I want to get Photoshop Essentials for my Mac Catalina but can't figure out what version is compatible and how to get it.

Adobe Photoshop Elements 2023 requires macOS 11 (Big Sur) or later.

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop-elements/system-requirements.html

Adobe Photoshop Elements 2022, 2021, and 2020 ran on Catalina.

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop-elements/system-requirements/older-versions.html

It is still apparently possible to download the Photoshop Elements 2022 installer, although you will need to check with Adobe as to whether they will still let you purchase a key to activate that version. The link might just be for customers who already bought that version but need to re-install it.

https://helpx.adobe.com/download-install/kb/photoshop-elements-downloads.html

Okay, Petey7116, here’s some info about that : https://helpx.adobe.com/ca/x-productkb/global/fix-macos-64-bit-compatibility-errors.html

and this too : https://helpx.adobe.com/ca/photoshop-elements/kb/macos-catalina-compatibility.html

and this : https://helpx.adobe.com/ca/photoshop/kb/photoshop-and-macos-catalina.html…

I’d go with what Adobe recommends/says as I am no Adobe Expert… or ask someone else….

John B

Well, Photoshop is now a subscription product only. Photoshop Elements is $70 but it requires macOS 11 Big Sur or later so Catalina is out.

You can try a source like eBay for an earlier version. Don't fall for websites that offer free downloads as those will likely be filled with malware.

Other possibilities:

Affinity Photo 2 will run on Catalina. It has a one-time price of $70, or you can get a "V2 Universal License" for $165 that lets you run Affinity (Photo, Designer, Publisher) V2 on (Mac, Windows, iPad).

https://affinity.serif.com/en-us/

https://affinity.serif.com/en-us/photo/full-feature-list/

GIMP (the GNU Image Manipulation Program) will run on Catalina. It is Free and Open Source Software.

https://www.gimp.org/

GraphicConverter 12 will run on Catalina. It costs $40. If you buy this program, you may want to download it from the developer's Web site rather than the Mac App Store. According to the developer, the App Store version has a number of feature restrictions due to Apple's App Store sandboxing rules.

https://www.lemkesoft.de/en/products/graphicconverter

The current release of Photoshop CC is v24 and it's only supported on the current macOS and two previous versions (currently Ventura, Monterey & Big Sur).

Photoshop CC v22 and v23 will run on Catalina. Older CS versions are not compatible.

Suggest contacting Adobe about how to obtain PS CC v23 for your Mac running Catalina.

MartinR wrote:

The current release of Photoshop CC is v24 and it's only supported on the current macOS and two previous versions (currently Ventura, Monterey & Big Sur).

Photoshop CC v22 and v23 will run on Catalina. Older CS versions are not compatible.

Suggest contacting Adobe about how to obtain PS CC v23 for your Mac running Catalina.

Photoshop CC would be the full version of Photoshop, which is only available these days by subscription. Adobe has a couple of Photography Plans which include access to Photoshop and Lightroom Classic – and.a Lightroom Plan that doesn't.

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

Whether these plans are an option for the OP would depend on whether Adobe was willing to offer access to old Catalina-compatible versions of the applications.