---
title: Luminar Neo
canonical: https://saasranked.com/software/luminar-neo/
category: Photo Editing Software
points: 71
rank: 2 of 9
facts_checked: 2026-10-08
---

# Luminar Neo

Photo editor sold as a one-time licence, with AI masking, sky, noise and erase tools.

71 points out of 100. #2 of 9 photo editors. Vendor: Skylum. Website: https://skylum.com/luminar

- Desktop Only costs €129 once and covers 2 devices; All Platforms is €159 and Max €199 [1][2].
- AI and generative tools stay usable for 365 days, then need the optional Luminar Prime subscription [1][17].
- A 7-day free trial of every feature needs no credit card [3].
- Opens raw files such as CR3, NEF and ARW, plus PSD [11].
- Runs on 64-bit Windows 10 (1909 or later) and macOS 13 or later; the web editor is still marked as coming [2][13].

Verdict: Luminar Neo suits people who want AI masking, erase and noise tools without a monthly fee for the editor itself [1][4][7][8]. Desktop Only is €129 once, and a 7-day trial needs no card [1][3]. The catch: the AI and generative tools need paid Prime after the first 365 days, and the file types page does not say whether PSD layers are kept [11][17]. Best for: Photographers who want AI tools and a licence with no monthly fee for the editor.

Status: Skylum's pages now mostly call the product Luminar, and its help site calls the desktop app Luminar for Desktop [2][13].

## Points

| Criterion | Line | Value | Points | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Systems | Systems | Windows, macOS, iPhone/iPad, Android | 8/12 | Desktop app for Windows and macOS [13]; Luminar Mobile for iPhone, iPad and Android [16]; web editor listed as coming [2]. |
| Editing tools | Camera raw editing | Yes | 10/10 | Supported raw formats include CR3, NEF and ARW [11]. |
| Editing tools | Layers and masks | Yes | 8/8 | The page describes adding many mask layers and duplicating an image to edit each layer separately; layer masks hide part of a layer [4]. |
| Editing tools | Non-destructive editing | Yes | 6/6 | Vendor's raw editor page says "Luminar's editing is non-destructive" [15]. |
| Editing tools | Local adjustments | Yes | 5/5 | Brush, linear gradient and radial gradient masks are described [4]. |
| Editing tools | Opens and saves PSD | Not published | 0/3 | PSD is listed among formats Luminar opens; saving with layers is not stated on the vendor's supported file types page [11]. |
| Editing tools | HDR and panorama merge | Yes | 2/2 | HDR Merge combines up to 10 exposure-bracketed images; Panorama Stitching is also built in [5][6]. |
| AI tools | AI subject and sky selection | Yes | 5/5 | Mask AI detects up to nine kinds of element, including skies; Background Removal AI cuts out the subject [4][7]. |
| AI tools | AI object removal | Yes | 5/5 | GenErase is listed among the AI tools in the plans [1] and erases distractions [10]; no beta label shown. |
| AI tools | AI noise reduction or upscaling | Yes | 3/3 | Noiseless AI is described as an AI-powered noise remover; Upscale AI enlarges photos with trained artificial intelligence [8][9]. |
| Workflow | Built-in photo library | Yes | 5/5 | Catalog is described as a hub for sorting, searching and rating photos [12]. |
| Workflow | Batch editing and export | Yes | 4/4 | Sync Adjustments copies edits to many photos, and Export batch-exports multiple photos [14]. |
| Workflow | Soft proofing | Not published | 0/2 | Not published on the vendor's raw editor, file types or system requirements pages [11][13][15]. |
| Price and licence | Open source | Not published | 0/3 | Not published on the vendor's pricing or home pages [1][2]. |
| Price and licence | Free trial | Yes | 2/2 | 7-day trial of all features; the sign-up form says no credit card is needed [3]. |
| Price and licence | Free version | Not published | 0/8 | Not published on the vendor's pricing or trial pages; only the 7-day trial is shown [1][3]. |
| Price and licence | No subscription needed | Yes | 5/5 | Licence is one-time; the optional Prime subscription is needed only to keep AI tools after 365 days [1][17]. |
| Price and licence | Price per month | $12.02/mo | 3/12 | Desktop Only, €129 once, divided by 12. A Luminar for Desktop subscription is mentioned [2] but its price is not published on the pricing page [1]. Converted at €1 = $1.1186 [18]. |

