If you're eager to learn Photoshop and improve your design skills, taking a course is a great first step. Below, you'll find a list of the best free Photoshop courses available in 2026.
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For years, Adobe Photoshop has been a trusted tool for interior designers, photographers, and graphic designers. Whether you're editing photos, working on detailed design projects, or simply looking to expand your skillset, Photoshop always has something new to offer.
As we head into 2025, the demand for Photoshop skills continues to rise across various industries. This guide will introduce you to some of the best free Photoshop courses available in 2025, giving you all the insights you need to choose the one that fits your goals—without any cost. Each course provides a valuable chance to learn from industry experts, making high-quality education accessible to everyone. Keep reading to find your ideal course and start your Photoshop learning journey today.
Here’s everything we will be covering in this article!
- Why is taking up a Photoshop course important?
- Top 15 Free Photoshop courses that you must check out
- Final thoughts
Why is taking up a Photoshop course important?
Image Courtesy: Freelancer
Learning Photoshop has become highly valuable and relevant, especially with the growing demand for visually engaging digital content. Even if you’re not in a conventional design profession, having a basic understanding of this tool can benefit you in marketing, content creation, and personal branding—giving you an upper hand in the job market. However, due to the software’s extensive features, learning how to navigate it can sometimes feel intimidating. While you could make use of manuals, a visual and interactive learning approach is usually far more effective. This is where well-structured Photoshop courses come in, simplifying the learning curve and making it more accessible.
These courses provide a clear learning path, often with step-by-step guidance. While paid courses tend to offer more in-depth instruction, free resources are an excellent starting point, especially for beginners who want to build foundational skills without spending a lot. Additionally, free Photoshop courses give you a chance to explore the software’s capabilities, helping you decide whether investing in an advanced course is worthwhile.
Top 15 Free Photoshop courses that you must check out
Here’s a list of the best Photoshop courses that will let you learn everything there is to know about the software for free.
Image Courtesy: Lightroom Photoshop Tutorials
1. Photoshop Fundamentals
Platform: Adobe
Level: Beginner
Duration: Self-paced, typically takes 5 hours to complete
Adobe offers a free beginner course called Photoshop Fundamentals, directly available on its platform, making it perfect for those new to the software. This course provides a thorough introduction to Photoshop’s core tools and functions, with insights from Adobe experts ensuring up-to-date and accurate information. Hosted by Adobe, this course is an excellent starting point, allowing you to gradually progress to more advanced techniques for a comfortable and effective learning experience. Learners appreciate the guidance coming straight from the software creators, which guarantees a reliable foundation in Photoshop’s essential features.
2. Adobe Photoshop CC - Essentials Training Course
Platform: Skillshare
Level: Beginner
Duration: Self-paced, typically takes 3 to 4 weeks to complete
This beginner-friendly Photoshop course on Skillshare covers all the essential tools and techniques, from basic concepts to more advanced features like layering, masking, and image adjustments. With a focus on hands-on projects, it helps learners practice and improve their skills. A standout feature is the interactive community, where students can share work, get feedback, and collaborate with peers. Skillshare offers the first month of learning for free, making this course accessible at no cost while enhancing the learning experience through community-driven support and engagement.
3. Photoshop 2024: Essential Training
Platform: LinkedIn Learning
Level: Beginner
Duration: Self-paced, typically takes 10-12 hours to complete
This LinkedIn Learning course is designed for users who want to stay updated on the latest features of Photoshop. It offers in-depth tutorials on the updated interface, tools, and new functionalities, including neural filters. Ideal for those with basic Photoshop knowledge, the course helps learners stay up-to-date with technical skills. It provides a one-month free trial, giving access to the course at no cost during this period. Participants usually value the focus on new updates that ensure their skills remain relevant in the fast-changing digital landscape.
4. Photo Editing with Photoshop for Beginners
Platform: Coursera
Level: Beginner
Duration: Takes typically 1-2 hours of study per week over 4 weeks to complete
This beginner-level course on Coursera covers the fundamentals of photo editing using Photoshop. It features practical exercises designed to teach learners how to enhance, repair, and manipulate images effectively. The course includes video lectures, readings, and assignments, offering a hands-on learning experience. While the course is free, Coursera provides an option to purchase a certificate of completion. It is praised for its comprehensive and structured approach, helping beginners gradually build their skills and become proficient in photo editing.
