The “Ultra” version of this Lightroom alternative online retails for $99.99, but the vendor is currently offering it at only $69.99. Which Will Be A Better Alternative to Lightroom (Mac, Windows or Linux)? I leave it to you to determine which is the best Lightroom alternative for Windows, Mac, and Linux in 2020. It is a free Lightroom alternative, open source and looks closer to a Lightroom bootleg than any other program. Like Capture One, it supports RAW files from over 400 different cameras. Again, it is non-destructive, allowing you to keep the original file and reverting back to it easily. I’m a novice photographer and have recently switched back to Windows (from a Mac) and was looking for alternative to Lightroom mainly because their subscription service does not make sense to me. At $10/mo with a 1 year contract thats $120 every year I use it.
Adobe Lightroom has made itsreputation as the best editing software for many professional as well asenthusiast photographers around the world who love shooting in RAW format. Thesoftware has all the bells and whistles you could want from an advanced photoeditor. Everything from basic exposure and contrast control to advanced maskingand selective editing is present in Adobe’s photo editing giant. Combine thatwith a robust cataloging system and you have a winner as far as mostprofessionals are concerned.
However, during recent years, a lot of excellent photo editing software has been released which offers the same, if not better in some cases, level of control that Lightroom does. Many such editors also come at a lower, one-time, price unlike Lightroom’s recent move to a monthly subscription model, making Lightroom a less attractive offering to people who are new the photo editor software.
Mac Photos and Google Photos. Mac Photos and Google Photos are technically advanced and provide similar editing features like that of Lightroom. You can easily manage and feature the image by making adjustments in curve, tone, saturation and others using Mac Photos. You can customize the effects to make the image more attractive and well-toned. Users need to make heavy payments to use Lightroom but if you are not ready to pay for any subscription it is good to look for other fantastic options available in the market that are available for free. While making a selection for your Lightroom alternative, always make sure that you are choosing a platform that can process RAW images perfectly.
Why Lightroom AlternativesAre Important
You may be wondering, ifLightroom does all that you need it to do, why should you even consider using adifferent program? A lot of it boils down to the fact that Lightroom asks usersto pay a monthly fee to use it. This kind of a payment model may seem okay at first,but when you consider that you’d be paying potentially thousands of dollars touse it over a lifetime when you could instead buy something for under a hundreddollars once and be good with it, then it starts seeming unnecessary. Sure,most one-time payment options ask for a small additional price to upgrade tothe newer models but you may not always need to upgrade, and even if you do,the price still remain well under what Lightroom would cost over a number ofyears.
So, without furtherdeliberation, let’s take a look at some of the best Lightroom alternatives,either because of their lower price or better usability, that you should knowof. My passport format for mac.
1. Luminar
The first and closest Lightroom alternative anyone can start using in an instant is Luminar. This program started off as a Mac photo editor, but later started supporting Windows as well. As soon as it had launched, it was praised for its amazing ease of use, highly intuitive interface with unique elements like customizable workspaces, and very affordable price tag.
Now, the newest version of Luminar has also added a library system which might just be the one thing that Lightroom had and Luminar didn’t. With this new addition, Luminar has become one of the best photo editing software that you can use without paying an immense price.
2. Aurora HDR
Admittedly, Aurora HDR is more of
With Aurora HDR as a Lightroom alternative, you will have access to advanced tone-mapping algorithms, various presets, and a whole host of advanced tools that help create the best possible HDR photos. What’s more, it also comes as an actual plugin for Lightroom itself which means you can enhance Lightroom’s capabilities without needing to jump into another program!
3. Capture One Pro
Capture One is a software that is already used by many as an alternative to Lightroom. It offers almost all the controls that Lightroom offers to pro users, with some of its own as well. The interface is fairly clean, however not very easy to get used to. There are presets, selective adjustments, masks, and everything you could want to create great photos. Capture One also has a cataloging system, which is why many use it as a Lightroom alternative. However, Capture One is quite expensive as well even despite its one-time payment model. But if you don’t mind paying the high price, it’s one of the top Lightroom alternatives available today.
4. Apple Photos
If you want a free Lightroom alternative in the form of a photo editor for Mac, then Apple Photos is a solid choice. This photo editing software comes bundled with Mac computers and offers a lot of control over photo editing. It can handle exposure, contrast, white balance, highlights, shadows, colors, and more with ease. It’s also not a slow program and runs very well on Apple’s systems. You won’t get very advanced features like selective editing or layers, but if you want a semi-advanced image editor, this one is a good alternative to Lightroom.
