Adobe Creative Cloud Pro or Apple Creator Studio? A Hobbyist Photographer’s Math
If you grew up on Adobe, you know the names: Photoshop, Premiere, Lightroom. They’re what most of us think of when we think of editing photos and video. If you’re on a Mac, though, there’s another option, and it costs a lot less.
My story
When I was a professional photographer, there was no other choice. Lightroom was how I organized and edited everything. I opened Photoshop only when I wanted to do something more creative with a picture. Premiere was great for video because it had so many options, most of which I never used.
Now I’m a “retired” pro, a hobbyist. Paying $39.99 a month for one app I use and a bunch I don’t was a tough pill to swallow. [Confirm this against Adobe’s current student price before publishing.]
Then I found Apple Creator Studio at the education price of $2.99 a month.
What you get
Apple Creator Studio bundles Apple’s video editor (Final Cut Pro), music app (Logic Pro), and photo editor (Pixelmator Pro), plus a few extras. If you’ve never heard of Pixelmator Pro, it’s worth knowing about. It’s a capable photo editor that’s easier to pick up than Photoshop, and it handles everything I used Photoshop for.
A few things to know
- It’s Mac-specific, and you’ll need a fairly recent Mac.
- It’s not a Lightroom clone. Pixelmator Pro edits photos. For organizing them, I use the Mac's Photo app.
- The education price is for one person. It’s for college students and educators, and Apple verifies your status when you sign up. Family sharing isn’t included, so check that you qualify first.
A tip if you stay with Adobe
Adobe’s student prices can go up after the first year. When mine did, I told them I was thinking of switching to something else, and they offered a better rate. It’s not guaranteed, but it costs nothing to ask. I've done this for quite a few years every time I get the itch to jump ship.
So which one?
If you use several Adobe apps and love your workflow, stay put. If you’re a hobbyist or student on a Mac who mostly wants good photo and video editing without paying for apps you never open, Apple Creator Studio is worth a try.
I switched because I was paying for far more software than I used. Whatever you choose, check for educational discounts on every subscription you pay for. They’re easy to miss, and they add up.