Adobe’s Generative Credits: A Step Forward or a Step Back for Creative Cloud Users?
A Big Shift in Adobe’s Strategy
Adobe has dominated the creative software market for decades, shaping the way designers, marketers, photographers, and videographers work. But with the rise of artificial intelligence, Adobe has been forced to rethink how its tools are used, and how they are priced.
The company recently introduced Generative Credits, a system that attaches a “cost” to many AI-powered features in Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Pro, and other Creative Cloud apps.
On the surface, this might sound like a simple update. But in reality, it changes the way users interact with Adobe products — raising important questions:
Are Adobe apps becoming more expensive?
Are users paying for features that should already be part of the subscription?
Would it have been better to make Generative AI a separate product?
Let’s break it down.
What Are Generative Credits?
Generative credits are essentially tokens that allow you to use Adobe’s AI-powered features.
Each time you perform a generative action — for example, using Generative Fill in Photoshop — Adobe deducts credits from your monthly balance. The more advanced the task, the more credits you consume.
When you run out of credits, you either:
Wait until your balance resets with your subscription cycle, or
Buy extra credit packs as add-ons.
This system is Adobe’s way of managing the high computational costs of AI processing, but it has sparked debate among users.
Table: What Features Use Credits (and What Don’t)
To clear up confusion, here’s a simplified table based on Adobe’s 2025 credit system:
| Application / Feature | Consumes Credits | Does NOT Consume Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Photoshop – Generative Fill | ✅ Yes (1 credit per action) | Standard brushes, filters, non-AI edits |
| Photoshop – Generative Expand | ✅ Yes (1 credit per action) | Cropping, resizing, manual adjustments |
| Illustrator – Vector Recolor (AI) | ✅ Yes | Manual color editing, pen tool |
| Premiere Pro – Generative Extend Video | ✅ Yes (multiple credits depending on duration) | Standard timeline editing, trimming |
| After Effects – Generative Scene Fill | ✅ Yes | Motion graphics, non-AI effects |
| Lightroom – AI Denoise & Enhance | ✅ Yes | Manual sliders (exposure, contrast, etc.) |
| Adobe Firefly (Standalone) | ✅ Yes (most features) | Limited free previews |
| Acrobat – AI Summaries & Suggestions | ✅ Yes | Standard PDF editing, comments, signatures |
| InDesign – Layout Suggestions (AI) | ✅ Yes | Manual layout tools, typography adjustments |
Why Adobe Introduced Credits
Adobe claims the credit system is necessary for three reasons:
AI is expensive to run. Each generative action requires cloud processing and advanced GPUs.
Fairness across plans. Not every user needs AI, credits let Adobe charge only those who use it heavily.
Scalability. Credits make it easier to roll out new AI features without hiking the base subscription cost for everyone.
From a business perspective, this makes sense. From a user perspective, it feels more complicated.
The Positive Side of Generative Credits
It’s not all bad news. There are some clear benefits to this approach:
Predictable Usage. Users know how many actions they can perform per month.
Flexible Plans. Light users don’t subsidize heavy users.
Room for Growth. Adobe can introduce more AI without breaking existing subscription models.
For professionals who only occasionally use AI, say, a designer who applies Generative Fill a few times a week, the included credits might be enough.
The Negative Side – Are We Paying Twice?
This is where the debate heats up.
Complexity for Users. Creative tools used to be straightforward. Now, designers must track credit usage like phone data plans.
Value Concerns. Many argue that if they already pay for Creative Cloud, features inside those apps should be included — not gated by tokens.
No Rollover. Unused credits vanish at the end of the month, which feels wasteful.
Add-On Costs. Power users (photographers, video editors) will likely burn through credits quickly and end up paying more.
For some, this raises a bigger question: Are we paying for the software itself, or for the options that should naturally come with it?
Should Generative AI Have Been a Separate Service?
Some experts argue Adobe should have kept things simpler:
Maintain Creative Cloud as it was (Photoshop, Illustrator, etc. with their full features).
Launch Adobe AI as a separate add-on product, priced according to usage.
This would have been cleaner: customers who want AI could pay for it, while those who don’t wouldn’t feel like features were being taken away.
Instead, Adobe merged AI directly into its core apps — but then added credits on top of the existing subscription. That’s why many users feel they’re being “double charged.”
Are Adobe Apps Getting Hit Positively or Negatively?
It’s a mixed bag.
Positive: Adobe is clearly innovating. Its AI tools are powerful, integrated, and arguably better than many third-party alternatives. Users who stick within the free credit limits may find it’s enough.
Negative: The perception is poor. Creative professionals value simplicity and reliability. Credits add friction and make Adobe feel less user-friendly.
Social media sentiment shows many professionals feel frustrated, and competitors like Affinity and DaVinci Resolve are gaining goodwill by keeping one-time pricing or including updates without credits.
Is Adobe on the Right Path?
Adobe’s generative credits are a bold step, but not without controversy.
On one hand, the system ensures Adobe can afford to keep innovating in AI without raising subscription fees across the board. On the other, it creates friction for loyal users who feel they’re paying twice for features inside apps they already subscribe to.
The real test will be in adoption and perception:
If users see AI as an extra value, credits may be accepted.
If users see AI as basic functionality, credits will feel like a penalty.
Perhaps the best solution would have been a dedicated Adobe AI plan — giving power users unlimited access while leaving traditional subscriptions intact. Until then, creatives must adapt to tracking credits alongside layers, masks, and timelines.
👉 At Creativa Forge, we keep a close eye on updates like these because they directly impact our clients’ workflows. Whether you’re sticking with Adobe, exploring Affinity, or experimenting with AI tools, we’re here to help you make the most of your design stack. Contact Us for more.
Links to Adobe Documentation
Generative Credits FAQ — Adobe’s official page explaining what generative credits are, how they’re used, what features are included, etc. Adobe Help Center
Generative credits access & use — details on which features do consume credits, and how credit usage works. Adobe Help Center
Photoshop generative credits (some features no credits) — examples of Photoshop generative & non-credit features. Adobe Help Center