The Best Adobe Lightroom AlternativesTop Photo Managers & Raw Photo Editors like Adobe Lightroom

Adobe Lightroom is described as 'Powerful photo editing and organizing with cloud backup, available on multiple devices including mobile, web, and desktop' and is a very popular Photo Manager in the photos & graphics category. There are more than 100 alternatives to Adobe Lightroom for a variety of platforms, including Windows, Mac, iPhone, iPad and Android apps. The best Adobe Lightroom alternative is darktable, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Adobe Lightroom are RawTherapee, GIMP, digiKam and RapidRAW.

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Alternatives list

  1. darktable icon

    darktable

     370 likes

    Open source non-destructive RAW editor and virtual darkroom with zoomable lighttable, database-driven organization, HDR and EXR support, floating-point workflow, batch exporting, and advanced editing for photography and scientific imaging across platforms.

    81 darktable alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Darktable’s lighttable mode showing a collection
     
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    15
    darktable vs Adobe Lightroom Comments
    Top Positive Comment
    Guest
    14

    Complete Raw processing suite. Best free open source solution

    Top Negative Comment
    ccier7u87wl2pvvz7o
    -1

    Doesn't support Apple ProRAW DNGs

    Roman
    Positive
    0

    The general approach, workflow and selection of tools for RAW development is a close match to Lightroom, but it's free and works on Linux

    3 of 15 comments
    • darktable is Free and Open SourceAdobe Lightroom is Paid and Proprietary
    • darktable is a Raw Photo Editor Adobe Lightroom is a Photo Manager
    • darktable is Privacy focusedAdobe Lightroom is not according to our users
  2. RawTherapee icon

    RawTherapee

     243 likes

    Raw photo processing software with advanced control over demosaicing. Ideal for newcomers, semi-professionals, and professionals. Supports HDR DNGs, JPGs, and TIFFs, with in-house enhancements for some camera models. Open-source, lacks digital asset management.

    68 RawTherapee alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • Flatpak
    RawTherapee screenshot 1
     
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    2
    RawTherapee vs Adobe Lightroom Comments
    MercuryHero
    Positive
    3

    Fairly advanced control over RAW processing including demosaicing algorithm, gamma curves, etc. Supports its own profiles and presets.

    fredly2
    Positive
    0

    I like Rawtherapee as an alternative to Lightroom because it gives me controll over DNG files for free on a Macbook.

    • RawTherapee is Free and Open SourceAdobe Lightroom is Paid and Proprietary
    • RawTherapee is a Raw Photo Editor Adobe Lightroom is a Photo Manager
    • RawTherapee is Privacy focusedAdobe Lightroom is not according to our users
  4. GIMP icon

    GIMP

     4823 likes

    Free open-source suite offering advanced photo retouching, image composition, original artwork creation, batch processing, plugin support, custom scripting, mass image format conversion, and integration with free publishing tools for comprehensive editing solutions.

    210 GIMP alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • Haiku
    • Flatpak
    • AmigaOS
    • AppImage
    GIMP screenshot 1
     
  5. Ad
    Screenshot
    Adobe Photoshop Express icon
    Adobe Photoshop Express

    Adobe's mobile photo-editing app lets you edit, share, and upload photos across devices. With features like free 2 GB storage, original size backup, and extra tools for advanced editing, it enhances your images for social med...

    https://www.adobe.com
    Learn More
  6. digiKam icon

    digiKam

     368 likes

    digiKam is an advanced digital photo management tool that simplifies importing and organizing photos into albums. It supports various formats including RAW, features tagging, metadata management, duplicate finder, photo editing, sharing, GPS data handling, and has cross-platform compatibility.

    128 digiKam alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • KDE Plasma
    • Flathub
    • Qt
    Image editor
     
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    3
    digiKam vs Adobe Lightroom Comments
    Guest
    Positive
    6

    Database functionality - Lots of other pieces of software mentioned are good at RAW processing but few, if any, have a good, structured back-end to organise photos.

    Guest
    Negative
    -1

    digiKam is good at organizing photos but has nothing to edit or adjust photos and RAW files. It only covers half of the features of Lightroom

    Guest
    Negative
    -35

    digiKam is a photo management while lightroom is a raw photo editor, they have nothing in common

    • digiKam is Free and Open SourceAdobe Lightroom is Paid and Proprietary
    • digiKam is Privacy focusedAdobe Lightroom is not according to our users
  8. RapidRAW icon

    RapidRAW

     69 likes

    GPU-accelerated RAW photo editor for Windows, macOS, and Linux featuring non-destructive workflow, AI-driven masking tools, 32-bit precision, advanced color grading, tonal controls, batch operations, preset system, customizable interface, and comprehensive export options.

    61 RapidRAW alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    RapidRAW screenshot 1
     
  9. Capture One icon

    Capture One

     36 likes

    Capture One is a leading raw converter and workflow software which enables photographers to reduce the time and effort required to deliver astounding ready-to-use images with excellent color and detail.

    62 Capture One alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    Capture One screenshot 1
     
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    6
    Capture One vs Adobe Lightroom Comments
    Top Positive Comment
    Guest
    3

    Same professional RAW editing results. Perpetual license option.

    DalsPhotography
    Positive
    0

    Quite pricey, but very capable. Excellent for tethering in studio photography. Heavy on mac older machines, and builds catalogs as LR does which overtime can become a huge file catalog. NOT an easy importing option. To my personal opinion that is what really bothers most compared to other available programs. It's easy to work with but different in many aspects to LR. Many tutorials online and a good post sale service, much better than Adobe's in general.