## Plans

| Plan | Price | Per month (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Desktop Only | €129 once [1][2] | - |
| All Platforms | €159 once [1][2] | - |
| Max | €199 once [1] | - |

Prices are shown in euros. A 10% first-purchase coupon is advertised; the page does not say whether listed prices include it, so list prices are used [1].

## Strengths

- Desktop Only is a one-time €129 licence for Windows and macOS [1][2].
- Seven-day trial covers all features and asks for no credit card [3].
- Built-in HDR merge of up to 10 bracketed photos and panorama stitching [5][6].
- Catalog for sorting, searching and rating photos, and a batch route using Sync Adjustments and batch export [12][14].
- Brush, linear and radial masks, and AI masks that detect up to nine kinds of element [4].

## Limits

- AI and generative tools need Luminar Prime after 365 days [1][17].
- The web editor is listed as coming in fall 2026, so there is no browser version yet [2].
- The pricing page shows euros only, with no dollar prices [1].
- The supported file types page does not say whether PSD files keep layers when saved [11].

## Vendor claims (not scored)

- Skylum says Luminar Neo supports over 1000 cameras and has 24+ AI-based tools [2].

## Sources

1. [Luminar pricing](https://skylum.com/luminar/pricing), Skylum, accessed 2026-10-08
2. [Luminar](https://skylum.com/luminar), Skylum, accessed 2026-10-08
3. [Luminar free trial](https://skylum.com/luminar-trial), Skylum, accessed 2026-10-08
4. [AI layer mask](https://skylum.com/luminar/ai-layer-mask), Skylum, accessed 2026-10-08
5. [HDR merge](https://skylum.com/luminar/hdr-merge), Skylum, accessed 2026-10-08
6. [Panorama stitching](https://skylum.com/luminar/panorama-stitching), Skylum, accessed 2026-10-08
7. [Background removal AI](https://skylum.com/luminar/background-removal-ai), Skylum, accessed 2026-10-08
8. [Noiseless AI](https://skylum.com/luminar/noiseless-ai), Skylum, accessed 2026-10-08
9. [Upscale AI](https://skylum.com/luminar/upscale-ai), Skylum, accessed 2026-10-08
10. [Luminar Neo AI comparison](https://skylum.com/luminar/neo-ai-comparison), Skylum, accessed 2026-10-08
11. [Supported file types and cameras](https://support.skylum.com/about-luminar-for-desktop/supported-file-types-and-cameras), Skylum Help, accessed 2026-10-08
12. [Catalog](https://support.skylum.com/how-to-use-luminar-for-desktop/catalog), Skylum Help, accessed 2026-10-08
13. [System requirements](https://support.skylum.com/about-luminar-for-desktop/system-requirements), Skylum Help, accessed 2026-10-08
14. [Efficient batch photo editor](https://skylum.com/luminar/efficient-batch-photo-editor), Skylum, accessed 2026-10-08
15. [RAW photo editor](https://skylum.com/luminar/raw-photo-editor), Skylum, accessed 2026-10-08
16. [Luminar Mobile](https://skylum.com/luminar-mobile), Skylum, accessed 2026-10-08
17. [Difference between Luminar for Desktop subscription, Prime and X Membership](https://support.skylum.com/something-useful/difference-between-luminar-for-desktop-subscription-prime-and-x-membership), Skylum Help, accessed 2026-10-08
18. [Euro foreign exchange reference rates: US dollar](https://www.ecb.europa.eu/stats/policy_and_exchange_rates/euro_reference_exchange_rates/html/eurofxref-graph-usd.en.html), European Central Bank, accessed 2026-10-08