Comparing Luminar Neo vs ON1 Photo Raw reveals two very different photo editors. Specifically, Luminar Neo‘s minimalistic interface and powerful AI tools help dissolve traditionally difficult editing processes into single clicks. As a result, I consider Luminar Neo the best photo editing software for beginners.
In contrast, the absurdly feature-rich ON1 Photo Raw is more complex. But, if you are willing to climb its initially-steep learning curve, ON1 Photo Raw will reward you with superior photo management, one of the best AI noise reduction tools, and much, much more. So, which should you buy – Luminar Neo or ON1 Photo Raw? Lets find out. Jump to Conclusion.
LUMINAR NEO
SALE! WAS US$189
US$99
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ON1 PHOTO RAW
ON SALE! WAS $99!
US$69
SUBSCRIPTIONS AVAILABLE
ON1 vs Luminar – Contents
- Luminar Neo vs ON1 Photo Raw – Ease of use
- ON1 Photo Raw vs Luminar Neo – Features
- Luminar Neo vs ON1 Photo Raw – Price
- Conclusion
- Luminar Neo vs ON1 Photo Raw – Which is best
- About the Author
Luminar Neo vs ON1 Photo Raw – Ease of use
If you want easy, Luminar Neo is the best photo editor for beginners and anyone looking for a quick fix. For instance, Presets in Luminar Neo offers a one-click route toward a well-processed image. And powerful adjustments such as Enhance and Structure AI make manual adjustments a breeze.
In contrast, ON1 Photo Raw is a more traditional photo editor. In other words, it’s at its best when you manually adjust your colors and tone curves.
But that’s not to say you have to do everything. For instance, ON1 Photo Raw now features AI-powered adaptive presets which adapt to best fit the image you are working on. Plus, ON1 Photo Raw includes ON1 Effects, a powerful collection of one-click filters for altering color, adding light flare, and much more. Read ON1 Effects Review.
However, ease-of-use is Luminar Neo’s reason for being, so Luminar wins this category. Read: Luminar Neo Tutorials
ON1 Photo Raw vs Luminar Neo – Features
Luminar Neo
As Skylum Software’s newest photo editor, Luminar Neo has everything Luminar AI has and more. Specifically, you’re getting powerful presets, an auto masking tool, layers, and a portrait background blur tool.
Plus, there’s the Luminar Neo Extention Pack – an optional suite of 7 extensions, including HDR Merge, Noiseless AI, and Upscale AI. However, these extensions are not free and cost more collectively than ON1 Photo Raw. Read Luminar Neo Extension Pack Review for more information.
Nevertheless, Luminar Neo has enough features to make any photo editor blush. But not ON1 Photo Raw.
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ON1 Photo Raw
ON1 Photo Raw is possibly the most feature-rich photo management and editing studio you can buy. For instance, ON1 Photo Raw has presets, sky replacement, portrait touch-ups, auto-masking, and many other tools similar to those found in Luminar Neo.
However, ON1 Photo Raw also includes ON1 Resize AI – one of the best AI Upscalers, and ON1 NoNoise AI – one of the best noise reduction software applications.
And if that’s not enough, ON1 Photo Raw also comes with Timelapse, HDR, focus stacking, Effects, dual-screen support, panorama stitching, and remote tethering.
Finally, ON1 Photo Raw’s photo management is far superior to Luminar Neo. For instance, you can search, sync with the cloud, add keywords (automatically with Keyword AI!), and Geotag. With Luminar Neo, you are limited to adding photos to Albums.
Thus, when it comes to features, ON1 Photo Raw soundly beats Luminar Neo and probably, every other photo editor on the market today.
Luminar Neo vs ON1 Photo Raw – Price
ON1 Photo Raw tends to be cheaper than Luminar Neo – especially when you consider tools such as AI noise reduction and upscaling are included in ON1 Photo Raw but remain optional extras in Luminar Neo.
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Conclusion
Overall, when comparing ON1 Photo Raw vs Luminar Neo, it becomes clear that these are two very different photo editors intended for two audiences.
Luminar Neo
Luminar Neo is a showcase of simplicity. With its powerful AI – Neo seeks to dissolve traditionally complex photo editing techniques into single clicks. And it works.
However, it would be a mistake to consider Luminar Neo a dumbed-down photo editor for the masses, as it can produce results on par with any photo editor on the market today. And thanks to tools such as Portrait Bokeh AI and Sky AI – Luminar Neo is great fun to use.
For all these reasons, I consider Luminar Neo the best photo editor for beginners and experts in a rush. If you want to learn more, stop by my Luminar Neo Review.
ON1 Photo Raw
ON1 Photo Raw takes life a little more seriously than Luminar Neo and demands you spend some time learning its tricks. And if you do, ON1 Photo Raw will reward you and then some.
But what if you need more than just a photo editor? Well, ON1 Photo Raw does pretty much everything from HDR and Focus Stacking to Timelapse and Panoramic stitching. You also benefit from class-leading AI noise reduction and upscaling.
And then, there’s photo management. While Luminar Neo’s photo management is functional and pleasant to use – it’s also very basic and entirely underpowered for handling larger photo collections. In contrast, ON1 Photo Raw, with its clean-up services, smart collections, keyword tagging, and cloud-sync options, brings order to even the most chaotic photo collections.
Luminar Neo vs ON1 Photo Raw – Which is best
Luminar Neo is the best photo editor for beginners and anyone looking to edit photos easily and quickly. However, ON1 Photo Raw is cheaper and more capable if you’re willing to climb its moderately steep learning curve. But whichever you choose, each produces beautiful-looking images.
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LUMINAR NEO
SALE! WAS US$189
US$99
SAVE 10% WITH PROMO CODE SP10NEO
ON1 PHOTO RAW
ON SALE! WAS $99!
US$69
SUBSCRIPTIONS AVAILABLE
About the Author
More about Luminar and ON1
Luminar HDR Merge Review – Better than Aurora HDR?
ON1 Plugin Bundle 2023 Review – 5 AI Powered Plugins – 1 Price
ON1 Resize AI 2023 Review – 2023.5 Tested!
ON1 NoNoise AI 2024 Review – Outstanding and Affordable