    Gev X
    Positive
    0

    Speed edit feature

    Uncrop ability (some wide-angle lens has hidden crop)

    Overexposing areas (e.g. bright color LED-lights) looks nicer in C1

    More customizable interface

    3 of 6 comments
    • Capture One is Paid and ProprietaryAdobe Lightroom is also Paid and Proprietary
    • Capture One is an Image Editor Adobe Lightroom is a Photo Manager
  10. Luminar Neo icon

    Luminar Neo

     90 likes

    Advanced RAW photo editing software equipped with AI-driven features like GenErase, GenExpand, and GenSwap. Enhances portraits and landscapes using Sky AI and Atmosphere AI. Compatible with Adobe and Apple products, supports multiple formats, and offers panorama stitching, noise reduction, and more.

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • iPad
    • Apple Photos
    • Adobe Photoshop
    • visionOS
    • Adobe Lightroom
    Luminar Neo screenshot 1
     
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    3
    Luminar Neo vs Adobe Lightroom Comments
    DalsPhotography
    Positive
    0

    Quite different than lightroom, some of the sliders in the basic edition don't really work as they shoud, specially when you brighten up shadows. Yet, it's a good option for a more creative workflow, I have it and use it alongside Lightroom.

    BJ
    Positive
    0

    Skylum's business model is to overpromise and under-deliver. Learned that the hard way. Maybe they'll actually enable GPU processing before the next decade.

    Guest
    Positive
    1

    It's slow on my old Mac, but it's «easy to understand»!

    • Luminar Neo is Paid and ProprietaryAdobe Lightroom is also Paid and Proprietary
    • Luminar Neo is an Image Editor Adobe Lightroom is a Photo Manager
  11. Snapseed icon

    Snapseed

     94 likes

    Snapseed is a photo enhancement and sharing app with a powerful suite of imaging filters and tools for anyone, anywhere, to transform any image into an extraordinary photo.

    78 Snapseed alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    Snapseed screenshot 1
     
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    5
    Snapseed vs Adobe Lightroom Comments
    Top Positive Comment
    Guest
    2

    Really good tool, but make sure you don't push the adjustments too far, or it'll ruin the photo.

    Top Negative Comment
    Guest
    1

    Missing a lot of Lightroom's features, most notably, it's not a photo manager. It's nice for quick edits on the go, but it was bought by Google a while ago, so assume no privacy.

    Guest
    Negative
    1

    Snapseed is an image editor, not organizer.

    3 of 5 comments
    • Snapseed is Free and ProprietaryAdobe Lightroom is Paid and Proprietary
    • Snapseed is an Image Editor Adobe Lightroom is a Photo Manager
    • Snapseed is LightweightAdobe Lightroom is not according to our users
  12. Apple Photos icon

    Apple Photos

     63 likes

    Photos is a digital photograph manipulation application developed by Apple, intended to be less complex than its predecessor iPhoto .

    145 Apple Photos alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Online
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    Apple Photos screenshot 1
     
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    5
    Apple Photos vs Adobe Lightroom Comments
    Top Positive Comment
    jamiegray
    1

    Improved editing tools, thanks to the merging of Apple Aperture and Apple Photos. Nice to sync between all devices. Certainly not as robust as Lightroom, but very convenient.

    Top Negative Comment
    Guest
    0

    No adjustment brushes in Photo

    Guest
    Negative
    -3

    Insufficient editing toolset, clumsy facial recognition, requires iCloud subscription for some features.

    3 of 5 comments
    • Apple Photos is Free and ProprietaryAdobe Lightroom is Paid and Proprietary
  13. Polarr icon

    Polarr

     120 likes

    Offers advanced filters, high-precision color and light tools, clarity, dehaze, batch export, watermarking, custom filter creation, touch and mouse access, infinite undo, HSL/RGB curves, blending, and workspace customization for versatile editing needs.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    Polarr screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Polarr vs Adobe Lightroom Comments
    Guest
    Positive
    1

    Very flexible and can handle bulk applications of filters, fixes and adjustments. Cross-platform, even on the web when you can't install it on a local machine.

    • Polarr is Freemium and ProprietaryAdobe Lightroom is Paid and Proprietary
    • Polarr is a Photo Editor Adobe Lightroom is a Photo Manager
  14. QuickEdit icon

    QuickEdit

     23 likes

    Lightweight tool offering cropping, drawing, text editing with formatting options, GPUImage filters, smooth Jetpack Compose-based animations, quick saving, and direct sharing to social media apps, designed for fast, simple photo enhancements on any device.

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • F-Droid
    QuickEdit screenshot 1
     
  15. ACDSee Photo Studio icon

    ACDSee Photo Studio

     150 likes

    Offers organization, viewing, and editing tools for digital images, supports over 700 RAW formats, enables metadata embedding and syncing, dynamic category and keyword filters, workflow optimizations, non-destructive edits, detailed image preview, and sharing options.

    191 ACDSee Photo Studio alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    ACDSee Photo Studio screenshot 1
     
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    1
    ACDSee Photo Studio vs Adobe Lightroom Comments
    maurosoft391
    Negative
    1

    it's not free. you have to pay to get it

    • ACDSee Photo Studio is Paid and ProprietaryAdobe Lightroom is also Paid and Proprietary
12 of 140 Adobe Lightroom alternatives