Adobe majorly focuses on creating technical software products. It was founded by Charles Geschke and John Warnock in 1982.  Adobe ranked as one of the largest software companies globally, with users worldwide. However, it competes with other innovative software companies that are ever-growing in the same space.

#1. IBM

  • Founded: June 16, 1911
  • Headquarters: Armonk, New York

Need to know

IBM is one of the long-existed technology companies with 100 years of existence and experience. Charles Ranlett Flint founded it in 1911. IBM was initially named Computing-Tabulating-Recording (CTR) Company and later renamed the International Business Machines (IBM). In 2020, it had 364,800 employees and a revenue of $73,620B. Its operation cut across 171 countries, headquartered in Armonk, New York.

IBM’s advantage over Adobe is the ever-increasing revenue from its cloud segment, which was reported to double Adobe’s total revenue in 2019 and did spur partnership between the companies as Adobe incorporated IBM ix Design System into its Experience Cloud solutions to serve its customers better.

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#2. Google

  • Founded: September 1998
  • Headquarters: Mountain View, California, United States

Need to know

Google was initially named BackRub and later renamed Google. The name Google was derived from the term ‘googol.’ It is headquartered in Mountain View, California, founded by Sergey Brin and Larry Page in September 1998. The American technology company is focused on a diverse range of internet-based products and services, including digital advertising platforms, hardware, software, and cloud computing. Currently, the company has a revenue of $181.69B and 139,995 employees. Google is known as Adobe’s top competitor in Analytics, with its free use offer and comprehensive operation system affording the company a slight edge over Adobe, making it a better alternative in the digital experience segment.

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#3 SAP

  • Founded: April 1972
  • Headquarters: Walldorf, South Germany

Need to know

Five former employees of IBM founded SAP (System Analysis and Program Development): Klaws Tschira, Hasso Plattner, Hans- Werner Hector, Claus Wellenreuther, and Dietmar Hopp in April 1972. The German multinational software company is focused on producing enterprise software that permits businesses to manage their operations. It is recognized for its ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) software. 

IBM has its headquarters in Walldorf, South Germany, and operates globally across more than 180 countries. Analysts reported SAP’s revenue in 2019 to be more than half of the revenue generated from Adobe. In 2020, its revenue was 27.34 billion euros, and it had 102,430 persons on its payroll. 

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#4 Salesforce

  • Founded: February 3, 1999
  • Headquarters: San Francisco, California, United States

Need to know

Salesforce was founded by an ex-Oracle executive and Marc Benioff, Frank Domingues, Parker Harris, and Dave Moellenhoff. It is located in San Francisco, California. Salesforce products are CRM software-based to improve clients’ marketing, commerce, customer service delivery, and sales.

In its fiscal year in 2021, Salesforce had revenue of $21.25 billion and 56,606 persons as its employees. With better reviews on most sites than Adobe and a slight edge in revenue, Salesforce stands to be growing into one of the biggest competitors of Adobe. Also, the Salesforce system supports seven languages, unlike Adobe that supports only English.

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#5 Autodesk

  • Founded: January 30, 1982
  • Headquarters: San Rafael, California

Need to know

Autodesk is an American software company whose services cut across some industries, including architecture, construction, engineering, and media, producing development and manufacturing software. It is headquartered in San Rafael, California.

John Walker founded it in 1982. Its products are Revit, Fusion 360, Motion builder, and Civil 3D. However, Autodesk is well known for its product, AUTOCAD – a software produced for architecture inclined persons. It has a $3.8 billion revenue and 11,500 persons on its payroll. Autodesk has its industries grouped into three segments: Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC), Media and Entertainment (M&E), and Manufacturing (MFG), with each contributing 40%, 6%, and 20% respectively to its total revenue.

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#6. Microsoft

  • Founded: April 4, 1975
  • Headquarters: Redmond, Washington, United States

Need to know

Microsoft is popular for itd amazing utility products and software and is well known for its Office Suite, Windows OS, and Web Browsers. Has its headquarter in One Microsoft Way; Redmond, Washington, United States and was founded in 1975 by Bill Gates and Paul Allen.

Microsoft is recognized as the leader in the Software-as-a-service segment and as one of the largest software developers in the world. Presently has a revenue of $168 billion and 182,268 employees. With Microsoft Azure ranking as the world’s second most popular cloud computing service and a better advantage through office 365, the company stands as one of the biggest competitors to Adobe.

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#7. Apple

  • Founded: April 1, 1976
  • Headquarters: Cupertino, California, United States

Need to know

Apple is a technology company focused on designing, manufactures, and marketing mobile communication and media devices. It is headquartered in Cupertino and was established in 1976. It was founded by Steve Jobs, Steve Woznick, and Ronald Wayne, and it’s targeted at manufacturing and industrial products, including app development, electronics, and music wearables. 

Apple is specialized in consumer electronics, computer software, and online services. Its operation cut across 21 countries and ranks with a 4.3 in employee rating. Apple was listed amongst the world’s most valuable brands and recognized as the most significant information technology company. With 1.65 billion apple products in active use, Apple remains a significant competitor to Adobe.

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#8. Oracle

  • Founded: June 16, 1977
  • Headquarters: Austin, Texas, United States

Need to know

Oracle was founded by Ed Oates, Bob Minor, and Larry Ellison. At inception, the company was named Software Development Laboratories and later Relational Software Inc. before its final rebrand to Oracle in 1982. It is headquartered in Austin, Texas, the United States though previously in Redwood City, California, till November 2020. It has 132,000 persons on its payroll. 

Oracle is focused on three segments named database software and technology, enterprise software products, and cloud engineered systems and was listed as the second-best software company globally in 2019. It is the sixth-largest provider in the cloud segment and was ranked No. 82 in the 2018 Fortune 500 list.

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#9. Corel

  • Founded: June 1985
  • Headquarters: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Need to know

Corel is a software company founded by Michael Cowpland in 1985. It is headquartered in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Corel started as a research lab, and its name ‘Corel’ stems from an abbreviation from Cowpland Research Laboratory. Its unique products are Motion 3D, Painter 2020, and CorelCAD 2020.

Corel was founded three years after Adobe. Both companies compete in the digital media segment. However, Adobe’s revenue in this segment had always shoot beyond Corel’s. A significant advantage of using Corel products is its user-friendly features, subscription cost, and specifications of its interface for beginners and intermediate designers’ needs. Currently has a revenue of $142 million and 760 employees. 

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#10. Avid

  • Founded: August 1987
  • Headquarters: Burlington, Massachusetts

Need to know

Avid is headquartered in Burlington, Massachusetts. It is an American technology company founded by Will Barner in 1987. Its primary products are audio editing software and video editing software.

Avid’s products are B2B focused and targeted at production companies. Avid has employees across 37 locations and is well recognized for its Media Composer product.

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Sources

https://bstrategyhub.com/adobe-competitors-alternatives/amp/

https://www.google.com/amp/s/whatcompetitors.com/adobe/amp/

https://craft.co/adobe/competitors

https://www.comparably.com/companies/adobe/competitors