Considering moving to the Creative Cloud but have an important question...

Question

I'm considering moving to the Creative Cloud but have some concerns. if, for example, after spending 1500+ over the next three years on the Creative Cloud and by then, presumably at version CS9 or CS10, will I be able to continue using the CS9 or CS10 products as I would have, had I bought the retail software?
I know if I continue to simply buy upgrades to retail items and stop at CS9 I will be able to use those products forever so I am not seeing the incentive here if that is the case.
Your confirmation is much appreciated so that I can move on to decide on my next steps.
Cheers,
Chris

Answer 1

corchard2013 wrote:
I'm considering moving to the Creative Cloud but have some concerns. if, for example, after spending 1500+ over the next three years on the Creative Cloud and by then, presumably at version CS9 or CS10, will I be able to continue using the CS9 or CS10 products as I would have, had I bought the retail software?
No. It's an all-or-nothing exit policy at the moment.
When you stop paying your monthly fee, you lose all access to Adobe software (unless you already own a pre-Cloud version which you can fall back on).
Many requests have been made to relax the exit policy and permit users to perhaps pay a residual fee to keep using whichever version is current when they leave the Cloud. But that hasn't yet been offered by Adobe. Personally I don't expect it to ever be offered.
PS how much will you spend on the retail versions over the next three years given that you must upgrade with every new version under Adobe's new upgrade policy introduced with the CS6 cycle? i.e you can no longer skip a version and still qualify for upgrade pricing next version.
Licensing issues aside, in effect, you never really "own" the software if you want to stay current. Both Cloud and retail are now effectively subscription models.
The choice really boils down to upfront $$ vs monthly $$.
corchard2013 wrote:
I know if I continue to simply buy upgrades to retail items and stop at CS9 I will be able to use those products forever so I am not seeing the incentive here if that is the case.
The primary incentive is full access to the entire Master Collection for a low monthly fee. Don't have to outlay thousands of dollars upfront.
You also get:
additional Cloud services (host up to 5 websites etc)
multi-platform licenses (activate on Win/Win, Mac/Mac or Win/Mac for the same monthly fee. Retail items are single platform only)
early access to new software features for Cloud members only. As soon as Adobe finishes writing and testing the code, Cloud members get it. Retail users must wait for CS6.5 or CS7. Depends if living on the bleeding edge of Adobe software interests you. As we all know, change is the only constant these days.