Well, here's the thing.
How many years has it been since Adobe moved to rental model? Quite awhile, no?
Well I believe since 2014 or close...
Honestly, since then I've still yet to see any feature or new item that is so groundbreaking, workflow efficient a change that I just would have to upgrade from my last version of PS CS6, nor LR5.
And with Adobe doing rental....really what motivation do they have to actually innovate? Not much.
That´s not true at all! The improvements have been numerous and very significant! As the matter of fact today we had a good upgrade of photoshop and camera raw!!!

So, of course they maintain motivation to improve! In fact, they usually are the first company to upgrade their programas to work with the new cameras and new extensions!
However, the alternatives out there today...ARE very much viable alternatives to Adobe products, where in the past there really were no serious professional level challengers.
And with stand alone licensing..well, you don't have blips that cut people off like Adobe CC had just within the last month I believe....
And you don't automatically get new versions pushed out that have bugs that have affected people with downtime.
Alternatives are good if they fit you! Like I said, I do use another programs like Luminar and I like! Its just a matter of personal choice!
Never had those blips you talk and only one time we did have some issues, when Apple launch Catalina. Maybe Windows experience is different, don´t know...But even with some bugs at that time, they fiz it really quick and never get my workflow affected. It only afect Photshop so I worked with Lightroom...2 programs for the price of 1!
However, I get it...the rental version works for some people. Larger commercial entities likely think it is ok...just like leasing other equipment they need.
But for the smaller guy....you generally do not have a compelling reason to upgrade the software every single year with ever single new version...and hence, doing the licensed permanent copy is WAY more economical.....especially if you look at the Affinity Tools: Photo, Designer, Publisher....I believe they are still on sale for $25 each.
Can Adobe rental beat that?
And I was an early adopter for Affinity Photo...I think it started about 2015.
I've had numerous FREE updates ever since then....5 years worth. So, with my one purchase for 5 years, I've gotten all the free new tools, updates, and bug fixes....with a single payment to the company.
But different strokes for different folks.....everyone should use the best tool they think is for the job.
But it is hardly fair to say that the alternatives to Adobe are not professional level, nor are they not kept up to date with software updates.
C
I accept your point of view, it´s your oppinion based on your needs and that is totally valid!
For me...I just prefer Adobe. I was one of the firsts to use Affinity I was one of the users of the BETA version when it was still developing. And I did like it, it was very near to Photoshop.
And if you say you prefer Affinity to Photoshop, totally understand! But thing is.....in Adobe you get for 10€ month TWO programs!!! What can beat that!!
So...The thing is...this is just a personal opinion and based on personal uses! There are no perfect programs, just programs that adapt good to what we do...Some of us use Adobe, some of us use another ones...
Adobe is not perfect.....But they deliver what I need....
