Luminar Neo is the latest version of photo editing software produced by Skylum, as of the time of this writing. It succeeds in earlier iterations, such as Luminar AI, Luminar 4, and Luminar Flex.

Luminar Neo offers a comprehensive solution for raw photo editing, which can be used as a standalone application or as a plugin for existing workflows in Photoshop, Lightroom Classic, or Apple Photos.

Adobe Photoshop, Luminar Neo, and Lightroom Classic are photo editing software, but they have some differences in terms of their features, user interface, and pricing.

Luminar Neo VS. Lightroom Classic VS. Adobe Photoshop

Luminar Neo is a standalone application that offers a full RAW photo editing workflow, along with various AI-powered tools and filters for enhancing your photos. It also allows you to use it as a plugin for other popular photo editings tools like Photoshop, Lightroom Classic, and Apple Photos. Luminar Neo's user interface is intuitive and user-friendly, making it easy to use for both beginners and professionals.

Lightroom Classic, on the other hand, is a part of the Adobe Creative Cloud suite and is primarily designed for photographers who need an efficient workflow for organizing, managing, and editing their photos. Lightroom Classic provides a comprehensive range of tools for photo editing, including features for RAW processing, color correction, exposure adjustment, and lens correction. Lightroom Classic's user interface may take some time to get used to, but it offers a high level of customization and control over your editing process.

Adobe Photoshop is a comprehensive image editing software designed for professional designers and photographers. It offers an extensive range of features for photo manipulation, compositing, and graphic design, including advanced tools for working with layers, masks, and channels. Photoshop provides unparalleled flexibility and customization options, making it the go-to choice for many professional photographers and graphic designers. However, Photoshop has a steep learning curve, and its features may be overwhelming for beginners.

In summary, Luminar Neo is an affordable and user-friendly option that is ideal for both beginners and professionals. Lightroom is best for photographers who need an efficient workflow for managing and editing their photos, while Photoshop is ideal for professional designers and photographers who need more advanced features and flexibility. Ultimately, the choice between these tools will depend on your personal preferences, budget, and editing needs.

Why should you use Luminar NEO?

As mentioned earlier in my evaluation, Luminar Neo is a remarkable photo editing tool that excels in various aspects. Here are some of the notable features that make it stand out:

User-friendly interface: Adding images and getting started with editing is effortless, even for beginners.
Presets: Luminar Neo provides an array of presets that allow for quick and easy one-click editing options.
Advanced Editing Features: Luminar Neo has advanced editing tools, such as layers, local adjustments, sky replacements, and more, that cater to the needs of professionals.
Artificial Intelligence: Luminar Neo has a vast range of AI-powered tools that make it a potent editing tool.
Logical organization of tools: The tools are grouped and arranged in a way that beginners can easily access basic tools first and progress to more advanced options.
Top-notch Portrait Editing Tools: Luminar Neo's portrait editing tools are excellent, and in my opinion, they are the best AI-powered automated portrait tools available. The tools are simple to use, making the editing process smooth and efficient.

Pricing

If you're an existing Luminar user, the pricing for Luminar Neo is as follows:
Lifetime license: You can purchase Luminar Neo for a one-time fee of $149.
Annual subscription: You can opt for an annual subscription that includes all the extensions for $99 ($119 for the Pro version).

How Difficult is Learning Luminar Neo?

Learning Luminar Neo is not difficult, especially for those with prior experience using photo editing software. The interface is user-friendly, and the tools are logically organized, making it easy for beginners to get started.

Moreover, Luminar Neo offers a range of features that cater to both beginners and professionals, making it a versatile tool for all levels of photo editors. Additionally, Luminar Neo has a range of tutorials and resources available on their website, including a user manual, knowledge base, and video tutorials, to help users learn the software quickly and efficiently.

Conclusion: Is Luminar NEO worth it?

Whether Luminar Neo is worth it or not ultimately depends on your specific needs and preferences as a photo editor. However, here are some factors to consider when deciding if Luminar Neo is worth the investment:

Features: Luminar Neo offers a vast range of features, including AI-powered tools, advanced editing options, and a variety of presets. If these features align with your editing needs, Luminar Neo may be worth the investment.
Pricing: Luminar Neo has a range of pricing options, including a one-time lifetime license, annual subscription, and monthly subscription. Depending on your budget and frequency of use, the pricing may be a deciding factor in whether Luminar Neo is worth it for you.
User-friendliness: Luminar Neo has a user-friendly interface, which makes it easy to navigate and use, even for beginners. If you're looking for a photo editing tool that is easy to use, Luminar Neo may be worth the investment.
Support: Luminar Neo offers support and resources to help users learn and use the software effectively. If having access to tutorials, user manuals, and a knowledge base is essential for you, Luminar Neo may be worth the investment.

In summary, if the features, pricing, user-friendliness, and support align with your needs and preferences as a photo editor, then Luminar Neo may be worth the investment.