- What the Creative Cloud free trial includes
- How long the trial lasts and when the clock starts
- The 14 day window after the trial
- How to start the trial
- How to cancel the trial
- Students and single apps
- Common trial problems
- Why the trial is the full version
- Is the Adobe Creative Cloud free trial worth it?
- Frequently asked questions
Yes, Adobe Creative Cloud has a free trial. Adobe says you can try Creative Cloud Pro free for 7 days, which covers Photoshop, Illustrator and more than 20 creative apps, and the trial is the official full version. It starts the moment you check out and turns into a full Creative Cloud Pro membership after 7 days unless you cancel.
What most people don't know is that the 7 days aren't the end of your safety net. Adobe's trial page says you have 14 days after the free trial ends to cancel and get everything back. That changes how you should plan the week. Here's how it works.
What the Creative Cloud free trial includes
Adobe's trial page lists:
- Access to 20+ creative apps with the latest updates, including Photoshop and Illustrator.
- Adobe Firefly creative AI.
- One million+ free photos, drawings, video clips and more.
- Plug-ins to add features to your apps.
- Every feature and update in the latest version, because Adobe says the trial is the official full version.
If you're searching for a Photoshop free trial or an Illustrator free trial, this is the route Adobe points you to. You start the trial from the app you want, and Adobe's help page explains that you select Free trial next to the app.
How long the trial lasts and when the clock starts
Adobe says the trial starts when you check out and lasts for seven days. There's no way to extend it: Adobe says only one 7-day free trial of Creative Cloud Pro is available per person. So don't start it on a Friday night if you won't open the apps until Monday.
The 14 day window after the trial
This is the detail worth knowing. Adobe's trial page says that if 7 days isn't enough to try all the features, you still have an extra 14 days after the free trial ends to cancel and get everything back in full. In practice, that gives you about three weeks in total to decide.
| Day | What Adobe says happens |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Trial starts at checkout; full apps and Firefly available |
| Day 7 | Trial ends and converts to a Creative Cloud Pro membership unless you cancel |
| Days 8 to 21 | You can still cancel within 14 days of the trial ending and get everything back |
How to start the trial
- Go to Adobe's Creative Cloud free trial page, or find the app you want and select Free trial.
- Sign in or create an Adobe account.
- Follow the steps to start your free trial and check out. Adobe says nothing is taken until after the trial ends.
- Install the Creative Cloud desktop app and download the apps you want to test.
- Note the date you started, because the 7 days run from checkout.
Adobe says the trial works on macOS, Windows and iOS for iPad, but it isn't available on phones.
How to cancel the trial
Adobe's steps are short:
- Go to your Adobe account page within 7 days of starting the trial.
- Find your plan name and click Manage Plans.
- Click Cancel Plan.
- Pick a cancellation reason and click Continue.
- Follow the on-screen steps to finish cancelling.
If you weren't asked for card details when you signed up, Adobe's help page says the trial doesn't convert by itself. To keep the apps, you'd move to a plan from the Creative Cloud plans page using the same email address you used for the trial apps.
Students and single apps
If you're a student or teacher, Adobe's trial page says there's no student rate on Single App plans, but eligible students and teachers get a large reduction on Creative Cloud Pro. Teams have their own trial for business accounts.
Common trial problems
Adobe's trial help page lists the issues people hit most often, which is a useful checklist if something goes wrong:
- You can't start a trial of a Creative Cloud app.
- Your trial expired or ended early.
- Apps you've moved onto a full plan for still show as trial versions.
Adobe's help page has a fix for each one. It also says to use the same email address for a full plan that you used when you installed your trial apps, which avoids the trial-version mix-up in the first place.
Why the trial is the full version
Some free trials hold back features. Adobe says this one doesn't: the trial is the official full version of each app, with all the features and updates in the latest Creative Cloud release. So what you test in the week is what you'd get on a full plan, including Firefly.
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Is the Adobe Creative Cloud free trial worth it?
Yes, as long as you plan the week. Start it when you have a real project to work on, and remember the 14 day window if you need longer to decide. If you're testing Photoshop or Lightroom against other tools, my guides to Photoshop alternatives and Lightroom alternatives cover the options.
My verdict: start the trial on a day you'll use it, cancel on day 6 if you're unsure, and keep Adobe's 14 day window in your back pocket if you change your mind about the full plan.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Adobe Creative Cloud free trial?
Adobe says the Creative Cloud Pro free trial lasts seven days and starts when you check out.
Is there a Photoshop free trial?
Yes. Adobe's 7-day Creative Cloud Pro trial includes Photoshop, Illustrator and more than 20 other apps.
Can I extend the Adobe free trial?
No. Adobe says only one 7-day free trial of Creative Cloud Pro is available per person.
What if I forget to cancel the Adobe trial?
Adobe says you have 14 days after the free trial ends to cancel and get everything back in full.
Can I use the Creative Cloud free trial on my phone?
No. Adobe says the free trial is only available for desktop and iPad.
How do I cancel the Creative Cloud free trial?
Go to your Adobe account page, find your plan, click Manage Plans, then Cancel Plan, and follow the steps.
Is the Creative Cloud free trial the full version?
Yes. Adobe says the free trial is the official full version of the app, with all the features and updates in the latest Creative Cloud release.
Does the Creative Cloud trial work on Mac and Windows?
Yes. Adobe says the free trial works on macOS, Windows and iOS for iPad.
What if Adobe didn't ask for my card details?
Adobe's help page says the trial won't convert by itself. To keep the apps, move to a plan from the Creative Cloud plans page using the same email address you used for the trial.
