Software · head to head
ON1 Photo RAW vs Adobe Lightroom
ON1 Photo RAW
Software
All-in-one RAW photo editor and organizer, an alternative to Lightroom and Photoshop
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
Adobe Lightroom
Software
Photo editing and organization software for photographers
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only Adobe Lightroom has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: ON1 Photo RAW it is a Mac and Windows desktop application only, with no mobile app or web-based editing option.; Adobe Lightroom no layer support for complex edits, requiring Photoshop for advanced manipulation
- They diverge on capability: ON1 Photo RAW covers RAW processing and organization, Adobe Lightroom covers RAW photo editing.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which ON1 Photo RAW and Adobe Lightroom actually diverge.
| Attribute | ON1 Photo RAW | Adobe Lightroom |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | On request | Free |
| Pricing model | one-time | Unknown |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Platforms | mac, windows | Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Apple TV |
| Founded | Unknown | 1982 |
Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
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 ON1 Photo RAW
- RAW processing and organization
- Layers and masking
- NoNoise AI
- Resize AI
- Super Select AI
- Generative editing tools
- Presets, filters, and LUTs
Only in Adobe Lightroom
- RAW photo editing
- Non-destructive editing
- Batch processing
- Color correction
- Lens corrections
- Adobe Creative Cloud
- Adobe Stock
- Adobe Portfolio
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
ON1 Photo RAW
- Editing and organizing RAW photos without a subscriptionnot Adobe Lightroom
- Replacing a Lightroom plus Photoshop workflow with one applicationnot Adobe Lightroom
- Applying AI noise reduction to high-ISO imagesnot Adobe Lightroom
- Upscaling images for large prints using AInot Adobe Lightroom
- Building composite edits with layers and masksnot Adobe Lightroom
Adobe Lightroom
- Photo editingnot ON1 Photo RAW
- RAW processingnot ON1 Photo RAW
- Photo organizationnot ON1 Photo RAW
- Client galleriesnot ON1 Photo RAW
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
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.
Adobe Lightroom
- No layer support for complex edits, requiring Photoshop for advanced manipulation
- Generative credits limited and require monthly replenishment, restricting AI features usage
- Cloud storage required for full functionality and syncing
- No dual monitor support within the application
Pricing, plan by plan
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
Adobe Lightroom
Free- Lightroom Plan (1TB)$11.99/month
- Lightroom cloud storage with 1TB
- 100 generative credits per month
- Photography Plan$19.99/month
- Lightroom and Lightroom Classic
- Photoshop
- 1TB cloud storage
Which should you pick?
Choose ON1 Photo RAW if
- You need raw processing and organization.
- You work on mac, windows.
- You also want layers and masking.
Choose Adobe Lightroom if
- You need raw photo editing.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Apple TV.
- You also want non-destructive editing.
Questions people ask
- Is ON1 Photo RAW or Adobe Lightroom better?
- Neither clearly leads. ON1 Photo RAW starts at On request and Adobe Lightroom at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, ON1 Photo RAW or Adobe Lightroom?
- Adobe Lightroom has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for ON1 Photo RAW and Free for Adobe Lightroom.
- Does ON1 Photo RAW or Adobe Lightroom run on more platforms?
- ON1 Photo RAW runs on mac, windows. Adobe Lightroom runs on Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Apple TV.
- Can I use Adobe Lightroom for free?
- Yes. Adobe Lightroom has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. ON1 Photo RAW starts at On request.
- What is ON1 Photo RAW best used for?
- ON1 Photo RAW is most often used for editing and organizing raw photos without a subscription, replacing a lightroom plus photoshop workflow with one application, applying ai noise reduction to high-iso images, upscaling images for large prints using ai. Of those, editing and organizing raw photos without a subscription and replacing a lightroom plus photoshop workflow with one application are not what Adobe Lightroom is typically brought in for.
- What can ON1 Photo RAW do that Adobe Lightroom cannot?
- ON1 Photo RAW covers RAW processing and organization, Layers and masking, NoNoise AI, Resize AI. Adobe Lightroom covers RAW photo editing, Non-destructive editing, Batch processing, Color correction.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
ON1 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.
SourceAdobe Lightroom: Can I edit photos offline in Lightroom?
Yes, you can edit locally stored photos without syncing to the cloud. Lightroom lets you access photos from your device through the Local tab and edit them independently of cloud connectivity.
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.
SourceAdobe Lightroom: What are generative credits and how many do I get?
Generative credits limit AI-powered edits like Generative Fill and Expand. Plans joined before June 17, 2025 receive 100 credits monthly; newer plans get 25 credits. The Photography Plan with 1TB includes 500 credits.
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.
SourceAdobe Lightroom: Can I use Lightroom and Photoshop together?
Yes, you can open photos from Lightroom in Photoshop by right-clicking and selecting Edit in Photoshop. When saved from Photoshop, the edited image reappears in Lightroom automatically.
SourceAdobe Lightroom: What platforms does Lightroom support?
Lightroom is available on desktop (macOS and Windows), mobile (iOS and Android), web browser, and Apple TV, allowing access across devices.
SourceRelated pages
More on ON1 Photo RAW
More on Adobe Lightroom
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