P
PLuminar Neo vs Picsart
Pricing, features, platforms and who each one suits — side by side.
L
Choose Luminar Neo if…
- you work on macOS
- you're in its core audience: hobbyist photographers, professional photographers
P
Choose Picsart if…
- you want a free plan to start with
- you need an API to build on
- you work on Web, Android
- you're in its core audience: content creators, social media managers
Side by side
Feature Luminar Neo Picsart
Pricing modelPaidFreemium
Starting price—$15/mo
Free plan
Free trial
API
Open source
Data retentionFacial images stored only temporarily as needed to return resultsKept until account deletion; some data up to 3 years after
Security and complianceGDPRSOC 2
Background removal
AI upscaling—
Generative fill/erase
Relighting
Batch processing
RAW file support—
Photoshop/Lightroom plugin—
PlatformsmacOS, Windows, iOSWeb, iOS, Android, Windows, API
CategoryPhoto EditingPhoto Editing
CompanyShinyfields LimitedPicsArt, Inc.
Based inCyprusUnited States
Founded20082011
Part of——
Key features
L Luminar Neo
- One-slider AI enhancement with EnhanceAI
- AI sky replacement
- Portrait retouching with SkinAI and FaceAI
- Generative erase, swap and expand
- Upscaling, noise reduction and sharpening
- HDR merge, focus stacking and panorama stitching
- Raw support including CR3, NEF and RAF
- Plugin for Lightroom Classic and Photoshop
P Picsart
- Background and object removal
- AI Playground with 180+ image, video and audio models
- Text-to-video and image-to-video generation
- Picsart Flow for repeatable multi-step workflows
- Aura agent that edits from plain-language instructions
- Bulk editing of up to 100 images
- Brand kits and ad variation tools
- CLI and MCP access from ChatGPT, Claude and Cursor
Plans and prices
From each vendor's site. Prices change — confirm before buying.
Luminar Neo
Desktop Only£89.00 (sale, was £377.00)
All Platforms£139.00 (sale, was £405.00)
Max£159.00 (sale, was £464.00)
Luminar Engine (business)Custom
Picsart
FreeFree
Pro£7.83/mo billed yearly (site metadata lists $15/mo)
Ultra£44.83/mo per seat billed yearly
Strengths and limitations
Luminar Neo
- One-time purchase with no required subscription for the desktop app
- Desktop license covers 2 devices on macOS and Windows
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Works as a plugin for Lightroom Classic and Photoshop
- AI tools are included for only 1 year on perpetual plans
- Web version not yet available (listed as coming Fall 2026)
- Pricing page shows prices in GBP, with no USD prices listed
Picsart
- Free tier available
- Available on web, iOS, Android and Windows
- Access to 180+ AI generation models
- MCP and CLI integrations with AI coding and chat tools
- Pricing page shows only annual-billing prices, in local currency
- Team features such as seats and ad tools require the Ultra plan
- No free trial listed for paid plans
More comparisons
Other options to consider
PP
Free trial
F
FF
Freemium
F
Online photo editor with AI image, video and design tools for creators
Photo EditingFree planAPI
C
CBrowser-based AI image tools for removing backgrounds, cleanup, upscaling and generation
Freemium
C
Freemium
C
Browser-based AI image tools for removing backgrounds, cleanup, upscaling and generation
Photo EditingFree planAPI
T
TT
From $12/mo
T
AI image upscaling up to 16x for photographers and creative professionals
Upscalers & Enhancers
R
RR
See site
R
AI photo enhancer for improving and restoring photos and videos in the browser
Upscalers & Enhancers
L
LBrowser-based AI photo upscaling, enhancement and restoration up to 512 MP
Free, from $9/mo
L
Free, from $9/mo
L
Browser-based AI photo upscaling, enhancement and restoration up to 512 MP
Upscalers & EnhancersFree planAPI
Built from each vendor's public website; we haven't tested them hands-on. Editorial policy