/
Adobe Express vs. Creative Cloud Licenses: Which do I need?

Adobe Express vs. Creative Cloud Licenses: Which do I need?

Owned by Anh Huynh
Last updated: Jan 02, 2025 by Anastasia SE-Spangler
3 min read
  1. If you need to modify PDFs outside of the capabilities of Adobe Acrobat Reader, we have separate licenses for Adobe Acrobat PRO, available by request via a ticket to our Service Desk.
  2. Otherwise, follow the article below to determine your use case and move forward.

Adobe Express vs Creative Cloud

Unknown-1.jpeg

Adobe Express allows users to create branded content, such as flyers and logos, post social media content, and edit basic PDF documents with the help of artificial intelligence (AI) technology.

media_126537f95a8347d88087e45b6e8c1d6493c999778-20250102-184558.webp
Adobe Express Platform
  1. If Adobe Express works for your needs, stop here and request access.

Licensing for Adobe Express is available upon request to all Faculty, Staff and Student Workers. To get started, please use your SU credentials to submit an Adobe Express License Request.

Adobe_Creative_Cloud_rainbow_icon.svg-20250102-190352.png

Adobe Creative Cloud is a set of applications and services that gives subscribers access to a collection of software used for graphic design, video editing, web development, and photography, along with a set of mobile applications and some optional cloud services.

 

  1. Before you request access to Adobe Creative Cloud, review the table below and determine if Adobe Express can meet the needs of your work.

Adobe Express

Adobe Express

  • Create visual, audio, and video content

  • Collaborate with colleagues in-app

  • Use templates, design elements, and stock photos to build designs

  • Incorporate your organization’s branding, logo, and colors

  • Remove Backgrounds

Adobe Creative Cloud’s Additional Functionality

  • Use Lightroom’s presets and granular adjustment to edit photos

  • Import assets from other Creative Cloud apps into books, magazines, and PDFs

  • Design virtual elements from scratch

  • Create motion graphics, original animations, and expressive animated characters

  • Make use of industry standard video editing tools, suitable for social media posts all the way up to feature length films

  • Create and mix sound effects for videos or podcasts

  • Design websites, games, and apps

  1. If Adobe Express does not meet your needs, continue on to determine your tier of access.

Adobe Creative Cloud Licensing Tiers

  1. Your request must specify a tier, according to the scope of your work.

Full time tier

You are in a position that requires heavy use of the applications in the Adobe CC suite. You use this functionality daily or multiple times a week, year round. These require managerial approval and will renew yearly as needed.

Project or Quarterly tier

You are working on a non-recurring project or work related item that requires one or more of the Adobe CC suite, but your regular day to day responsibilities do not require this functionality. These licenses require managerial approval, and will renew quarterly as needed.

  1. Faculty, Staff and Student Workers may access Adobe CC, according to the tier needed, upon request. Create a support desk ticket to initiate your request.

Limited licenses can be made available to students with instructor sponsorship on a quarterly basis.

 

Related content