Is it time to leave Adobe? Analysis of alternatives and implications

For years, Adobe has established itself as the leading platform in the creative field, offering tools such as Photoshop, Illustrator, and Premiere that have become essential for graphic designers, photographers, and video editors. However, the technological landscape is changing rapidly, with increasing competition from robust alternatives like Figma, Canva, and Affinity, as well as open-source options like GIMP. Additionally, generative artificial intelligence, represented by platforms like Midjourney and Gemini, is transforming the way content is created. In this context, it is reasonable to question: is it really worth continuing to invest in Adobe products, or is it time to explore new avenues?

The Rise and Controversies of Adobe

To understand the current environment, it is essential to observe the trajectory of Adobe Systems, founded in 1982. From the beginning, the company not only transformed digital typography but also established an empire through the acquisition and development of key software, such as Illustrator, Photoshop, and Premiere. The purchase of Macromedia in 2005 was a significant milestone: by absorbing its main competitor, Adobe acquired popular programs like Flash, Dreamweaver, and FreeHand.

This expansion solidified its monopoly, albeit not without controversies. The discontinuation of programs like FreeHand left many vector designers with no real options against Illustrator. Furthermore, the mishandling of Flash, which failed to adapt to the rise of mobile devices, resulted in its eventual demise and the obsolescence of countless web projects.

Nonetheless, the most debated decision came in 2012 when Adobe moved away from perpetual licenses to adopt a subscription model through Creative Cloud. This change forced users to "rent" the software via monthly or annual payments, which ultimately translates into a significantly higher cost.

This subscription model has generated widespread discontent among users, who have expressed their concerns about several issues:

• Confusing contracts and penalties: Surprise charges and excessive fees for canceling the subscription early have been reported. In fact, the Federal Trade Commission in the U.S. filed a lawsuit against Adobe in 2024 for these practices.
• Poor technical support: Many users find customer service slow and ineffective in resolving complex issues.
• Software bugs: Updates often introduce new performance errors, forcing users to undergo tedious procedures such as reinstallations or formatting their devices.
• Concerns about AI and privacy: The introduction of the Firefly AI model generated distrust. In 2024, an update to the terms and conditions suggested that Adobe might use users' content to train its AI models, causing significant outrage and eroding trust within the creative community.

Alternatives to Adobe Creative Cloud

Fortunately, the ecosystem of creative tools has grown and diversified. Alternatives to Adobe can be categorized into three main groups:

1. Open Source Tools

Open source software is offered for free and allows for broad collaboration, democratizing access to technology. Programs such as GIMP, Krita, OBS, Blender, and Kdenlive are competitive options and, in many cases, very suitable for students and creatives on a budget.

2. One-Time Payment (Perpetual License)

This model recovers the classic notion of one-time purchase, allowing users to buy the software once and have permanent access to it. Notable examples include the Affinity Suite (Photo, Designer, and Publisher) and Final Cut Pro, which have established themselves as viable alternatives to Adobe's subscription model.

3. Freemium

These platforms offer a basic free version with the option to access enhanced features through subscriptions. Canva and Figma are the most prominent in this area, successfully capturing a large portion of the market in web design, UX/UI, and content marketing.

Who Can (and Should) Leave Adobe?

The choice to switch is not uniform and depends on each professional's circumstances. Some professions have already found viable options in these alternatives:

• Web, UX/UI, and social media designers: Professionals in these sectors have migrated to tools like Figma and Canva, which are more affordable and work directly from the browser, eliminating the need for powerful workstations.
• Illustrators and graphic designers: Increasingly, creatives are opting for the Affinity suite to avoid subscription costs or turning to open-source tools like Krita.
• Students and beginners: Free tools such as GIMP, Krita, or DaVinci Resolve offer an excellent way to get started without significant initial investment.

However, there are profiles that face greater challenges in making the switch:

• Professional photographers and videographers: The robustness and integration of tools like Photoshop, Lightroom, Premiere, and After Effects are hard to match, and migrating to other platforms could require significant relearning time.
• Large agencies and multidisciplinary teams: For complex projects that require collaboration among multiple specialists, the Adobe Creative Cloud ecosystem is almost irreplaceable. In digital marketing environments where versatility is required, leaving the Adobe suite poses a challenge.

Conclusion: Stay or Go?

The decision to continue with Adobe is not simple and varies according to each user's needs, budget, and values.

It makes sense to stay with Adobe if:

• You are part of a large agency, production company, or work within teams on complex projects.
• Your business relies on advanced features that, currently, only programs like Photoshop or After Effects offer.

It's time to leave Adobe if:

• You have freelance, student, entrepreneurial work, or belong to a small company with a limited budget.
• Your tasks focus on specific areas such as web design or illustration, where alternatives can be equally effective or even better.
• You value ethical business models and prefer to support open-source projects or one-time payment licenses that promote greater technological democratization.

Adobe's monopoly is in decline. Now more than ever, creatives have the opportunity to choose tools that align with their needs and financial expectations. This raises a relevant question: what path will they choose? Will they remain loyal to Adobe, or will they explore other alternatives?

If you're interested in delving deeper into this topic, I invite you to keep reading more on my blog.