16 Best Adobe Lightroom Alternatives 2024

Adding a new editing tool creates excitement among photographers to boost their editing skills. Now, they not rely only on Lightroom but are also looking for alternatives that help in more powerful editing. There is also a vast range of editing tools besides Lightroom that makes the editing journey more interesting.
Sometimes, I also want to do something exceptional in my editing, and finally found some quality editing tools that I’m going to discuss here. These Lightroom MOD APK competitors can be run on both Windows and Mac. The editing software that I’m going to discuss has a user-friendly interface, extreme features, and powerful editing options.
Like Lightroom, they work perfectly for both novices and professionals. Users will be able to achieve new horizons in photographic skills. Moreover, these alternatives have AI modern features to batch edit in Lightroom that provide a stunning look to your pictures or videos.
Criteria To Choose Best Adobe Lightroom Alternatives
Before moving towards Adobe Lightroom Alternatives first check the criteria that will make it easy for you to decide among them to choose the app.
1- Usability
There are different types of apps available as Adobe Lightroom Alternatives some of them are designed for professionals and some of them have more advanced features that need a learning curve. If you are a beginner then I strongly recommend choosing an app that has advanced features but is easy to operate. If you choose a difficult one then you can get the benefit at the right time.
So, before choosing Adobe Lightroom Alternatives first check its usability and decide to use it.
2- Compatibility
Before downloading Adobe Lightroom Alternatives first check their compatibility with Android, iOS PC, or Windows and then check whether it is easy to operate on your device or not. Check your device RAM and system requirements thus, will become easy to choose the best Adobe Lightroom Alternatives.
3- Features
The last step is to check the features of the app and check whether it is just a photo edit or will provide the feature of photo management. This is helpful in that case if you are just using a photo editor or just photo management then you will get the best Adobe Lightroom Alternatives that will provide an all-in-one solution to your problem.
Best Lightroom Alternatives for Mac and Windows 2024
Here is a list of the top 16 Adobe Lightroom Alternatives of 2024 for both Mac and Windows users. Let’s explore everything about them. I know you will be curious to know about these Adobe Lightroom Alternatives.
1- Luminar Neo

It has advanced AI features that were lacking in Lightroom and this feature satisfies the users. AI enhancements simplest the complicated editing tasks such as improving portraits and enhancing skies. Photography enthusiasts praised this app for its user-friendly interface, intuitive design, and ease for newbies.
It provides flow in editing and offers several other features, such as background removal and skiing smoothing that can be done with AI masking. Besides these features, it doesn’t provide an organizational framework like Lightroom so here Lightroom MOD APK has an upper hand on it.
But I don’t wanna put in to worry about both app users because I also have a fantastic solution for you. Use Lumina Neo as a plugin for Adobe Lightroom Alternatives. Let me finish its description by telling you its price of $59 on one purchase.
Advantages of Luminar
- AI-powered Editing: Its AI-powered editing tools work perfectly for beginners and provide a better experience due to quick editing.
- Sky Replacement: Now it is in your hands to replace the sky of any picture with the help of the Sky replacement tool.
- Non-destructive Editing: Your real images will remain as it is because they have non-destructive editing and thus will not alter your image.
- UI-Interface: Luminar has a user-friendly interface and you can get more control over images.
- Budget-friendly: The app is not free you have to spend money one time as it has plans for monthly or annual.
Disadvantages of Luminar
Limited Editing: Like Lightroom this AI-powered editing tool doesn’t provide advanced level editing thus limiting your editing experience.
2- Capture One

Capture One is a well-known editing software that provides exceptional color gradient tools for precise color adjustments. If you are a studio photographer and need an immediate transfer of images then try its shooting capabilities and robust tethered. DSLR users prefer this editing tool because it can handle high-resolution files.
But when I compared other Adobe Lightroom Alternatives and Capture One then I found its learning curve a little bit different especially for newbies. If I tell you about this Adobe Lightroom Alternatives pricing plan then it starts from a $20 monthly subscription. Moreover, you can also get the license for $299.
Brand | Capture One |
Operating System | Windows, MacOS, and iPad |
Purchase or Subscription | Both are available – The license covers three computers |
Key Features | Both are available – License covers three computers |
Best For | Collaborative work and busy professionals with high workloads. |
Advantages of Capture One
- RAW Editing: The app is well-known for editing RAW pictures making the editing process streamlined to get great control over color, exposure, and other features.
- Color Grading Tools: Color Grading Tools provide more precision to the diting and become a great choice for users.
- Tethered Shooting: You can capture images directly into the software thus making it easy to edit the content quickly.
- Customizable Workspaces: You can customize your workspaces according to your preferences which is its advanced feature.
Disadvantages of Capture One
- Smaller Ecosystem: Its user community is limited thus providing fewer resources to troubleshoot problems.
- Less Compatible with Older Devices: You can’t run Capture One on low-end devices or older ones due to its high hardware requirements.
3- DxO PhotoLab

