WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE FREE APP, APP SUBSCRIPTION, AND DESKTOP USE ?

The Free Lightroom app gives you access to mobile use only. You install the presets directly on your phone locally and you edit from your phone directly. You have a limited access to the tools of the app but this does not impact the use of your presets. If you change devices you will need to install the presets again on your new device.

The paid subscription to the app gives you access to the mobile app and the desktop software. You can edit from your phone and on the Lightroom desktop software. Your presets and photos are saved in the cloud, therefore you have access to everything (photos & presets) on any device you logged in on. If you change your mobile device or computer you simply need to login again to access everything, plus you have access to all the advanced tools of the app.

The desktop software (Lightroom Classic) consists of either a Lightroom license that you bought in the past or the current subscription to Lightroom or Photoshop through Creative Cloud. You will not have a free version to access on your computer. This is a perfect solution for more advanced creators who want to go into more detail with their editing. This is desktop use only and don’t interfere (or sync) with your mobile app.