Adobe Lightroom alternatives

All Adobe Lightroom alternatives

1. 

   

   Capture One

   3.5(330) · App StoreLike

   Capture One is a photo editing and asset management application known for its RAW color rendering and tethered shooting, used in studio, fashion and commercial photography. It offers layer-based local adjustments, advanced color editing, sessions and catalogs for organizing shoots, and live sharing tools for clients. It runs on Windows and macOS, with an app for iPad and iPhone.

   7 Capture One alternatives

   Pros

   • Renowned RAW color rendering and advanced color tools
   • Fast, reliable tethered shooting for studio work
   • Layer-based local adjustments and session workflows

   Cons

   • Pricing is high for hobbyist photographers
   • Steep learning curve for newcomers
   • Fewer mobile and cloud features than Lightroom

   Cost / License

   Free trialProprietary

   Categories

   Photo Editing

   Platforms

   WindowsMaciPhone

   Features

   Color gradingLayersNon-destructive editingPhoto library managementRAW photo editing

   Visit websiteMore about Capture One
2. D

   D

   darktable

   13.3KstarsLike

   darktable is a free, open source photography workflow application that acts as a virtual light table and darkroom for RAW files. It offers non-destructive editing with a scene-referred pipeline, parametric and drawn masks, color calibration tools, tethered shooting and a tagged image library. It runs on Linux, Windows and macOS and suits photographers who want advanced RAW processing without a subscription.

   6 darktable alternatives

   Pros

   • Free, open source RAW processing with no subscription
   • Scene-referred pipeline with advanced masks and color calibration
   • Runs on Linux, Windows and macOS, with tethered shooting

   Cons

   • Steep learning curve and a dense interface
   • No mobile apps or cloud sync

   Cost / License

   FreeOpen source

   Categories

   Photo Editing

   Platforms

   WindowsMacLinux

   Features

   Color gradingNon-destructive editingPhoto library managementRAW photo editing

   Visit websiteMore about darktable
3. 

   

   Luminar Neo

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   Luminar Neo is a photo editor from Skylum that relies on AI tools to simplify complex edits such as sky replacement, portrait retouching, relighting and object removal. It works as a standalone app on Windows and macOS or as a plugin for Lightroom Classic and Photoshop, with extensions for upscaling, background removal and noise reduction. It targets photographers who prefer fast results to manual masking.

   7 Luminar Neo alternatives

   Pros

   • AI tools make sky replacement and relighting quick
   • Works standalone or as a plugin for Lightroom Classic and Photoshop
   • Portrait retouching and object removal with little manual work

   Cons

   • Some tools come as extensions on top of the base app
   • Can feel slow with large photo libraries
   • AI results can look artificial without careful tuning

   Cost / License

   Free trialProprietary

   Categories

   Photo Editing

   Platforms

   WindowsMac

   Features

   Background removalLayersPhoto enhancementRAW photo editingUpscaling

   Visit websiteMore about Luminar Neo
4. 

   

   RawTherapee

   4.2KstarsLike

   RawTherapee is a free, open source program for developing RAW photos on Windows, macOS and Linux. It focuses on image quality, with several demosaicing algorithms, advanced noise reduction, color management and detailed tone and color tools, all applied non-destructively through processing profiles. It includes a file browser and batch queue but no catalog, so it suits photographers who organize files themselves.

   6 RawTherapee alternatives

   Pros

   • Free, open source RAW development with fine-grained controls
   • Several demosaicing algorithms and advanced noise reduction
   • Batch queue and processing profiles for consistent results

   Cons

   • No catalog or library management
   • Technical interface with a steep learning curve

   Cost / License

   FreeOpen source

   Categories

   Photo Editing

   Platforms

   WindowsMacLinux

   Features

   Color gradingNon-destructive editingRAW photo editing

   Visit websiteMore about RawTherapee
5. 

   

   Adobe Photoshop

   4.5(94.4K) · App StoreLike

   Adobe Photoshop is a professional image editor used for retouching, compositing, graphic design and digital painting. It combines layers, masks, adjustment layers, Camera Raw processing and a large plugin ecosystem with Firefly-powered tools such as Generative Fill and object removal. It runs on Windows and macOS, with web, iPad and iPhone versions that sync through Creative Cloud.

