- Adobe is facing allegations from the FTC that it hid cancellation fees from customers.
- Affinity and Linearity are some alternative apps that are gaining popularity.
As Adobe reels from a lawsuit accusing it of hiding early termination fees, its competitors may be seizing the golden opportunity to cash in.
On Monday, the Federal Trade Commission sued Adobe, alleging that it deceived consumers by "hiding the early termination fee for its most popular subscription plan and making it difficult for consumers to cancel their subscriptions."
The lawsuit comes as Adobe faces a firestorm of criticism from creatives over some of its terms of service. A vaguely worded notice from Adobe hinted that the software may be looking to use creators' content to train AI models. Adobe then published a June 6 blog post clarifying that it "does not train Firefly Gen AI models on customer content."
Creative software like Linearity and Affinity, which boast similar capabilities, have slashed prices on their services in what appears to be a gambit to entice Adobe's disgruntled customer base.
Linearity, a vector-based app similar to Adobe's Illustrator, did not disguise its intention to get customers to switch apps.
As part of its limited-time promotion, new users can subscribe to Linearity Pro for $59 for their first year. They can use the code "SWITCH59" at checkout to unlock the discount.
Linearity's website reads: "Why choose Linearity Curve over Adobe Illustrator? No hidden AI, machine learning training, or ownership over your creations."
Graphic design and photo editing software Affinity, recently acquired by Canva, is offering a half-off discount on its Photo, Designer, and Publisher services and all its add-ons.
Affinity's post on X on Friday subtly urges people to switch to their software: "Whether you're switching from other software or new to photo editing and digital design, there are tons of resources to help you get the most out of Affinity."
Inkscape, a free, open-source software similar in function to Illustrator, took a subtle swipe at Adobe in a June 9 X post.
We can't believe we need to say this, but…
— Inkscape (@inkscape) June 8, 2024
your files are yours‼️
The #Inkscape project will never peek at your files, and what's yours stays on your computer.#floss #ArtWithOpenSource #freesoftware pic.twitter.com/q4GQO2Vt3p
"We can't believe we need to say this, but… your files are yours," its caption read. "The #Inkscape project will never peek at your files, and what's yours stays on your computer."
And some users seem desperate to make the switch, with creatives on TikTok and X sharing extensive lists of alternatives to Adobe's apps.
Makes me happy to see everyone killing their Adobe subscriptions! Here’s the most recent list of alternatives. pic.twitter.com/Bnyo2VItuE
— Jessica Plowman (she/her) (@DesignJunkie010) June 10, 2024
Others have posted screenshots showing themselves canceling their Adobe subscriptions and switching to other software.
One user on X wrote, " Bye-bye, @Adobe! Your MRC subscription and shady contract terms won't be missed."
The user, who said they used to work on Premiere Pro, added on Thursday that they "fully switched" to video editing software Davinci Resolve six months ago. They have now bought a "one-time $82.00 license for Affinity's suite to replace Photoshop."
Representatives for Adobe, Linearity and Affinity didn't immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider, made outside normal working hours.