Listed whether or not they pay us. Prices from each tool's own pricing page, checked Oct 16, 2026.

Luminar Neo (now Luminar)

Renamed: Luminar

AI powered photo editor with sky replacement, generative erase and portrait tools, sold as a lifetime license.

Best for Hobbyist photographers wanting one time purchase AI editing

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What it does

Luminar is an image editing software available for desktop, mobile, and web. Users import raw or standard image files and use AI tools, layers, and manual adjustments to produce finished, retouched photos. It is built for photographers and creators looking to enhance portraits, landscapes, or entire photoshoots.

Read more: 3 features and how people use themShow less

  1. Plugin integration

    Runs as a connected editing plugin inside host programs like Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Lightroom Classic, and Apple Photos.

    Use caseAn editor working inside Adobe Photoshop sends a photo directly into Luminar to apply adjustments without leaving their main workflow.

    From skylum.com/luminar

  2. Cross device editing

    Syncs work between devices so that edits started on a mobile phone can be continued on a computer.

    Use caseA photographer makes quick initial edits on an iPhone and transfers the photo to a desktop computer to finish adjusting it.

    From skylum.com/luminar

  3. Batch processing

    Applies an identical set of adjustments across multiple images simultaneously.

    Use caseA photographer applies consistent corrections across hundreds of images captured during a single photoshoot under the same lighting.

    From skylum.com/luminar

Written from Luminar Neo's own website, checked . Each feature links to the page it comes from; images are Luminar Neo's own.

Every plan

PlanMonthlyBilled yearlyPerWhat it includes
Desktop OnlyNot listedNot listedone time$129 lifetime desktop app; AI tools renewable after 365 days via Luminar Prime
Luminar (All Platforms)Not listedNot listedone time$159 lifetime desktop + mobile, cross device editing, asset library
MaxNot listedNot listedone time$199 incl. 1 year of Luminar Prime (renews annually), keeps new features released during subscription

From Luminar Neo (now Luminar)'s own pricing page, checked . Prices are in US dollars per month; "billed yearly" is the monthly price when you pay for a year up front. A few figures (often the yearly price) are derived rather than printed on the page.

Before you pay

Refunds
Luminar offers a 30 day money back guarantee.
What Luminar Neo says30 days money back guarantee Source page
Refund window
30 days
What Luminar Neo says30 days money back guarantee Source page
Renews automatically
Yes
What Luminar Neo saysNote: AI tools and Library of Assets operate on an auto renewal model with a Luminar Prime after 365 days. Source page
Commercial use
All plans including free: allows editing client photos and commercial projects with results belonging to the user
What Luminar Neo saysEditing client photos and commercial projects, the results are yours to use Source page
Export your data
Yes, supports exporting in all major file formats including JPEG, PNG, and TIFF
What Luminar Neo saysWith support for raw files, exporting in all major file formats, layers, masking, and much more, photography editing software Luminar meets all your editing needs. Source page
Support
Chat, email
What Luminar Neo says24/7 chat support Source page

Only what Luminar Neo's own pages state, with the quote behind each answer. Anything they don't publish is left out rather than guessed.

Getting started with Luminar Neo

  1. Download the app from the App Store or Google Play Store.
  2. Open the app and complete or skip the onboarding process.
  3. Sign in to your Skylum account using your purchase email address and password, or use a linked third party account such as Google, Facebook, Microsoft, or Apple.
  4. Click the Create an account button to switch from Sign In to Sign Up if you need to create a new Skylum account.
  5. Enter the Activation code received from the reseller to activate the app if you purchased through a reseller.

Tips

  • If you purchased Luminar for Desktop from the website, download the app directly from the website or your confirmation letter, not the App Store.
  • Do not use your license key for reactivation; complete all future activations by signing in to your Skylum account.
  • If Luminar for Desktop does not appear in the My Software tab, check the Missing Your License section on the Skylum Support page to verify the email address.

Written from Luminar Neo's own help pages: support.skylum.com/luminar/getting-started/do... · support.skylum.com/getting-started/activation-process

Luminar Neo video tutorials

I'm Quitting Lightroom for LUMINAR NEO! (Complete Guide)Mark McGee Photos · 19 min
Luminar Neo Tutorial for BeginnersRobin Whalley · 10 min
SKYLUM LUMINAR NEO Complete Guide for beginners | Photo Editing TutorialZdenka Darula · 29 min

Independent creators on YouTube, not Luminar Neo or us. The video loads from YouTube only when you press play.

The free trial

Trial only: Free trial download (length not confirmed on pricing page)

Questions people ask about Luminar Neo

Is Luminar Neo free?

There is a free trial but no free plan: Free trial download (length not confirmed on pricing page).

Can I get a refund from Luminar Neo?

Luminar offers a 30 day money back guarantee. The refund window stated is 30 days. Source

Can I use Luminar Neo output commercially?

Yes, on every plan, including the free plan. Source

What is the difference between Luminar plans?

Desktop Only License provides a perpetual license for 2 devices with lifetime access to Fall Upgrade 2026 and 1 year access to AI tools. All Platforms includes mobile and web access plus cross device editing. Max adds Luminar Prime with yearly access to all new features and the Library of Assets. Source

How to restore access to the AI tools after 365 days?

Purchase a Luminar Prime subscription, which provides unlimited access to AI tools, the Library of Creative Assets, and all new tools released during the subscription. Source

Can I use other AI features with no additional paid limits?

Yes, core AI editing tools like Sky AI, Light Depth, and Background Removal AI remain usable as long as your license is active. Generative tools, Restoration, and AI Assistant are included for 1 year from purchase on perpetual plans. Source

Can I start editing on one device and finish on another?

Yes, cross device editing is included with All Platforms and Max Licenses, currently working one way from Mobile to Desktop, with expanded syncing planned for Web. Source

Works with

Integrations
Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Lightroom Classic, Apple Photos
Languages
Desktop: English, German, Spanish, French, Italian, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Korean, Japanese, Portuguese, Dutch, Polish, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Czech, Ukrainian; Mobile adds Hindi, Indonesian, Turkish

Where this came from

Plans, prices and limits were copied from Luminar Neo (now Luminar)'s own pages and the other sources listed, then checked .

How we collect prices and rank tools · Is something wrong? Correct this listing

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