Here's how to bypass Adobe's ridiculous early subscription cancelation fee

Adobe’s subscription model has long been a headache for users who just want to quit without paying extra. Now, frustrated customers are sharing a clever workaround to dodge the company’s steep cancellation fees.

The issue blew up again last week when a Reddit user posted about getting slapped with a $79.96 early termination fee after trying to cancel their Adobe Creative Cloud plan. They signed up for a monthly plan tied to a yearly contract, a common setup Adobe uses. But when they tried to cancel after just one month, the fee popped up. Worse, they couldn’t reach customer service for help.

Commenters quickly flooded the thread with advice. One tip stood out. Multiple users confirmed that switching to a cheaper Adobe plan first — like the $10/month Photography package — lets you cancel without the penalty. Why? Adobe’s fine print says you can cancel any plan within 14 days of changing it, no questions asked. By downgrading first, you trigger that two-week escape window.

Adobe’s cancellation policies have sparked backlash before. In 2024, the company faced a lawsuit over hidden fees and rigid contracts. Users often don’t realize they’re locked into annual deals when signing up for “monthly” plans. Canceling early can cost up to 50% of the remaining contract. Customer service hurdles make it even harder.

The workaround isn’t perfect. You still need to act fast. After switching plans, cancel within 14 days to avoid new charges. Some users also warn that Adobe’s website buries the cancellation button, so keep digging if it’s not obvious.

That said, it’s possible that Adobe might patch this loophole in the future, so you might want to act fast if you plan on canceling your subscription. It’s not ideal, but neither is paying $80 to quit a service you’re not using.