Best Adobe Lightroom Alternatives in 2026
The top Adobe Lightroom alternatives are Adobe Photoshop, Capture One and darktable: 15 photo editing software our editors would look at instead of Adobe Lightroom, in our ranking order.
Adobe Lightroom: A broad Lightroom workflow for RAW editing, masking, organization, and synchronized access. Where it falls short: advanced features and expanded synchronization require a subscription.
Switching from Adobe Lightroom? For most photo editing software buyers the best Adobe Lightroom alternative is Adobe Photoshop, built for professional compositing and advanced editing. darktable has a free plan.
Why People Look for an Adobe Lightroom Alternative
- 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
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallAdobe Photoshop9.4
Professional compositing and advanced editing
Visit Adobe Photoshop - Best free optiondarktable8.8
Has a free plan
Visit darktable
All 15 Adobe Lightroom Alternatives, Ranked
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
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Best forProfessional compositing and advanced editing
- Better than Adobe Lightroom:
- Editor score 9.4 vs 9.2
A deep, multi-platform editor for compositing, retouching, RAW work, and AI-assisted edits.
- Cloud sync
- Layer editing
- AI retouching
9.4/10★★★★★Try Adobe Photoshop -
Best forProfessional RAW and tethered workflows
A deep choice for professional RAW and tethered workflows, without a free plan.
- Cloud sync
- Layer editing
- AI retouching
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit Capture One -
Best forFree open-source RAW cataloging
A free, cross-platform RAW workflow with cataloging, masking, batch editing, and AI tools.
- AI retouching
- RAW photo support
- Masking tools
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit darktable -
Best forFree layered editing and extensibility
A capable free editor for layered work, masking, scripting, and plug-in-based RAW workflows.
- Layer editing
- Masking tools
- Batch editing
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit GIMP -
Best forAll-in-one desktop RAW editing
A broad desktop RAW editor with layers, masking, organization, AI, and cloud sync.
- Cloud sync
- Layer editing
- AI retouching
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit ON1 -
Best forHigh-quality RAW correction and denoising
A focused desktop editor for RAW correction, denoising, and batch workflows.
- AI retouching
- RAW photo support
- Masking tools
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit DxO PhotoLab -
Best forWindows photo management and editing
A broad Windows editor for photographers who want organization, advanced editing, and cloud services.
- Cloud sync
- Layer editing
- AI retouching
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit Zoner -
Best forWindows editing with design tools
A broad Windows editor for photographers and designers who need more than basic corrections.
- Layer editing
- AI retouching
- RAW photo support
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit PaintShop Pro -
Best forApple users needing RAW batch workflows
A capable Apple-focused editor for RAW, masking, retouching, and batch workflows.
- Cloud sync
- AI retouching
- RAW photo support
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit Photomator -
Best forAI-focused editing across devices
A multi-platform editor with deep AI tools, RAW support, layers, and masking.
- Cloud sync
- Layer editing
- AI retouching
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit Luminar Neo -
Best forFree open-source RAW development
A capable free RAW workflow with masking, batch tools, and non-destructive editing.
- RAW photo support
- Masking tools
- Batch editing
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit RawTherapee -
Best forLow-cost browser and batch editing
A low-cost, multi-platform editor with layers, batch macros, and AI tools.
- Cloud sync
- Layer editing
- AI retouching
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Pixlr -
Best forFree Photoshop-style browser editing
A capable free browser editor for Photoshop-style workflows and mixed file formats.
- Cloud sync
- Layer editing
- AI retouching
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Photopea -
Best forAffordable AI-assisted desktop editing
A broad desktop editor with free basics, RAW tools, layers, batch AI, and cloud options.
- Cloud sync
- Layer editing
- AI retouching
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit PhotoDirector -
Best forAccessible AI editing across platforms
Fotor brings accessible AI editing, layers, masking, and batch tools to multiple platforms.
- Cloud sync
- Layer editing
- AI retouching
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Fotor
Adobe Lightroom Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to Adobe Lightroom?
Adobe Photoshop: #1 in our Photo Editing Software ranking, with an editor score of 9.4 out of 10. A deep, multi-platform editor for compositing, retouching, RAW work, and AI-assisted edits.
Is there a free alternative to Adobe Lightroom?
Yes. darktable, GIMP, RawTherapee, Pixlr and Photopea have a free plan or a free tier (7 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
Why do people look for Adobe Lightroom alternatives?
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.
How do I switch from Adobe Lightroom?
Export your data from Adobe Lightroom (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Adobe Lightroom.
How to Switch from Adobe Lightroom
- Export your data from Adobe Lightroom (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Adobe Lightroom.
Adobe Lightroom vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Platform | RAW photo support | Layer editing | Masking tools | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Adobe Lightroom | Yes | Multi-platform | Yes | Yes | 9.2 | ||
| 1 | Adobe Photoshop | No | Multi-platform | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.4 | |
| 2 | Capture One | No | Multi-platform | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.0 | |
| 3 | darktable | Yes | Free | Multi-platform | Yes | Yes | 8.8 | |
| 4 | GIMP | Yes | Free | Multi-platform | No | Yes | Yes | 8.7 |
| 5 | ON1 Photo RAW | No | Desktop | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.6 | |
| 6 | DxO PhotoLab | No | $159.99 one-time | Multi-platform | Yes | Yes | 8.5 | |
| 7 | Zoner Photo Studio X | No | $59/yr | Desktop | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.4 |
| 8 | PaintShop Pro | No | Desktop | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.3 | |
| 9 | Photomator | Multi-platform | Yes | Yes | 8.1 | |||
| 10 | Luminar Neo | No | $129 one-time | Multi-platform | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.0 |
| 11 | RawTherapee | Yes | Free | Desktop | Yes | No | Yes | 7.9 |
| 12 | Pixlr | Yes | Multi-platform | No | Yes | Yes | 7.9 | |
| 13 | Photopea | Yes | Web | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.9 | |
| 14 | PhotoDirector | Yes | $79.99/yr | Multi-platform | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.9 |
| 15 | Fotor | Yes | Multi-platform | Yes | Yes | 7.9 |
Head-to-Head
- Adobe Lightroom vs Adobe Photoshop
- Adobe Lightroom vs Capture One
- Adobe Lightroom vs darktable
- Adobe Lightroom vs GIMP
- Adobe Lightroom vs ON1 Photo RAW
- Adobe Lightroom vs DxO PhotoLab
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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