Discover the best free Lightroom alternatives that can offer similar features to those offered by Lightroom, with less cost. Lightroom might not fit everyone’s needs or budget. In this article, I will explore the 12 best free lightroom alternatives. I will cover the pros and cons along with the comparison of their cost, performance, learning curve, rating, and many other features of each software.
Understanding Lightroom Version
I was amazed when I came across with latest and updated features of best free lightroom alternatives. While basic features are free, you have to test each software before you buy for advanced features. If you are looking to enhance your Lightroom experience with additional features, consider exploring Lightroom Mod Apk.
Capture One: Popular Best Free Lightroom Alternative
Capture One is well known for its color management and precise editing features, which have made it a best free lightroom alternative among users. Now you can customize its interface to suit your workflow needs.
With tethering options, advanced color grading tools and the ability to make adjustments using layers, this software offers users a level of control, over their images. It serves as a tool that suits best in studio environments. You can check my detailed comparison guide in this article.
Pros
- Color Accuracy: Offers superior color editing and profiling tools.
- Tethering Capabilities: Robust tethering options are ideal for studio shoots.
- Customizable Interface: Tailor the workspace to fit your workflow.
- Advanced Layer Adjustments: Non-destructive layers for precise edits.
- Camera and Lens Profiles: Extensive support for different camera models and lenses.
- Support and Updates: Regular updates and professional support are available.
Cons
- Cost: Relatively expensive compared to some other alternatives with one time purchase.
- Learning Curve: Steep learning curve due to its advanced features.
- Performance: Requires a relatively powerful computer to run smoothly.
Capture One Overview Table
| Feature | Details |
| Brand | Capture One |
| Operating System | Windows, macOS,iOS |
| Cost | Subscription or one-time purchase |
| Key Features | Color accuracy, tethering, customizable interface, advanced layers |
| Rating | 5/5 |
| Best For | Professional photographers and studios requiring high-end image quality and color grading |
Affinity Photo – Best Free Lightroom Alternative for Layer-based editing
Affinity Photo offers tools for enhancing, editing, layer support, raw editing and retouching your images with all the power and performance you need. Its comprehensive range of features makes it a strong Adobe Lightroom, without the burden of a subscription.
Pros
- No Subscription Fee: A one-time purchase makes it more accessible.
- Cross-Platform Compatibility: Available on Windows, macOS, and iOS.
- User-Friendly Interface: Designed for professionals, yet intuitive enough for beginners.
- Performance: Optimized for the latest computer hardware.
- Regular Updates: Continuously improved with new features and updates.
Cons
- Steep Learning Curve: The vast array of features can be overwhelming for newcomers.
- Limited Third-Party Plugin Support: Not as extensive as some competitors, which might limit some advanced workflows.
Affinity Photo Overview Table
| Feature | Details |
| Brand | Affinity Photo |
| Operating System | Windows, macOS, iOS |
| Cost | One-time purchase |
| Key Features | Comprehensive toolset, no subscription, cross-platform compatibility |
| Rating | 4.5/5 |
| Best For | Photographers and creatives looking for a powerful, cost-effective photo editing solution |
Polarr: Best Free Lightroom Alternative for Modern Photographer
Polarr Photo Editor has gained popularity, for its editing features making it a top choice, for photographers. Its advanced auto enhance tools and filters enable users to achieve professional quality results. One notable feature is the ability to create custom filters, which empower users to develop and showcase their own styles.
Pros
- Custom Filter Creation: Allows for unique and personal photo aesthetics.
- Intuitive Interface: User-friendly, suitable for beginners and professionals.
- Cross-Platform: Available on a wide range of devices, including mobile.
- Advanced Auto-Enhance: Quickly improves photos with sophisticated algorithms.
- Affordable: Offers a competitive pricing model for its features.
Cons
- Limited Advanced Features: This may not satisfy those looking for complex editing capabilities.
- Performance: This can be resource-intensive on some devices.
