A photo editing app developed by Skylum, a software company originally founded in Ukraine. Since its launch in February 2022, its defining trait has been the sheer number of AI tools it has accumulated — over 30 of them — letting you finish edits that traditionally required stacking layers and masks by hand, such as sky replacement, object removal, skin retouching, and HDR merging, in just a few clicks. Beyond the standalone app, it also runs as a plugin for Photoshop and Lightroom Classic and as an Apple Photos extension, so you can bolt it onto an existing workflow rather than replacing one. It has won TIPA World Awards, and unlike most subscription-first competitors, it offers perpetual (one-time purchase) licenses.
Note that Skylum has been consolidating the product line under the name “Luminar,” and the latest desktop release ships as “Luminar 1.28.0” (August 2026). This article uses the catalog name Luminar Neo throughout.
Key Features
- Generative AI editing (GenErase / GenSwap / GenExpand): GenErase removes unwanted people or power lines, GenSwap replaces a selected region with something else, and GenExpand paints beyond the frame to widen the composition. You select an area, describe what you want in text, and the background is filled back in
- Portrait-focused AI tools: Skin AI cleans up blemishes, shine, and texture; Face AI now handles dark circles under the eyes; Bokeh AI adds depth of field after the fact. Version 1.27.0 (April 2026) substantially strengthened this area
- AI for image quality: Supersharp AI corrects blur and soft focus, Noiseless AI removes noise, and Upscale AI raises resolution — useful for rescuing old photos and high-ISO shots
- Sky replacement and relighting: On top of SkyAI for swapping skies, Light Depth (added in 1.25.0) separates light on the subject from the background to rebuild a sense of depth. The same version added Restoration for reviving and colorizing faded old photos
- AI Assistant for guided editing: Version 1.26.0 (December 2025) introduced an AI Assistant that takes a text description of what you want and proposes adjustments with live previews. It also answers how-to questions step by step
- Cross-device editing and plugin use: Alongside the desktop app (macOS / Windows), Luminar Mobile covers iOS and Android, and higher-tier licenses let you carry an edit across devices. It can also be invoked as a Photoshop or Lightroom Classic plugin
Pricing
Pricing centers on perpetual (one-time purchase) licenses, with a separate subscription called Luminar Prime for ongoing access to generative AI features and the asset library.
| Plan | Type | Price (sale price, tax included) | What’s included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Desktop only | One-time purchase | ¥21,119 | Windows / macOS on 2 devices, 1 year of AI tool access, presets, LUTs, sky assets |
| All platforms | One-time purchase | ¥26,059 | Adds mobile (3 devices), web, cross-device editing, and Spaces galleries |
| Max | One-time purchase | ¥32,609 | Everything in All platforms plus one year of Luminar Prime |
| Luminar Prime | Subscription (renews every 365 days) | See official site | Ongoing access to generative AI tools and the asset library |
| X Membership Premium | Annual | ¥4,980 (¥7,480 on renewal) | Additional presets, LUTs, and sky assets, 20 new items monthly, marketplace discounts |
Skylum runs frequent sales, and the figures above reflect discounted pricing. The list price for Desktop only and All platforms is stated as ¥41,999, and Max as ¥64,900. A perpetual license lets you keep using the version you bought indefinitely, but updates are provided for one year from purchase — gaining new features after that requires an additional purchase.
A free trial is available, so the safest route is to test performance and processing speed on your own RAW files before buying.
Pricing is as of August 2026. Check the official site for the latest information.
Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- Perpetual licenses are available, making it viable for people who would rather not add another monthly subscription
- The time-consuming staples — sky replacement, object removal, skin retouching — are done in a few clicks
- It works as a Photoshop / Lightroom plugin, so it can be adopted partially without abandoning an existing workflow
- Dedicated tools exist for both portraits and landscapes, so it isn’t limited to one genre
- The AI Assistant gives beginners unfamiliar with retouching terminology a way in
⚠️ Cons
- The AI tools are processing-heavy, and handling large volumes of RAW files demands a reasonably powerful machine
- Even with a one-time purchase, updates last only a year, and continued use of generative AI features involves Luminar Prime — the pricing structure is somewhat hard to follow
- For high-volume work such as catalog management, batch export, and bulk RAW development, it does not match Lightroom Classic
- Fully AI-driven corrections can look unnatural, and fine details still need manual work
- With sales running so often, buying at list price feels expensive
Comparison with Similar Services
| Criteria | Luminar Neo | Adobe Lightroom Classic | Adobe Photoshop | ON1 Photo RAW |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Provider | Skylum | Adobe | Adobe | ON1 |
| Pricing model | Mostly one-time purchase (+ optional subscription) | Subscription | Subscription | Mostly one-time purchase |
| Strength | One-click AI editing | RAW development, large catalog management | Pixel-level precise compositing | RAW development plus AI features |
| Learning curve | Low | Moderate | High | Moderate |
| Plugin use | Works with Photoshop / Lightroom | ─ | ─ | Works with Photoshop / Lightroom |
| Mobile support | Luminar Mobile (higher-tier licenses) | Lightroom mobile | Limited | Limited |
Who Is It For
- Photography enthusiasts who want advanced AI editing but would rather avoid subscriptions
- Photographers looking to cut the time spent on portrait skin retouching and background cleanup
- Beginners who want sky swaps and object removal without learning layer workflows
- People who want to keep their Lightroom development workflow while offloading AI corrections to an external plugin
- Anyone wanting to restore and colorize old photos or upscale smartphone shots
Summary
Luminar Neo is a photo editor that leads with the number and accessibility of its AI tools. It does not match the robustness of Lightroom Classic’s catalog management or the compositing freedom of Photoshop, but on the single axis of finishing common edits quickly, its strength is clear. The availability of a perpetual license also matters a lot to users who don’t want to grow their monthly costs. Since the update window and the handling of generative AI features vary by plan, test the app with the free trial and confirm current plan details on the official site before buying.