Adobe Lightroom vs Capture One

Adobe Lightroom9.2Visit Capture One9.0Visit

Higher score Adobe Lightroom #2 in Photo Editing Software 9.2/10 Free plan · 7-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 5 of 6 features Try Adobe Lightroom

vs

Capture One #3 in Photo Editing Software 9.0/10 7-day trial Free trial✓ 6 of 6 features Visit Capture One

• Adobe Lightroom fits best

  RAW workflows and cross-device photo editing

• Capture One fits best

  Professional RAW and tethered workflows

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Side by side

Feature	Adobe Lightroom 9.2/10 Visit ↗	Capture One 9.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.2	9.0
Ranking	#2 in Photo Editing Software	#3 in Photo Editing Software
Best for	RAW workflows and cross-device photo editing	Professional RAW and tethered workflows
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Paid
Starting price	—	—
Free plan	✓ (best)	—
Free trial	7 days	7 days
Free trial length	7 days	7 days
Deployment	Cloud, Desktop, Mobile	Desktop, Mobile, Cloud
Platforms	Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android	Windows, macOS, iOS
Support	Community, Docs	Tickets, Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Adobe Lightroom 5/6 · Capture One 6/6
RAW photo support	✓	✓
Layer editing	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Masking tools	✓	✓
Batch editing	✓	✓
Cloud sync	✓	✓
AI retouching	✓	✓
Specs
Platform	Multi-platform	Multi-platform
Our review
Pros	Comprehensive RAW processing, masking, and selective adjustments AI tools cover culling, retouching, Lens Blur, and distraction removal Syncs photos and edits across web, Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android	Deep RAW conversion, layers, masks, and AI retouching Tethered capture with camera control for supported cameras Catalogs, Sessions, batch editing, and cloud synchronization
Cons	Advanced features and expanded synchronization require a subscription The broad feature set may exceed the needs of occasional editors Lightroom Classic is oriented toward desktop-focused workflows	No free plan Desktop Pro and Studio pricing is not shown here Mobile editing is available on iPhone and iPad
Our verdict	Adobe Lightroom combines photo organization with editing tools for photographers, creators, and anyone managing digital image libraries. It supports exposure, color, effects, cropping, presets, selective adjustments, masking, RAW import… Read the review →	Capture One is photo editing software for professional photographers, studios, and image creators who need RAW processing, tethered capture, organized photo libraries, and non-destructive editing. Its desktop software runs on macOS and… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Adobe Lightroom — where it wins

  • Comprehensive RAW processing, masking, and selective adjustments
  • AI tools cover culling, retouching, Lens Blur, and distraction removal
  • Syncs photos and edits across web, Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android

  Where it doesn't

  • Advanced features and expanded synchronization require a subscription
  • The broad feature set may exceed the needs of occasional editors
  • Lightroom Classic is oriented toward desktop-focused workflows

• Capture One — where it wins

  • Deep RAW conversion, layers, masks, and AI retouching
  • Tethered capture with camera control for supported cameras
  • Catalogs, Sessions, batch editing, and cloud synchronization

  Where it doesn't

  • No free plan
  • Desktop Pro and Studio pricing is not shown here
  • Mobile editing is available on iPhone and iPad

• Adobe Lightroom9.2/10 · Free plan · 7-day trial

  A broad Lightroom workflow for RAW editing, masking, organization, and synchronized access.

  Try Adobe LightroomFull verdict →
• Capture One9.0/10 · 7-day trial

  A deep choice for professional RAW and tethered workflows, without a free plan.

  Visit Capture OneFull verdict →