If you’re a photographer or photo editor, you’ve probably felt the pinch of Adobe Lightroom’s ever-increasing subscription fees. The monthly cost keeps going up, and many users are growing frustrated with the continuous expense. Luckily, the market is brimming with capable Lightroom alternatives that either come with a one-time purchase or are completely free to use. In this article, we’ll explore eight of the best Lightroom alternatives, ranking them based on their features, ease of use, and value for money.
Whether you’re looking for powerful AI-driven editing tools or a free, open-source Lightroom clone, this list has something for every budget and workflow. Let’s dive in and find out which software deserves your attention — and which might be better left on the shelf.
How and Why, We Picked These Lightroom Alternatives
Choosing the right Lightroom alternative isn’t just about price — it’s about finding software that fits your editing style, workflow, and budget. We reviewed eight popular alternatives that cover a range of price points from free to premium. Each option was tested for:
- User interface and ease of navigation
- Core photo editing features (exposure, contrast, color grading)
- Support for presets and LUTs (including compatibility with .cube files)
- AI-powered tools and automation capabilities
- Photo organization and cataloging features
- Pricing models and value for money
Our ranking reflects a balance between the richness of features, usability, and overall cost-effectiveness. We’ve also flagged any quirks or drawbacks you should be aware of before committing.
Why You Need a Lightroom Alternative
Adobe Lightroom has long been the industry standard for photo editing and management. However, its subscription model has become a sticking point for many photographers and hobbyists. The monthly fees add up, and you never truly own the software — leaving many to seek alternatives that offer:
- One-time purchase options — pay once, own forever
- Free, open-source solutions — powerful tools at zero cost
- AI-driven editing features — faster, smarter workflows
- Compatibility with Lightroom presets — ease of transition
- Flexible, user-friendly interfaces — less learning curve
Top Picks
- Best Overall: Luminar Neo – $79
- Best Value: ON1 Photo RAW – $99 (+50% OFF)
- Best Free Option: Rawtherapee
With these goals in mind, let’s explore the top Lightroom alternatives currently available.
1. ON1 Photo RAW
Price: ~$50 (often discounted from $99.99) for a lifetime license. Use this link and CODE: BLACKFRIDAY for a 50% discount.
Best for: Photographers seeking a Lightroom-like experience with advanced AI tools at a very affordable one-time cost
ON1 Photo RAW is a hidden gem that many photographers overlook. Despite its lower profile compared to Lightroom and Luminar, ON1 packs a punch with a familiar and intuitive interface that Lightroom users will find easy to navigate. The software offers a full photo management system with star ratings, color coding, and a catalog section that feels very much like Lightroom’s Library module.
Its editing tools cover all the essentials — exposure, contrast, shadows, highlights, and more — alongside advanced features like subject masking, generative erase, and a robust healing brush. Importantly, ON1 supports .cube files, allowing you to use your favorite presets and LUTs seamlessly.
What really sets ON1 apart is its AI Style Advisor, an AI-powered assistant that suggests presets tailored to your image and learns from your editing preferences over time. This smart feature helps speed up your workflow and unleashes creative possibilities.
Pros
- One-time purchase with frequent discounts, making it extremely affordable
- AI Style Advisor personalizes preset suggestions
- Supports .cube presets for easy migration
- Comprehensive photo organization and editing tools
- 30-day free trial available
Cons
- Some users may find the AI features less advanced than Luminar Neo’s
- Updates and major upgrades may require additional purchases
Why it’s a top pick: For under ~$50, ON1 Photo RAW delivers a Lightroom-like experience with powerful AI tools and a user-friendly interface. It’s arguably the best value paid alternative, especially if you’re tired of subscriptions.
