Lightroom alternative? Luminar Neo is the solution

Unfortunately, free Lightroom does not exist but, as we shall see below, there are nonetheless economical alternatives or a free trial to understand whether the software is right for you. Lightroom is one of the most widely used programmes for photo editing and image management, proving to be the choice of many professionals, content creators and enthusiasts.

The programme allows you to work on RAW files, edit photographs and organise your image library. However, if you only intend to use it sporadically or temporarily, it may prove inconvenient as it is distributed via subscription.

If you only want to edit a video after a trip or perhaps a photography shoot, with the subscription you would find yourself paying for the service even when you no longer need it.

In this article we shall see what trying Lightroom for free entails and what options Adobe offers. Additionally, we shall also look at alternatives such as Luminar Neo, an economical solution if you wish to avoid a recurring payment.

How to get Lightroom free?

At the moment, as already indicated, there is no complete version of Lightroom for desktop that is free and unlimited in time. For the desktop version, you can try Lightroom for free for a limited period (7 days), with the complete version's functionality.

On smartphone and tablet, Adobe makes several Lightroom editing tools available for free, with Premium features accessible only by payment.

To use Lightroom on PC or Mac, you will necessarily need to choose one of the available Adobe plans. Furthermore, the free version is accessible only by choosing a billing type that can be annual with monthly payment, annual prepaid or monthly.

As often happens with Adobe subscriptions purchased on the official website, there are penalties for late cancellation, so if you do not cancel within 14 days the subscription, you will not obtain a full refund.

How much does Lightroom cost?

Currently you can subscribe to Lightroom with the Adobe plan that provides for payment of £10.99 per month VAT included. This is an annual contract with monthly billing. The monthly price includes Lightroom for desktop, mobile and web, Lightroom Classic, 1 TB of cloud storage space and 250 generative credits per month.

The subscription allows you to access an always up-to-date version of the programme and the various services included in the plan. However, although payment is monthly, once you start the annual subscription, if you want the subscription you will still need to continue paying for the remaining months, even if you no longer use the programme.

Therefore, this choice can only be ideal if you want to use Lightroom daily for work, or perhaps to learn the programme thoroughly.

Luminar Neo: the economical Lightroom alternative

Free Lightroom does not exist and even the trial version has limitations, therefore if you think the cost of the Adobe programme is excessive or if you simply need an alternative photo editing programme, you can consider purchasing Luminar Neo. It is a photo editing programme developed by Skylum and available with a lifetime licence for Windows and macOS.

The software offers classic editing tools with various functions based on artificial intelligence. It allows you to work on RAW files, adjust exposure, colours and contrast, use masks and work on various elements of the photograph. The difference that interests us most, however, concerns the purchase model.

The manufacturer Skylum offers users Luminar Neo with perpetual desktop licence. In practice, you can purchase the programme with a one-off payment, then use the purchased version without any subscription. An advantage if you do not want to find yourself with recurring costs and monthly debits on your account.

What are the functions of Luminar Neo?

Luminar Neo focuses heavily on artificial intelligence to speed up various photo editing operations. In addition to working with layers and masks, you can work on colours and lighting, retouch portraits, replace the sky or remove unwanted elements from a photograph.

AI tools also automate some operations that would require more manual steps. This is an approach that can be useful for content creators, amateur photographers and inexperienced users, interested in obtaining a good result quickly.

However, whilst the perpetual licence allows access to the main AI functions dedicated to photo editing, some generative tools such as GenErase, GenSwap and GenExpand, are included only for one year from the date of purchase.

Lightroom or Luminar Neo: comparison table

Below you will find a comparison table to illustrate the differences between Adobe Lightroom and Luminar Neo.

Where to buy Luminar Neo?

You can purchase Luminar Neo Perpetual Desktop on PrimeLicense, at an advantageous price. The perpetual desktop licence includes:

• Updates, bug fixes, performance improvements and new features.
• Full access to editing tools, including those powered by AI
• One year of access to generative AI tools such as GenErase, GenExpand and GenSwap, from the date of purchase
• Programme activation on two computers
• Trusted Shops buyer protection up to £1,825;
• Money-back guarantee valid for 30 days (if the code is not activated)

What do PrimeLicense users choose?

Among PrimeLicense users interested in photo editing software, the choice does not depend solely on the available functions. An important factor is also how often the programme is used. Based on purchases made in the last three months on PrimeLicense, we can divide users into three groups:

Those who choose Luminar Neo with perpetual licence tend to prefer a one-off purchase, especially when they use the programme intermittently during the year. Adobe software remains a frequent choice for those who work regularly with photography and wish to remain within the Creative Cloud ecosystem.

Conclusions

Free Lightroom is a solution that, unfortunately, is not achievable. The only way you have to try the programme is thanks to the 7-day trial period that Adobe offers, after which you will still need to move to a monthly or annual subscription plan. The recurring cost is what deters many buyers, who therefore seek alternatives to this software.

The ideal solution could well be Luminar Neo by Skylum, a programme that allows you to carry out the same activities but which has a one-off cost. This means you pay once and it is yours forever, usable on Windows or macOS. By purchasing it on PrimeLicense you can obtain it at an advantageous price, whilst maintaining the authenticity and originality of the software.

Frequently asked questions

Below you will find the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about Lightroom, Luminar Neo and the available alternatives for photo editing.