Adobe Buying Guide: Creative Cloud vs. Creative Suite 6 – Pros/Cons
January 29th, 2013 Leave a comment
[UPDATE (May 6th) – Major news out: Adobe Unveils New “CC” Release (CS7)...]
When Creative Suite 6 arrived last year, there came with it a new way to buy Adobe software that the world had not seen before: the Creative Cloud. Traditionally, most Adobe products have been sold with “perpetual” licensing that doesn’t expire. The flip side is that these best-in-class tools often come with a steep price tag that is out of reach for many customers – though there have always been discounts when upgrading from recent older releases, plus much lower pricing for some market segments like students and teachers…
Enter the Creative Cloud – which, yes, is cloud-based in some ways – but at present, is primarily a different way of buying all the Adobe products you know and love. Creative Cloud membership is served as more of an “all-you-can-eat buffet” of the best software out there for any creative purpose, for one attractive monthly price ($29-$49/month standard in the US). The central idea is you can continue to use the same applications and services you always have – plus many more available at your disposal – with a term-based membership that includes all release upgrades (like CS7) and new feature additions over the period.
So the Creative Cloud offering contains all applications that are part of Creative Suite 6 (the entire Master Collection), as well as others like Lightroom, Adobe Muse, Adobe Edge, plus a host of professional publishing services for getting your work out there. It also can offer more recent versions than the packaged CS6 suites do – for example, Acrobat XI Pro which was released in October (instead of Acrobat X) and Photoshop CS6.1 from last month. Most of these components do not run over the network – they download and install on your system desktop just like normal, and only need to be connected to the Internet once per month for membership revalidation… In other words, you are not ever running your Photoshop remotely – it works just the same as it always has, running locally (and fast) on your desktop.
That said, however, there is an online collaborative Cloud component enveloping it all which allows easy web-based file storage, sharing, browsing, and syncing between computers and devices. For those who don’t have a paid subscription, there is also a free level of Creative Cloud membership that provides the same community features but with 2GB of free storage instead of 20GB.
Meanwhile, Adobe recently made some changes to how the perpetual licensing works. The products will still run indefinitely, but now the lower upgrade pricing is offered only when you own software that’s one major version back from the current release. So what this means is anybody who wants to upgrade to CS6 or CS6.5 (expected in 2013) will have to already be running CS5 or CS5.5, and going forward customers have to upgrade more frequently to retain discounted pricing privileges. However, any existing customer owning CS3, CS4, or later can still receive 40% off when upgrading to the Creative Cloud instead of a traditional version.
Cloud vs. CS6 – Which Is Right for You?
So there have been a lot of changes lately, and Creative Cloud is getting stellar reviews thus far – but with all these developments in mind, how do you decide which one to buy? The answer depends to a large extent on how you use the software, with these questions to ask:
- How long will you be using the products?
- How frequently do you usually [like to] upgrade?
- Which Adobe programs do you want or need to use now?
- Which tools would you like to expand to using in the future?
- How nice is it to always have the latest releases and best features?
- Do you own a prior product you can upgrade from, or would you buy full?
- What will your regular annual costs be when comparing the two different options?
The cost of Creative Cloud is $US49.99/month for a yearly plan or $74.99 when purchased month-to-month with the ability to turn it on and off as needed. It’s $29.99 per month for the first year for those upgrading from an older Creative Suite product with Adobe’s extended introductory offer, and $19.99/month for current students and teachers. Doing the math that’s about $600/year for regular customers, $360 for CS upgraders, and $240 for education customers… In sum it’s around $1-$2 a day. So when you look at these plans versus the traditional CS6 price sheet or the cost of upgrading your current tools, which is more attractive?
Well, if you just want Photoshop (US$700 full, $200 upgrade) and Lightroom ($150 full, $80 upgrade) and don’t see yourself ever growing into other tools like Illustrator, Premiere Pro, Flash Pro, or Acrobat, then you are likely better off just upgrading those two tools standalone and staying fairly current in the future to retain the lower upgrade pricing levels. And you can add the free level of Creative Cloud membership if you so desire… But, see the next section below for a third possibility.