Get it here: ON1 Photo RAW official site
2. Skylum Luminar Neo
Price: $79 (often discounted from $377) for a lifetime license
Best for: Those who want cutting-edge AI editing tools combined with a polished, modern interface
Skylum Luminar Neo is well-known for its aggressive marketing and a feature set that leans heavily into AI-powered editing. With tools like sky enhancement, noise removal, motion blur reduction, and a unique relighting feature that adjusts brightness based on object depth, Luminar Neo pushes the boundaries of what AI can do in photo editing.
The UI is clean and visually appealing, making it a pleasure to use, especially for beginners who can benefit from the built-in tutorials and resources. The catalog system mirrors Lightroom’s structure, with sections for organizing photos and applying presets. You can import your own presets and LUTs, though the option to upload .cube files is relatively hidden within the Mood options, possibly nudging users toward their preset store.
While the abundance of features can feel overwhelming at first, Luminar Neo’s intuitive sliders and painting tools help ease the learning curve. If you can snag it discounted, it’s a powerful option for photographers who want AI-driven enhancements.
Pros
- Strong focus on AI tools for advanced editing
- Beautiful, beginner-friendly interface with tutorials
- Supports importing .lnpc and .cube preset files
- Relighting tool unique in this lineup
- 7-day free trial available
Cons
- Full price is steep if no discounts are available
- Preset import options for .cube files are not intuitive
- Feature overload may intimidate new users
Why it’s a top pick: Luminar Neo is a visually appealing, AI-rich alternative to Lightroom that caters to creative photographers who want to experiment with next-gen editing tools.
Get it here: Skylum Luminar Neo official site
3. CyberLink PhotoDirector 365
Price: Approximately $100 one-time purchase
Best for: Users wanting a hybrid Lightroom and Luminar Neo experience with additional graphic design tools
PhotoDirector 365 is a fascinating blend of Lightroom’s core editing and organization features with Luminar Neo’s AI enhancements. It boasts a clean, Lightroom-esque UI and supports .cube preset imports, making it flexible for existing preset users. The standout feature is the Design mode, a Photoshop-like interface that offers graphic design capabilities alongside photo editing, potentially replacing two Adobe subscriptions at once.
The AI toolkit is extensive, housed in the Gen AI Studio, featuring generative fill, object removal, and even a text-to-image AI generator. However, these AI features require purchasing credits separately, which can add up and may frustrate users who dislike credit-based systems.
Even ignoring the paid AI tools, the core software is feature-rich and well-designed, making it a solid choice for those who want a lot of value for under $100.
Pros
- Strong Lightroom-like UI with added AI features
- Includes Photoshop-style graphic design tools
- Supports batch editing for multiple photos
- Affordable one-time purchase
- Text-to-image AI generator included (credits required)
Cons
- AI tools require purchasing credits, which can be costly
- Credit system disliked by many users
- AI features may not justify the extra cost for all users
Why it’s a top pick: If you want the best of Lightroom and Luminar Neo combined with graphic design tools, PhotoDirector 365 is a compelling, affordable alternative — just be wary of the credit system.
Get it here: Cyberlink PhotoDirector 365 official site
4. Darktable
Price: Free and open-source
Best for: Users seeking a free Lightroom-like experience with solid core editing and cataloging features
Darktable is often considered the go-to free alternative to Lightroom. Its interface is reminiscent of Lightroom’s, with a catalog for photo organization and a “darkroom” module for editing. While the UI can feel a bit dull and less polished (the washed-out gray theme and lowercase labels may irk some), the functionality is surprisingly robust for free software.
All the essential sliders — exposure, contrast, shadows, and highlights — are there, and you can import .cube presets, although this feature is tucked away in the light table panel rather than the editing section. The search bar for tools is a nice touch, though it requires knowing the exact tool names to be effective.
Darktable lacks the AI-powered tools found in paid alternatives but compensates with a comprehensive editing suite and no cost. It’s a strong candidate if you want to avoid subscriptions and payments altogether.
