5.exe file.

  • Is it still possible to use Photoshop CS5?

You still have a chance to upgrade Photoshop CS5 to CS6. $199 is the price for non-extended versions.

  • Is Photoshop CS5 compatible with Windows 10?

Yes, to install Adobe Photoshop CS5 on Windows 10 – you just need to launch the setup file in Compatibility Mode for Win 7. Right-click on the file, go to Properties >Compatibility, pick Win 7 and double-click the setup file. Mind that Adobe Application Manager doesn’t work on Win 10.

  • Is there a free program similar to Photoshop CS5?

Yes, you can use the mobile version of Photoshop called Photoshop Express. It is available for Android and iOS smartphones.

Another Way to Use Photoshop CS5 Free

In case you are frequently editing pictures on the go, for instance, on a smartphone, an official mobile Ps version–Adobe Photoshop Express is a must-have for you. It is available free of charge, boasts integration with Creative Cloud and even the presence of its own cloud.

Photoshop Express

  • Rank
    (4/5)
  • Reviews: 56
  • License: Free
  • Downloads: 23k
  • Version: Express
  • Compatible: iOS, Android
photoshop express interface

Photoshop Express Benefits:

  • Remarkable picture collages
  • Opens RAW files
  • Plenty of effects and filters
  • Possibility to add borders and text
  • Fast corrections
  • Noise elimination
  • Fixes perspective
  • Application of blur

Photoshop Express is a limited Ps version compatible with iOS and Android. The application provides integration with Facebook, Adobe ID management, and 3G data transfer options.

The application is praised for an intuitive interface and doesn’t require special skills. So, it will be of interest to newbies in the fields of graphic design and photography. The platform is free of charge, which is especially relevant for individuals, students, beginning professionals, employees of startups and small companies.

Pirated Version Photoshop CS5

There are many websites that offer users to download the program with an activated license for free. I would like to warn you against clicking on such links and downloading software from questionable sites. Below, I’m going to state the main reasons why you shouldn’t do it.

It Is a Crime

Perhaps someone isn’t concerned about this issue and they don’t consider the use of hacked software as something shameful. But the criminal code thinks otherwise.

No Tech Support

If something goes wrong after you have clicked on the “Photoshop CS5 free download” link and installed the program, you can’t configure it, or there are some problems, you are left alone with all this. Because no one will provide you with technical support – you aren’t a customer of the company that has developed this product.

If you purchase a license, you will be able to communicate with developers through technical support, solve a lot of issues directly with them and get expert advice.

The Absence of Updates

Using the official version, you instantly provide yourself with the latest updates. Using the Photoshop CS5 version, you may forget about updates, risk losing your personal data and downloading plenty of viruses.

Photoshop CS5 Free Alternatives

Yes, Photoshop is the most professional and powerful program among the best photo editing software for PC. But you can also find many free analogs.

1. Adobe Lr

adobe lightroom logo
Pros
  • Possibility to manage and organize pictures
  • Lens and camera correction
  • Advanced tools for in-depth color correction
  • Face detection and marking
Cons
  • May perform unstably on weak PCs

Lightroom is the most suitable option for those who are interested in the in-depth color correction, editing of RAW pics and managing photos. Besides, many users admire Lightroom for its remarkable picture post-production feature-set along with the provided brushes and presets. All of this makes it possible to get professionally edited pictures even for novices.

The software was originally developed as a streaming tool and an addition to Photoshop for experienced shooters. But soon, it turned into individual software. Lightroom is basically meant for converting RAW files. Its functions correspond to the Camera RAW module, but the arrangement of tools is different, and the selection of tools is more varied.

2. GIMP

gimp logo
Pros
  • Open-source
  • Functions may be customized
  • Rich feature- and toolset
  • Works with various file types
Cons
  • Functions with limits

GIMP is an optimal open-source Photoshop CS5 free analog for everyone who isn’t willing to purchase advanced image editors yet. It is perfect for performing operations at a basic level, like painting, retouching images, file conversion with different formats available, online batch image processing.

GIMP is compatible with such operating systems as Windows, Mac and Linux. Moreover, GIMP supports the majority of widespread file formats: GIF, JPEG, PNG and TIFF.

3. PhotoScape

photoscape logo
Pros
  • Speedy performance
  • Decent optimization
  • Support of numerous file formats
  • Screen capture
Cons
  • Lacks certain functions
  • Edited files may lose quality

PhotoScape is a decent Photoshop CS5 free analog for a desktop or laptop running on the Windows operating system. In the opinion of many novice users, this software may replace Ps when it comes to many digital photo editing situations. The user space is organized in the form of bookmarks– each of them solves a specific task.

Additional sets of shapes and stickers are offered for a fee, at $0.99 per set you like. You can also purchase all paid sets at once and activate tools marked PRO for $29.99. Whether it is worth it or not is a matter of individual needs.

4. Pixlr

pixlr logo
Pros
  • Users may download files or save them to cloud
  • A Chrome App is present
  • Capable of zooming via mouse wheel
  • Professional filters
Cons
  • The presence of ads and bugs

Pixlr is an excellent option for those who are searching for an online Photoshop CS5 free analog. Both individual users and enterprises may take advantage of this Flash-based platform without paying anything – but the situation may change in the future. Pixlr is a perfect fit for the cases when you need to make a quick edit on the move.

The application requires users to be connected to the Internet – that’s it. To start editing a picture, you only need to upload it from the device, as with any other regular picture editor. You shouldn’t worry about the security of the files uploaded online. They are set to private, along with the picture editing manipulations you make. Besides, Pixlr doesn’t save copies of the files to its system.

5. LightZone

lighzone logo
Pros
  • UI is easy to understand
  • Edits pictures quickly and efficiently
  • Non-destructive process
  • Capable of organizing pictures
Cons
  • A free registration is required

LightZone is a picture post-production program with professional capabilities. Users won’t have any trouble figuring it out and will gain full control over the process. With the help of LightZone, it is possible to perform image editing quickly and effortlessly and don’t fiddle with multiple adjustments. Moreover, plenty of shooters find LightZone useful when it comes to correcting exposure in images.

LightZone catches the eye with its non-destructive editing of images of different formats, including RAW. On the whole, it is a great Photoshop CS5 free analog due to the provided hassle-free picture post-production process.

Freebies

photo editing freebies

Qualitative actions and overlays are in high demand among Photoshop CS5 users. These tools are created by skilled image editors and can enhance any image just in one click. Check out free actions and overlays that I have prepared for you below.

Download Photoshop CS5 Free

photoshop cs5 free download

Click on this reliable “Adobe Photoshop CS5 free download” link and get the program for the PC in a legal way. It doesn’t matter if you are an experienced user or a total newbie, you are sure to get a hang of this program and produce edits made at a professional level.

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