Adobe products: privacy, licensing model and alternatives to Acrobat, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign

TL;DR:

• Adobe - You get very powerful tools. Usage requires a Creative Cloud account and usage data collection is active by default. Your files can remain local, but any content placed in Adobe’s cloud may be analysed to improve services. You can disable telemetry and content analysis in your account.
• Privacy with Adobe - Acceptable if you stay local and adjust settings. Less ideal if you use the cloud a lot. The apps stay connected to verify your licence and sync.
• Licences - Adobe works by subscription. The alternatives proposed here avoid subscriptions: PDF-XChange Editor and the Affinity suite. The free open-source options are cost-free.
• Acrobat vs PDF-XChange vs FOSS
• Acrobat: all-in-one reference, subscription, broader data collection.
• PDF-XChange Editor: fast, feature-rich, perpetual licence, local by default.
• Open-source readers/editors: excellent for reading, annotating and merging, but more limited for heavy editing.
• Photoshop vs Affinity Photo vs GIMP/Krita
• Photoshop: the most complete, AI features, subscription.
• Affinity Photo: covers most professional needs, one-time purchase, no mandatory cloud.
• GIMP/Krita: free, privacy-friendly, sometimes require more learning.
• Illustrator vs Affinity Designer vs Inkscape
• Illustrator: very rich professional standard.
• Affinity Designer: modern, smooth alternative, one-time purchase.
• Inkscape: free and solid for vector graphics, a bit less comfortable for very large projects.
• InDesign vs Affinity Publisher vs Scribus
• InDesign: full desktop-publishing suite with advanced functions.
• Affinity Publisher: sufficient for the vast majority of magazines, reports and books, one-time purchase.
• Scribus: free and effective for traditional printing, more austere interface.
• Choose at a glance
• Priority on privacy and predictable costs: PDF-XChange for PDFs, Affinity for photo/vector/desktop-publishing, or free software.
• Priority on cutting-edge features and Adobe integration: stay on Adobe.
• Daily simple needs: free PDF readers, GIMP or Inkscape are more than enough.

Recommended privacy best practices

• Disable sharing of usage data in your Adobe account.
• Disable content analysis.
• Work locally and only send to the cloud what is necessary.
• Favour solutions without subscription when possible.
• Regularly review your privacy settings.

Adobe’s Privacy Policy: General overview

Context: Adobe (creator of Acrobat, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, etc.) requires users to accept a privacy policy that allows it to collect various types of data for multiple purposes. Let’s break down the main categories.

Types of data collected by Adobe

• Personal information (identifiers): When creating an Adobe ID or purchasing a licence, Adobe collects data such as your name, email address, address and other identifying information.
• Payment and transaction data: If you purchase a subscription or Adobe product, payment information (credit card numbers, etc.) is processed by partners like PayPal and may be stored temporarily.
• Usage data: Adobe collects application usage data (telemetry) to understand how you use the software, which features you use and how long.
• User content (documents, images): Adobe may access the content you create with its apps, especially if you store it in Adobe’s cloud. This helps develop new features such as AI algorithms.
• Other technical data: Adobe collects device information at activation and updates (hardware/OS, device ID, network info, etc.).

In summary, Adobe collects registration personal data, technical data from your device, usage data and, if you use the cloud, some of your content. This forms a large database for your user profile.

Use of data by Adobe

The data collected serve several purposes:

• Service provision: First, Adobe uses your information to operate the service you requested. This includes verifying your licence, updating your software and storing your files in Creative Cloud if you choose cloud storage.
• Product improvement: Adobe analyses usage data and sometimes cloud content to improve its apps (bug fixes, new features) or to train AI algorithms for features like neural filters.
• “Smart” and AI features: Some Adobe features (like Photoshop Neural Filters or Remove Background) rely on machine learning. They require processing large volumes of images in the cloud, which may entail sending some content to Adobe’s servers.
• Personalisation and marketing: Adobe may use your data to personalise your experience and send targeted advertising (Adobe promotions, partner ads).
• Abuse detection and illicit content: Adobe states that it automatically scans files hosted on its cloud to detect illegal content (child pornography, infringement) and to prevent misuse (piracy, fraud).

In summary, Adobe primarily uses your data to operate and improve your apps. At the same time, it may use them for marketing and to detect abuse.