Pros
- Completely free and open-source
- Lightroom-like interface and workflow
- Supports .cube preset imports
- Includes photo cataloging and rating tools
Cons
- Interface feels less polished and can be unintuitive
- Preset import location is confusing
- No AI-driven editing features
Why it’s a top pick: Darktable is the best free Lightroom alternative if you want solid editing and organization tools without spending a dime.
Get it here: Darktable official site
5. RawTherapee
Price: Free and open-source
Best for: Photographers looking for a free, clean, and efficient editing tool with Lightroom-like features
RawTherapee is another excellent free alternative that focuses on delivering a clean, efficient editing experience. The interface is straightforward, and aside from requiring a double-click to preview photos (which is a minor quirk), the software runs smoothly with real-time slider adjustments.
It covers all the basics for photo editing but lacks AI features and does not support importing .cube presets. Instead, it offers a film simulation tool to match colors from reference photos, though this process is more involved.
For users who want a no-cost option with a friendly UI and powerful editing tools, RawTherapee is a favorite. It’s particularly appealing if you don’t need AI enhancements but want a reliable and capable editor.
Pros
- Free and open-source
- Clean, intuitive interface
- Real-time slider adjustments
- Localized adjustments supported
Cons
- No AI-powered tools
- Cannot import .cube presets directly
- Requires double-click to preview images, which may confuse new users
Why it’s a top pick: RawTherapee is arguably the best free Lightroom alternative for photographers who prioritize efficiency and solid editing without AI frills.
Get it here: RawTherapee official site
6. DxO PhotoLab 8
Price: $229 for a lifetime license (Essentials version available for $139 with fewer features)
Best for: Photographers wanting solid image corrections and basic AI tools without a subscription
DxO PhotoLab 8 is a well-regarded editing platform with a familiar Lightroom-style interface. It offers automatic lens corrections, noise reduction, and a unique Smart Lighting feature that balances shadows and highlights. The software provides several retouching tools, though these rely on pixel sampling rather than AI, making some object removals less reliable.
One limitation is its preset system, which uses DxO-specific files, preventing the import of popular .cube presets. The AI tools are also basic compared to Luminar Neo and ON1, focusing on noise reduction and resizing rather than creative AI effects.
At its price point, DxO feels a bit pricey considering the features offered, especially when more affordable alternatives pack in more advanced AI options.
Pros
- Strong automatic lens corrections and noise reduction
- Smart lighting balances exposure effectively
- Intuitive Lightroom-like interface
- 30-day free trial with no payment info required
Cons
- Expensive compared to competitors with more features
- Limited presets support (no .cube import)
- AI features are basic and less creative
- Retouching tools can be hit-or-miss
Why it’s a top pick: DxO PhotoLab 8 is solid for photographers who want excellent lens corrections and basic AI without subscriptions, but it falls short on value compared to cheaper alternatives.
Get it here: DxO PhotoLab 8 official site
7. Capture One Pro
Price: $299 for lifetime license
Best for professionals seeking highly customizable workspaces and advanced tethered shooting features.
Capture One Pro is the most expensive option on this list, costing nearly $300 upfront — equivalent to over two years of Lightroom subscriptions. It offers a highly customizable workspace, letting you tailor the interface to your workflow. Its AI tools include AI masking and AI crop, which can automatically generate consistent crops across multiple images, even during tethered shoots.
While it supports importing presets, you’ll need to convert .cube files into ICC profiles, which is a complex process not suited for beginners. Alternatively, the Match Look feature attempts to mimic colors from reference photos but can be inconsistent.
Capture One is a powerhouse in professional circles, but its steep price and limited AI features relative to cost make it a less practical choice for budget-conscious users.
Pros
- Highly customizable workspace
- Advanced tethered shooting with AI crop
- Powerful library and editing tools
Cons
- High upfront cost
- Complex preset import process
- Limited AI features compared to price
Why it’s a top pick: Capture One Pro is best suited for professionals who need advanced tethering and workspace customization, but its price and AI limitations lower its value for many users.
