Consumer Rights Wiki

Adobe Lightroom: Perpetual to Subscription Transition

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom is a photo-editing and management software developed by Adobe. As of January 2025, it is licensed for use either standalone or as part of Adobe Creative Cloud, and is supported both on desktop (Windows, macOS) and mobile platforms (iOS, Android), as well as Apple TV (tvOS). Despite its simplicity compared to other photo-editing software, it remains a very popular choice among photographers.[1]

Adobe Lightroom
Basic Information
Release Year 2007
Product Type Software
In Production Yes
Official Website https://lightroom.com/

Purchase and licensing edit

Lightroom underwent a significant licensing transformation by shifting from a perpetual-license model (up to Lightroom 6) to a subscription-based model (Lightroom 7 and on) under Adobe's Creative Cloud (CC) ecosystem, being either standalone or bundled with other software in the suite.[2] Before 2017, Lightroom was available as a standalone application purchased through a perpetual license.[2] Users paid a one-time fee, granting them indefinite ownership of the software with access to updates and support for a specified period. In October 2017, Adobe officially announced that future versions of Lightroom would not sold under perpetual licenses, instead being integrated into its CC subscription service.[2] This strategic move aligned Lightroom with Adobe's suite of applications, all accessible solely through ongoing subscriptions. The perpetual-license option was permanently removed,[3] forcing users to switch to a subscription model to continue using the software and accessing new features.[4]

Transition Timeline edit

Date Event
May 2013 Adobe announces its shift to the Creative Cloud model,[5] with plans to still offer Lightroom 5 as a standalone, perpetual-license application, and no plans for Lightroom CC[6]
June 2013 Adobe releases Lightroom 5[7]
September 2013 Adobe releases a new Lightroom and Photoshop $10/month subscription package[8]
April 2015 Adobe releases Lightroom 6 under both perpetual licenses and subscription packages[9]
October 2017 Adobe declares Lightroom 6 to be the last standalone version of Lightroom, remaining on sale for "an undetermined amount of time", and that "Lightroom 7 will have no perpetual [license] offering"[2]
December 2017 Final cutoff for support and updates on perpetual licenses (on Lightroom 6)[2]
2018–Present Continuous rollout of subscription-based updates and features
November 2018 Map feature becomes unavailable in Lightroom's Maps module for everyone on a perpetual license[10]
February 2019 Adobe stops selling and supporting standalone Lightroom 6[3]
August 2022 Adobe ends support for syncing in Lightroom 6[11]
December 2023 Adobe ends download support for purchased copies of Lightroom 6[11]

Service Siphoning edit

Definition edit

Service Siphoning refers to the practice of converting previously standalone features or products into subscription-based services. This approach effectively forces users into recurring payments to access functionalities that were once available through a one-time purchase, often diminishing the value proposition of the original product.

edit

Adobe's transition of Lightroom exemplifies several aspects of service siphoning:

  1. Subscription forcing: By making Lightroom exclusively available through the Creative Cloud subscription, Adobe eliminated the perpetual-license option, compelling users to adopt a subscription model to continue using the software.
  2. Access degradation: Existing perpetual-license holders were restricted from receiving new updates and features. To access the latest tools and camera support, users had to migrate to the subscription service, thereby degrading the utility of their original purchase.
  3. Feature reclassification: New functionalities, such as advanced editing tools and enhanced syncing capabilities, were incorporated into the subscription model, positioning them as premium features accessible only through ongoing payments.
  4. Cloud-integration justification: Adobe used cloud-based features and services as a rationale for the shift, emphasizing improved collaboration, storage solutions, and real-time updates as benefits of the subscription model.
  5. Technical lock-in mechanisms: Implementations that tie software functionality to cloud services make it technically challenging for users to revert to standalone usage without the subscription. This includes deliberate omission of highly requested features (catalogs on network volumes, local sync for the iPad version Lightroom Mobile).

