Lightroom vs Lightroom Classic: Choosing the Right Option for You in 2024
With the growth of photography and photo editing, Adobe Lightroom vs. Lightroom Classic is also becoming popular among photographers and content creators. Both these software programs are owned by Adobe Inc. and offer powerful tools and sophisticated features that are more than enough to create mind-blowing photos.
Selecting one software between Lightroom and Lightroom Classic in 2024 can depend on multiple aspects, such as workflow, editing conditions, desktop setups, and the user’s preferences.
In this article, we will try to find out which software is better for you by observing multiple factors like basic differences, unique features, and pros & cons of each software.
By the end of this case study, you can make the right decision according to your photo editing needs. Let us briefly discuss both this software and some of its qualities.
Lightroom Classic
It is clear from the name that this version is the oldest version of the Lightroom Premium APK app and was first developed on February 19, 2007, by Adobe Inc. This version was developed for desktop users as smart devices were not as common as they are today.
But this version was featured rich, and user-friendly. The main characteristics of the Lightroom app were a simple but powerful interface, presets, non-destructive editing, and supporting RAW files.
Also, Lightroom Classic enables users to perform editing both online and offline but the synchronization facility was not available at that time.
Lightroom CC
CC refers to creative cloud, unlike the classic version Lightroom CC version provides the facility to sync automatically with numerous devices when they edit online e.g. smartphones and tablets.
This cloud-based photo editor provides users with easy editing options. The Lightroom CC version has Integrated sharing options, batch editing, and AI-powered features, and supports RAW image editing.
Also, users can easily manage their photo gallery and albums in this version.
Table of Comparison: Lightroom vs Lightroom Classic
| Features | Lightroom Classic | Lightroom |
| Storage Location | Hard drive or external drive | Creative Cloud |
| Operating System | Desktop only | Desktop, mobile, tablet |
| Synchronisation With Other Devices | No | Yes |
| Editing Limitations | Advanced editing with better organization powers | Limited editing and organization features |
| Keywords Search Tool | No | Yes |
| Watermark | Yes | Yes |
| Virtual Copy Creations | Yes | No |
| Printing Option | Yes | No |
| Interface | Advanced system of records and collections | Simplified and user-friendly interface |
| Magnification Ratio | 11:1 | 2:1 |
| Plugins Integration | Yes | No |
| Book, Web, and Slideshow Modules | Yes | No |
| Batch Editing | Yes | Limited |
| Cloud Storage Capacity | Not applicable | Starts at 1TB |
| Preset Sharing Across Devices | No | Yes |
| Users | Advanced and professional | Casual and newbies |
| Price | $19.99/month | $9.99/month |
| Photo Enhancing | Yes | Yes |
| Export File Types | JPEG, PSD, DNG, TIFF | Same as Lightroom Classic |
| Flexibility | More | Less |
| AI-Driven Features | Limited | Yes |
We have seen a comprehensive comparison between both these software and came to know in some features, Lightroom CC has a clear edge while in some aspects, Lightroom Classic has no match. Now, we will explore the features of both versions in detail.
Lightroom Classic Features
To show the importance of Lightroom Classic I will discuss here some of its standout features that will make your vision more clear whether to select this version or not.
Quick Editing Functions
Lightroom Classic was developed for desktops only, and using it on a desktop makes a lot of tasks much easier such as supporting large-scale editing, faster workflow, and complex editing steps completed more efficiently.
Besides this, we can use keyboard shortcuts that also save us time and energy. It is recommended if you have mega projects to work on you should go with Lightroom Classic.
Interface
The interface of any app reflects its quality. The Lightroom Classic’s simple interface provides Library, Develop, left and right panels for navigation, filmstrip for quick image access, and histogram for exposure adjustments.
These qualities of its interface enable users to perform editing work with quite ease and professionally. From the quality of its interface, we can say Lightroom Classic is a premium-quality app.
Increased Storage Capacity for Free
This app was originally designed to be used on desktops, so it was essential for Adobe Inc. to provide users additional storage space so they could store their big and complex work without any difficulty.