Get it here: Capture One Pro official site
8. digiKam
Price: Free and open-source
Best for users who need a free photo organizer with unique geotagging features but can tolerate a clunky interface.
digiKam is a free photo management tool that offers some unique features, such as an interactive 3D globe for geotagging photos. However, the software feels outdated and clunky, with a Windows 95-style UI and confusing popup windows that make navigation frustrating. Editing raw files is slow, and adjustments don’t happen in real-time, which severely hinders workflow efficiency.
While it works as a photo editor, the interface and speed issues make it difficult to recommend seriously as a Lightroom alternative.
Pros
- Free and open-source
- Unique 3D globe geotagging tool
- Standard photo rating and organization features
Cons
- Outdated, unintuitive UI design
- Slow raw file editing with no real-time preview
- Popup windows for navigation are cumbersome
Why it’s a top pick: digiKam is best left as a niche tool for geotagging enthusiasts, but its clunky interface and slow performance earn it a low ranking among Lightroom alternatives.
Get it here: digiKam official site
The Verdict—Which Lightroom Alternative Should You Choose?
After testing and ranking eight Lightroom alternatives, the choice boils down to your priorities.
If you’re willing to invest a bit of money upfront, ON1 Photo RAW stands out as the best overall value, offering a familiar Lightroom-like experience with powerful AI tools for a very reasonable price.
It’s the closest you’ll get to Lightroom without the ongoing subscription hassle.
If you prefer to stick to free software and aren’t concerned about AI features, RawTherapee is the standout free option.
It provides a clean interface and solid editing tools that will satisfy most photographers without costing a dime.
For those who want the latest AI-driven editing capabilities, Skylum Luminar Neo is a great choice, especially if purchased at a discount.
Meanwhile, Cyberlink PhotoDirector 365 offers a unique blend of photo editing and graphic design, though its credit-based AI system might be a dealbreaker for some.
On the other end, free tools like Darktable and digiKam offer decent Lightroom-like features but come with compromises in usability and speed.
Ultimately, the best Lightroom alternative depends on your budget, workflow, and appetite for AI-powered tools. Each option here brings something unique to the table, so you can pick the one that best fits your editing style.
FAQs About Lightroom Alternatives
1. Are there any free Lightroom alternatives that support presets?
Yes, both Darktable and RawTherapee support presets, though their handling of .cube files varies. Darktable allows importing .cube presets, but the option isn’t obvious. RawTherapee does not directly support .cube presets but offers a film simulation tool to match colors.
2. Which Lightroom alternative is best for AI-powered editing?
Skylum Luminar Neo and ON1 Photo RAW lead the pack in AI-powered editing. Luminar Neo offers innovative AI tools like relighting and object replacement, while ON1 integrates AI style advice and smart masking. Cyberlink PhotoDirector 365 also has advanced AI features but requires credit purchases.
3. Can I switch from Lightroom presets to other software easily?
Many Lightroom alternatives support .cube LUT files, which can be created from Lightroom presets. This allows you to use your existing color grades across different platforms. ON1 Photo RAW and Luminar Neo support .cube file imports, but Capture One Pro requires converting .cube files to ICC profiles.
4. Are these Lightroom alternatives suitable for professional workflows?
Yes, several of these alternatives, especially Capture One Pro, ON1 Photo RAW, and DxO PhotoLab 8, are designed with professional photographers in mind. They offer advanced editing tools, tethered shooting support (Capture One), and robust cataloging features.
5. Is subscription-free software better than Lightroom’s subscription model?
Subscription-free software offers the advantage of owning your software outright with no ongoing fees, which can save money eventually. However, subscription models often provide continuous updates and cloud-based features. Your choice depends on whether you prefer ownership or always having the latest features.
6. Can I try these Lightroom alternatives before buying?
Most paid alternatives like ON1 Photo RAW, Luminar Neo, DxO PhotoLab 8, and Capture One Pro offer free trials ranging from 7 to 30 days, allowing you to test the software before committing.
