Photoshop options?

[SuePJ]

@Ancient_Mariner

I expect to leave Lightroom when my subscription expires in December.

Appalling program. Totally counter-intuitive.

[DrMarkH]

@ChrisMann

I think these are bulk-buy OEM licences that are being resold, but they do seem to work.

I believe that they work as long as you only use them on local / offline files and don’t ever open any file direct from a cloud.

[ChrisMann]

OK interesting - I have not used such a version myself so was going on hearsay.

I guess they would still “phone home” to check the licence every 30 days though?

[DrMarkH]

@ChrisMann

I guess they would still “phone home” to check the licence every 30 days though?

That might depend on whether or not one chose any of the notification options when installing.

[Bonzocat]

@Ancient_Mariner

If you don’t need digital asset management then consider DXO photolab or (slightly more expensive) Capture 1 as non-subscription alternatives to Adobe.

FWIW I’ve never had the same experience as you with On1, and 2026 is just fine, but it’s important you feel comfortable with what you use. I expect to leave Lightroom when my subscription expires in December.

I have curbed my impetuosity about Adobe PS & LR and am trying Nikon NX Studio again, which has lain dormant in my PC for years - it matches well with modern Nikon cameras and raw images. And I have managed to get ON1 Raw 2026 working again properly, but not quite – it stays in a constant state of downloading ‘assets’ – but it doesn’t seem to hinder work in progress now.

Nikon NX Studio is free, and I’ve had ON1 since 2015 and upgraded ever since. Best stick with what’s familiar!