On the other hand, if you’re a solid user of a Creative Suite and a happy upgrader, then the Creative Cloud could be a terrific deal for you. The CS6 Master Collection suite, for example, sells for $2,600 full, or $1,050 to upgrade from CS5, which is two years old. So paying $1,200 spread over two years for the Creative Cloud (and $240 less for upgraders) works out well, especially compared to the $2,600 full price for a static version. And it goes without saying that the Cloud option is absolutely ideal for situational and temporary needs like project-based work, contract employment, freelancing, and so on – you only pay when you need it. It’s even possible to start out with a month-to-month membership if you want to see how you like it.
So it’s not just about price, but here’s a comparative cost analysis when choosing the annual plan and upgrading to Creative Cloud from any previous CS software (from CS3 to CS6):
Single-App Membership – The Little-Known Third Option
There’s actually a third choice that many people don’t know about yet – Adobe now offers the ability to subscribe to just a single industry-leading tool like Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Acrobat Pro, Premiere, and others for only $14-$19/month, and that low pricing is available to everybody… The sign-up and download is all online so you can get going right away – and all upgrades are included, as well as early access to new features – so you’re always running the latest version.
All the individual products on this list are available on an annual as well as month-to-month basis (start-and-stop) in all languages for both Windows and Mac together, so very flexible. And if you happen to decide later that you want to upgrade to the complete Creative Cloud package to access all applications (at any time), then Adobe will credit back your account for the remaining amount due on your existing membership. So when you compare that pricing of $19/month versus $1,000 to buy (say) After Effects CS6, it’s definitely worth considering – and you’ll find all the details here: Don’t Need the Full Cloud? Get CS6 for $19 a Month
Creative Suite (CS6) vs. Creative Cloud (CC) – Pros & Cons
Here’s a practical feature list of the two major options that should help you decide when comparing them side-by-side:
| Important Selling Point | Creative Cloud | Traditional CS Licensing |
|---|---|---|
| Consult the Creative Cloud FAQ for more details | ||
| Install & use all the top Adobe applications | Yes | No |
| All future product upgrades included (like “CC“) | Yes | No |
| Early and exclusive access to new features | Yes | No |
| Buy at higher price to own a static version | No | Yes |
| Pay a lower monthly membership price | Yes | No |
| Can buy just one tool if that’s all you need | Yes | Yes |
| Run tools locally on desktop, not over web | Yes | Yes |
| Can activate on up to two of your computers | Yes | Yes |
| Can install on both Windows and Mac OS | Yes | No |
| Available in dozens of countries worldwide | Yes | Yes |
| Includes multiple language use & switching | Yes | No |
| Can run on same machine as older releases | Yes | Yes |
| Can easily move it between two systems | Yes | Yes |
| Use without a continual Internet connection | Yes | Yes |
| Includes library of exclusive training & tutorials | Yes | No |
| Can try it out first with a free 30-day trial | Yes | Yes |
| Covered with a 30-day return/refund policy | Yes | Yes |
| Lower pricing for owners of older CS tools | Yes | Yes |
| Student & Teacher discounts are available | Yes | Yes |
| Volume licensing for groups is available | Yes | Yes |
| Can use short term, turn on & off as needed | Yes | No |
| Has a free level of membership & use for all | Yes | No |
If you’ve been thinking about going with the Cloud, Adobe says:
The new version‘s release date has not been announced, but there is a great way to get yourself to the front of the line. If you join Creative Cloud now, you will immediately receive the entire stable of currently shipping CS6 applications AND you will automatically receive the new versions of all your favorite Adobe applications as soon as they are available.”
Do you have any further questions about the comparison or your decision? Just ask them below and we’ll get you answers fast!
See also:
- The 10 most common myths about Creative Cloud
- What are the differences between CS6 vs. CS5, 4, 3?
- Download free CS6 e-books (over 1,000 pages)
- How to save 75% with the CS6 education editions
- Free Adobe CS6 tutorials – 30 hours of video training
- Photoshop Image Deblurring: Coming to the Cloud?
