Difference Between Lightroom & Lightroom Classic

The names are actually quite a headache to comprehend as people usually get confused as to which of them they should be using and above all what’s the difference between both of them and what does what? Let’s explore what’s in there:

Background with Basics:

Lightroom Classic is used for just the desktop version but cannot be operated or even installed in either Android or iOS mobile phones. It is specially used by the professionals or the people who want to do editing in a detailed manner. The surprising thing is that the actual Adobe Lightroom is the new name of Lightroom Classic. Since the beginning, it was just Lightroom Classic for everything but later on Lightroom versions were introduced which was earlier called CC but later on called Lightroom Mobile as well.

Lightroom CC stands for Creative Cloud which can also be called Cloud Version having a simple interface in comparison to Lightroom Classic. With the passage of time, differences started to arise like features were started being added to each one.

Comparison

Lightroom Classic

The biggest and highlighted difference is the Lightroom Classic which is only-desktop used application can edit RAW images which were and are commonly used by the photographers or the professionals.

Lightroom Classic doesn’t integrate the photos with the Adobe Cloud and store everything in Local Storage

Lightroom Classic is so advanced that a newbie can get confused and will take a lot of time to understand it.

Lightroom Classic is amazing at organizational features but lacking in AI supported keyboarding function as in Lightroom

VS

Lightroom

Lightroom Mobile or Lightroom CC is commonly used for normal editing rather than in depth a’la professionals. Although sometimes professional photographers also use the CC (Creative Cloud) version, they ultimately move  to Classic.

Lightroom CC synchronizes images in Adobe Cloud which is helpful in accessing your photos wherever you want. If you stop editing in mobile phone, you can continue from exactly where you stopped from different device

Lightroom Mobile is quite simple but also has a limited editing function comparatively.

Lightroom CC app is amazing at transferring photos with the help of Adobe Cloud rather than searching for the data cable but unfortunately lacking in Advanced capabilities as of Classic.

Who should use what?

If you are very much familiar with the Lightroom app and have been using it for a long time and work like a pro, you should go for Lightroom Classic. So far it’s crystal clear that advanced features are only available in lightroom classic like Tethering, complex organization etc. In addition to that, professional photographers tend to use plugins for complex editing for which Lightroom Classic is the best choice.

Lightroom CC (Cloud Version) or Mobile apk is designed for those people who want ease in editing and don’t require advanced features to do in-depth editing. It’s actually a cross platform which enables its user to switch between devices and the people who like to switch more often like from mobile phone to tablet, tablet to laptop or desktop.

Classic or Simple?

I believe lightroom CC gets the point here when you want to edit instantly, you’ll choose lightroom, not classic one. Even if you are a professional photographer and have to deliver photos to your client in a hurry, I would recommend you to use Lightroom mobile or CC free apk because it will work on the go. You can also download the modified version of Lightroom which is called Lightroom Mod Apk.

The flaw that I feel in CC is that its dominating feature is Cloud Storage which has limited space and if your photos exceed its limited space, you’ll have to pay for storing your photos in Cloud. In addition to that, CC has an AI supported keyword search tool through which you can easily navigate look-alikes instantly. There is no tethering support in Lightroom. Those of you who don’t know what tethering is, let me tell you:

Tethering Shooting

When your camera is hooked up to your computer directly, and you are taking photographs and want them to see simultaneously on your computer to make any adjustments or editing you want like changing the presets and do on, the photos will automatically be loaded in your Lightroom. That’s called Tethering Shooting.

Moreover, you can’t rename any image in the cloud version Lightroom. Lightroom has many limitations comparatively. You can not print from lightroom but you can print from lightroom classic. The process is that lightroom controls your personal printer and produces the best possible print for that printer paper combination. In Lightroom you have to import photos to another app to print.

