Longtime user disappointed by Adobe's rate increase, ends association after quarter-century
Ditching Adobe: Here's My New Game Plan
I've been a loyal Adobe user for decades, but I've had enough. After 25 years of using their software, I'm simply not convinced anymore. The latest pricing changes have pushed me over the edge. So, I'm jumping ship, and here's how I'm going to do it.
My preferred method of subscription was the prepaid code for the Photography Plan—Photoshop and Lightroom, plus a measly 20GB of cloud storage. Sadly, Adobe has killed this option, and I'll need to cough up three times as much for a 1TB plan in 2024, when my current plan runs out. Talk about a gut punch.
But it's not just about the money. I'm not against subscription pricing, as it means I don't have to dish out big cash at once, and the software gets regular updates. The cost isn’t outrageous, and I managed to score some great Black Friday deals in the past.
Despite this, I'm a sucker for a good deal. My pre-paid code felt like a steal, and it got me the two main apps I need for photo editing. But as the saying goes, changing horses midstream can be a Pain in the Ass. I mean, I had to unlearn QuarkXpress shortcuts when InDesign took over, and I even went through the trauma of switching from Windows to Mac.
But this time, I'm ready to bite the bullet. So, I'm diving headfirst into the world of alternative software. I've already got Affinity Suite, a solid graphic design option, which includes a pretty decent image editing tool and a killer layout app. To this, I'm adding ON1 Photo Raw, a software that's a Lightroom-alike in terms of organization and raw processing. What's more, it's equipped with a denoising tool that can rival Adobe's, a feature I value highly since removing noise in post-production is easier than dealing with motion blur.
I'm going to give these new tools a shot and try to use them instead of Lightroom and Photoshop wherever possible. I believe with time, I'll grow accustomed to their shortcuts and workflows, and I'll no longer need to buy another Adobe prepaid code—at least that's the plan. It's a bold move, and I'm not sure how it'll all play out, but I'll still need to subscribe to InDesign for projects that require it.
If you're thinking of bidding adieu to Adobe, here are some alternatives you might want to consider: Photoshop vs Krita, Photoshop vs GIMP.
P.S: Top Alternatives to Adobe
GIMP: A free, open-source raster editor with powerful layer, mask, and brush tools. It also supports a wide range of plugins for added functionality. However, PSD support is limited, and the UI may feel less modern compared to Photoshop's.
Photopea: A free, ad-supported browser-based editor that looks almost identical to Photoshop, supports a wide range of file formats, and works well on Chromebooks. However, ads can be intrusive, and performance lags with extremely large files.
Affinity Photo: A professional-grade, paid image editing software with intuitive interface, powerful masking capabilities, and lower cost than Photoshop subscriptions. It's compatible with both macOS and Windows, but misses out on some advanced plugins and cloud features in Adobe's ecosystem.
Krita: An excellent choice for digital painting and illustration, featuring customizable brushes and user interface, and animation tools. However, it’s less focused on photo retouching compared to Photoshop or GIMP.
To make an informed decision, check out our comparison articles on Photoshop vs Krita and Photoshop vs GIMP. Hang in there, fellow creators! The world of graphic design is vast, and it's exciting to explore new horizons.
- After decades of relying on Adobe's software, I'm transitioning to a new approach, spurred by recent pricing changes that I find unfavorable.
- My previous Adobe Photography Plan, providing me with Photoshop and Lightroom, was superseded by a more expensive 1TB plan in 2024, a stark increase that’s hard to swallow.
- While I don’t oppose subscription pricing, I’ve always appreciated the periodic discounts, such as those during Black Friday sales, and the consistent software updates.
- In the past, I've faced change, like switching from QuarkXpress shortcuts to InDesign or operating systems, but I've taken the decision to embrace this new challenge wholeheartedly.
- I've already embraced the Affinity Suite, an alternative graphic design solution, which offers a strong image editing tool and layout application.
- Besides Affinity Suite, I'm considering ON1 Photo Raw for its Lightroom-like organization and raw processing capabilities, and its denoising tool that boasts a competitive edge over Adobe's.
- I intend to use these new tools as replacements for Lightroom and Photoshop wherever feasible, trusting that the learning curve won't deter me in the long run, and I'll no longer require another Adobe prepaid code.
