Our verdict: Lightroom Classic is the long-standing choice for photographers who shoot thousands of RAW files and want them catalogued on local disks. Its library tools and batch editing are hard to beat. It only comes in a subscription that also includes Photoshop, and the trial needs a card.
About Adobe Lightroom Classic
Lightroom Classic is the desktop-focused version of Lightroom: originals stay in folders on your computer, and a catalog file stores keywords, ratings and edits. The cloud-based app called simply Lightroom is a different product. Lightroom Classic is sold only inside the Creative Cloud Photography plan with Photoshop and 1 TB of cloud storage, at US$19.99 per month on an annual plan.
Edits are non-destructive and can be copied across hundreds of photos at once. Masking tools select the subject, sky or background automatically, Denoise cleans up high-ISO RAW files, and presets apply a look in one click. The 7-day free trial needs an Adobe account and payment details and becomes a paid plan unless you cancel in time.
What it does well
- Catalog and keywords. Organizes local photos with collections, ratings, flags, keywords and face recognition.
- Non-destructive RAW editing. Exposure, color, tone curve and lens corrections without touching the original file.
- AI masking. Selects subject, sky, background or people for local adjustments.
- Batch sync. Copies edits and metadata across many photos at once.
- Tethered capture. Shoots straight into the catalog from supported cameras.
Who it is for
Good fit
Photographers who manage large RAW libraries on local or external drives and want batch editing.
Look elsewhere
People who want a one-time purchase, or casual users who only crop and filter phone photos.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Excellent library and keyword tools
- Photos stay on your own drives
- Fast batch editing
- Photoshop included in the plan
Cons
- Subscription only, no one-time license
- 7-day trial requires a payment card and turns into a paid plan
- Large catalogs can become slow on older PCs
How to install Adobe Lightroom Classic
Start the trial on adobe.com: you sign in with an Adobe account, pick a plan and enter payment details. The Creative Cloud desktop app installs first; then install Lightroom Classic from it rather than the cloud-based Lightroom. Put the catalog on a fast SSD and back it up, because it holds all your edits.
Questions about Adobe Lightroom Classic
Is Adobe Lightroom Classic free?
No. There is a 7-day free trial that needs an Adobe account and a payment card. After it, the Photography plan with Lightroom Classic and Photoshop costs US$19.99 per month on an annual plan.
What is the difference between Lightroom and Lightroom Classic?
Lightroom Classic stores originals on your local drives and is desktop-only. Lightroom stores photos in Adobe's cloud and runs on desktop, mobile and web.
Does Lightroom Classic need an internet connection?
Not for editing. Adobe says it is occasionally needed for licensing and for syncing with Lightroom for mobile.
