Photography · head to head
Luminar Neo vs ON1 Photo RAW
Luminar Neo
Photography
AI-powered photo editor with generative tools and one-time or subscription licensing
- From
- $129/month
- Rated
- -
ON1 Photo RAW
Photography
All-in-one RAW photo editor and organizer, an alternative to Lightroom and Photoshop
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Luminar Neo perpetual license only guarantees 1 year of AI tool access, after which continued AI features require renewing Luminar Prime.; ON1 Photo RAW it is a Mac and Windows desktop application only, with no mobile app or web-based editing option.
- They diverge on capability: Luminar Neo covers GenErase and GenSwap, ON1 Photo RAW covers RAW processing and organization.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Luminar Neo and ON1 Photo RAW actually diverge.
| Attribute | Luminar Neo | ON1 Photo RAW |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $129/month | On request |
| Platforms | windows, mac, ios, android | mac, windows |
Identical on both: pricing model (one-time), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Photography).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in Luminar Neo
- GenErase and GenSwap
- GenExpand
- AI Assistant
- Cross-device syncing
- Preset and asset library
Only in ON1 Photo RAW
- RAW processing and organization
- Layers and masking
- NoNoise AI
- Resize AI
- Super Select AI
- Generative editing tools
- Presets, filters, and LUTs
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Luminar Neo
- Removing unwanted objects from photos using generative AInot ON1 Photo RAW
- Expanding a photo's canvas with AI-generated contentnot ON1 Photo RAW
- Editing photos across desktop and mobile with synced projectsnot ON1 Photo RAW
- Applying preset styles and sky replacements to landscape photographynot ON1 Photo RAW
ON1 Photo RAW
- Editing and organizing RAW photos without a subscriptionnot Luminar Neo
- Replacing a Lightroom plus Photoshop workflow with one applicationnot Luminar Neo
- Applying AI noise reduction to high-ISO imagesnot Luminar Neo
- Upscaling images for large prints using AInot Luminar Neo
- Building composite edits with layers and masksnot Luminar Neo
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Luminar Neo
- Perpetual license only guarantees 1 year of AI tool access, after which continued AI features require renewing Luminar Prime.
- Web access is not yet available at purchase time and is listed as a future addition.
- AI features are subject to a Fair Use Policy limiting bulk or automated generation.
- Cross-device editing currently only syncs mobile to desktop, with full bidirectional sync pending the web release.
ON1 Photo RAW
- It is a Mac and Windows desktop application only, with no mobile app or web-based editing option.
- Pricing and available bundles are not clearly listed on the marketing pages, requiring users to reach checkout to see actual costs.
- Some advanced features and content bundles are locked behind the higher-priced MAX or Studio subscription tiers rather than the base one-time purchase.
- As a smaller ecosystem than Adobe's, it has fewer third-party plugin and tutorial resources built around it.
Pricing, plan by plan
Luminar Neo
$129/month- Desktop Only$129/month
- Perpetual license for 2 devices (macOS & Windows)
- 1-year AI tools access
- Continuous updates
- All Platforms$159/month
- Desktop, mobile (3 devices), and upcoming web access
- Cross-device syncing and Spaces galleries
- 1-year AI tools access
- Max$199/month
- All platforms included
- Luminar Prime included for 1 year (auto-renews)
- Permanent access to features released during subscription
ON1 Photo RAW
On request- Photo RAW$undefined/one-time
- One-time payment, no subscription
- Install on two computers
- Full RAW editing and organization
- Photo RAW MAX$undefined/one-time
- One-time payment or subscription option
- Install on three computers
- Adds extra effects and content bundles
- Photo Studio$undefined/month
- Subscription plan
- Includes all individual ON1 plugin and standalone titles
- Cloud sync and ON1 Plus training content
Which should you pick?
Choose Luminar Neo if
- You need generase and genswap.
- You work on windows, mac, ios, android.
- You also want genexpand.
Choose ON1 Photo RAW if
- You need raw processing and organization.
- You work on mac, windows.
- You also want layers and masking.
Questions people ask
- Is Luminar Neo or ON1 Photo RAW better?
- Neither clearly leads. Luminar Neo starts at $129/month and ON1 Photo RAW at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Luminar Neo or ON1 Photo RAW?
- Luminar Neo starts at $129/month and ON1 Photo RAW at On request.
- Does Luminar Neo or ON1 Photo RAW run on more platforms?
- Luminar Neo runs on windows, mac, ios, android. ON1 Photo RAW runs on mac, windows.
- What is Luminar Neo best used for?
- Luminar Neo is most often used for removing unwanted objects from photos using generative ai, expanding a photo's canvas with ai-generated content, editing photos across desktop and mobile with synced projects, applying preset styles and sky replacements to landscape photography. Of those, removing unwanted objects from photos using generative ai and expanding a photo's canvas with ai-generated content are not what ON1 Photo RAW is typically brought in for.
- What can Luminar Neo do that ON1 Photo RAW cannot?
- Luminar Neo covers GenErase and GenSwap, GenExpand, AI Assistant, Cross-device syncing. ON1 Photo RAW covers RAW processing and organization, Layers and masking, NoNoise AI, Resize AI.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Luminar Neo: What does Luminar Neo cost?
Luminar Neo starts at $129 for a Desktop Only perpetual license, $159 for All Platforms (desktop, mobile, and upcoming web), and $199 for the Max plan which adds a year of Luminar Prime.
SourceON1 Photo RAW: Does ON1 Photo RAW require a subscription?
No. ON1 Photo RAW is sold with 'one price covers everything, no subscription' as the default purchase model, though a subscription-based Photo Studio bundle is also offered for users who want ongoing access to all ON1 apps.
SourceLuminar Neo: Is there a free trial or refund policy?
Luminar Neo offers a 30-day money-back guarantee along with 24/7 support for purchasers.
SourceON1 Photo RAW: What AI features does ON1 Photo RAW include?
It includes Resize AI for super-resolution enlargement, NoNoise AI for noise reduction, Super Select AI for one-click selections, and generative tools such as Sky Swap AI and Generative Erase.
SourceLuminar Neo: What is the Fair Use Policy for AI features?
The Fair Use Policy sets guidelines for responsible access to AI features, intended to prevent automated bulk generation and license sharing across users.
SourceON1 Photo RAW: How many computers can I install ON1 Photo RAW on?
The standard Photo RAW purchase allows installation on two computers, the MAX edition allows three, and the Photo Studio subscription allows installation on five computers.
SourceRelated pages
More on Luminar Neo
More on ON1 Photo RAW
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