5. Affinity Photo
If you’re looking for a cross-platform photo editor for pc and mac as a Lightroom alternative, then Affinity Photo is also a good choice. It’s a fully-featured photo editor that not only does photo editing but also boasts some Photoshop-like features such as digital painting tools, layer control, focus stacking and more. For photo editing, Affinity Photo can handle RAW files, make HDR photos, stitch panoramas, and much more that could appease any professional looking for the best Lightroom alternative. However, for new photographers, this might be a little too complicated and full of tools to use comfortably.
6. DarkTable
Perhaps the best free Lightroom alternative on this list is DarkTable. Its layout is similar to
7. RawTherapee
Another free alternative to Lightroom, RawTherapee might fit the bill for the beginners among you. Its one and only focus is to provide photographers the ability to process their RAW files. It doesn’t have too many fancy bells and whistles, or even advanced features like a cataloging system, but it is free and can help beginner photographers edit their RAW files with ease.
8. Exposure X4
Exposure X4 is the newest version of the software that aims to become an alternative to Lightroom. Its strength lies in the fact that it has a strong library feature and can import images from various sources in parallel to one another. This import process makes it easier to quicker for photographers to add multiple images to their library. The RAW editing features here are strong too.
Exposure control, color corrections, high-quality presets – everything is present. However, what makes Exposure X3 not the best Lightroom alternative is the fact that it has noticeable lag while working with RAW files from certain cameras.
9. Corel’s AfterShot Pro 3
Another photo editor for PC, Corel AfterShot Pro 3 is considered one of the best Lightroom alternatives by many. While it can be used for all basic edits to exposure, color, white balance, noise, sharpness etc., its true strengths lie in its UI design that is suitable for widescreen displays, its very competent batch editing, and its easy integration with Photoshop allowing you to send your photos directly to Photoshop for final touches. On the flip side, however, AfterShot Pro 3 suffers from lackluster localized editing, and a high price tag especially for extra presets that you might want to use.
10. Cyberlink Photo Director 10
If you would like a photo editor software that can do all that Lightroom can do, then Photo Director 10 might be the choice for you. It’s one of the most capable Lightroom alternatives out there because of an easy-to-use interface, later control, and a lot of help to get used to the various features. It’s aimed more at people who may be new to photo editing software and its new focus on AI tools helps such users make better photos. But if you have an older, slower computer, then you might want to look elsewhere or be okay with slow performance.
11. Gentlemen Coders RAW Power
For those looking for a strong photo editor for Mac, RAW Power is one of the very good Lightroom alternatives for the purpose. As many users of Apple’s computers would know, the company replaced its excellent Aperture editor with the new Photos app which comes as a pre-installed Mac photo editor. To fill the gap between Aperture and Photos, RAW Power is here with a solid reputation. It can either be used as a standalone RAW editor, allowing you to do most of the stuff you’d want from such a software, or as an extension to Photos. This combination of RAW Power with Photos is what can be the best photo editor software as a Lightroom alternative on Mac.
12. Zoner
Zoner is a Windows photo editor that aims to help make great photos with ease. It boasts features like automatic editing, easy selections for localized editing, layer control, a Filter Brush to give you creative freedom, batch editing, Smart Sharpen and Smart Blue, and advanced noise reduction among many more. It’s clear from these claims that Zoner can be a good, if not the best, Lightroom alternative for people using Windows. It may not have Lightroom’s presets but it does have enough to help enthusiast photographers. But, like Lightroom, Zoner also has a subscription-based payment model which is something that puts many users off.
13. GIMP
An open-source photo editor that is hailed as the best free photo editing software by countless around the world, GIMP has all it needs to be a free Lightroom alternative. GIMP has everything from basic exposure editing to advanced layer controls and brushes to make your photos look like pieces of art, just like Photoshop. It also has a vast online community that’s always trying to help others and make GIMP better every day. Despite all of that though, the software remains a very complicated one to get used to and requires quite some time to understand. It may be Lightroom’s free alternative like you’ve never seen before, but be ready to spend a lot of time learning to use it properly.
14. Topaz Studio
Topaz Studio is yet another photo editor that does most of the things you’d expect such software to do. Some highlight features of the editor are over thirty filters, healing capabilities, slider controls to edit exposure, contrast, and highlights, and color correction tools. Topaz Studio also has a similar interface to most editors so it’s easy to start off with. While it may not be the best alternative to Lightroom unless you don’t need advanced controls, it still is a capable editor for getting started with editing.
