Bernd Becker Adobe has been the industry leader in the creative design, photography, and publishing sectors for years. The launch of the Adobe Creative Cloud in 2011 consolidated the numerous Adobe applications into a singular subscription and made it easier for users to install and work across the various programs.
However, while the Creative Cloud offers boosted convenience, it has also removed the lifetime access previously provided by Adobe Creative Suite. Instead, it introduced a subscription model—something many other software providers have followed suit with.
While this subscription model has helped simplify access to the Creative Cloud, it has also made it unaffordable for many. Those who used to purchase the software outright and upgrade every few years are now forced to pay endlessly to maintain access. Because of this, people worldwide have begun looking for alternatives to Adobe’s offerings.
We’ve searched high and low to find the best viable alternatives to the five most commonly used apps in the Creative Cloud. Looking at their costs and how they compare, we’ll explore whether you should switch over or whether Adobe is still the frontrunner in the industry.
Adobe Photoshop
Photoshop is known for its incredible ability to edit and manipulate images. First appearing in 1990, it is the best-known Creative Cloud application and has undergone extensive updates over the years. The addition of AI has made the app even more powerful, allowing it to create elements that appear naturally as part of the original image.
That said, Affinity Photo 2 is in strong competition with Photoshop. The app, developed by Serif, features many of the same tools as Photoshop and has won numerous industry awards, including Apple App of the Year and TIPA Best Imaging Software.
In terms of user interface, Affinity Photo 2 is incredibly similar to Photoshop. This similarity results in a lesser learning curve for those moving from Adobe. Aside from performing faster when handling large files, the app also has a resource library filled with thousands of objects that can be searched as easily any app store known for its outstanding collection of mobile games.
However, the pricing structure is the standout when comparing the two platforms. While Photoshop is only available through a Creative Cloud or standalone subscription that requires monthly or annual payments, Affinity Photo 2 is available for a very reasonable one-time purchase.
Adobe Illustrator
While Photoshop may be best at tweaking images, Illustrator is the go-to software for graphic designers looking to create stunning vectors. Predating Photoshop by being launched on Mac in 1987, Illustrator has also benefited from AI enhancements that make creating new designs easier.
The most viable alternative for Illustrator also comes from Affinity developer Serif. Called Affinity Designer 2, the platform is similar to Illustrator in many ways but is often touted as being more user-friendly than Illustrator.
Featuring many professional tools, Designer 2 is known for its stability when dealing with large designs and its speed when rendering certain drawings. Another commonly referenced feature is Designer 2’s smooth workflow, which makes moving from one task to another a seamless experience.
Like Photo 2, Affinity Designer 2 offers lifetime access rather than a subscription model. It also offers a six-month free trial so that users can fully test its features before making a purchase.
Adobe InDesign
Adobe launched InDesign in 1999 as a desktop publishing application to simplify print media. Featuring multiple preset templates of common sizes, the program was quickly adopted by various industries and has evolved for a wide range of applications.
One of InDesign’s biggest competitors is Scribus. While not the best overall alternative, the app provides almost all the same features as InDesign without a price. Thanks to its open-source model, anybody can create professional layouts regardless of their budget.
Launched just two years after InDesign by the Scribus Team, the software is known for having a steeper learning curve. However, this learning curve is worth overcoming because the software is free (did we already mention that?) and includes useful features like ICC color management, a template library, and CMYK color. The app is also popular due to its compatibility with Windows and MacOS.
Adobe Premier Pro
As the successor of Adobe Premier, which debuted in 1991, Premier Pro is one of the most widely used video editing platforms internationally. Using a timeline-based interface, the program can help compile extensive scenes and allows the addition of effects (including those imported from Adobe After Effects).
Launched one year after Premier Pro, DaVinci Resolve is almost as popular and powerful. Currently owned by Blackmagic Design, Resolve offers support for multiple extensions and additional functionality.
While Resolve features a paid version that unlocks more advanced features, it is best known for its free version. This version rivals Premier Pro with industry-leading color grading options and extensive professional features.
Regarding usability, Premier Pro and Resolve have a definitive learning curve for those new to video editing. However, because it is open-source, Resolve offers numerous online tutorials covering its many excellent features.
Adobe After Effects
Initially developed by COSA and then Aldus Corporation, After Effects was acquired by Adobe in 1994, a year after it first hit the market.
The software is known for creating stunning visual effects and animations—used in everything from films to video games.
Although many programs attempt to compete with After Effects, none does so as well as Blender. Developed as an open-source program by the Blender Foundation, this software is freely available and incredibly powerful.
Blender supports a robust toolset for 3D animation and powerful rendering engines, and it is used in many industries as a free alternative to more expensive modeling software. Aside from its powerful processing, part of the reason for this is its 3D workflow tools.
Although Blender is completely free, one of its largest drawbacks as an After Effects alternative is its steep learning curve. The user interface lacks the refinement of After Effects, even though many of the same tools and functionalities are accessible through the main menu.