Synchronization & Cloud (Creative Cloud)

Adobe Creative Cloud is at the heart of Adobe’s ecosystem: it is the online services that accompany the software. Let’s look at its three main components:

• File storage: Creative Cloud allows you to save your documents “in the cloud”. For example, Photoshop can save PSD files to the cloud so you can open them on another device. But that means your file is stored on Adobe’s servers and potentially analysed.
• Preferences and fonts synchronization: Beyond files, Adobe syncs your user settings (preferences, workspaces) and fonts via Creative Cloud. Convenient, but increases the data stored by Adobe.
• Permanent connection: The Creative Cloud model means your Adobe apps regularly connect to Adobe servers to check your licence, update and sync. Even if you don’t store files in the cloud, there is a background link with Adobe.
• Choice not to use the cloud: It is possible to use Adobe software without storing files in the cloud. You can save locally and disable cloud services. Some functions will be unavailable (libraries, collaboration) but you keep your data local.
• Creative Cloud Libraries & collaboration: If you use CC libraries to share elements (images, logos, colour palettes) with collaborators, these assets are stored on Adobe’s servers. The same goes for shared edits on Adobe Express and Frame.io.

In summary, Adobe’s cloud services offer a lot of convenience (backup, sync, sharing), but at the cost of uploading your files and increasing data collection and permanent connection.

Background collection and monitoring

By “background collection” we mean the automatic mechanisms by which Adobe retrieves information without explicit user action.

• Telemetry and usage data: By default, Creative Cloud apps send usage data to Adobe, unless you disable this option. This covers how often features are used, crash reports, etc.
• Adobe Genuine Service: In the background, Adobe runs a service (Adobe Genuine Software Integrity) that regularly checks whether your licence is legitimate. If not, you receive a warning and the software may stop working.
• Automatic updates: By default, Adobe downloads and installs updates automatically (via the Creative Cloud app). You can disable auto-update but this may expose you to security flaws if you forget to update manually.
• Continuous connection and synchronisation: As mentioned, the Adobe CC app stays active in the background. It launches at startup, checks your licence, synchronises fonts and resources, and sends telemetry, even if the software is not open.
• Concrete example – Adobe Acrobat Reader: Even the free Adobe PDF reader sends statistics. Users have noticed regular connections to Adobe’s telemetry servers. Third-party tools allow you to block these addresses to limit tracking.

In summary, Adobe software collects usage and licence information continuously in the background. This is a trade-off between convenience and privacy.

Transparency and user control

Adobe claims to take privacy seriously and puts the user in control of their data【365072744695326†screenshot】. What is it in reality?

• Adobe Privacy Centre: By logging into your Adobe account (on account.adobe.com), a “Privacy & personal data” section allows you to adjust some settings. Three key options deserve attention:
• Desktop App Usage data sharing: A toggle allows you to enable/disable the sending of statistics from your desktop apps (telemetry). Turning it off will prevent Adobe from collecting detailed usage data.
• Content analysis for product improvement: Another setting (introduced in 2023/2024) allows you to refuse that your files stored in the cloud be used to train AI models or improve the software. If you disable it, your files remain private, but some AI features may not work.
• Marketing preferences: You can manage your email subscriptions and request to stop receiving targeted advertising from Adobe. Note that this does not stop product alerts, only marketing messages.
• Download or delete your data: In line with laws (GDPR, etc.), Adobe provides ways to request a copy of the information it holds about you and to delete certain data. You can submit these requests via forms or customer support.
• Information and clear consent: Adobe has published FAQs and notes to explain some practices in plain language (metadata analysis of content, AI training). We appreciate the transparency effort even if some aspects remain unclear.
• No possibility to refuse everything: Despite these controls, note that some access to your data is unavoidable if you want the software to function properly (licence verification, updates).
• Transparency of policies: Adobe publishes its privacy policy online (including in French) and updates it regularly. The latest versions are accessible at any time.

To sum up, Adobe offers some controls (telemetry opt-out, content analysis opt-out, choice of storage) and complies with the law. However, it cannot let you disable everything if you want to keep using its services.

Comparisons: Adobe vs alternatives (privacy, licence, use, features)

Adobe has long dominated with its flagship products Acrobat, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign. However, in the face of concerns about costs, privacy and dependency, alternatives have emerged. We will compare them on several criteria (privacy, licensing model, ease of use, features).

• Adobe Acrobat (PDF) and its alternatives (PDF-XChange Editor and FOSS)
• Adobe Acrobat (and Acrobat Reader) is the reference for reading, annotating and editing PDFs. But there are competitors that challenge its dominance. Let’s list them and compare them on key criteria:
• Quick overview: PDF-XChange Editor is known for its lightness and perpetual licence model (you buy the software, not a subscription). Many see it as the ideal compromise between free readers and Acrobat. FOSS readers and editors (Okular, Xournal++, etc.) allow reading, annotating and basic editing, but heavy editing (forms, OCR, security) remains the strength of paid software.
• Summary: If privacy is an absolute priority for you in PDF usage, solutions without an account and local (PDF-XChange Editor or open-source readers) win. If you need advanced features and integrated services, Acrobat remains unrivalled but you give up more data.

