As Adobe has turned into a hellscape of subscription and AI making, I have just learned of this open source alternative: DarkTable. Some people I respect (and know from Mastodon) use it so I’m passing the info on to you. I have no relationship to the makers and have no personal knowledge about the tool, but anything that enables artists to get away from Adobe (and any of the other online & subscription tools) can’t be all bad.
Many of these same artists are using PixelFed instead of Instagram, for example, or have gone back to having their own websites and showing their work there. I think that is great because using platforms like Instagram (or, heaven forbid, X) feed the fascists. Literally.
Does it take more work? Sure, at first especially, but it is worth it.
I have been taking my own business off of subscription-based products as well. It took a bit of doing, but I’m just about there. The most difficult tool to replace was the bookkeeping application. Lawyers have some strict reporting requirements and we have things like trust accounts to keep track of. I also do cash basis accounting, which often is not supported. I’m now using Manager for my business books and it has so far been solid (I have not cancelled my Xero subscription yet, just in case, but I think I’m going to quite soon). It had a learning curve, but not terrible.
For social media, I only do Mastodon now. When I have to go on sites like Facebook (to document infringements, for example), I’m shocked at how awful they are. And, like I said, it puts money in the fascists’ coffers.
Long story short: you can take control back from the corporate masters. I sincerely encourage you to do so.