Keep up with the latest on Adobe software — subscribe to our RSS feed or follow us on Twitter or Facebook… You can also just enter your email and have new articles sent directly to your inbox.
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@Jamie
Update to our previous response.
Adobe has recently added a statement to the Creative Cloud FAQ that clarifies and confirms what we said – that current Creative Cloud members will have immediate access to CS7 when it comes out, but will also continue to be able to download and still use CS6 if desired, and even install & run both versions on the same computer.
However, note that their previous (erroneous) Q&A text has not been taken out of their FAQ yet, so the potential for customer confusion remains. But happy to say that we have given you the correct answer on this.
Obviously a lot of guys worried about losing their perpetual licence and / or being denied features that are handed to cloud users only.
I can see how the cloud is good value to new users of Master Collection, but to most others it represents worse value than it did before. It should not be more expensive to rent software than to own it.
The vast majority of Adobe customers are on perpetual licences for the smaller Creative Suites and have invested for many many years in those, so I really hope Adobe phase this out rather than just stop it abruptly.
The cost problem is down to the cloud being ‘all or nothing’ – so users are forced to pay for software they probably never use and that is the #1 problem with the cloud, and when you compare cloud pricing to something such as CS Design Premium, it represents poor value for money.
The simple solution is to offer different tariffs, much like mobile phone providers. So for example 1 app is $15 a month, any 5 apps $30 and the full collection $49. With the option to add on an extra app on a month to month basis for special project that makes it attractive.
The vast majority of professional users only use a handful of tools (split into either print, web or video), there aren’t many who use or need all.
I think that would make me consider the cloud, but as it stands it represents terrible value for money compared to the historical costs of upgrading and owning the software.
Hopefully Adobe do read these forums and will take note – it’s obviously attractive for new customers, but I hope they do not forget those who have been using Adobe software for the last 20 years.
Well, Adobe does already offer any single CS app for ~$20 a month, and of course the entire Creative Cloud for $50 a month – or the full Cloud becomes $30/month if you’re upgrading from any CS tool or suite, from CS3 to CS6.
So right now it’s not all-or-nothing, it’s all-or-one. It will be interesting to see going forward if Adobe does anything midway, such as offering a choice of 3 applications at a middle price point. We haven’t heard anything so it’s hard to say.
As for the notion of being able to use all tools, you’re right there is probably nobody who uses absolutely everything in Creative Cloud. But the company has always discounted their bundles (suites or cloud) compared to individual programs, just because you’re buying in bulk. For example, all the apps in CS6 Production Premium would cost over $5,000 if purchased separately, but you get them all in the suite for $1,900 – a 65% discount – whether you use them all or not.
Think of it like paying for every article to be provided in your daily newspaper, even though you are very unlikely to read or use all of them.
Finally, you’re right that the math will work out differently for someone coming in with zero Adobe products versus someone already using the CS6 Master Collection. If would be nice if more Cloud upgrade options were offered, but right now there’s just the one. We’ll see what Adobe’s major announcements next week bring.
Do you think Adobe will stay true to what they said, that they would still offer perpetual licenced software – as long as you have CS6, you can upgrade to CS7? If they don’t, there will be a lot of angry people! I mean how hard is it to put the Creative Suite 7 as a purchased bundle? I hope they stay true to us, their loyal customers!
We have not heard yet what the upgrade options will be, Adobe has made no public announcements as of yet…
For the rest of your question – please see our previous reply to Wesley, who made a similar inquiry.
@ProDesignTools
I am speaking from the perspective of Creative Suite users who obviously rely on more than a single app, and also do not require the full set of apps. For them it is all or nothing.
The point you have made for the cost of Production Premium is correct, but the 65% discount assumes every app is needed by the buyer, if they do not require all apps then any discount is negligible.
The same for the cloud – it doesn’t matter if you need or use every app – but the fact every app is offered is used as justification for the monthly cost of the cloud compared to the current Creative Suites where not so many apps are offered.
EG: £550 for 1 year of the cloud, vs £260 for Design Standard.
What you get for your money is totally different, so I don’t expect the prices to be different. But the reality is that this is the choice for existing Adobe customers and why the cloud is, and always will be, a crazy idea until they either stop perpetual license upgrades, or offer the cloud at a similar price.