Adobe Photoshop vs Affinity Photo vs free alternatives (photo editing)

Photoshop is almost synonymous with digital photo editing, used by professionals and advanced amateurs. But the subscription model and Creative Cloud integration encourage some to look elsewhere. Let’s compare the main options:

Quick overview: Affinity Photo offers most of the common functionality of Photoshop in a single-purchase programme (there are occasional updates) for a much lower total cost. It has been a huge success, especially since it added non-destructive editing and improved RAW development.

Summary: Photoshop remains the most complete tool and is supported by a myriad of resources, but it imposes a continuous cost and cloud integration. Affinity Photo offers the best features/cost ratio for most professional uses, while the open-source duo GIMP/Krita remains a great free alternative for those who can adapt to its interface and limitations.

Adobe Illustrator vs Affinity Designer vs free alternative (vector graphics)

Adobe Illustrator is the reference tool for vector drawing (logos, illustrations, infographics). Affinity Designer offers very similar functionality without subscription. Free software like Inkscape offers powerful features but has a less polished interface. Let’s compare:

Quick overview: Affinity Designer, like Affinity Photo, is a non-subscription application covering most of Illustrator’s capabilities (vector drawing, multi-page artboards, layers and effects). It is constantly evolving and integrates with the Affinity ecosystem (shared file format).

Summary: For vector drawing, Illustrator remains unrivalled in very demanding professional environments (printers, large agencies). Affinity Designer meets the needs of most creatives and integrates perfectly into an open-source or hybrid workflow. Inkscape is excellent for individuals and associations who do not need the refinement of a proprietary interface.

Adobe InDesign vs Affinity Publisher vs free alternative (desktop publishing)

Finally, in the field of desktop publishing – magazine layouts, books, flyers etc. – Adobe InDesign remains the gold standard. Affinity Publisher and Scribus try to provide alternatives. Let’s see what each has to offer:

Quick overview: Affinity Publisher follows the one-time-purchase model of the Affinity products and aims to rival InDesign. It imports files from InDesign and integrates with Affinity Photo and Designer. Scribus is a free and effective solution for classic printing but lacks certain automations and its interface can be disconcerting for novices.

Summary: InDesign remains the tool of choice for professional publishing, thanks to its complete set of functions and support from printers. Affinity Publisher is the best alternative for most businesses and non-profits, while Scribus is ideal for personal projects or local community printing, with lower costs.

General conclusion

In summary, Adobe collects a variety of data via its flagship software – personal identifiers, usage data, device data, and possibly your content if stored in their cloud. This is necessary to deliver services and improve them, but it raises questions of privacy and legal compliance.

In the face of this, alternatives like PDF-XChange Editor or the Affinity suite adopt more privacy-respecting models and perpetual licences. Free and open-source software go even further, at the cost of a less polished interface or limited features for heavy uses.

In terms of privacy and data control, a user concerned about confidentiality will prefer to limit the use of Adobe’s cloud, disable telemetry, and consider alternatives that keep data local. Conversely, if you need the most powerful and integrated features, Adobe remains the industry standard.

Ultimately, the choice depends on priorities: Adobe offers power and integration at the price of more exposed data, while alternatives compromise on features but respect privacy and budgets better.

Editorial note: this content summarises privacy and licensing practices. It does not replace legal advice, and should be complemented by research adapted to your situation.

To sum up, Adobe collects a variety of data via its flagship software—personal identifiers, usage data and sometimes content—primarily to operate its online services and improve its products, but also for security and marketing reasons. Creative Cloud offers the benefits of sync and cloud features, at the price of increased surveillance (apps permanently connected, telemetry). Adobe gives users some controls (disable usage data sharing, content analysis, choose local storage...), but the overall framework remains one of a subscription where the publisher watches how the software is used.

By contrast, alternatives like PDF-XChange Editor or the Affinity suite adopt models that are more respectful of privacy (mainly offline software, no content collection) and business models without subscription, so often more economical over time. Free and open‑source solutions go even further, with total transparency (open source code, no data collected) and zero cost, at the expense of a slightly less “plug‑and‑play” user experience or a few missing features.

In terms of privacy and data control, a privacy‑conscious user will want to limit the use of Adobe’s cloud features or turn to alternative applications that do not exploit their data. In terms of features and accessibility, Adobe remains very complete but other vendors have bridged most of the gap, making it possible today to do PDF work, photo editing, vector drawing or desktop publishing without using Adobe, while keeping good privacy practices.

Ultimately, the choice depends on priorities: Adobe offers power and integration at the price of more exposed data and an expensive subscription, whereas Affinity or free software offer simplicity, privacy and lower cost, with a possible slight compromise on some cutting‑edge features or on the availability of support/training. Each user (even non‑technical) can now evaluate these criteria and choose the tool that suits them with full knowledge of the facts. ​helpx.adobe.com​​gimp.org​​

Editorial note: this content simplifies privacy and licensing practices. It is not a substitute for legal advice.