Organization

Lightroom dominates here when it comes to talk about organization. You search and you find it. In Lightroom, you search for a keyword and a collection of all the images related to that specific keyword comes up. This is because Lightroom is integrated with the most advanced technology of Artificial Intelligence Adobe Sensei which enables this detection of images and brings all the images for you in front of you. But in lightroom classic you are not given this opportunity to find every relatable image regarding that keyword. Lightroom for PC is a way towards using Lightroom Classic. Moreover, you you can even have Lightroom presets for free.

Pricing

If you have exceeded the limited space, new photos will be saved on your devices. They will not be backed up in your cloud storage or synchronized with any of your devices. The already existing photos will be able to be navigated by the tagging keywords, but not the ones you take after exceeding the limit. Lightroom can be available alone but also with Creative Cloud plan within which there is Lightroom Classic available as well. You can also avail yearly plan.

Don’t need to fatigue your brain in search of the Adobe Lightroom Price. Here we go:

Lightroom

Lightroom (1TB)

Edit photos that look just the way you want, anywhere you are. Get 1TB Storage

US$9.99/mo

You want be charged until after your 7-day trial ends

Lightroom
Ps 1

Photography (1TB)

Edit photos in Lightroom and then transform them with Photoshop. Get both plus 1TB of cloud storage

US$19.99/mo

You want be charged until after your 7-day trial ends

Recommendation

Lightroom classic possesses 7 modules in the top right corner.

Library

Develop

Map

Book

Slideshow

Print

Web

Library and Develop modules are also available in Lightroom but rest of the modules are not available in lightroom. If you don’t want to use the rest of the modules, I would recommend you to go with the Cloud based Lightroom Version.

Cloud based lightroom is good as long as you have enough space and don’t need to buy. But if you can afford to buy more space then I think it’s a good deal to choose lightroom for everything because on the go it suits the best.

Quick Differences

Lightroom Lightroom Classic
ProcessorDesktop, mobile, and webDesktop only
Location of originalsCloudLocal hard drive
Ease of useRecommended for everyoneRecommended for photography experts
Organization and finding photosAutomatic tagging and intelligent searchManual keywords
Tethering ShootingLimitedAvailable comprehensively
File backupAutomaticNot included
Plugin Support
Not that much
Yes
SpaceLimited but can buy
Just Local Storage
Print ImagesNoyes

Pros & Cons of Lightroom Classic

Pros

Possessed Advanced Editing Features & Tools

Offline Editing Accessibility

Tethered Shooting Function

Offline Editing Capability and Accessibility

Plugins are available for Professionals

Unlimited Space; Local Storage

VS

Cons

A little bit Complex Interface especially for newbies

No Tagging Navigation Feature

AI not supported features

Manual management

Only-desktop Platform supported

Pros & Cons of Lightroom

Pros

Cloud Storage and Synchronization across all devices

Accessible in all devices; Mobile Phones, Tablets, Laptops, or Desktops/PC

Easy for every generation especially for beginners

AI supported features especially Tagging

Easy Management

Instant Editing

VS

Cons

Limitation are likely to be encountered

Limited space in Cloud Storage

Advanced features are less

Images can not be printed

No Tethering Support

Internet is needed

Conclusion

Everything comes down to the ease of the users, so is the case with the Lightroom and Lightroom Classic. It’s all about what suits the user best. Lr Classic relates to the professional and advanced features on the contrary Lr Mobile relates to the ease-finding users. It’s a journey from Lr to Lr classic; a beginner to professional. I also started with a free Lightroom mobile app and with the passage of time ended up using Lr Classic.

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)

Lightroom classic is best for professionals and lightroom is best for the beginners or the people who like to do quick editing.

No, they are not the same.

Because they want advanced features which are only available in Lightroom Classic.

Lightroom CC is the old name of Lightroom. CC stands for Creative Cloud which refers to Cloud Storage. Lightroom is also referred to as Lr.

Yes, Lr can be used on different devices such as desktop, tabs, PC etc. which makes it more user-friendly.

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