Luminar Neo
AI photo editor for desktop and mobile, sold as a one-time purchase
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Pricing
Paid
Platforms
What is Luminar Neo?
Luminar Neo is Skylum's AI photo editor for macOS and Windows. It covers one-slider enhancement (EnhanceAI), sky replacement, portrait retouching with SkinAI and FaceAI, and AI masking. Generative tools can remove objects (GenErase), swap them (GenSwap) or extend a scene (GenExpand).
It also has the standard editing tools: layers, a clone tool, dodge and burn, lens correction, batch processing and non-destructive edits. Pro tools include upscaling, noise reduction, HDR merge, focus stacking and panorama stitching. It reads JPEG, PNG, TIFF and many raw formats, and it works as a plugin for Lightroom Classic and Photoshop. Higher plans add Luminar Mobile for iPhone, iPad and Vision Pro, plus cross-device editing.
Desktop licenses are a one-time purchase. AI tools are included for the first year, and keeping them after that requires a Luminar Prime subscription. Luminar Neo fits hobbyist and professional photographers who want AI editing without an ongoing subscription.
Key features
- 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
Use cases
Who it's for
Landscape editing
Replace dull skies, merge HDR brackets or stitch panoramas from a single app.
Portrait retouching
Smooth skin and refine faces with SkinAI and FaceAI instead of retouching by hand.
Cleaning up images
Remove unwanted objects with GenErase, or extend a frame with GenExpand.
Lightroom workflow add-on
Use Luminar as a plugin inside Lightroom Classic or Photoshop for AI edits.
Luminar Neo pricing
From the vendor's site, checked Oct 26, 2026; we re-check prices monthly. Prices change — confirm on their pricing page.
Desktop Only
one-time
£89.00 (sale, was £377.00)
- 2 devices (macOS/Windows)
- 1 year of AI tools
- Fall Upgrade 2026 access
- Optional auto-upgrades at £39/year after a free first year
All Platforms
one-time
£139.00 (sale, was £405.00)
- Everything in Desktop Only
- Mobile on 3 devices
- Web on 3 devices (coming Fall 2026)
- Cross-device editing and Spaces web galleries
Max
one-time, with a Luminar Prime renewal after 365 days
£159.00 (sale, was £464.00)
- Everything in All Platforms
- Luminar Prime
- 1 year of Library of Assets
Luminar Engine (business)
annual
Custom
- Deploy on your own infrastructure
- Flat annual license, no per-image fees
How Luminar Neo compares
- Luminar Neo has no free plan, while 3 of the 4 alternatives below have one.
- It has no public API, unlike all 4 others.
| Tool | Starts at | Free plan | Free trial | API | Open source | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LLuminar Neo | — | — | — | — | — | |
P Picsart | $15/mo | — | — | Luminar Neo vs Picsart | ||
P Photoroom | — | — | — | Luminar Neo vs Photoroom | ||
| F | — | — | — | Luminar Neo vs Fotor | ||
| C | — | — | Luminar Neo vs Clipdrop |
Compare 7 capabilities
| Capability | Luminar Neo | Picsart | Photoroom | Fotor | Clipdrop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Background removal | |||||
| AI upscaling | — | ||||
| Generative fill/erase | |||||
| Relighting | |||||
| Batch processing | — | ||||
| RAW file support | — | — | — | — | |
| Photoshop/Lightroom plugin | — | — | — |
Capabilities as stated on each vendor's own site; — means the site doesn't say. The closest alternatives in our directory by category. “Starts at” is the cheapest paid plan per month, as each vendor lists it.
Luminar Neo data and privacy
Trains AI on your content
Not stated
Data retention
Facial images stored only temporarily as needed to return results
“Images may be temporarily stored only as needed to return results (original or modified) to the user.”
Where data is stored
Not stated
Security and compliance
From Luminar Neo's own privacy and security pages , checked Oct 28, 2026. We only show what the vendor states in writing; “not stated” means the pages don't say.
Who's behind Luminar Neo
- Company
- Shinyfields Limited
- Based in
- Limassol, Cyprus
- Founded
- 2008
- Founders
- Paul Muzok, Dima Sytnik
“Our roots trace back to 2008, when two photography enthusiasts and gaming app developers, Paul Muzok and Dima Sytnik, came together”
“Our roots trace back to 2008, when two photography enthusiasts and gaming app developers, Paul Muzok and Dima Sytnik, came together with a vision to transform photo editing.”
From Luminar Neo's own about, terms and privacy pages, checked Oct 28, 2026.
Pros and cons
Strengths
- 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
Limitations
- 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
Luminar Neo FAQ
How much does Luminar Neo cost?
The pricing page shows one-time prices of £89 for Desktop Only, £139 for All Platforms and £159 for Max. These are sale prices, and Max includes a Luminar Prime renewal after 365 days.
Is it a subscription?
The desktop license is a one-time purchase. AI tools such as GenErase and GenSwap are included for 1 year, and after that they require Luminar Prime.
Which platforms are supported?
macOS 12+ and Windows 10 (64-bit) on desktop, plus iPhone, iPad and Vision Pro on mobile. A web version is planned for Fall 2026.
Is there a refund policy?
Yes. Skylum offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Does it work with Lightroom?
Yes. It works as a plugin for Lightroom Classic and Photoshop.
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Luminar Neo
Paid