ecobin Loc: Paoli, PA

I've used Affinity Photo for over 4 years and will never go back to Photoshop (I still have CS6). It's more intuitive than Photoshop and there are hundreds of YouTube tutorials on every aspect of it.
I use PayPay whenever possible so that my credit card has limited visibility around the web. So far I'm satisfied with PayPal.

traderjohn Loc: New York City

Yeah. They must have seen you coming.

AZNikon Loc: Mesa, AZ

Don't give up something you love over suspicions of wrong-doing or accidents that may never take place. Simply find a way of paying that makes you feel warm and fuzzy. Life's too short to spend it looking over your shoulder, enjoy!

mikeroetex Loc: Lafayette, LA

Others have mentioned Paypal, which I use for Adobe. However, for other online accounts, my bank let's me create unlimited virtual cards. I can create, buy and delete immediately after purchase. They show up as charges to my regular CC account.
I can also turn them on or off, which I usually do for annual charges (saves having to recreate a number). My browser extension opens up the CC creation tool anytime I'm online for a purchase.
Another benefit, because the cards are virtual mirrors, they don't exist out there in cybernet for scammers to steal. I get this service through Capital One, your bank or CC company may offer as well.

gessman Loc: Colorado

I would not interrupt my post processing life to go digging through the software world because there really is no perfect, easy, comprehensive substitute for Adobe - there are realistic alternative compromises, but... You're going to waste a lot of time weeding through everything that's out there and likely have to wind up using two or three different packages to get where you are now.

I know other adequate payment alternatives have been mentioned but one I haven't seen specifically mentioned is to get a prepaid card and fund it monthly with just enough to make recurring payment obligations like to Adobe. That will keep you on top of your agreed to obligations and allow you to avoid the possibility for theft.

anotherview Loc: California

Add Adobe Bridge to the list, as an image organizer.

I know that some users choke at the subscription model for their own reasons.

For my part, I prefer the subscription model because Adobe periodically updates its software and adds features and functions, instead of doing so once a year (as before).

Sidwalkastronomy Loc: New Jersey Shore

Gas stations are good places to get your card stolen from. I use a separate card for them.
What a headache for you

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

Two services: LifeLock and CapitalOne. LifeLock is just plain peace of mind. Used properly its tools make it darn near impossible for anyone to abuse your identity or credit. It won't necessarily stop a fraudelent credit card use, but, CapitalOne has outstanding security features for its cards. A couple of years ago it quickly caught a fraudelent use of my card by a WalMart employee. Stopped it dead in its tracks. Just last week I went online and renewed the DMV registrations for my boat and utility trailers. Two identical but separate transactions within minutes of each other caused a security alert and generated an e-mail asking me for authorization. Anytime I make a transaction from a computer it doesn't associate with my card, which I do on rare occasions, I get an e-mail. Outstanding security.

BigDaddy Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

I used PS as long as you, and 3 years ago switched to Affinity Photo. It was not particularly easy for me since I was so used to PS. Anything that worked differently seemed "quirky". I managed to stick with it, and eventually got used to the interface (very similar to PS but not exactly) I would highly recommend Affinity for sure, but would not tell you the switch after 20 years would be easy.

Having said that, if the only reason you are wanting to switch is the credit card issue, I would recommend a separate credit card used exclusively for on-line stuff. I use PayPal a lot, and have a separate bank account that exclusively feeds PayPal. I keep a nominal amount in the account just in case.

Hip Coyote

Eliminating a subscription to Adobe would not reduce your exposure to credit card fraud. Buying any other program via the internet would exposure your credit card because it would be recorded in their online records. The VPN makes sense, two factor authorization makes sense, evaluating other questionable sellers makes sense. I would try to determine where and how the fraud took place. As of now it seems you are applying a remedy before the diagnosis. Could the fraud be from an employee at a restaurant you habitually use (they have your card in hand for a few moments out of your view). Are the transactions locally or outside your area? Do you purchase items from other counties or on foreign sites? The list goes on and on. Don’t shoot your self in the foot with faulty logic.

fredwelker Loc: Florida

Use an Apple Credit Card, it has no account numbers and can not be copied.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Giving up on the best software in the market to address a problem with your credit card is the wrong solution to an unrelated problem.

There's two more effective options:

1. Use a unique virtual credit card for subscription services, possibly one virtual number per service. Here's a discussion, but the benefit of a virtual number if you can tightly control the credit limit and who can use the card.

https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/how-to-protect-yourself-online-with-disposable-credit-card-numbers

2. Consider where you're using your physical card. Online transactions are rather safe as most systems involving credit card payments have strict technical requirements to meet imposed by the credit card industry. The card issuers won't authorized payments if those requirements are not met, meaning you don't have an online business if you don't meet those requirements. In my last system, we didn't even store the CC#, rather we stored a token (a generated unique identifier) that we passed to the bank for payment verification. That token, only from us, could be used for payments on that customer's card.

I had a stretch where my card was proactively replaced by my back 2 / 3 times in a 2-year period. Think about the gas stations, liquor stores, convenience stores, restaurants / bars where maybe someone handles your card outside of your direct eyesight / physical control that might be when the number is being taken.

rcarol

You could pay annually. That would lessen exposure of your credit card to hackers.

anotherview Loc: California

Good idea.

goldstar46 Loc: Tampa, Fl

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Bill

Another alternative if you do wish to stay with Adobe is to purchase your license as an annual event. In that fashion, you receive the key to eat good for a whole year.

As your general rule, and for at least the last five years, I have been able to find the one year, annual photography license for Adobe Lightroom CC and Photoshop, usually around Black Friday and Christmas time, at many of the popular brand name photo shops like B&H.

These other outfits have different forms of payment that you can use besides your credit card. And the license is usually at a discount during Black Friday

Just a thought oh, it does work for me.- best of luck

Cheers
George Veazey