What is the Key Difference Between Lightroom and Lightroom Classic?

Adobe Lightroom is a product of Adobe, formerly called Lightroom CC. Now, it is available in the market of photo editing Apps with different names, such as Lightroom Classic and Adobe Lightroom. It’s Confusing for users, but it is very important to know the difference between various variants of Lightroom.

The main difference between Lightroom and Lightroom CC is that Lightroom is a cloud-based photo editing app, and Lightroom CC is a Desktop version software. Let’s dive deep into the key differences between Lightroom and Lightroom Classic so that we can explain the difference broadly with the help of numerous aspects.

lightroom mod apk vs lightroom classic

What is Lightroom?

Lightroom is a cloud-based photo and video editing app that is supported by various devices like Desktop, Mobile, and Web. Its UI is more easy and time-saving but less robust than Lightroom Classic.

The new version of Lightroom provides swift edits, and it is ideal for those who are new to photo editing. Read my article about Lightroom Mod APK latest version 2024 over here.

What is Lightroom Classic?

Lightroom Classic is known as a Desktop-based software platform. It saves pictures in on-board storage and can be worked on a Desktop only. Lightroom Classic is an excellent pick for advanced and state-of-the-art photographers as it comprises more enhanced and robust tools. It is also called the Lightroom PC version App.

lightroom classic interfCW

Comparison Table

Source : Adobe

Fundamental Differences Between Lightroom And Lightroom Classic

Here are some fundamental Differences Between Lightroom and Lightroom Classic.

User Interface

Lightroom

Lightroom has a more time-saving and inherent user interface, emphasis on plainness and ease of use.

  • Advanced interface with a wipe and simple design.
  • Focus on an inherent organization for easy piloting.
  • The editing panel is approached with the help of an icon having three smooth lines.
  • Tabes: Color, Light, Effects, Details, Optics and Geometry.
  • An optional panel on the right side approaches extra features.

Lightroom Classic

Adobe Lightroom Classic keeps a user interface related to standard Adobe Applications, making it more common to users regularly to Adobe software.

  • Broad and more difficult interface as compared to Lightroom.
  • All editing tools are easily approachable within the module.
  • Particular edit presets are unified across the basic panel.
  • Common and effective workplace for complex editing tasks.
  • Target on keeping a typical user interface.
  • Develop modules with panels: Basic, Tone Curve, Color Grading, HSL, and Effects.

Arrangement And Photo Search

The major difference between Lightroom And Lightroom Classic is that Lightroom Uses AI- supported Adobe Sensei to organize and arrange Pictures. While using Lightroom, you can easily use the keyword tagging and face recognition functions. Lightroom lets you approach your special event pictures in a moment.

This AI function will also work without the added keyword. For example, if you search “Laptop,” Lightroom will automatically show all pictures that involve the laptop, even if you have not allocated the “laptop” keyword to any image.

On the other hand, Lightroom Classic saves images in on-board storage; it doesn’t offer that stuff of image arrangement. You can search for a photo on Lightroom Classic with the help of handy keyword searching. You have to arrange and set your image collection manually in Lightroom Classic, which is a very time-consuming task.

Storage System

Lightroom

Lightroom practices a cloud-based storage system for picture storage, decreasing the need for handy storage arrangement and providing an easy approach to pictures from various devices. Due to the cloud-based storage system, you can see and edit your images from various devices like your PC, Tab, or Mobile Phone.

It’s similar to holding your collection of images with you everywhere and at any time. For example you apply Dark Lightroom Presets on your picture using Lightroom to make it darker. Later on, when you open Lightroom on your PC, you’ll see the same Darker version of that photo due to the cloud-based storage system. Sometimes you might face the problem while using Lightroom Latest version, so you can also use Lightroom mod APK old version.

Lightroom Classic

Lightroom Classic uses an orthodox storage system, where pictures are saved topically on your device and organized across the archive file. As your images are already archived on your device, you don’t need the internet to modify your images.

You should accept the back-up liability as data is saved topically in your device. Any problem occurs to your device, and all your data or image collection can be deleted. This topical storage also fringes cooperation between photographers as you have to portion your photos by hand with others, and they can’t approach photos from the cloud storage system.

lr classic storage

Editing Abilities

Lightroom provides a broad array of editing tools involving AI-powered improvements and an emphasis on simplicity and a user-friendly interface. Lightroom Classic provides more enhancements, editing traits, and tools, making it superior for those who need accurate command over their edits.

  • The Healing Brush Tool in Lightroom tool-set is known as the Spot Removal Tool in Lightroom Classic. Both tools perform the same task in editing.
  • The HSL/Color panel in Lightroom Classic was renamed and is now called Color Mixer in Lightroom.
  • You can find the Temperature and Tint adjustments tool in the color panel in Lightroom, while this tool is present in the Basic panel of Lightroom Classic.
  •  You can access the Lens Correction tool in the Optics panel in Lightroom, while this tool is present in the Lens Corrections Panel of Lightroom Classic.
  • You can find the Transform tool in the Geometry panel in Lightroom, while this tool is present in the Transform panel of Lightroom Classic.

Tethered Shooting

Tethered shooting is a photography technique where a camera is linked to a computer, for the purpose of displaying captured images quickly on the computer screen. Lightroom allows up-to-date picture review and improvements within the photoshoot.

Lightroom enables tethered shooting to a narrow range. At the same time, Lightroom Classic offers more amazing tethering abilities for studio and state-of-the-art photography.

Pricing

You can buy Lightroom individually or with the Adobe Creative Cloud Photography plan; on the other hand, Lightroom Classic is only available as a part of Creative Cloud Photography. Lightroom Classic is not available individually. Creative Cloud’s yearly subscription cost is almost 55$.

If you want to purchase Lightroom individually, you have to bear the cost of 9.99$. There is also a typical photography plan available, which includes Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom, and Lightroom Classic. For more detail explore Adobe’s official store.

Pros and Cons of Lightroom

Pros

  • User-friendly interface
  • Mobile supportive
  • AI-powered enhanced image arrangement
  • Swift edits 
  • Cross-platform working environment
  • Cloud-based storage

Cons

  • Requires internet for full features access
  • Restricted enhanced tool
  • Limited cloud storage(1TB)

Pros and Cons of Lightroom Classic

Pros

  • More advanced tools as compared to Lightroom
  • Without internet or offline access feature
  • Extended customization features
  • More design abilities than Lightroom
  • Tethered shooting abilities

Cons

  • Complicated user interface for newbies.
  • Steeper learning curve
  • Complex features for beginners
  • Limited to PC version

For What to Use Lightroom?

  • When you need small changes in your photo with few chinks
  • When you want to enhance your edits instantly
  • For photo storage in cloud storage
  • For a streamlined interface for newbies

For What to Use Lightroom Classic?

  • When you need to perform precise edits and make more modifications to your photos.
  • If you have a large number of images and require a clean-up way to keep them smoothly arranged
  • When you want, you perform edits and make changes offline
  • Click here to read more about Lightroom Classic latest version 2024

Conclusion

In terms of advanced tools and offline access, Lightroom Classic is superior to Lightroom, but Lightroom Classic is not superior to Lightroom in terms of Cloud-based storage.

Lightroom Classic is a fabulous editing tool for beginners in terms of a user-friendly interface, a wide range of tools, and robust features. Perfect for newbies to boost up their editing skills.

Follow these steps:

  • Install both apps on your computer
  • Back-up images to the creative Cloud storage system
  • Open Lightroom Classic and start Synchronization with Lightroom CC.
  • Wait for the images to be synced.