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Head-to-head · Photo Editing Software

Adobe Lightroom vs DxO PhotoLab

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
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
DxO PhotoLab #7 in Photo Editing Software 8.5/10 30-day trial Free trial✓ 4 of 6 features Visit DxO PhotoLab

Adobe Lightroom leads on 1 check, DxO PhotoLab on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreAdobe Lightroom · 9.2/10
  • Free planonly Adobe Lightroom
  • Free trialboth
  • Most featuresAdobe Lightroom · 5 of 6

Adobe Lightroom scores higher on our rubric for photo editing software: 9.2 against 8.5 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #7.

Adobe Lightroom offers free plan; DxO PhotoLab doesn't.

Adobe Lightroom is the better fit for RAW workflows and cross-device photo editing. DxO PhotoLab is the better fit for high-quality RAW correction and denoising.

  • Adobe Lightroom fits best

    RAW workflows and cross-device photo editing

  • DxO PhotoLab fits best

    High-quality RAW correction and denoising

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Side by side

Feature Adobe Lightroom 9.2/10 Visit ↗ DxO PhotoLab 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.2 8.5
Ranking #2 in Photo Editing Software #7 in Photo Editing Software
Best for RAW workflows and cross-device photo editing High-quality RAW correction and denoising
Pricing model Free plan + paid Paid
Starting price — $159.99 one-time
Free plan ✓ (best) —
Free trial 7 days 30 days
Free trial length 7 days 30 days · no card needed
Deployment Cloud, Desktop, Mobile Desktop
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android Windows, macOS
Support Community, Docs Tickets, Community, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business
Features Adobe Lightroom 5/6 · DxO PhotoLab 4/6
RAW photo support ✓ ✓
Layer editing Not checked yet Not checked yet
Masking tools ✓ ✓
Batch editing ✓ ✓
Cloud sync ✓ (best) Not checked yet
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
  • Camera- and lens-specific optical corrections
  • DeepPRIME machine-learning noise reduction
  • AI masks, batch retouching, and PhotoLibrary organization
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
  • $159.99 one-time price for the Essential plan
  • No native cloud synchronization
  • Runs only on Windows and macOS
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 →

DxO PhotoLab is a desktop photo-editing and organizing application for photographers who want detailed RAW processing, camera- and lens-specific corrections, and control over local adjustments. It supports RAW, DNG, JPEG, TIFF, HEIC/HEIF,…

Read the review →
  1. Adobe LightroomPhoto Editing Software 9.2Free plan · 7-day trial
  2. DxO PhotoLabPhoto Editing Software 8.530-day trial

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

  • DxO PhotoLab — where it wins

    • Camera- and lens-specific optical corrections
    • DeepPRIME machine-learning noise reduction
    • AI masks, batch retouching, and PhotoLibrary organization

    Where it doesn't

    • $159.99 one-time price for the Essential plan
    • No native cloud synchronization
    • Runs only on Windows and macOS

More comparisons

All photo editing software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update