[2][3] Software from Creative Cloud is downloaded from the Internet, installed directly on a local computer and used as long as the subscription remains valid.
[19][20] Although Adobe's cloud-based model caused disagreement and uncertainty,[19] and incited annoyance[21] and conflict,[22] a survey by CNET and Jefferies revealed that despite complaints most of its 1.4 million subscribers[22][23] plan to renew.
[24][25] Shifting to a software as a service model, Adobe announced more frequent feature updates to its products and the eschewing of their traditional release cycles.
Consequently, if subscribers cancel or stop paying, they will lose access to the software as well as the ability to open work saved in proprietary file formats.
[28] This shift has been met with mixed reviews by both corporations and independent designers, with many people expressing their displeasure on the web[29][30][31] and through multiple Internet petitions.
[39] Some users were concerned that they would be forced to upgrade their computer hardware when it is no longer supported by the current version of the Creative Cloud software.
[41][42] Despite significant customer criticism over Adobe's move to subscription-only pricing,[43] the company announced that it would not sell perpetual licenses to its software alongside the subscriptions: "We understand this is a big change, but we are so focused on the vision we shared for Creative Cloud, and we plan to focus all our new innovation on the Creative Cloud".
[44] In May 2014 the service was interrupted for over a day due to a login outage leaving graphics professionals locked out of Creative Cloud.