Impact on Consumers edit

Professional Photographers and Enthusiasts edit

  • Workflow Disruption: Long-term users experienced interruptions in their established workflows, necessitating adaptation to new software versions and subscription management.
  • Financial Implications: Transitioning from a one-time payment to an ongoing subscription increased the total cost of ownership over time, affecting budgets and financial planning for professionals and serious hobbyists.
  • Ownership Rights: Consumers lost the sense of ownership over the software, as access became contingent upon maintaining active subscriptions rather than possessing a perpetual license.
  • Offline Access Limitations: Subscription models often require periodic internet connectivity for license verification, limiting offline access to editing tools compared to perpetual licenses.[12]
  • Data Access and Compatibility Issues: Users could potentially lose access to their own work if they cancel their subscription, as the Lightroom/Photoshop combination creates master files that may become inaccessible without an active subscription.[13] Additionally, once images and edits reside in Adobe's cloud, switching to alternative software becomes "very difficult" due to incompatibilities.[14]
  • Technical Issues: Users have reported ongoing crashes and performance problems with the cloud-based versions, including buggy updates that have required public apologies from Adobe.[15]
  • Privacy Issues: Working with the software on multiple devices is only feasible by using the cloud service, which potentially requires images of third parties (clients, models) to be shared with the company and their cloud storage provider(s) without end-to-end encryption. In a practical environment, a model/client will not be asked for their permission for this. If they are asked and object, the photographer's workflow is disrupted. For non US citizens, Adobe cloud storage can mean that the US government can theoretically illegitimately gain access to their personal data.

Market and Industry Implications edit

  • Precedent Setting: Adobe's shift set a precedent for the software industry, influencing other companies to adopt subscription-based models and reshaping consumer expectations and industry standards.
  • Competitive Landscape: Competitors faced pressure to adjust their pricing and licensing strategies in response to Adobe's transition, affecting broader market dynamics and encouraging the emergence of alternative software solutions.

Community and User Response edit

Feedback and Criticism edit

Users expressed significant dissatisfaction through various channels, including Adobe Community Forums, social media platforms, and direct feedback. Industry coverage reported a strongly negative reaction from photographers, with LightStalking warning that "there are going to be… disgruntled photographers" once Adobe ended Lightroom's standalone option.[16] Common grievances included:

  • Lack of Licensing Choice: Users were frustrated by the removal of the perpetual license option, feeling coerced into a subscription model that did not align with their usage patterns. PetaPixel noted that some users "reacted… with disappointment, accusing Adobe of reneging on its prior promises" to keep perpetual licenses available indefinitely.[17]
  • Increased Long-Term Costs: Many users highlighted that the subscription model resulted in higher cumulative costs compared to the one-time purchase of perpetual licenses. PhotographyLife described community outcry when Adobe even hinted at doubling plan prices, saying the "reactions were obviously very negative," with many threatening to abandon Creative Cloud if costs rose.[15]
  • Impact on Established Workflows: Professionals reliant on Lightroom for their business workflows found the transition disruptive, as migrating to a subscription model required adjustments and potentially impacted productivity.

Alternatives and Adaptations edit

In response to Adobe's shift, some users explored alternative software solutions offering perpetual licenses or more flexible subscription terms, such as:

  • Capture One: Provides single-purchase licensing options alongside subscription models.
  • Affinity Photo: Offers a one-time purchase model without subscription commitments. However, while it can process raw images, it is more of a Photoshop alternative than a Lightroom one.
  • Darktable and RawTherapee: Open-source alternatives that remain free and perpetually available.

Others adapted by integrating Adobe's subscription model into their business practices, balancing the benefits of continuous updates and cloud features against the recurring costs.

Adobe's Response edit

Adobe provided several justifications for the transition, emphasizing the benefits of the Creative Cloud model:

  • Continuous Updates: Subscribers receive regular updates, ensuring access to the latest features and improvements without additional costs.
  • Cloud Services Integration: Enhanced collaboration, cloud storage, and synchronization across devices were touted as significant advantages of the subscription model.
  • Flexible Access: The ability to access Lightroom and other Adobe applications from multiple devices under a single subscription was presented as a convenience for users.