Adobe Inc. provides users with not only a great capacity for storage files and projects but also made it free. Users do not need to pay anything to use this awesome feature.
Presets and Plugins
Another stand-out feature of the Lightroom Classic version is its capability to comprise plugins created by third-party developers, that shows its verstality. With the help of these plugins, users normally perform activities that are not possible without them.
In other words, these plugins add functionalities and provide additional editing features. While presets were pre-made templates that also reduced the efforts of its users. Here I am giving some of the most renowned plugins that are integrated with the Lightroom Classic version.
- Nik Collection
- Topaz Labs Plugins
- On1 Effects
- Portraiture
- Luminar AI
- Exposure X7
- DXO PhotoLab
- Infinite Color
- Alien Skin Snap Art
- Focal
Now it is time to discuss some of the Lightroom CC features in detail.
Lightroom CC Features
Simplified Interface
When we open any app, first of all, we see the interface of that app. From that interface, we access the features and tools to perform our editing work. Lightroom CC’s interface is simple and clutter-free and enables users to access features and tools quite easily.
Also, it has a centralized editing panel, a toolbar with essential editing tools, easy-to-use sliders, simplified import and export options, and provides quick access to presets and filters. These characteristics not only showcase its quality but also differentiate it from other versions.
Refined Masking Options
Another attractive feature of the Lightroom CC version is its masking tool. This masking tool allows users to edit the selected parts of an image without disturbing the rest of the image.
Even with this tool, we can add effects and filters to a particular area of the image. Normally we use this tool for tasks like removing a background, highlighting a subject, or blending effects smoothly.
Expert Level Editing
Lightroom CC provides pro-level editing tools and makes the whole photo editing process so easy and smooth. These photo editing tools include a crop tool, exposure adjustment tool, contrast tool, sharpening tool, and clone tool.
All these tools are quite essential and have their importance in the photo editing process. In other words, we can say that photo editing is not possible without them. These tools bring life to an old and dull photo.
AI-Powered Options
Lightroom CC version is rich with AI-powered tools. These tools include
- Auto Tone
- Enhance Details
- AI Sky Replacement
- Super Resolution
- Subject Selection
- AI Masking
- People and Object Detection
- Content-Aware Healing
Though these tools are not essential, but have a lot of importance as they reduce the effort of users during the editing process. To use these tools, you only need to make a few clicks, and the results these advanced tools will provide in a very short time will surprise you.
Cloud Synchronization
This Lightroom CC feature allows you to update and store files and images automatically in the cloud across all your devices, e.g., desktop, mobile, or tablet. With the courtesy of this feature, we become free to carry files or images by using other means and can easily access these files and images whenever we want or wherever we need them. Internet is the only requirement to use this feature.
Non-Destructive Editing
As Lightroom CC is a cloud-based version, any editing or work you perform is automatically saved in its cloud. It means that if you forget to save your editing work and start a new editing project, your work will not be wasted, and you can easily access it anytime.
Pricing Details
Lightroom CC
Lightroom offers two pricing plans: a monthly subscription for $9.99 or an annual subscription for $119.88.
Lightroom Classic
We can purchase a monthly subscription for Lightroom Classic at $19.99, which also includes the Adobe photography and cloud-based Lightroom package.
Pros & Cons of Lightroom CC
Pros
Cons
Pros & Cons of Lightroom Classic
Pros
Cons
Final Thoughts
In this article, Lightroom vs Lightroom Classic, we have explored both versions in detail and examined many of their features closely. From this case study, we can say that if any user does not have shine photo editing skills and has to edit complex and big projects, you should go with the Lightroom Classic version. This version helps you to complete your work like an expert teacher.
In contrast, if you are an expert photo editor and feel comfortable using advanced and AI-powered tools, you must try the Lightroom CC version. This version also provides you with some mindblowing options that can easily handle your workload.
In the end, I must say that both versions are of the same Lightroom app, and it is an obvious thing that there is not much difference between them. The only need is for you to learn how to use them properly so you can achieve better results from your editing.
