Luminar Neo vs MyPaint

Luminar Neo7.9Visit MMyPaint7.9Visit

Luminar Neo #4 in Photoshop Alternatives for Mac 7.9/10 7-day trial Free trial✓ 0 of 6 features Visit Luminar Neo

vs

M MyPaint #7 in Photoshop Alternatives for Mac 7.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 6 features Visit MyPaint

• Luminar Neo fits best

  Mac photographers who value AI editing and cloud sync

• MyPaint fits best

  Free digital painting with tablet brush controls

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Side by side

Feature	Luminar Neo 7.9/10 Visit ↗	MMyPaint 7.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	7.9	7.9
Ranking	#4 in Photoshop Alternatives for Mac	#7 in Photoshop Alternatives for Mac
Best for	Mac photographers who value AI editing and cloud sync	Free digital painting with tablet brush controls
Pricing model	Paid	Free
Starting price	$129 one-time	Free plan
Free plan	—	✓ (best)
Free trial	7 days	—
Deployment	Desktop, Mobile	Desktop
Platforms	Windows, macOS, iOS, Android	Linux, macOS, Windows
Features Luminar Neo 0/6 · MyPaint 1/6
Layer support	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
RAW processing	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
PSD compatibility	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Non-destructive editing	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Plugin support	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
iPad version	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Specs
Maximum color depth	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Combines RAW processing with non-destructive layers and several masking tools. AI tools cover portrait retouching, generative edits and sky replacement. Higher plans add mobile editing, cross-device editing and web galleries.	Customizable brushes include traditional-media presets and editable settings. Supports layers, layer groups, opacity, locking, duplication, and merging. Tablet pressure, symmetry, and stroke stabilization support expressive drawing.
Cons	No free plan; the trial lasts 7 days. Desktop Only costs $129 USD as a one-time purchase. Generative AI tools are included for one year with Desktop Only.	Its focus is digital painting rather than general photo editing. Color management is basic. Its tools are geared toward drawing and painting workflows, not broad image work.
Our verdict	For Mac photographers seeking an alternative to Photoshop, Luminar Neo pairs RAW photo processing and non-destructive layers with AI editing tools. Its editing toolkit includes brush, gradient, radial and AI masking, batch edits through… Read the review →	MyPaint is a free, open-source raster painting application for digital painters and sketch artists. It runs on macOS as well as Linux and Windows, and its feature set is aimed at creating artwork rather than handling a broad range of… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Luminar Neo — where it wins

  • Combines RAW processing with non-destructive layers and several masking tools.
  • AI tools cover portrait retouching, generative edits and sky replacement.
  • Higher plans add mobile editing, cross-device editing and web galleries.

  Where it doesn't

  • No free plan; the trial lasts 7 days.
  • Desktop Only costs $129 USD as a one-time purchase.
  • Generative AI tools are included for one year with Desktop Only.

• MyPaint — where it wins

  • Customizable brushes include traditional-media presets and editable settings.
  • Supports layers, layer groups, opacity, locking, duplication, and merging.
  • Tablet pressure, symmetry, and stroke stabilization support expressive drawing.

  Where it doesn't

  • Its focus is digital painting rather than general photo editing.
  • Color management is basic.
  • Its tools are geared toward drawing and painting workflows, not broad image work.

• Luminar Neo7.9/10 · 7-day trial

  A layer-based Mac editor with AI tools, RAW processing and cross-device options.

  Visit Luminar NeoFull verdict →
• MMyPaint7.9/10 · Free plan

  A capable free painting tool for Mac, but not a general-purpose Photoshop replacement.

  Visit MyPaintFull verdict →