Unwarranted price rise in Australia - Jan 2025

[the outward spiral]

I just received an email from Adobe notifying me that the monthy price of Creative Cloud All Apps 100GB is increasing "from A$79.99/month to A$96.99/month". The reason cited is (allegedly) "to offset fluctuations in currency exchange rates". Sorry Adobe, but you are disingenuous.

Here are the facts:

Since the previous price increase of CC in January 2023, the value of the Australian dollar compared to the US dollar has decreased 12.70%. However, this latest CC price increase is 21.25% for the same 2-year period. So, the 8.55% margin has nothing to do with exchange rate fluctuations. It is purely PRICE GOUGING!

I'm now in the process of migrating all my current work to DaVinci Resolve, and I'll soon be dropping Adobe like a stone.

[kglad]

@selina_4489 

i'm not privy to how/why adobe assigns plan costs for payees in different countries, but the all apps cost is set with the assumption that, like most users, you will only use 3 to 4 apps.

[kglad]

from 3/24

 

What are the price changes for the Creative Cloud for individuals single Apps and All Apps plans?

Starting March 5, 2024, the price of the Adobe Creative Cloud single apps and All Apps plans will increase in Australia. In addition, Adobe is making adjustments to offset fluctuations in foreign exchange rates in Australia. Read more about why Adobe is making adjustments. We have provided pricing changes as guidance for what you can expect below. The exact price may vary.

Creative Cloud for individual single app plans now include Generative Credits, Adobe Express, and Adobe Firefly:

• Annual billed monthly: Increase of A$3, from A$29.99 to A$35.99 per month
• Month-to-month: Increase of A$3.5, from A$45.99 to A$53.99 per month
• Annual prepaid: Increase of A$36.03, from A$343.07 to A$419.89 per year

Creative Cloud for individual All Apps plan now includes Generative Credits, Adobe Express, and Adobe Firefly:

• Annual billed monthly: Increase of A$8, from A$79.99 to A$96.99 per month
• Month-to-month: Increase of A$12, from A$119.99 to A$144.99 per month
• Annual prepaid: Increase of A$88.83, from A$871.07 to A$1,055.87 per year

[Nancy OShea]

When was the last time Adobe raised subscription rates?  So long ago, I can't remember when. Maybe 5 years since the last increase. That's not price gouging, that's a cost of living adjustment.

I dislike price increases as much as anyone.  But nothing stays the same. Cost of wages, goods & resources keep going up. The money to pay for new products has to come from somewhere.  And it usually gets passed to the consumer in the form of incremental increases.

I wish I could promise that things will get cheaper again, but I don't think that's a realistic prediction in our current economic climate. 

[the outward spiral]

When was the last time Adobe raised subscription rates?  So long ago, I can't remember when. Maybe 5 years since the last increase. That's not price gouging, that's a cost of living adjustment.

By @Nancy OShea

2 years, not 5 years.

From the OP:

"The reason cited is (allegedly) "to offset fluctuations in currency exchange rates."

"Since the previous price increase of CC in January 2023, the value of the Australian dollar compared to the US dollar has decreased 12.70%. However, this latest CC price increase is 21.25% for the same 2-year period. So, the 8.55% margin has nothing to do with exchange rate fluctuations."

So how would you characterise that additional 8.55%?

[sydneydesignc87435458]

Agreed. Disengenious and lazy logic and reasoning. Another rate rise in March. The Australian dollar is only 63 cents , lower than in January. This is what a monopoly does. Be honest. Say you want more money for your customers. More for shareholders. Don't lie. If you are honest, then we can grumble but not get livid.

[kglad]

@sydneydesignc87435458 

you're not addressing adobe here

[Adam252994449m3n]

For the Photography plan, it's gone from A$14.29/month to A$23.99/month! 

I'm going to cancel because 1. I cannot afford it and 2. the price increase is completey un-justified.

[kglad]

@Adam252994449m3n 

even in the us the monthly paid photography plan cost increased 50%.  the prepaid photography plan was offered at the previous rate.

[alistair_1592]

Same.  Just cancelled and will move to Affinity Suite.  The new pricing is rediculous - 'bye Adobe!

[ah29569953]

Agreed!! It is price gouging plain and simple – and during a cost of living crisis! I've now experienced TWO price increases in TWO years!
March 2024: Creative Cloud All Apps 100GB increased from A$79.99/month to A$87.99/month
March 2025: Creative Cloud All Apps 100GB increased from A$87.99/month to A$96.99/month

There is no justification for this. The whole reason we pay a subscription model instead of a once-off fee is supposed to be for the continued development of new products and tech! You can't just upcharge us for features you'd have to add regardless to keep pace with the rest of the industry! It's disgusting!

[kglad]

currency exchange rate is probably one factor:

march 23, 2025 - .627 aud to usd

march 23, 2024 - .651 aud to usd

march 23, 2023 - .670 aud to usd

https://www.xe.com/currencycharts/?from=AUD&to=USD&view=5Y

[Chris Bourke at Smartfish]

As someone that has been an avid user of Adobe products since the 1990's, I'll admit it seems quite amazing they would even consider the price increases, particularly given the latest AI advancements fron ChatGPT and others. No doubt within the next 6 months Adobe will be left in the dust as their current AI offerings are quite basic and clunky. So on that note, I will be jumping from the Adobe ship after 30 or so years, and move to other more cost-effective options. Adobe's offerings are feeling very tired. Most of it isnt browser-based. it's clunky. 

[jadann]

Just got my annual prepaid creative cloud price increase of 50%. We have been customers for over 20 years.  I talked to two people from accounts, explaining our situation ( a small not for profit ), but they stayed firm on the no discount offer. That means we will be leaving too. 

[Nancy OShea]

Cost is one factor, but features are another. Adobe amended their Plans to include some new perks.

Previously, Adobe Express was a separate purchase. It's now included in the Full Creative Cloud plan.

Similarly, Photography increased its cloud storage to 1 TB because customers said that 20 GB wasn't enough for them. 

You might wish to review the current plan offerings to see what's included & which ones best fit your needs.

https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/plans.html

[Nancy OShea · Accepted solution]

I talked to two people from accounts, explaining our situation ( a small not for profit ), but they stayed firm on the no discount offer.

By @jadann

============

That's not their wheelhouse.  Adobe & other software makers partner with TechSoup -- a marketplace for eligible non-profits, charities & libraries. See link below.

https://www.techsoup.org/

Hope that helps.

[Guest]

I'm just a hobbyist that does the occasional photo edit and couldn't justify paying those increased fees, don't get wrong, I like Adobe and loved using Lightroom, I've moved to Zoner ZPS, for hobbyist and maybe even pro's they are quite good.

[Dread73]

I just got my renewal notice as well for our NFP licencing, here's my feedback from when I cancelled my sub just now:

And before you bother Nancy - that IS the Discounted/Donated NFP pricing from ConnectingUp, the TechSoup partner here.

Adios after 20+ years of using it.