14. ON1 Photo Raw
Getting back to possibly the best Lightroom alternatives, On1 Photo RAW is a great all-in-one editor that aims to find its way into the hands of seasoned photographers. It has all the tools you could want, including great masking tools, quick rendering of final images, a very quick panoramic preview option, and newly added HDR features that help create very good HDR images, unlike in Lightroom. However, despite these great additions, On1 Photo RAW remains a little sluggish at times which is something that needs to be improved for it to become the best alternative to Lightroom.
15. DxO Photo Lab
Dxo Photo Lab is deemed by many as the best photo editing software because it is easy to use, has a ton of editing features, and a RAW conversion system like few others. Why people would consider this as the best Windows photo editor is because of the amazing lens correction algorithms it has.
The software is known for its automatic control over chromatic aberration, distortion, and vignetting for a multitude of cameras and lenses. The only thing that really keeps this Windows and Mac photo editor from being the best alternative to Lightroom is its lack of selective adjustment capabilities.
16. Photo Pos Pro
If you don’t want what is necessarily the best free photo editing software but rather Adobe Lightroom’s free alternative that lets you edit photos and do other fun stuff like making posters and business cards too, then you should take a look at Photo Pos Pro.
It is Adobe Lightroom’s free alternative but only if you want basic functionality. It is not slated to the the best editing software or the best of Lightroom alternatives, but rather a quick and easy way to edit your photos. The Pro version of the software isn’t free though, so make sure to try it out first to see whether it’s worth your money or not.
And with that, we conclude our list of the best Lightroom alternatives you can use to get your photo editing done. All of the program listed here have their own strengths and weaknesses, but the software that becomes a Lightroom alternative for you really depends on what you use Lightroom for.
If you want to give up using Lightroom because of the monthly fees, then the best alternative to Lightroom would be something like Luminar that offers similar control for a low, one-time price. If you want something completely free, then DarkTable might be the Lightroom alternative for you. And if you want your Lightroom alternative to do much more than just RAW editing, then programs like GIMP will be worthwhile.
But before you spend yourmoney on any of the mentioned programs, be sure to give them a try once becausewhat might look good on paper as the best alternative to Lightroom might notfit your style of editing or have that one tool you can’t live without.
Lightroom is a very popular application used for image management and processing. It plays a versatile role for the user fond of camera and photography. You can create a superb image and graphics using its tools. It provides free image source to manage the pictures as well. However, Lightroom is very costly and has a normal workflow. Owing to these reasons, many users are looking for alternatives to Lightroom. If you are the one, then go through this article thoroughly to get the best and superior Lightroom alternatives for the management of images.
Though it is quite easy to open RAW images free in Windows and Mac, the apps in this article are worth trying as all of them are not the same. Some have more, similar or fewer features in comparison to the Lightroom. Moreover, the price of the subscription of these apps also varies with the features. So, it is suggested to check all the options and go for the one as per your necessity and preference. These apps are very simple to use and are capable to add amazing effects and other additional features to the image by editing it. You will get both free and paid alternatives to Lightroom for photo management in this list given below.
Pro tips: In case you delete photos by mistake, which happens to photographers every day, don’t hesitate to try RePicvid Free Photo Recovery to get them back.
Top 1. RawTherapee
This application is designed for fulfilling the raw processing needs of the image which can be edited afterwards using any editing tool. This open source application does not delete the original image while making the changes. You can revert back to get the original image anytime.
Features of RawTherapee:
- It comes with non-destructive photo editing abilities.
- You can easily adjust the noose, sharpness, colour, exposure and other such elements of the image using its advanced tools.
- It is powered with a multicore support system and de-mosaicking codes to get connected to a hardware system easily and create proper images.
- It saves all the works done on this app automatically.
- It is also featured with batch processing for quicker editing.
Top 2. LightZone
LightZone is another open source application which plays a versatile role in the management and processing of the image. For accessing its tools and other features, you need to install the app on your device and sign in to the app to get started.
Features of LightZone:
- It is a non-destructive app which helps to gain the original form of any converted image anytime.
- It is very helpful in the raw processing of the images with advanced tools.
- It has a huge collection of amazing filters and other effects which can be applied to the image to make it attractive and unique.
- You can customize the effects to make it as per the demand of the image. It is helpful in the perfect application of effects on the image.
- It is coded with vector-based selection tool which is helpful in making changes and creating selective effects on any particular area of the image.
- You can enjoy editing and processing the image using this tool for free.
Top 3. IrfanView
IrfanView is widely used for editing and management of the image. It is featured with many effective tools which make this application perfectly used by professions. However, the interface of this app is not so interactive. So, it is not easy for newbies to use it.