   12 Adobe Photoshop alternatives

   Pros

   • Industry standard for retouching and compositing
   • Generative Fill and object removal powered by Firefly
   • Vast ecosystem of plugins and tutorials

   Cons

   • Subscription only, which adds up over time
   • Steep learning curve for beginners
   • Demanding on hardware with large files

   Cost / License

   Free trialProprietary

   Categories

   Photo EditingGraphic Design

   Platforms

   WebWindowsMaciPhone

   Features

   Background removalDigital paintingImage generationLayersPlugins & extensionsRAW photo editing

   Visit websiteMore about Adobe Photoshop
6. 

   

   Affinity

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   Affinity is a professional creative app from Canva that merges the former Affinity Designer, Photo and Publisher into one program with vector, pixel and layout workspaces. It is free to download for Windows and macOS, while its optional Canva AI tools require a paid Canva plan. It suits designers who want an alternative to Adobe subscriptions and can import PSD, PDF and IDML files.

   12 Affinity alternatives

   Pros

   • Free download combining vector, pixel and layout workspaces in one app
   • Imports PSD, PDF and IDML files from Adobe workflows
   • Professional tools without a mandatory subscription

   Cons

   • Canva AI tools require a paid Canva plan
   • Smaller plugin and training ecosystem than Adobe’s
   • Imported Adobe files can need manual adjustments

   Cost / License

   FreemiumProprietary

   Categories

   Graphic DesignPhoto Editing

   Platforms

   WindowsMac

   Features

   Digital paintingLayersNon-destructive editingRAW photo editingVector editing

   Visit websiteMore about Affinity
7. 

   

   Pixelmator Pro

   4.4(561) · Mac App StoreLike

   Pixelmator Pro is an image editor designed for macOS that brings photo editing, retouching, illustration and graphic design into one app. It offers non-destructive layer-based editing, RAW processing and machine learning tools for upscaling, denoising, background removal and automatic enhancement. Pixelmator was acquired by Apple in 2024, and the app is sold on the Mac App Store.

   9 Pixelmator Pro alternatives

   Pros

   • Native Mac design with a clean interface
   • Machine learning tools for upscaling, denoising and background removal
   • Combines photo editing, painting and vector design

   Cons

   • No version for Windows or Linux
   • Fewer plugins and pro integrations than Photoshop

   Cost / License

   PaidProprietary

   Categories

   Photo Editing

   Platforms

   Mac

   Features

   Background removalLayersNon-destructive editingRAW photo editingUpscalingVector editing

   Visit websiteMore about Pixelmator Pro
8. 

   

   GIMP

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   GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is a free, open source image editor used for photo retouching, image composition and digital artwork. It offers layers, masks, selection tools, a wide range of filters and scripts and plugins in Python or Script-Fu. GIMP 3.0 added non-destructive filters and a refreshed interface, and it is a common Photoshop alternative for people who want to avoid subscriptions.

   12 GIMP alternatives

   Pros

   • Free, open source and available on Windows, macOS and Linux
   • Layers, masks, filters and scripting in Python or Script-Fu
   • Non-destructive filters since version 3.0

   Cons

   • Interface and workflows differ from Photoshop, which slows switchers
   • Fewer AI and generative tools than commercial editors

   Cost / License

   FreeOpen source

   Categories

   Photo Editing

   Platforms

   WindowsMacLinux

   Features

   AI image editingDigital paintingLayersNon-destructive editingPlugins & extensions

   Visit websiteMore about GIMP
9. 

   

   Remini

   4.6(356.1K) · App StoreLike

   Remini, owned by Bending Spoons, is a mobile and web app that uses AI to enhance photos and videos: it sharpens blurry or low-resolution images, restores old pictures and improves faces. It can also generate AI portraits of you in different styles from a few selfies, including professional headshots. The app can be used for free with limits, and a subscription unlocks more processing and features.

   8 Remini alternatives

   Pros

   • Sharpens blurry or low-resolution photos in a tap
   • Restores old pictures and enhances faces
   • Available on iOS, Android and the web

   Cons

   • Free version is limited, with frequent prompts to subscribe
   • Face enhancement can look artificial or alter features

   Cost / License

   FreemiumProprietary

   Categories

   AI Headshot GeneratorsPhoto Editing

   Platforms

   WebiPhoneAndroid

   Features

   Photo enhancementProfessional headshotsUpscaling

   Visit websiteMore about Remini