No photographers compromise on editing quality and want to edit quickly with the help of Adobe Lightroom Alternatives. Then why you don’t try DxO PhotoLab? It has auto-correction features that will never stop your editing workflow. It also has DeepPRIME denoising technology that helps in noise reduction.
But again Lightroom is superior to other Adobe Lightroom Alternatives in this case because it doesn’t have any kind of limitations in adjustment and has a vast variety of editing tools that are lacking in DxO PhotoLab. Its price range starts from the basic plan of $129.9 to the elite one $199.9
4- Photoshop

22% of photographers in the world prefer Photoshop over Lightroom as it is the most popular alternative to the Lightroom. This app will handle your multiple tasks at once and provide multiple layers of editing to make your pictures more attractive.
Batch editing is a little bit complicated but it has also tons of features that make it the best alternative to Lightroom. This image-manipulating app is very important for average photographers and it can only be done with Adobe Lightroom Alternatives.
5- Adobe Camera Raw

Here is another twist in the list of Adobe Lightroom Alternatives Adobe Camera Raw. Its efficient tools and user-friendly interface make it easy for you to edit your Raw photographs. Adobe Camera Raw also comes with cloud subscriptions making it easy to access the app.
6- Topaz Labs

A survey shows that 8% of users worldwide love to edit their pictures in Topaz Labs and prefer Adobe Lightroom Alternatives. You can do quality edits to the pictures like making your pictures sharper and upscaling the standards of images. Image enhancement is the strong feature that makes it comparable with other apps like Lightroom.
7- Affinity Photo

Affinity Photo is another great addition to the visual art and I love to use this app as an Adobe Lightroom Alternatives. You not only edit RAW photos but can do sketching on iPAD with this powerful photo editor. The app has an affordable yearly subscription and also has cloud storage that is free from the worry of device storage.
Advantages of Affinity Photo
- Advance-level Editing: Affinity Photo works perfectly for advanced users due to its professional grade-editing capabilities.
- RAW Editing: With this powerful tool you can edit your RAW pictures.
- Multi-platform Compatibility: Affinity Photo is compatible with multiple devices like Windows or macOS.
Disadvantages of Affinity Photo
- Complex Features: This editing software is for advanced users with complex features and a required learning curve to understand them. It is not beginner’s friendly.
- Require Subscription: You need to purchase it one time because the app is not free of cost.
- For Desktop: The app is only for desktop or Windows and you can’t run it on mobile.
8- ONI Photo RAW

If you want Adobe Lightroom Alternatives that provide quick editing then ONI Photo RAW will be a good choice. Just click on the picture you want to edit apply effects and choose edit settings then it will be done. But this app has limited features that limit your editing.
9- SnapSeed

Another great involvement in the world of photography from the last 10 years SnapSeed has gained significant importance as an Adobe Lightroom Alternatives. This app is compatible with Android, iOS, or iPad making it a great choice for users. The app will provide you with all the essential editing tools to take your creativity to the next level.
Brand | Snapseed |
Operating System | Android, iOS, and Windows (via Bluestacks) |
Cost | Free (no purchase or subscription required) |
Best For | Mobile photographers looking for a free photo editing app. |
Advantages of Snapseed
- UI-Interface: If you are new to the editing field then Snapseed is for you because of its user-friendly interface.
- Free of Cost: The app is free to download and doesn’t require any subscription.
Disadvantages of Snapseed
- Compatibility issue: Snapseed only runs on mobile and its desktop version is not available.
- RAW File Compatibility: You can edit your RAW files on Snapseed but due to the lack of a desktop version can’t provide great control over editing tools like Lightroom.
- Not for Advanced Users: It has simple features and is not for professional users who require advanced editing tools.
10- iOS Photos

You will be surprised why I have not put this app at the top of the list of Adobe Lightroom Alternatives due to its mobile-friendly interface. iOS Photos work perfectly on iPhones and provide a great editing environment to the users. I edit my social media content on it by using its tools color adjustments, adjusting exposure, and some other basic editing tools.
Advantages of iOS Photos
- User-friendly: iOS photos have a user-friendly interface that makes it easy for beginners to use them.
- iCloud Photo Library: Use its sync features to access iCloud Photo Library on any Apple device.
- Basic Editing Tools: If you are a casual user then these basic editing tools are developed for you like quick adjustments etc.
Disadvantages of iOS Photos
- Limited Advanced Editing: This app is only for beginners and not for professionals due to limited advanced editing.
11- ACDSee Photo Studio

ACDSee Photo Studio has a mixture of features from Lightroom and Photoshop and is considered the best among Adobe Lightroom alternatives. It provides layer editing features, has a photo management system, and several other features including geo-tapping and face recognition.
12- Darktable