You also have to bear in mind that owning software is always more cost effective as it will always represent better value over time.
For example, the 5 year cost of buying a perpetual licence to Production Premium in Europe is £1800
The same with the cloud is £2880
It is what it is, and it’s still value for money (for me personally). I just wish it wasn’t touted as such a great savings, because when you look at the figures it’s just a way to force upgrades and higher fees on customers.
Well, one thing you’re forgetting in your simple price comparison there is the cost of upgrades over those five years – £1800 is the one-time upfront cost for a Production suite… And certainly with the CS video tools there have been enormous advancements in capabilities and productivity over the past five years vs. owning a static copy of CS4 Production.
We would also disagree with the notion that every traditional CS suite buyer finds a perfect match of tools provided to their own particular needs… From what we’ve seen, there’s almost always some things or parts not used, but “paid for” nonetheless. That’s just life.
I am not forgetting that at all.
Unlike the cloud where you must keep paying, there is no need to upgrade; one can happily use any perpetual licence based purchase indefinitely.
Well then to some extent you’re comparing apples to oranges – and maybe that’s part of the challenge here, because the model is different.
Some folks like to make one large purchase and keep the same version indefinitely, notwithstanding features or improvements that come out later that will save time (= money).
Some suite customers like to skip perpetual upgrades – but because the next upgrade will then cost that much more, there’s not great advantage in doing so.
And some folks prefer to keep up with the latest releases, supporting development of new versions and staying on the cutting edge of technology in their area.
The goal of this article is to compare the two models in as close terms as possible, so thanks for your thoughts and adding to the discussion Jonny.
There isn’t going to be CS7, it’s all going to be Creative Cloud based now.
I know this article is about compare and contrast. The reality is CC is a rip off. Already this week I read about it being a fair price for business pros that earn large amounts of money from it. This is fine perhaps. I’m also a business pro, I’ve worked as a designer in the corporate and music (cover design) industry for 15 years, I’ve always avoided the Ad Agencies to work in smaller (3, 4, 5 people) creative ground-breaking studios. I have won several design awards. I made a decision to work alone, or in theory set up my own studio. I am a pro. But I don’t have 50 euros a month as a business start-up to spend on a product that will never be mine.
In a horrible economic climate, clients with NO budgets, art schools turning out 1000s of unemployed graduates and a marketplace saturated with ‘designers’ actually prepared to work for free, never mind pitching for free, suddenly 50 euros per month is a lot of money. I won’t be buying it, I know many other really talented professionals wont be buying it. The irony here being that just like ‘real estate’ or property investment, the really creative people will be priced out of the market. The whole business model stinks. If I am a craftsman of anything I invest in the tools of my trade, and should something better come along, I will try it, if its better I will sell my tools and buy new tools or hand over my old tools to an apprentice. With CC I will never own anything, some will argue I invest in getting access to technology, but I will not be held over a barrel so piss my hard earned money up the wall for no return and actually have to pay Adobe money to access my own digital files of creativity.
Hi Sean, thanks for your thoughts. So, trying to understand – are you making the argument that for smaller customers who want to use the best tools in a challenging economy, it’s easier to afford US$2,600 for Master Collection or $1,000 for Photoshop Extended upfront, than to afford $30-$50 a month for the complete CC release or alternatively $10-$20 a month for Photoshop CS6/CC on its own?
Because historically their products have been very expensive to purchase, Adobe has stated that one of the goals with CC is to lower the upfront barriers to entry for access to top-drawer professional tools.
With so many people upset with this cloud announcement, do you think Adobe will ignore this and just do the cloud, or maybe later introduce the suites back?
