Adobe Creative Cloud offers multiple subscription options tailored to different creative professionals. But if you’re a photographer—or even a content creator—deciding between the Photography Plan and the All Apps Plan can be tricky.
Do you need just Lightroom and Photoshop, or is it worth upgrading to access Illustrator, Premiere Pro, InDesign, and more?
In this 2025 comparison guide, we’ll break down the Adobe Photography Plan vs All Apps Plan so you can decide which delivers the best value for your creative needs and budget.
What’s Included in the Adobe Photography Plan?
The Photography Plan is designed specifically for photographers and includes:
| Feature/Tool | Included? |
|---|---|
| Lightroom Classic | ✅ Yes |
| Lightroom (CC) | ✅ Yes |
| Photoshop | ✅ Yes |
| Adobe Bridge | ✅ Yes |
| Cloud Storage | 20GB or 1TB option |
| Mobile Access | ✅ Yes |
| Adobe Fonts/Portfolio | ✅ Yes |
💡 This plan covers all core photo editing workflows: import, develop, retouch, and export.
What’s Included in the Adobe All Apps Plan?
The All Apps Plan includes everything in the Photography Plan, plus access to over 20 professional creative tools:
| Creative Category | Apps Included |
|---|---|
| Photo Editing | Lightroom Classic, Lightroom CC, Photoshop |
| Design & Illustration | Illustrator, InDesign, Adobe Express, Fresco |
| Video & Motion | Premiere Pro, After Effects, Media Encoder, Character Animator |
| Audio | Audition |
| Web/UI | Adobe XD, Dreamweaver |
| Document Tools | Acrobat Pro |
| Collaboration | Creative Cloud Libraries, Share for Review |
| Fonts & Stock Access | Adobe Fonts, Adobe Portfolio, limited Adobe Stock access |
🎨 This plan is best for multi-disciplinary creatives who need flexibility across media types.
Pricing Breakdown (2025)
| Plan | Monthly Price (USD) | Annual Commitment Required? | Storage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photography (20GB) | $9.99 | ✅ Yes | 20GB Cloud |
| Photography (1TB) | $19.99 | ✅ Yes | 1TB Cloud |
| All Apps (Individuals) | $59.99 | ✅ Yes | 100GB Cloud |
| All Apps (Students) | $19.99 | ✅ Yes (Edu ID required) | 100GB Cloud |
💰 The Photography Plan is by far the most cost-effective option if you only need photo tools.
Use Case: When the Photography Plan Is Enough
Choose the Photography Plan if you:
- Are a professional or hobbyist photographer
- Use Photoshop and Lightroom exclusively
- Don’t need to create videos, vector graphics, or publications
- Primarily work in RAW processing, retouching, and exporting
Examples:
- Portrait photographers
- Wedding or event photographers
- Real estate and commercial shooters
- Photo editors focused on speed and quality
📸 This plan is purpose-built for high-quality photography workflows.
Use Case: When to Upgrade to the All Apps Plan
Choose the All Apps Plan if you:
- Are a multi-disciplinary creative
- Also design branding materials, posters, or social content
- Want to edit or produce video, podcasts, or animations
- Need to use Illustrator, Premiere Pro, After Effects, InDesign, or XD
Examples:
- YouTubers and content creators
- Social media marketers
- Designers who also shoot
- Freelancers building client packages (logo, brochure, video)
🛠️ You gain a complete creative toolkit that goes beyond photos.
Storage & Cloud Workflow Differences
| Feature | Photography Plan | All Apps Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Cloud Storage (default) | 20GB or 1TB | 100GB (can upgrade) |
| Lightroom Mobile Sync | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Creative Cloud Libraries | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Team Collaboration Tools | ❌ (limited) | ✅ Full access |
| Share for Review | ✅ (Photoshop only) | ✅ Across multiple apps |
🔁 Both plans support cloud sync, but All Apps adds more cross-app collaboration features.
Integration with Other Adobe Apps
Photography Plan
- Sync Lightroom collections with mobile devices
- Send photos to Photoshop for advanced edits
- Export final files to Bridge or third-party services
All Apps Plan
- Design logos in Illustrator, drop them into Photoshop composites
- Build layouts in InDesign using edited photos
- Edit motion intros in After Effects using brand images
- Share libraries across teams via Creative Cloud
🌐 The All Apps plan unlocks the full Adobe ecosystem for hybrid workflows.
Pros and Cons Summary
Photography Plan
Pros:
- Affordable entry point ($9.99–$19.99/month)
- Full access to Lightroom + Photoshop
- Great for focused photography work
Cons:
- Doesn’t include Illustrator, Premiere Pro, InDesign, etc.
- Limited to photo and document workflows
All Apps Plan
Pros:
- 20+ pro apps for design, video, UI/UX, and more
- Ideal for multi-purpose creatives
- Includes full Adobe Fonts, Libraries, and team features
Cons:
- Higher monthly cost
- May include unused apps if you’re photo-only
Which Plan Offers Better Value?
| User Type | Best Plan | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Pure Photographer | Photography Plan | All needed tools at the lowest price |
| Photo + Branding Designer | All Apps Plan | Access to Illustrator, InDesign |
| Social Content Creator | All Apps Plan | Video + photo + design tools in one bundle |
| Student or New Freelancer | All Apps (Student) | Huge value at $19.99/month |
| Occasional Photo Editor | Photography Plan | Focused tools, minimal cost |
🎯 Let your creative scope and budget guide your decision.
FAQs: Choosing the Right Adobe Plan
Q: Is Photoshop the same in both plans?
A: Yes. Photoshop is the full version whether in the Photography or All Apps Plan.
Q: Can I upgrade from Photography to All Apps later?
A: Yes. You can switch plans anytime in your Adobe account settings.
Q: Do I get mobile apps in both plans?
A: Yes. Both plans include mobile versions of Lightroom, Photoshop, and Express.
Q: Can I use Adobe Fonts and Portfolio with the Photography Plan?
A: Yes. Both are included in all paid Creative Cloud plans.
Q: Is there a student discount for the Photography Plan?
A: No. Student pricing is only for the All Apps Plan ($19.99/month for eligible students).
Conclusion + Start Your Free Adobe Trial
If you’re focused solely on photography, the Adobe Photography Plan is the best value—delivering Lightroom, Photoshop, and everything you need to manage and enhance images.
But if you’re a multi-talented creative, the All Apps Plan unlocks the full Adobe ecosystem—from motion graphics and layout design to social content and UI prototyping.
📦 Ready to try both? Start with the 7-day free Creative Cloud trial to explore every app risk-free.
👉 Start your Adobe Creative Cloud free trial today