Comparing Lightroom Classic subscription plans requires looking beyond the displayed monthly price. With the disappearance of the 20GB Photo plan, the price increases implemented since January 2025, and the arrival of new pricing structures in 2026, the benchmarks have changed for photographers. This article measures the actual differences between the available plans and identifies the areas where costs vary the most.
Lightroom Only Plan or 1TB Photography Plan: Pricing Comparison Table
Since the closure of the 20GB Creative Cloud Photography plan to new subscribers (January 15, 2025), two main plans coexist for accessing Lightroom Classic.
| Plan | Included Applications | Cloud Storage | Payment Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lightroom (Only) 1TB | Lightroom, Lightroom Classic, Lightroom Mobile | 1TB | Annual (monthly or one-time payment) |
| Creative Cloud Photography 1TB | Lightroom, Lightroom Classic, Photoshop | 1TB | Annual (monthly or one-time payment) |
The Lightroom Only 1TB plan has become the cheapest option for anyone not using Photoshop. In contrast, the 1TB Photography plan remains the most comprehensive as it adds Photoshop for a moderate additional cost compared to the Lightroom Only plan.
To fully understand the price of the Lightroom Classic subscription in detail, one must also consider the chosen payment method: an annual commitment paid in one go is cheaper than monthly payments spread over twelve months.
Adobe Price Increase 2025: What Changed for Existing Subscribers
Adobe’s pricing restructuring was not limited to eliminating the 20GB Photo plan. Existing 20GB subscribers saw their rates increase before the final closure of the plan. A documented example in the Japanese market shows a jump from 1,180 ¥ to 1,780 ¥ per month, representing an increase of over 50% on the monthly fee.
Current subscribers can still renew their 20GB plan as long as they do not cancel it. Conversely, any cancellation makes it impossible to return to this plan: migrating to the 1TB plan requires canceling and then subscribing to a new plan. A discussion on the official Adobe forum confirms that there is no automatic switch from the prepaid 20GB to the prepaid 1TB.
Impact on Amateur Photographers
The 20GB plan was appealing due to its low entry price and was sufficient for those who stored their files locally. Its disappearance pushes users towards the Lightroom Only 1TB plan, whose cloud storage is oversized for exclusively local use. Cloud storage becomes a mandatory cost item, even for those who do not need it.
Annual or Monthly Commitment: The Real Cost Difference Over Twelve Months
Adobe offers three payment methods for most of its plans:
- Annual subscription with monthly payment: the monthly rate is lower compared to a month-to-month plan, but cancellation before the term incurs early termination fees.
- Prepaid annual subscription (one-time payment): the total cost over twelve months is the lowest, with no risk of forgotten monthly fees.
- Monthly subscription without commitment: the highest monthly fee, but the freedom to cancel at any time without penalty.
Annual prepayment generates the most significant savings. Over a year, the difference between the month-to-month plan without commitment and the annual prepayment can represent several dozen euros, depending on the chosen plan.
Cancellation terms also deserve attention. Adobe applies fees equivalent to 50% of the remaining monthly payments in case of early cancellation of a monthly paid annual plan. This clause makes the choice of payment method strategic from the time of subscription.
Alternatives to Lightroom Classic and Impact on Cost Calculation
The market for photo editing and cataloging software has evolved in recent years. Several publishers offer perpetual licenses (one-time payment, no subscription), which changes the long-term comparison.
- Capture One offers a perpetual license and a subscription, with cataloging and RAW development features comparable to Lightroom Classic.
- DxO PhotoLab operates on a perpetual license model with paid major updates.
- Darktable, free and open-source software, covers RAW development and cataloging without any recurring cost.
Over three years, a perpetual license often costs less than an Adobe subscription. However, the calculation depends on the frequency of major updates and the need for access to the AI features recently integrated by Adobe (generative fill, automatic masking).
The Lock-in of the Lightroom Catalog
A point rarely quantified in price comparisons: the Lightroom Classic catalog is not exportable to another software without losing editing metadata. Keywords and star ratings transfer, but local edits and masks remain tied to Adobe’s proprietary format. This invisible migration cost reinforces the dependence on the subscription.
The choice of a Lightroom Classic subscription in 2025-2026 relies on three variables: the actual need for Photoshop, the volume of cloud storage used, and the intended commitment duration. The 1TB Photography plan remains the most versatile option for those using both software. For use focused solely on cataloging and RAW development, the Lightroom Only plan or a perpetual license alternative deserves a multi-year calculation before committing.