Features of IrfanView:
- It has all the tools to organize and edit the image present in both compressed and raw file formats.
- It is perfectly designed for editing the images quickly and effectively.
- It enables the user to add tags, edit metadata and make changes in batches.
- It provides a wonderful raw image processing with many adjustments and configuration in the image texture.
- It allows the user to transfer the image after editing to other platforms like GIMP.
- It saves the changes automatically.
Top 4. DarkTable
DarkTable gives similar tools for editing and processing as Capture One Pro. It is an open source application so can get access to the complete software for free. It is a very simple application to be used in comparison to others. However, the image processing tool is quite complex to be used.
Features of DarkTable:
- It is designed with advanced processing tool, many editing features and asset management features.
- You can use this application for more than 400 cameras and process the images.
- It works like Lightroom and has simple effects and tools which can be implemented easily than that of Lightroom for editing and adjustments.
- It has a fully developed version for Mac and Linux devices.
Top 5. Capture One Pro
Capture One Pro is completely similar to Lightroom. You will find all the tools and effects as that of Lightroom in this application. However, it can be only used by paying a large amount of money. For its access, you need to make a payment of $299 to buy it. This is the reason it is only used by high-profile professionals. It gives all the advantages of its price. It is designed with advanced tools and technology.
Features of Capture One Pro:
- This application is compatible with over 400 cameras and is helpful in organizing and processing of raw image files.
- You can apply advanced techniques and tools of this app to enhance the processing in a better way.
- It provides the user support to learn about its features and tethered shooting. You can see the live video to use it.
- You can get this app for Windows and Mac devices.
- You can go for its trial version to experience its tools and effects.
Top 6. DxO PhotoLab
DxO PhotoLab is an amazing platform using which you can put effects and make adjustments like that of Lightroom. It is a perfect alternative to it. You can go for its premium version i.e., DxO OpticsPro for more tools and other utilities. However, asset management abilities, local adjustment features and raw image processing support are not found in this app.
Features of DxO PhotoLab:
- You can use this application along with Apple’s photo app, Adobe Bridge and Lightroom for better editing and management of images.
- It has many features similar to Lightroom with an interactive and user-friendly interface.
- It is featured with noise reduction capability.
Top 7. ON1 Photo RAW
ON1 Photo RAW is a newly designed photo processing application with features similar to Lightroom and Capture One Pro. It comes with both a free and premium version. You can take its trial and get access to all the services by paying $119.
Features of ON1 Photo RAW:
- It is featured with asset management abilities and is well suited for raw image processing.
- It also allows the user to access sits layer support feature like Photoshop. You can use it for the organization of different images together.
- It is developed with effective local adjustments, intuitive interface and many filters and effects for editing.
Top 8. ACDSee Photo Studio Professional
As the name suggests, this application is designed to be used by professionals with many hi-tech features. It has many features similar to Adobe Photoshop which can be brought in use for effective editing.
Features of ACDSee Photo Studio Professional:
- It comes with advanced tools for raw image processing, editing and organizing the images.
- You can also catalogue the images easily with this app.
- It supports more than 500 cameras so you can enjoy unlimited management and editing of images using it.
- You can modify the pixels of the image using the Liquify tool.
- You can buy this app for only $99.
Top 9. Affinity Photo
Affinity Photo is another latest application developed for raw image processing. It is compatible with both Mac and Windows PC. You can use this application for profession type editing with the use of many advanced features and tools.
Features of Affinity Photo:
- It is powered with 360-degree image editing, digital painting, PSD editing, focus stacking, panorama effects and many other.
- It supports multi-image processing and multi-layer compositions which creates a good environment for working.
Top 10. Mac Photos and Google Photos
Mac Photos and Google Photos are technically advanced and provide similar editing features like that of Lightroom.
You can easily manage and feature the image by making adjustments in curve, tone, saturation and others using Mac Photos. You can customize the effects to make the image more attractive and well-toned.
Google Photos also comes with many specifications in features for editing the image. It supports high processing of image and works on the codes of advanced machine learning. It can automatically edit the photos to make your collection of photos more effective.
Alternatives To Lightroom For Mac
Both of them are perfectly made for primary editing, processing and management of images. You can easily organize using Mac Photos and Google Photos with no hassle.
Bottom Line
We have learnt a total of 10 image editing and processing applications with many advanced tools. Some of them are open source tools while some come with the premium subscription. You can select any of these Lightroom alternatives as your editing software as per your needs and image processing requirements. All these apps help you to create an effective and well-edited image with perfect adjustments. If you have any queries then drop it down in the comments section.
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