Photoshop/Lightroom replacement

[felix5616]

Getting tired of the increasing monthly fees accosiated with photoshop and lightroom. Are there non subscription repalcements that can do the same as photoshop and lightroom?

[cllaurit]

Gimp and Dark table are what I use

[Jonathan Cross]

Just out of interest, how do non-subscription sites fund developments?  I can do so much more in the 2 Adobe products now, whereas I would have had difficulty doing or could not do even a couple of years ago. I am often revisiting images I took in the past, improving them considerably and reprinting.

Jonathan

[PeterAit]

Getting tired of the increasing monthly fees accosiated with photoshop and lightroom. Are there non subscription repalcements that can do the same as photoshop and lightroom?

The fee has increased just once since 2010, from $9.99 / mo to $14.99. Way below inflation! And still a great deal. Both those powerful programs for an annual cost that is a pittance compared to cameras and lenses.

[Eric Brody]

I agree with Peter Ait. Never before in the history of photography, analog or digital, has one been able to do so much for such a reasonable cost. I know that sounds hyperbolic but if one looks at just the AI masking ability in Lightroom and Photoshop and compare it to what one could do in the chemical darkroom, even if highly skilled, it is simply mind-blowing.

I checked the Bureau of Labor Statistics and $10 in 2010 is $14.86 today, pretty close to the current cost. For a tool I use almost every day, $15/month, or roughly $0.50/day is a flaming bargain especially given the rapid AI progress, like it or not.

I've never really understood the aversion to the subscription model. It gives us access to new features as they are developed rather than waiting for costly annual upgrades.

With respect, I'm not sure what the OP is objecting to other than the price.

Best to all.

[digitaldog]

Look at the cost for coffee at Starbucks (which I don't find that great). The subscription plan is still a screaming deal. Adobe updates its products very frequently with fixes and new features.

[dgberg]

I am still paying $9.95 and worth every penny and then some.
Most serious photographers have a top of the line dslr with a matching backup plus at least 4-2.8 lenses to the tune of $15,000 and $10 is a problem?
Respectively it is like having an expensive race car and not using it because of the price of gas. Well maybe not the same but of the thousands I have spent the Adobe fee is just pennies.

[Frans Waterlander]

How typical of this site. Of the six replies, only one answered the OP's question. The other five: criticism.

[tsinsf]

I think why nobody is answering the OP is because everybody is weary about this question. It has been asked here and in every photo forum over and over again. I personally am tired about hearing people complain about having to pay for a service.

[digitaldog]

How typical of this site. Of the six replies, only one answered the OP's question. The other five: criticism.

How typical of Frans' posting; he also didn't answer the question but complained. And as usual, missed the data that wasn't a complaint:

Adobe updates its products very frequently with fixes and new features.

"Complainers change their complaints, but they never reduce the amount of time spent in complaining". -Mason Cooley

[Frans Waterlander]

I think why nobody is answering the OP is because everybody is weary about this question. It has been asked here and in every photo forum over and over again. I personally am tired about hearing people complain about having to pay for a service.

And that is criticism number six.

[Frans Waterlander]

How typical of Frans' posting; he also didn't answer the question but complained. And as usual, missed the data that wasn't a complaint:"Complainers change their complaints, but they never reduce the amount of time spent in complaining". -Mason Cooley

And criticism number seven.

[Frans Waterlander]

Getting tired of the increasing monthly fees accosiated with photoshop and lightroom. Are there non subscription repalcements that can do the same as photoshop and lightroom?

Hi Felix. I use Photoshop Elements and the add-on elements+. It can't do as much as Photoshop and Lightroom, but it does all I need. YMMV.

[digitaldog]

And thaty is criticism number six.
And criticism numer seven.

🤣

I use Photoshop Elements and the add-on elements+. It can't do as much as Photoshop and Lightroom, but it does all I need.

Warning Felix:
https://www.photo.net/forums/topic/723198-adobe-retroactively-dumbing-down-photoshop-elements/#comment-6036856
https://www.photo.net/discuss/threads/photoshop-elements-2018-doesnt-report-exposure-compensation.5511047/
https://www.photo.net/discuss/threads/bug-in-photoshop-elements.5519898/#post-5821352

[PeterAit]

How typical of this site. Of the six replies, only one answered the OP's question. The other five: criticism.

Not criticism, but sage advice!

So Frans, what do you recommend as PS / LR replacements?

[digitaldog]

So Frans, what do you recommend as PS / LR replacements?

Best to ask someone with actual experience using either.

[Frans Waterlander]

So Frans, what do you recommend as PS / LR replacements?

See my previous reply.

[digitaldog]

See my previous reply.

“…there is no shame in not knowing. The problem arises when irrational thought and attendant behavior fill the vacuum left by ignorance”.
Neil deGrasse Tyson

[Bart_van_der_Wolf]

Getting tired of the increasing monthly fees accosiated with photoshop and lightroom. Are there non subscription repalcements that can do the same as photoshop and lightroom?

Depends on which features in both of those programs you use most.

I switched to Affinity Photo, many years ago. Only paid once for version 1, all subsequent updates were free. Then, after a few years I believe, I paid for the upgrade to version 2, also many updates ago.

There seems to be either a new version or a major upgrade or some other change on the horizon, in less than a week from now (October 30th, 2025). So I'd wait for that. If it's a new version, I'd be happy to paid the, if history is continued, usually very reasonable price.

Affinity Photo is as feature rich as Photoshop, and has implemented a few things better.

I also added the Affinity Design program for more design oriented functions, and Affinity Publisher for the creation of publications. They work harmoniously together, so the learning curve is not that steep (besides the different tasks they are intended and optimized for). They can be purchased as a bundle.

Support is top notch, and the authors are very much in tune with the goal of producing creative work.

Cheers,
Bart

[Rhossydd]

Are there non subscription repalcements that can do the same as photoshop and lightroom?

Simple answer - NO.

Some other programs might have some features that are as good and occasionally better, but as a package LR+PS is the gold standard.

If you're not prepared to spend the relatively modest amount it costs go and look at The Gimp and Darktable, but they're not as good or smooth to use.