Adobe Payment methods SUCK

Nobody said you have to use Adobe products.  But consider this:  Many design agencies use Adobe Creative Cloud products.  All things being equal, applicants who are proficient with tools the agency uses are more likely to get hired, right?

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There are a few ways to look at it.  Adobe constantly updates their apps, corrects bugs and as new features.  Probably more so than any other company.  So therefore in my eyes being a member of the Creative Cloud has superior advantages.

The other issue when it comes to FREE software is that you 'yourself' become the product.  Some not all, but some FREE software has ulterior motives for being free such as data collection.  Thus, I am always careful what free apps I install. This is something I learned quickly working with companies in their marketing department that produces free apps.

Another thing is, before Adobe became subscription based there were tons of hacked copies out there.  Which from a business perspective is not good.  Plus, since Adobe really does put a lot of time in working with creatives to beta test products and updates in order to give you an amazing piece of software that fits the needs/desires of creatives it makes more sense from a business stand-point to protect their product.  This is my personal opinion. 

In the long run, if you view think about all the development that goes into Adobe products (which I think sometimes we as users forget about) the cost is worth it.  Again just my personal opinion.  In the end you, get what you pay for.  If you go the free route then there simly is not an as many features, and updates tend to come out slower.  Then like I mentioned above, you have to think out free-ware companies are making money... like I said, it coud be because you are becoming the product and your data is not as safe.  So I would rather have the passion that Adobe has for creating superior software and feel safe knowing that they keep my data safe.  Again, my opinion.