Lightroom vs Lightroom Classic – Which One is Best? [Answered]

Primary Differences of Lightroom vs Lightroom Classic Everyone should Know

To understand the differences of Lightroom vs Lightroom Classic, there are some more factors that need to be discussed.

By reading all about them, you will have a clear perspective to choose which is the best one for you.

User Interface and Experience for Lightroom vs Lightroom Classic

Lightroom:

Using Lightroom helps you find that it has a smooth and streamlined user interface as compared to Lightroom Classic. Other differences that make it different from Classic are given below;

“Lightroom CC is more intuitive and simple in comparison to Lightroom Classic; its Learn and Discover Section provides you a way to learn more interactively.”

Lightroom Classic:

If you have used any Adobe Lightroom application, you will know that Lightroom Classic has a similar interface to them.

However, it has some key points that users should keep in mind if they are taking it as a beginner.

Besides Lightroom, you may focus other editing apps like Darktable which is an open free editing app as compared to Lightroom.

Winner: Lightroom is the winner in the comparison of both as it offers a more friendly user interface than Classic.

Image Organization and Photo Research Methods

While enlightening the major differences between Lightroom and Lightroom Classic, you cannot ignore image organization and photo research.

Lightroom:

The AI technology in Lightroom works even when you don’t add keywords to your images. Instead, by searching for any word like “bike,” all the images related to the bike will appear in the search.

Lightroom Classic: 

In comparison to Lightroom, Classic doesn’t allow such image organization as it has local storage.

Photo research in Lightroom Classic requires manual keyword research. To find the images at any instant, you have to arrange and organize images manually.

Winner: Lightroom is, again, the winner as it is easier to find and organize images using AI technology.

Also Read- How to update Lightroom Classic?

Lightroom vs Lightroom Classic Catalog: Local vs. Cloud Storage

Lightroom:

Among the best features of Lightroom, Cloud storage is the most popular one, as it reduces the need for manual catalog management.

You can simply access photographs from many devices. By logging Lightroom from different devices, you can easily see all the images and edit them.

The edits will be automatically saved, and you can continue editing on other devices like PCs, Androids, and tablets.

For instance, you capture your travel images on your Android and then edit them instantly. The adjustments will be instantly saved when you launch Lightroom on your desktop or laptop.

The maximum Adobe Cloud Storage plan offers 1TB, and you need the internet to access images. The first 1TB of space is free; if you require more, you must purchase a subscription plan.

Lightroom Classic:

Lightroom Classic has a traditional catalog system, as the images are stored in the local storage on your desktop. The catalog is on your PC. Thus, to access the photo collection, the Internet is not required.

The images are stored and managed locally on the computer, along with the backup responsibility.

It would help if you kept in mind that anything that happens to your computer will also lose your photo collection.

The local storage reduces the collaboration of photographers as you have to search images manually.

It isn’t easy to access the images through the cloud storage system. Therefore, Lightroom is preferable. 

Editing Capabilities and Advanced Features – Lightroom vs Lightroom Classic

With the ease and simplicity of Lightroom, the AI enhancements have made it popular among users to adopt its editing capabilities.

However, photographers who want to attain precise control over their edits choose Lightroom Classic due to its advanced editing tools. Some tools have the same functions in both apps but have different names.

↪ Lightroom Classic has a Spot Removal Tool that works the same as the Healing Brush tool in Lightroom.

↪ The HSL Color panel in Classic performs the same function as the Color Mixer does in Lightroom with AI enhancements.

↪ Temperature and Tint Adjustments are available in the Basic panel and Color Panel for both Lightroom Classic and Lightroom, respectively.

↪ Lightroom Classic has a separate Lens Correction Panel, whereas Lightroom has an optical panel for the Lens Correction tool.

↪ Lightroom has named the Transform Panel as Geometry containing all Transform tools; however, Classic has the same Transform Panel.

Also Read: How to add watermark in Lightroom?

Tethered Shooting – Lightroom vs Lightroom Classic

Tethered Shooting is a fantastic feature of both versions of Lightroom, where a camera is connected to the computer.

The advantage of this feature is that you can make fine adjustments and perform a real-time image review on your computer instantly while doing a photoshoot.

Lightroom provides access to Tethered Shooting to some limited extent. However, Classic gives comprehensive access to controlled photography.

The following steps will help you to start Tethered Shooting in Lightroom Classic;

↪ Plug your camera into your PC and open Lightroom Classic.

↪ Tap on “File,” select “Tethered Capture,” and tap on the start button.

↪ A box will pop up on your screen to ask where to save images, names, and details and apply other adjustments.

↪ Tap on “OK” as you will start taking images, and you will be able to see them on your computer’s real-time screen.

Pricing Plans – Lightroom vs Lightroom Classic

Lightroom Classic can only be purchased as a part of the Adobe Creative Cloud Photography Plan.

On the Contrary, Lightroom is available for purchase separately, as well as Adobe Creative Cloud Photography Plan.

Both Lightroom plans start at $9.99 per month, whereas buying Lightroom Classic requires $9.99 per month as a part of the Adobe Creative Cloud plan. You can buy a discount for Lightroom based on your needs.