Adobe's goal can be defined as making the application more accessible with the web version of Photoshop, potentially attracting users who would like to pay for the full version. The company has followed a similar path with a number of its mobile apps, including Fresco and Express. The web version of Photoshop will also stand out as a particularly important option, as it allows you to use one of the company's most powerful tools, right down to the Chromebooks commonly used in schools.
Adobe has not yet given any information on when the freemium version will be widely released.
Adobe has begun testing a free web version of Photoshop and plans to make the service public as a way to promote the app to more users.
Currently, the company has begun testing in Canada, where users can access Photoshop over the web with a free Adobe account. Adobe describes the service as "freemium" and will only offer some features to paying subscribers. However, it is stated that Adobe will provide enough tools for free to perform what it considers to be the core functions of Photoshop.
"We want to make Photoshop more accessible and easy for more people to try and experience," said Maria Yap, Adobe's vice president of digital imaging.
Adobe first released the web version of Photoshop in October, offering a simplified version of the app that can be used to make basic edits. There were layers and basic editing tools, but the service did not include all the features of the app. Instead, Adobe introduced this service primarily as a collaboration tool. So it was seen as a way for an artist to share an image with others, leave some explanation and return it after making a few minor tweaks.