Luminar Neo is Skylum's AI-powered photo editor for macOS and Windows, with generative tools, sky replacement, relighting, layers and AI masking, plus Photoshop, Lightroom and Apple Photos plugins. Unlock our exclusive code for 10% off one billing cycle — valid across every Luminar Neo plan, including the Perpetual Desktop, Perpetual Max and Perpetual Cross-device licences.
Updated 28 Jul 20261 offers3 integrations
Best for: Photographers of any level who want fast AI-assisted edits without a subscription and without a steep learning curve.
- Pricing
- Luminar is sold as a one-time purchase, with licence tiers covering desktop only, all platforms, and a Max option that bundles extensions and add-ons
- Free trial
- Free trial available before purchase, plus a 30-day money-back guarantee
- Platforms
- Windows, macOS, iPad, iPhone, Apple Vision Pro, Web (coming soon)
- Mobile apps
- None
- AI features
- AI Assistant 2.0 for guided one-click editing, Enhance AI, Relight AI, Sky AI sky replacement, Skin AI and Face AI portrait retouching, Bokeh AI, Structure AI, Water and Twilight Enhancer AI, AI masking, Photo Restoration for old images, and generative Erase, Swap and Expand.
- Integrations
- 3+ integrations
- Support
- Email and help centre
- Best for
- Photographers of any level who want fast AI-assisted edits without a subscription and without a steep learning curve.
- Founded
- 2008
- Company size
- 50-200 employees
- Headquarters
- Bellevue, USA
- Brand
- Skylum
What is Luminar?
Luminar is the photo editing app from Skylum, built around AI tools that shorten the routine parts of editing so you can spend more time on the look you actually want. It began life as Luminar Neo on the desktop and now spans desktop, iPad, iPhone and Apple Vision Pro, with a web version on the way and cross-device syncing between them.
Photographers choose Luminar for its balance: one-slider results from tools like Enhance AI and AI Assistant, alongside layers, masking, colour tools and manual adjustments when a shot needs care. It can be used as a standalone editor or as a plugin for Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom and Apple Photos, and is sold as a one-time purchase with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
The Slick Media verdict
Luminar is a strong pick for photographers who want professional-looking results quickly and would rather buy once than subscribe. The AI tools do the heavy lifting, the interface stays approachable, and layers and masking are there when a shot needs manual care. Photographers who live inside deep, traditional retouching workflows will likely use it alongside their main editor rather than instead of it — and with our members-only code, it costs less to find out.
Why choose Luminar
Luminar stands apart for how quickly it gets to a finished image. Tools such as AI Assistant, Enhance AI, Relight AI and Sky AI handle work that would otherwise mean manual masking and layer stacking, and the newer Fog effect, Composition tool inside Crop, and improved masking widen what you can do without leaving the app. It is a one-time purchase rather than a monthly subscription, works across desktop, iPad, iPhone and Vision Pro with cross-device syncing, and slots into an existing Photoshop or Lightroom workflow as a plugin when you need it.
Key features
AI Assistant 2.0
Enhance AI one-slider editing
Relight AI and Light & Depth
Sky AI replacement
Skin AI, Face AI and Bokeh AI portrait tools
Generative Erase, Swap and Expand
Photo Restoration for old photos
Fog effect and Composition tool in Crop
Advanced masking and layers
Colour Transfer and Supercontrast
Cross-device syncing across desktop, iPad and iPhone
Plugin for Photoshop, Lightroom and Apple Photos
Pricing
Luminar is sold as a one-time purchase, with licence tiers covering desktop only, all platforms, and a Max option that bundles extensions and add-ons. Skylum runs frequent seasonal sales, and upgrades such as the Fall Upgrade 2026 can be pre-ordered at an early-bird price. Every purchase carries a 30-day money-back guarantee, and a free trial is available before you buy.
Best current saving: 10% off — see the offer
Luminar offers & discount codes
Every live Luminar deal we have, checked by Slick Media. Sign in to reveal codes.
Past Luminar offers (2)
- ExpiredLuminar Sale — 20% off for new users20% off
- ExpiredLuminar — up to 50% off Desktop, All Platforms and Max plansUp to 50% off
Who Luminar is for
Photographers of any level who want fast AI-assisted edits without a subscription and without a steep learning curve.
- Landscape editing and sky replacement
- Portrait retouching and background changes
- Removing distractions and expanding a crop
- Restoring and reviving old family photos
- Low-light and twilight recovery
- Editing on the move on iPad or iPhone
Pros and cons
Pros
- One-time purchase rather than a monthly subscription
- AI tools reach a finished look in a few clicks
- Approachable interface for newcomers
- Works on desktop, iPad, iPhone and Vision Pro with syncing
- Plugs into Photoshop, Lightroom and Apple Photos
- Non-destructive editing and 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- AI tools can be less granular than fully manual techniques
- Demanding on older machines with large RAW files
- Extensions and add-on packs are priced separately
- Cataloguing is lighter than dedicated library managers
Luminar integrations
- Adobe Photoshop
- Adobe Lightroom Classic
- Apple Photos
Luminar alternatives
Aperty
AI portrait editing that cuts retouching time for professional photographers.
Another photo editor in the same range — compare on AI retouching tools and workflow.
Ratings and reviews
Ratings are set by the Slick Media editorial team. Member reviews are coming soon; save Luminar to be notified when they open.
Luminar FAQs
How much does Luminar cost?
Luminar is sold as a one-time purchase rather than a monthly subscription, with licence tiers for desktop only, all platforms, and a Max option that bundles extensions and add-ons. Prices vary by region and by whichever seasonal sale Skylum is running, and every purchase includes a 30-day money-back guarantee. Members can also apply our exclusive discount code on top of the current sale price.
Is there a free trial for Luminar?
Yes. Skylum offers a free trial so you can test Luminar before buying, and every purchase is backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee if it is not the right fit.
Is Luminar worth it for professional photographers?
For many professional photographers, Luminar offers excellent value, particularly for its AI-driven efficiency. It can significantly speed up routine editing tasks and provide creative options not easily found elsewhere. However, it often serves best as a complementary tool alongside more traditional editors rather than a complete replacement, especially for highly specialised workflows.
Are there any region-specific Luminar offers or discounts?
While Skylum is an international company, they frequently run global promotions that are available to customers everywhere. These can include discount codes or 'secret sales' offering percentage reductions. Checking the official Skylum website or signing up for their newsletter is the best way to stay informed about any current deals specific to your region or universally applicable.
About Skylum
Slick Media may earn a commission when you buy through links on this page. It never affects what we write or how we rate a product.
