Looking for a photo editor other than Lightroom? Luminar Neo offers similar core photo organization and editing capabilities while introducing many powerful tools to maximize your creativity.
Lightroom has become the professional’s go-to choice thanks to its robust features, comprehensive metadata management, and extensive integration capabilities. But let’s see what Luminar Neo has to offer you:
Luminar Neo’s user-friendly interface allows beginners to easily dive into the editing process, from startup to export. There’s no need to constantly refer to manuals or YouTube videos to understand the tool’s functions. Plus, while the workflow is streamlined, its editing capabilities are extensive.
Luminar Neo brings many intriguing and unique AI enhancements. Shift your focus from monotonous tasks to pure creativity. With Luminar Neo, photo editing transforms into a truly enchanting experience.
We discussed the AI tools in Luminar Neo that make editing fast. However, this is not all. Like Lightroom, Luminar Neo also has a collection of presets. It’s an essential tool in any photographer’s arsenal, and it will definitely help you achieve stunning results with just a few clicks.
|
Luminar Neo |
Lightroom |
|
|---|---|---|
Interface Complexities |
Intuitive interface, easier for beginners. |
Professional and detailed, might have a steeper |
Destructive/Non-destructive editor |
Non-destructive adjustments with a history panel. |
Non-destructive adjustments with a history panel. |
Working space |
Effective for basic organization. |
Robust organizational tools, including custom tags, metadata-based filtering, and face recognition. |
Printing and Exporting |
Simplified exporting options. |
Comprehensive exporting and printing options with advanced settings. |
AI and Automation |
Advanced AI features for auto-corrections and enhancements. |
Less emphasis on AI, and more on manual adjustments. |
Professional Photo Editing Tools |
Professional Photo Editing Tools Lacks some common tools like Clone & Stamp, Dodge & Burn, and Spot Healing; limited undo/redo and hotkey options. |
Offers a full suite of professional editing tools and supports extensive hotkeys. |
Layer-based editing |
Supports layer-based editing with AI assistance. |
Not available yet. |
Filters and Effects |
Wide range of filters and effects with AI integration. |
Extensive filters and effects, tailored for professional use. |
Price Model |
One-time purchase or subscription options available. |
Subscription-based as part of Adobe Creative Cloud. |
Community and Support |
Growing community and user support. |
Extensive community support and professional resources. |
Want to get all the benefits of Luminar Neo but have an established Lightroom workflow? Great news! You can use all the power of Luminar Neo within a plugin for Lightroom without changing up your usual post-production process.
Compared to Lightroom, Luminar Neo has a more intuitive interface and sliders that simplify routine tasks. Luminar Neo is designed to make it easier to start your photo editing journey without having to watch tutorials or spend a lot of time learning the features.
Luminar Neo can be used as a Lightroom plugin, so you can experience the best of both programs in your workflow. If you’re used to the Lightroom workflow and already have an organized Lightroom catalog that you’re not willing to part with, you can still use Luminar Neo as a plugin and benefit from its powerful AI tools.
You can no longer buy Adobe Lightroom as a standalone program and own it forever. To access Lightroom, you must subscribe to a monthly or yearly plan. With Luminar Neo, you can purchase a lifetime license or choose a subscription. Compare the pros and cons of a lifetime license vs a subscription and decide what suits you best.
The speed of any editing software depends on many factors, including the hardware you’re running it on and the formats of the photos you’re working with. You can try both programs out on the computer you typically use to edit photos.
Only you can decide which photo editing program better suits your needs. Are you a beginner or a pro? What kind of workflow do you need? You can try Luminar Neo for free and see if it suits you before purchasing.
Mac Model
MacBook, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, iMac Pro, Mac Pro, Mac mini, early 2010 or newer
Processor
CPU Intel® Core™ i5 8 Gen or better
OS version
macOS 12.0 or higher.
RAM
Memory 8 GB RAM or more (16+ GB RAM is recommended)
Disk space
Hard disk 10 GB free space; SSD for best performance
Display
1280x768 size or better
Hardware
Windows-based hardware PC with mouse or similar input device
Processor
CPU Intel® Core™ i5 8 Gen or better, AMD Ryzen™ 5 or better
OS version
10 version 1909 or higher (only 64-bit OS)
RAM
Memory 8 GB RAM or more (16+ GB RAM is recommended)
Disk space
Hard disk 10 GB free space; SSD for best performance
Display
1280x768 size or better
Graphics
Open GL 3.3 or later compatible graphics card