- Learning Curve for Advanced Tools: Some features require a bit of learning to fully utilize.
Polarr Photo Editor Overview Table
| Feature | Details |
| Brand | Polarr Photo Editor |
| Operating System | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Online |
| Cost | Free with in-app purchases or subscription |
| Key Features | Custom filter creation, intuitive interface, advanced auto-enhance |
| Rating | 4.3/5 |
| Best For | Casual photographers and enthusiasts looking for quick, stylish edits |
PhotoDirector: AI-powered Lightroom alternative
PhotoDirector combines photo editing and design features with elements such as animated overlays and tools powered by Ai. Its user friendly interface offers a range of editing options, from basic to advanced layer editing. Additionally this software provides access to a collection of stock images templates and design sets, that I discovered to be quite useful for enhancing my photos and creating engaging content.
Pros
- Creative Effects and AI Tools: Wide range of creative options and AI-powered effects.
- Integrated Stock Library: Access to a vast collection of stock images and design assets.
- 360 Photo Editing: Comprehensive tools for editing 360-degree photos.
- Layer Editing: Supports complex layer-based editing.
- User-Friendly: Intuitive interface suitable for users of all skill levels.
- Regular Updates: Continuously updated with new features and content.
Cons
- Resource Intensive: May require a powerful computer for smooth performance.
- Limited Advanced Color Grading: While it offers a wide range of creative tools, it might lack some of the advanced color grading features that professionals require for precise adjustments.
PhotoDirector Overview Table
| Feature | Details |
| Brand | PhotoDirector |
| Operating System | Windows, macOS |
| Cost | Subscription-based |
| Key Features | Creative effects, AI tools, 360 photo editing, integrated stock library |
| Rating | 4.5/5 |
| Best For | Creative professionals and hobbyists looking for a versatile tool with a focus on design and creativity |
Darktable: Best Free Lightroom Alternative Open-Source
Darktable is an open source photography application and raw developer which offer a virtual light table and darkroom for photographers. It manages digital negatives in a database and lets you view them through a zoomable light table. Darktable is known for its powerful color correction and image adjustment tools which allow detailed editing. Darktable is completely free which makes it an attractive option for photographers who are looking for a cost effective solution.
Pros
- Completely Free: Open-source and free for all users.
- Powerful Editing Tools: Offers a wide range of adjustment options and presets.
- Non-Destructive Editing: Edits don’t overwrite the original image files.
- Regular Updates: Being open-source, it is regularly updated by the community.
- Cross-Platform: Available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Cons
- Complex Interface: This can be overwhelming for beginners due to its complex nature.
- Performance: May be slower on older hardware due to its extensive features.
- Limited Export Options: Darktable’s export options are not as versatile as Lightroom’s when it comes to exporting to different file formats and resolutions.
- No Mobile Version: It is only available as a desktop application, while Lightroom offers a mobile version for editing photos on mobile phones.
Darktable Overview Table
| Feature | Details |
| Brand | Darktable |
| Operating System | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Cost | Free |
| Key Features | Powerful editing tools, non-destructive editing, open-source |
| Rating | 4/5 |
| Best For | Enthusiasts and professionals looking for a free, comprehensive photo editing tool |
RawTherapee: Best Free Lightroom Alternative For Precision Editing
RawTherapee is also an open source raw photo processing system, designed for those who require control over every aspect of their images. It offers a wide range of adjustments which are more detailed than what’s typically available. The tool is known for its advanced color handling, detailed sharpening, and noise reduction capabilities.
Pros
- Advanced Control: Offers detailed adjustments for precise editing.
- Free and Open-Source: No cost to use and continuously improved by the community.
- Non-Destructive Editing: Edits don’t overwrite the original image files.
- Wide Format Support: Supports a vast array of raw file formats.
Cons
- Complex Interface: Steeper learning curve as compared to Lightroom for beginners due to its complexity.