5. Ultimate Photoshop Training: From Beginner to Pro
Platform: Udemy
Level: Beginner to intermediate
Duration: Self-paced, typically takes 12-15 hours to complete
This is a comprehensive course designed for both beginners and intermediate users looking to improve their Photoshop skills. It covers a wide range of topics, from basic photo editing to advanced graphic design techniques. It comes with downloadable resources, lifetime access, and hands-on projects. While Udemy courses usually require payment, this course is often available for free during promotional periods. It's highly regarded for its thorough coverage, making it a perfect choice for those wanting to master Photoshop through practical examples and exercises.
6. Photoshop CC: The Essentials of Photoshop in Just 2 hours
Platform: Udemy
Level: Beginner
Duration: Typically takes just 2 hours to complete
The Photoshop CC course on Udemy is perfect for those who have limited time but are looking for an in-depth overview of essential Photoshop skills. It’s designed for both personal and professional use, focusing on core techniques that can be quickly learned and applied. With concise lessons that fit into a busy schedule and lifetime access to all content, it's an ideal option for students and professionals alike. If you want to acquire Photoshop skills without any long-term commitment, keep an eye out for free access during Udemy's frequent sales.
7. Introduction to Photoshop: Digital Painting and Illustration
Platform: Skillshare
Level: Beginner to intermediate
Duration: Self-paced, typically takes 2-3 weeks to complete
This Skillshare course focuses on using Photoshop for digital art, making it perfect for artists and illustrators rather than those interested in traditional photo editing. It covers key techniques such as brush settings, color theory, and layer management, all necessary for digital painting. Skillshare’s interactive platform adds value by allowing users to share their artwork with the community and receive feedback, further enriching the learning process. The course is free during Skillshare’s one-month trial, and participants especially appreciate the chance to actively engage with the community, gaining real-time feedback that enhances their growth.
8. Learn Photoshop, Web Design & Profitable Freelancing
Platform: Udemy
Level: Intermediate
Duration: Extensive, typically takes 16-18 hours to complete
This Udemy course smartly combines Photoshop training with web design and freelancing insights. It’s customized for intermediate users looking to turn their Photoshop skills into a freelancing career. The course features real-world projects and includes a section on how to find and secure clients. Though typically a paid course, it is often available for free during Udemy’s promotional events, offering excellent value. Students appreciate the practical focus on applying Photoshop skills, along with the comprehensive coverage of both technical and business elements, making it an ideal resource for those aiming to launch a freelancing career.
9. Mastering Adobe Photoshop CC
Platform: LinkedIn Learning
Level: Advanced
Duration: Extensive, typically takes 15-20 hours to complete
This course is specially designed for advanced users as it includes more complex tools and features of Photoshop CC. It explores advanced topics like 3D design, compositing, and professional retouching techniques. The structured format makes it ideal for those aiming to master Photoshop for high-level professional projects. LinkedIn Learning offers access to this comprehensive course with a one-month free trial. Learners value expert instruction and in-depth content, both of which are essential for mastering the more intricate aspects of Photoshop in a professional environment.
10. Photoshop Basics for Designers
Platform: Envato Tuts+
Level: Beginner
Duration: Self-paced, typically takes 5 hours to complete
This is a comprehensive course ideal for aspiring designers who need a solid foundation in Photoshop with a design-focused approach. It covers essential concepts like typography, color theory, and layout design, emphasizing how these principles are applied within Photoshop. The free tutorial series includes project files and resources, enabling learners to immediately apply what they've learned to real-world scenarios. Participants appreciate the practical focus of the course and consider it highly beneficial for connecting design theory with the execution of expertise in Photoshop.
11. Photoshop for Entrepreneurs
Platform: Udemy
Level: Beginner to intermediate
Duration: Self-paced, typically takes 8-10 hours to complete
This Udemy course is designed specifically for entrepreneurs and business owners who want to use Photoshop to create marketing materials and product designs, as well as improve brand visuals. It focuses on practical tasks like designing logos, editing product photos, and crafting social media graphics. While the course typically requires payment, Udemy often offers it for free during promotional periods, making it a valuable resource for business-minded learners. The targeted tutorials are highly appreciated for helping entrepreneurs showcase their products and services through polished and professional visuals.