Adobe has defended and adjusted its strategy in light of user feedback. It continued to support the desktop (Classic) version and even incorporated it into a new plan: an Adobe blog (Dec 2024) explained that the original $9.99/month (20 GB) plan would be retired for new customers, while the 1 TB Photography plan (still $9.99/month) was expanded to include Lightroom Classic.[18]

In response to privacy and AI concerns, Adobe emphasized that "you own your content" and that it "never trained generative AI on customer content".[19] Tech media reported Adobe's clarifications that it only accesses user files to enable advertised features (e.g. Neural Filters) and explicitly "does not access, view or listen to" content stored locally on users' devices.[20]

External Links edit

References edit

  1. ↑ Condon, Mark (12 Dec 2024). "What Photo Editing Software Do Photographers Use in 2024? (Survey Results)". Shotkit. Retrieved 16 Mar 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Hogarty, Tom (18 Oct 2017). "Introducing: Lightroom CC, Lightroom Classic CC and More". Adobe Blog. Archived from the original on 9 Feb 2019. Retrieved 16 Mar 2025.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Condon, Mark (29 Nov 2024). "What's the Best Way to Buy Lightroom in 2024?". Shotkit. Retrieved 16 Mar 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  4. ↑ Cox, Spencer (18 Oct 2017). "Lightroom Classic and Lightroom CC Announced – Subscription Only". Photographylife. Retrieved 16 Mar 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  5. ↑ Weber, Harrison (6 May 2013). "After nearly 10 years, Adobe abandons its Creative Suite entirely to focus on Creative Cloud". TheNextWeb. Retrieved 16 Mar 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  6. ↑ Hogarty, Tom (6 May 2013). "Lightroom and the Creative Cloud". Adobe. Archived from the original on 10 May 2013. Retrieved 16 Mar 2025.
  7. ↑ "Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5". Adobe. Archived from the original on 11 Jun 2013. Retrieved 16 Mar 2025.
  8. ↑ Shankland, Stephen (4 Sep 2013). "Adobe to offer Lightroom, Photoshop for $10 a month". CNET. Retrieved 16 Mar 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  9. ↑ "Adobe Photoshop Lightroom CC". Adobe. Archived from the original on 22 Apr 2015. Retrieved 16 Mar 2025.
  10. ↑ "How to Re-enable Google Maps View in Lightroom Classic 6.14". Robert Reiser Photography. 30 Nov 2018. Retrieved 16 Mar 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 "End of Support | Lightroom 6 Downloads and Syncing". Adobe. 31 Dec 2023. Retrieved 16 Mar 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  12. ↑ Bayern, Kehl (28 Oct 2017). "Oh No! Adobe to End Lightroom as Standalone Product at End of 2017". Light Stalking. Retrieved 16 Mar 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  13. ↑ Cooke, Alex (18 Nov 2023). "Someone Please Save Us Photographers From All These Subscriptions". Fstoppers. Retrieved 16 Mar 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  14. ↑ Mansurov, Nasim (25 Apr 2020). "Adobe Creative Cloud Update Issues and Price Increases". PhotographyLife. Retrieved 16 Mar 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Mansurov, Nasim (25 Apr 2020). "Adobe Creative Cloud Update Issues and Price Increases". PhotographyLife. Retrieved 16 Mar 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  16. ↑ Bayern, Kehl (28 Oct 2017). "Oh No! Adobe to End Lightroom as Standalone Product at End of 2017". Light Stalking. Retrieved 16 Mar 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  17. ↑ Zhang, Michael (19 Oct 2017). "Adobe Said It Would Offer Standalone Lightroom 'Indefinitely'". PetaPixel. Retrieved 16 Mar 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  18. ↑ "All-New Photography Innovations and Pricing Updates in 2025". Adobe Blog. 15 Dec 2024. Retrieved 16 Mar 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  19. ↑ "Updating Adobe's Terms of Use". Adobe Blog. 10 Jun 2024. Retrieved 16 Mar 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  20. ↑ Wuerthele, Mike (7 Jun 2024). "Adobe has clarified controversial shrinkwrap license terms". AppleInsider. Retrieved 16 Mar 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
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