- Performance: May require a powerful computer for smooth operation, especially with large files.
RawTherapee Overview Table
| Feature | Details |
| Brand | RawTherapee |
| Operating System | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Cost | Free |
| Key Features | Advanced control, non-destructive editing, wide format support |
| Rating | 4.2/5 |
| Best For | Enthusiasts and professionals looking for detailed control over their photo editing |
ON1 Photo RAW: Best Free Lightroom alternative for Presets
ON1 Photo RAW is a photo editing tool that merges the functionalities of a digital darkroom, with those of a raw processor. It’s known for its photo enhancements, speedy browsing and user friendly interface. This software provides a range of capabilities from masking and layers to AI powered instant corrections.
ON1’s Effects includes proprietary filters, including ‘Weather’, which even lets you add rain or snow to an image. Other features, include NoNoise AI, Sky Swap AI, and full integration of the popular Resize Ai software. While ON1 Photo RAW offers excellent preset options, you can also explore over 50 presets available for download in our 50+ Presets Download.
Pros
- Comprehensive Toolset: Offers a wide range of editing and organizing tools.
- AI-Powered Features: Includes AI-powered quick fixes and enhancements.
- Versatile Effects: Wide array of creative effects and filters.
- Regular Updates: Continuously updated with new features and improvements.
Cons
- Resource Intensive: May require a robust system for smooth performance.
- Learning Curve: A complicated interface for beginners.
- Lacks Organization Features: You can’t organize photos with Tags, facial recognition or geotags
ON1 Photo RAW Overview Table
| Feature | Details |
| Brand | ON1 Photo RAW |
| Operating System | Windows, macOS |
| Cost | Subscription or one-time purchase |
| Key Features | Comprehensive toolset, AI-powered features, versatile effects |
| Rating | 4.5/5 |
| Best For | Photographers looking for an all-in-one solution for photo editing and organization |
Snapseed: Best Free Lightroom Alternative For Mobile Editing
Snapseed, a mobile photo editing app offers a variety of tools and filters. Developed by Google, which is known for its design, Snapseed enables users to make edits and creative enhancements directly on their mobile devices. With its selective adjustment features and wide selection of filters, Snapseed is the choice for users who wants quick image editing, on the go.
Pros
- Wide Range of Tools: Offers a comprehensive set of editing tools for a mobile app.
- Selective Adjustments: Allows for precise control over specific areas of your image.
- User-Friendly Interface: Intuitive and easy to navigate, even for beginners.
- Completely Free: No hidden costs or in-app purchases.
- Regular Updates: Continuously improved with new features and tools.
Cons
- Limited to Mobile: While powerful, it’s not available for desktop editing software.
- Performance: Can be demanding on older or less powerful devices.
- File Management: Lacks some of the advanced organizational features of desktop applications.
- Advanced Layering: It lacks advanced layering and masking features
Snapseed Overview Table
| Feature | Details |
| Brand | Snapseed |
| Operating System | iOS, Android, Windows (via emulator) |
| Cost | Free |
| Key Features | Wide range of tools, selective adjustments, user-friendly interface |
| Rating | 4.6/5 |
| Best For | Mobile users looking for a powerful, accessible editing tool on the go |
Skylum Luminar – AI-Powered Best Free Lightroom Alternative
Skylum Luminar is well known in the field of photo editing for its utilization of Ai intelligence to improve images. It is designed to serve the needs of both beginners and experienced users with a range of editing options. The distinctive AI capabilities of Luminar, such, as AI Sky Replacement and AI Skin Enhancer simplify the process of making edits.
Pros
- AI Editing Tools: Streamlines complex editing tasks, making it user-friendly.
- One-Time Purchase: No subscription is required, making it cost-effective in the long run.
- Layer Support: Offers Photoshop-like layers for complex edits.
- Regular Updates: Continuously improves with new features and tools.
- Plugin Compatibility: Works well with other software as a plugin.