12. Basics of Photoshop: Photo Manipulation for Beginners
Platform: Coursera
Level: Beginner
Duration: Self-paced, typically 4 weeks to complete
Offered by Coursera, this course is ideal for beginners eager to explore the creative possibilities of photo manipulation. Designed specifically for new users, it introduces basic editing techniques, including layer masks and blending modes. The course includes hands-on projects to help learners practice skills like creating simple composites and adjusting lighting and color. While the course is free, there’s an option to purchase a certification. This course is widely appreciated for its clear and structured approach, guiding beginners through Photoshop fundamentals with practical applications.
13. Advanced Photoshop Techniques
Platform: Pluralsight
Level: Advanced
Duration: Self-paced, typically 15 hours to complete
This advanced Photoshop course on Pluralsight is designed for those who already have a solid understanding of the software and are looking to polish their skills. It covers professional techniques such as complex selections, advanced layer handling, and precise color correction. The course provides an interactive experience with exercises and opportunities for peer feedback, enhancing the learning process. Pluralsight offers a free trial for new users, giving them temporary access to the course at no cost. Learners often highlight the depth and practical focus of the course, which is essential for achieving professional-quality results in photo editing and graphic design.
14. Animate with Photoshop: Creating Motion Graphics
Platform: Skillshare
Level: Advanced
Duration: Self-paced, typically 3-4 weeks to complete
This Skillshare course offers a unique focus on using Photoshop to create basic motion graphics, a growing skill in digital media. It covers the essentials of frame-by-frame animation using Photoshop’s timeline, utilizing layers for animation, and tips for exporting animations for video or online use. Available for free during Skillshare’s one-month trial, the course is rather popular for its innovative approach. It provides a thorough introduction to animation within a tool typically known for static image editing.
15. Photoshop Automation Techniques
Platform: Pluralsight
Level: Intermediate to advanced
Duration: Self-paced, typically 8-10 hours to complete
This Pluralsight course is ideal for intermediate to advanced Photoshop users looking to optimize their workflows through automation. It covers scripting, batch processing, and actions, enabling users to manage repetitive tasks more efficiently. Available during a free trial for new subscribers, the course is highly regarded for its in-depth approach to teaching how to use and customize these features to meet specific workflow needs. This significantly improves productivity and consistency, especially in large-scale projects.
For inspiration, we highly recommend checking out AND Academy learner Gurneet Sethi's graphic design project on icon generation.
Conclusion
As we've discussed throughout this article, the variety of Photoshop courses available in 2025 offers something for every learner, regardless of skill level or area of interest. It’s advisable to select a course that matches your objectives, enhances your expertise, and keeps you engaged.
Whichever course you decide on, keep in mind that mastering Photoshop is a continuous process. The software continues to evolve, and there will always be new features and techniques to learn. By combining structured learning with consistent practice and hands-on projects, you’ll steadily grow your abilities. To ensure you make the right choice, pick a course that aligns with your preferred learning pace, course length, and certification needs.
To dive deeper into graphic design in general, check out the AND Academy blog for similar articles. As a starting point, you can explore the following resources:
- What Is Photoshop: A Complete Guide to its History, Features, and Specifications
- 12 Graphic Design Ideas and Trends to Light Up Your Next Project in 2024 (With Examples)
- 11 Best (Free and Paid) Photoshop Courses to Consider in 2025
Next Steps
We hope this listing provides useful insights into the best free Photoshop courses to consider next year, helping you enhance your skills and advance your career. In case you're interested in learning more about Photoshop, graphic design, and its practical application, head over to our blog for more articles.
In case you need further assistance, here are some of our resources you can consider:
- Watch this session by design veteran and AND’s Academic Head, Prachi Mittal, and our Course Lead, Soumya Tiwari.
- Talk to a course advisor to discuss how you can transform your career with one of our courses.
- Pursue our Graphic Design courses - all courses are taught through live, interactive classes by industry experts, and some even offer a Job Guarantee.
- Take advantage of the scholarship and funding options that come with our courses to overcome any financial hurdle on the path of your career transformation.
Note: All information and/or data from external sources is believed to be accurate as of the date of publication.