Welcome back Wesley, here’s what Adobe says about that:
“Adobe … will focus creative software development efforts on its Creative Cloud offering moving forward. While Creative Suite 6 products will continue to be supported and available for purchase, the company has no plans for future releases of Creative Suite or other CS products. Focusing development on Creative Cloud will not only accelerate the rate at which Adobe can innovate but also broaden the type of innovation the company can offer the creative community …”
@ProDesignTools
Hi again, no this argument is too basic, even cheap. I don’t need monthly random updates to a software program that to an extent hasn’t changed greatly in its core strengths for a decade and longer. As a small business man I understand an initial investment in tools that help me do my job and I accept that. But once I make the purchase they are mine. I own them and for better or worse should I never be able to afford new add-ons, I will still be able to create and design and access my work. The subscription model (if I am accurate) cuts me off from access to productivity and more importantly access to my documents the minute I stop paying the monthly subscription. It’s like a mobile phone company telling you the minute you stop paying your monthly fee you will never speak or hear from your loved ones again. It’s nonsense. Thankfully in that scenario we have other means of communication, but as things stand Adobe has a particular monopoly in this area and they are intent on making as much money as possible from it, whilst dressing it up as some kinda techno innovative creative platform that we all need. Hopefully this will be the trigger to get some really innovative people moving fast on an alternative creative suite that will offer both competition and choice. We all adapt very quickly these days and I look forward to seeing what people can come up with.
Well it sounds like you’re making somewhat of an ideological argument Sean. For many customers – probably all the folks who are giving Creative Cloud five-star ratings – this model is very attractive versus having to come up with thousands of dollars to fork over for static tools.
If you stop your mobile service then the cellphone you own becomes much less useful. Similarly if you stop your cloud subscription then you will no longer be able to use the tools – however Adobe says they are working on solutions so you can still open or access your files.
Keep in mind that we’re not Adobe so if you have feedback that you’d like them to know about, we would suggest contacting them directly, because ranting here won’t accomplish very much.
Also don’t forget that customers can still buy CS6 traditionally, if that’s what someone wants – so that option has not gone away, it’s just not being updated.
@ ProDesignTools
Your argument doesn’t make sense because the prices you keep posting are always at each extreme. It’s either the price of a single application or the price of buying absolutely every application (Master Collection).
Most users, such as Sean, do not need the Master Collection – in fact the core user base of Adobe products use between 2 and 5 applications. The cloud is effectively forcing people to upgrade to the Master Collection; hence the great cost. And that simply isn’t what people want or need.
So to be realistic – for Sean, who has already invested for years into Adobe software – the comparison is £330 every year, vs £560 for the cloud. An increase of 70%!
But that’s for existing users who have already invested into Adobe right?
If you are a new user, you could buy CS6 Creative Suite Standard today and use that to earn money for the next 5 years.
Cost of buying CS6 = £1250
Cost of creative cloud = £2820
The cloud is 125% more expensive (and you still don’t own your software)
If you wanted to use it for the next 10 years
Cost of buying = £1250
Cost of creative cloud = £5640
The cloud then becomes 351% more expensive, and you STILL don’t own your software.
So the real question is whether the updates are worth that extra money and the extra restrictions of having to pay a monthly fee for here to eternity.
Hey Jonny, what Sean had said was that 50 euros a month was difficult to afford in a horrible economic climate. Our point was that it’s arguably more affordable than thousands of euros when you take into account initial price and upgrades.
Sean also didn’t say what applications or suite he had or wanted. CS Design & Web Premium is actually Adobe’s top-selling suite (£1,800). If you assume that as a baseline example, all the figures in your example are too low for the traditional model.
On an apples-to-apples basis, your numbers also don’t take into account any upgrades for perpetual, just static copies frozen in time – and as we know from past experiences, there are usually problems when newer operating systems or hardware comes out that causes incompatibility issues with older or out-of-date software. There are also productivity benefits (time = money) of new features and performance improvements that upgrades bring.
Lastly, you say customers might not have asked for or use everything included in Creative Cloud – but we’ve lost track of the number of positive comments we’ve seen from CC members who have expanded their universe, knowledge, value, efficiency, and expertise with new top tools they might not have otherwise learned… just because it was all there and so easy.
Here is why Adobe is doing this. It may not perfectly fit or suit all people – especially folks that aren’t regular customers or upgraders – but this is their most basic explanation:
Apples, Oranges, & Creative Cloud: My Thoughts on CC
Feel free to leave feedback at that page, the company is responding.