Cons
- Performance: Can be resource-intensive on older computers.
- Learning Curve: Some advanced features require a learning period.
- Limited Organization Tools: Not as robust as Lightroom for photo management.
- No Mobile Version: Lacks a mobile app for editing on the go.
Skylum Luminar Overview Table
| Feature | Details |
| Brand | Skylum Luminar |
| Compatibility | Windows, macOS |
| Cost | One-time purchase |
| Key Features | AI editing tools, layer support, plugin compatibility |
| Rating | 5/5 |
| Best For | Enthusiasts and professionals looking for powerful AI enhancements and a cost-effective solution |
Google Photos: Effortless Cloud Storage and Sharing
Google Photos is widely used as a cloud based service for storing and sharing photos, known for its effortless backup and sorting features. With editing options and advanced AI powered search functions it’s convenient for users. Its easy to use interface and compatibility across platforms is useful for anyone looking to keep their photos safe and organized.
Pros
- Free Storage: Offers 15-GB cloud storage options for photos and videos.
- AI-Powered Search: Easily find photos based on content, people, or locations.
- Automatic Organization: Categorizes and creates albums for easy navigation.
- Cross-Platform: Accessible on any device with internet connectivity.
- Sharing Features: Simplifies sharing albums and photos with others.
Cons
- Privacy Concerns: Being a cloud service, it involves data being stored on servers.
- Limited Editing Tools: Offers basic editing features but lacks advanced options.
- Internet Dependent: Requires an internet connection for full functionality.
Google Photos Overview Table
| Feature | Details |
| Brand | Google Photos |
| Operating System | Web, iOS, Android |
| Cost | Free with optional premium storage plans |
| Key Features | Unlimited storage, AI-powered search, automatic organization |
| Rating | 4.7/5 |
| Best For | Anyone looking for a cloud-based solution for photo storage and sharing |
Apple Photos: Seamless Integration for Apple Users
Apple Photos is photo management and editing application that comes pre installed on all Apple devices. It offers a clean, user friendly interface that seamlessly integrates with the Apple ecosystem, which allow easy syncing across devices. The software provides basic editing tools and smart organization features, including facial recognition and location tagging.
If you’re a Mac user looking for alternatives to Lightroom, also consider how Lightroom performs on Mac by visiting our Lightroom for Mac guide
Pros
- Seamless Integration: Works effortlessly across all Apple devices.
- iCloud Syncing: Keeps photos and albums up to date on all devices.
- Smart Organization: Uses facial recognition and location to organize photos.
- User-Friendly: Simple and intuitive interface, suitable for all user levels.
- Free with Device: Comes pre-installed with no additional cost.
Cons
- Limited to Apple Devices: Not available for non-Apple users.
- Basic Editing Tools: While convenient, it lacks some advanced editing capabilities.
- Storage Limitations: Dependent on iCloud storage, which may require additional purchase.
Apple Photos Overview Table
| Feature | Details |
| Brand | Apple Photos |
| Operating System | macOS, iOS |
| Cost | Free with device; iCloud storage costs may apply |
| Key Features | Seamless integration, iCloud syncing, smart organization |
| Rating | 4/5 |
| Best For | Apple device users looking for a convenient, integrated photo management and editing solution |
ACDSee Photo Editor: Best Free Lightroom Alternative for Facial Recognition
ACDSee Photo Editor offers a wide array of editing tools, including advanced adjustments, layered editing, and RAW processing. The software is known for its asset management capabilities, allowing users to organize, categorize, and rate their photo collections efficiently.
Pros
- Layered Editing: Offers advanced layered editing similar to Lightroom.
- Asset Management: Powerful tools for organizing and categorizing photos.
- RAW Support: Comprehensive RAW editing capabilities.
- Customizable Interface: Tailor the workspace to your preferences.
- Speed and Performance: Optimized for quick browsing and editing.
- Learning Resources: Abundant tutorials and support materials are available.