Darktable has similarities with Lightroom and you can access it freely without any subscription. You can utilize all its customizable tools and sometimes it also requires a little bit of learning curves like Lightroom but still, it is an open-source program. Users will also get community support, a plus point to using Adobe Lightroom Alternatives.
Brand | Darktable |
Operating System | Windows, macOS, and various Linux distributions |
Purchase or Subscription | Free and open-source; no cost to use |
Key Features | Comprehensive non-destructive editing tools, modular workflow, advanced masking, and blending, presets and styles, tethered shooting (for certain camera models) |
Best For | Photographers on a budget, and those who prefer open-source software |
Advantages of Darktable
- Free to Download: Darktable is a great editing tool and most importantly it is an open-source software that can be downloaded without any cost.
- Advanced Editing Tools: You can make your images more attractive using advanced editing tools like lens correction, noise reduction, color correction, and exposure adjustments.
- Presets and Styles: Provide your pictures consistent look with presets and styles and streamline your editing process.
Disadvantages of Darktable
- Performance: Darktable doesn’t work perfectly on older devices resulting in performance issues while editing large files.
- Only Desktop Version: You can’t run this app on your mobile device which is its huge drawback.
- Limit Export Options: Darktable doesn’t provide advanced export options like HD resolution and file formats thus limiting export options for the users.
13- Google Photos

2% of users also prefer using Google Photos, making it the best choice for Android devices. The app doesn’t have extensive features and the only feature that forces people to choose it is impressive photograph catalog management.
14- Expose

Artists like me love to use the Expose app so that their editing skills get exposed with its quality features and editing tools. Like Lightroom, it also provides presets that help in color correction and can also do layer masking. The app provides stunning effects, several image editing tools, and customization options. and there are several features that you can try in Adobe Lightroom Alternatives.
15- Corel AfterShot Pro

I’ve come up with another alternative app to the Lightroom Corel AfterShot Pro that has robust editing tools and a photo management system by which you can change the look of your images. One of its standout features is that there are no watermarks on your editing pictures like Lightroom.
The tools that you are looking for are available in this editing app like you can add slides to your pictures and to change RAW pictures thousands of effects are available. Its editing window and image library can be opened side by side. Several customization options and HDR merging options make it a powerful photo editor.
16- Polarr

Polarr is a simple yet effective online alternative and provides a better editing experience. You can access Adobe Lightroom Alternatives online and can do editing.
Brand | Polarr |
Operating System | Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android |
Purchase or Subscription | Free with optional Pro subscription |
Free Trial Available | Yes – the free version is available |
Pros and Cons of Adobe Lightroom
Pros:
1- Vast Editing Tools
Lightroom fulfills all the needs of photographers with its vast editing tools. These tools include all important adjustments that range from color correction, exposure, spot healing, and gradient filters, which provide comprehensive transformation to your pictures.
2- Organizational Framework
The organizational framework is the backbone of Lightroom that streamlines the process of editing. It creates ease in cataloging, importing, and collecting of photos. You can easily apply tags, ratings, and keywords, and organize images. This ensures that you can easily access your editing assets without any effort or delay.
3- Synchronization and Cloud Storage
Another advantage is that it provides a cloud storage option for your data and its synchronization allows you to access your data anytime anywhere. Photographers can work on multiple devices like tablets, smartphones,, and computers.
4- Big Community
Lightroom also has rich resources and provides a big community to the users. This community also helps in solving problems and people also share useful information.
5- Compatibility
Its compatibility allows you to do retouching and composing on other software without leaving the Lightroom interface. I’ll give details of these alternatives but before check its some drawbacks.
Cons:
1- Subscription-based Pricing Model
Some features of Lightroom can’t be accessed through the free version to get their benefit you need to buy their monthly or annual subscription. This deal is very costly for those who can’t afford it.
2- Extensive Feature Set
Lightroom has a vast variety of features that make it difficult for newbies to remember them so they need to revise them again and again. Moreover, it needs many requirements and you may need to upgrade your operating system so it can work smoothly.
3- No Advancement in AI-Powered Functions
Its AI-powered features are not so impressive and if you fully rely on them then you will never get a spark in your edited content. For its replacement here is a complete list from where you can pick one which you want for your editing.
What App Are You Editing With?
No, doubt Lightroom is the best photo editing app but the above information shows that people have started exploring other options. You can use AI editing or RAW software to edit your pictures to give them a stunning look. These are considered the best Adobe Lightroom Alternatives.
Why Lightroom is Still the Most Popular App?
I’ve provided a huge list of Adobe Lightroom alternatives but still, it is the most popular app because it has a collection of all editing tools present in different apps in a single one. It doesn’t have simple tools like color exposure, and image enhancement but has several other tools that are lacking in other apps.
These tools make Adobe Lightroom Alternatives more popular in this digital era, especially for professionals who want to edit multiple pictures at once. You can copy-paste editing settings from one picture to another or apply effects to multiple pictures at once.
Conclusion
I’m concluding my discussion about Adobe Lightroom Alternatives as I still love to use Adobe Lightroom. But everyone has their own choice if you want mobile apps other than Lightroom for photo editing then try Apple Photos or Snapseed. If you want free editors then Darktable is best to choose.
There are also advanced Adobe Lightroom alternatives like Capture One and Luminar. Further is your preference which you want to try.