Professional photographers typically use both Photoshop and Lightroom. However, Adobe’s software requires an expensive subscription, and you have to take courses to learn all the editing tools.
Not surprisingly, many users want to find a Lightroom alternative that offers the same features. We recommend following the link to Skylum’s blog to see all the options at once.
Today, this is one of the most popular applications for organizing your shots and managing your photo library. It’s also great software for batch processing, which is great when you need to keep your entire photo shoot in the same style.
Right now, we’re going to tell you how to choose the best replacement for Lightroom, and we’ll also look at some paid and free options.
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What You Can Do with Lightroom?
To find the best Lightroom alternative for you, you need to consider all the basic features of Adobe’s software. It is also important to understand when it is worth using. As a photo-editing application, Lightroom includes many Photoshop features designed specifically for photographers.
This editor covers most, if not all, of the image editing tools you are likely to need. Let’s take a look at when you may need to use this soft:
- This software is perfect for most photo adjustments, including cropping, white balance, exposure, spot removal, and noise reduction.
- You can also download presets from other people and apply them to all your uploaded images. Whether you shoot weddings or portraits, this editor can help you save time.
While many software creators produce good programs, the combination of Lightroom/Photoshop is hard to beat. Lightroom in particular is great for managing photos, and that’s one of its primary uses.
However, most developers are now actively using AI technology to simplify the editing process and even organize your image library. Such software is now being actively used by photography novices and professionals alike.
Tips for Choosing an Editor Similar to Lightroom
So, an Adobe Lightroom alternative should have all of the above features. The advantages would be a more affordable subscription (ideally if the software is free), the availability of all professional editing tools, and an almost complete identity of the workflow. Let’s summarize everything you need to consider when choosing a photo editor:
- RAW editing.
- Ease of use.
- Lens and camera support
- User-friendly interface.
- Ability to manage photos.
- Folder organization.
All photo editing software is designed differently in terms of how it is used, how it is edited, and how it looks. These distinctions make each one unique.
Photo Editors to Use Instead of Lightroom
To help you choose, we’ve compiled a list of the best options. Here you can find both free and paid versions.
Luminar Neo
Luminar Neo software has come a long way since its introduction as a photo editor. The latest version includes both editing tools and everything you need to manage your library.
While the image organization tools are not as comprehensive as Lightroom, Luminar Neo still has enough to get the basics done, starting with text entry and photo management.
Luminar Neo also includes full RAW support and a range of AI editing tools. You get detailed control over each effect, which gives you much better results. The overall interface and editing tools of Luminar Neo are simpler than those of Lightroom.
That’s why it’s great for quick edits. Luminar Neo also has layer support and includes an incredible Sky AI tool that is great for giving your images a new look.
The best part about Luminar Neo is that it comes at a very reasonable one-time price. This makes it a great option for those looking for a great editor with photo management capabilities, but without the ongoing fees.
Darktable
For a long time, Darktable was the most popular RAW editor for Mac. Then support was added for Windows users, making it the best free Lightroom alternative.
Darktable is one of the best free RAW photo editors on the market. It has everything you’d expect from a Lightroom alternative, including all the tools you’d find in paid apps for managing the look of an image.
Darktable also has a photo management system that allows you to import images and offers a variety of cataloging tools, from keywords to a rating system. The result may not be as perfect as you’d get from a paid product, but it’s certainly one of the best free options out there.
Photoshop Elements
If you find Lightroom difficult to master, you may be interested in Photoshop Elements. This program is designed to be easier to use but still offers many professional photo editing tools. It also has support for RAW files. Note that this is a completely separate product and is not included in the subscription because it is offered at a one-time price.
This editor lets you edit photos and has an interactive tutorial mode where you can perform common tasks like sharpening or straightening an image. It also has handy features like creating collages and adding text to pictures.
This software includes AI technology that assists you in finding your best photos, applying automatic edits, and finding and grouping people in your photographs. It also allows for keyword and photo ranking.
Final Thought
Choosing a Lightroom-like editing software doesn’t have to be a complicated process, and we encourage you to take a closer look at Luminar Neo. This powerful software uses AI technology to streamline your workflow and provide stunning results.
Of course, your goals and needs will determine which photo editor is right for you. Finally, if you can’t make up your mind, our advice is to download some of the above options.