Cons
- Complexity: Might be overwhelming for beginners due to its advanced features.
- Cost: While offering a lot, it might be expensive than some other lightroom alternatives.
ACDSee Photo Editor Overview Table
| Feature | Details |
| Brand | ACDSee Photo Editor |
| Operating System | Windows |
| Cost | One-time purchase or subscription, starting around $59.99 |
| Key Features | Layered editing, asset management, RAW support, customizable interface |
| Rating | 4.3/5 |
| Best For | Advanced users seeking a comprehensive photo editing and management tool |
Best Free Lightroom Alternatives Comparison Chart
| Software | OS | Photo Management | Editing Tools | Download |
| Capture One | Windows, macOS, iOS | Advanced organization, Color tagging, Filtering, Sessions and Catalogs, Tethered shooting | Advanced color grading, Layers, Tethered shooting adjustments, Lens corrections, High dynamic range tools | Download |
| Affinity Photo | Windows, macOS, iOS | Limited file organization, Metadata editing, Snapshots and history, No built-in cataloging, Sync with Apple Photos | Layer-based editing, RAW processing, Panorama stitching, Digital painting, Live filter layers | Download |
| Polarr | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Online | Custom album creation, Face recognition, Batch processing, AI organization, Cloud storage integration | Custom filter creation, Color masking, Batch processing, Local adjustments, AI-powered enhancements | Download |
| Photo Director | Windows, macOS | Face tagging, AI-driven sorting, Advanced search, Cloud integration, Album creation | AI-powered effects, Layer editing, 360 photo editing, Content-aware removal, Advanced color tools | Download |
| Darktable | Windows, macOS, Linux | Non-destructive editing, Tagging, Filtering, Tethered shooting, Dual monitor support | Non-destructive editing, Advanced color correction, Tone mapping, Noise reduction, Tethered shooting | Download |
| Raw Therapee | Windows, macOS, Linux | Advanced file browser, Queue management, Non-destructive editing, Batch processing, Color label organization | High-detail processing, Advanced color handling, Noise reduction, Exposure correction, Batch processing | Download |
| ON1 | Windows, macOS | Smart albums, Map view, Cloud syncing, no Ai organization, no tagging | Advanced masking, Effects and filters, HDR processing, Panorama stitching, AI auto adjustments | Download |
| Snapseed | iOS, Android | Basic file opening, No library or cataloging, Stackable edits for re-editing, Sync with Google Photos, Simple sharing options | Selective adjustments, Filter layers, Healing tool, Perspective correction, Brush tool | Download |
| Skylum Luminar | Windows, macOS | AI-enhanced library, Smart search, Albums and folders, Sync adjustments, Cloud storage integration | AI Sky Replacement, AI Skin & Portrait Enhancer, Sunrays and Orton effects, Advanced layers, Smart contrast | Download |
| Google Photos | Android | Cloud storage, Automatic organization, Facial recognition, Shared albums, Easy sharing | Basic adjustments (light, color, pop), Crop and rotate, Auto-enhance | Download |
| Apple Photos | macOS, iOS | iCloud integration, Facial recognition, Smart albums, Location tagging, Seamless sync across devices | Basic adjustments, Filters, Retouch tool, Auto-enhance, Extensions for third-party editing tools | Download |
| ACDSee Photo | Windows, macOS, iOS | Custom categories, Map view, Batch editing, Face detection and recognition | Pixel-based editing, RAW processing, Advanced lighting adjustments, Color grading, Layered editing | Download |
Conclusion
I personally prefer to use Lightroom mod apk version for its Ai tagging, advanced editing and pre-built presets. If you want a free lightroom alternative ,then consider captureone and Skylum Luminar for robust feature sets and community support. For those of you who want to find on-the-go solution then Snapseed and Apple Photos offer convenient and powerful options. Consider using Darktable and Raw therapee as linux based free available software for advanced needs.
