Key Highlights:
- Plan Discontinuation Date: January 15, 2025
- Price Hike: Current 20GB plan ($9.99/month) will increase to $14.99/month in the U.S.
- 1TB Plan Unaffected: Remains at $19.99/month for Photoshop and Lightroom.
- Japan Pricing: Similar hikes; monthly plans rise from 1,180 yen to 1,780 yen.
Adobe is set to retire its widely used 20GB Creative Cloud Photography Plan, which has been a budget-friendly choice for photo editors.
Starting January 15, 2025, the company will no longer offer this plan to new subscribers. Existing users can retain their subscriptions, but at an increased cost of $14.99 per month in the U.S.—a steep 50% jump from the current $9.99 price.
What Does This Mean for Users?
1. Price Adjustments:
- The 20GB plan’s price hike affects all current subscribers.
- Adobe’s 1TB Photography Plan for Photoshop and Lightroom remains steady at $19.99/month.
- Lightroom-only 1TB plans will rise from $9.99 to $11.99/month.
2. Annual Payment Option in Japan:
- Users in Japan can avoid the monthly hike by opting for a lump-sum annual payment of 14,080 yen, translating to approximately 1,173 yen/month.
3. Transition Flexibility:
Adobe is offering pro-rata refunds for users switching from the monthly to the annual payment model.
Why the Change?
This move seems aimed at pushing users toward higher-tier plans or annual subscriptions, which are more lucrative for Adobe.
While the 20GB plan provided affordable access to Photoshop and Lightroom, the company appears focused on encouraging users to adopt plans with larger storage capacities or longer commitments.
What Should You Do?
- Act Before January 15, 2025:
If you want to lock in the 20GB plan, subscribe before the deadline. - Consider Alternatives:
- Upgrade to the 1TB Photography Plan if you need more storage.
- Explore annual payment options to mitigate monthly cost increases.
- Evaluate Competitors:
Check out alternative photo editing tools that might offer competitive pricing and features.
Final Thoughts
While Adobe’s changes may frustrate budget-conscious users, the company’s shift reflects its broader strategy of aligning pricing with premium features.
For current users, the key is to act swiftly—either to secure the existing plan or transition to an option that best suits their needs.
