Luminar Neo vs ON1 Photo RAW for Photo Editing

Are you on the fence between getting Luminar Neo or ON1 Photo RAW?

Don’t worry, Shotkit has your back.

Deciding on a photo editing software isn’t easy – mainly because there are so many good options.

So, I made an in-depth comparison between two similar solutions, Luminar Neo and On1 Photo RAW, which our readers are often undecided about.

Hopefully, after reading this article, you’ll have enough information to decide which is better for you.

What Is Luminar Neo?

Luminar Neo is a photo editing software with photo management capabilities. It’s built around AI editing features that improve with each version—currently, it’s in version 1.19.

You can use it as a standalone program or as a plugin inside Lightroom, Photoshop, and Photos for Mac.

Who Is it for?

Neo is meant for photography lovers at any skill level. It’s especially suited for beginners as it has a user-friendly interface, many automated tools and powerful AI features.

For an in-depth look at the software, check out our Luminar Neo review.

What Is On1 Photo Raw?

On1 Photo RAW is an all-in-one, AI-based photo organizer and editor. Currently, it’s in version 2024.3. On1 works as a standalone program and as a plugin for Adobe PS/LR and Capture One (more coming later in 2024, according to their FAQ page).

An excellent On1 Photo RAW app allows cloud sync, ensuring a smooth workflow between desktop and mobile editing.

Who Is it for?

On1 is a powerful photo editor for amateur and professional photographers alike. It’s the ideal solution for those who want to streamline their workflow by using a single software program for their entire photographic process.

You can read our in-depth review of On1 Photo Raw here.

Luminar Neo vs ON1 Photo RAW

1. Ease of Use

Neo is a photo editor designed to make editing easy and available for everyone. This is why its interface is very intuitive, and you can quickly identify the necessary tools.

Most tools work with a couple of sliders; if you want, you can open the advanced features of each one—these are also controlled with easy-to-use sliders. This method makes it easy to experiment and learn how to reach your desired results.

There are plenty of single-click solutions and AI-powered tools, so Neo is perfect for beginners and people who want stunning results in seconds.

On1 has a more traditional interface, but it’s highly customizable. This makes it easy to use, but mastering it may require more time.

ON1 Photo Raw

If you come from other editing programs, such as Adobe Creative Cloud, you won’t have too much trouble adjusting.

This is also because On1 has more capabilities, such as tethered shooting. It also has more advanced tools that allow the user to gain more control over the editing.

2. Photo Management

ON1 Import files dialog box

ON1 has a more robust photo manager than Luminar Neo. It has more tools, such as keywording and editing the metadata.

The AI keyword tool is convenient, and the search tool makes it easier to handle large folders and collections. The search tool also allows the filtering of portraits based on age, gender, etc. Neo doesn’t have these functions.

Neo Catalog workspace

Both have the usual culling tools, such as color coding, rating, and favorites. They also have similar organization features using catalogs and folders. However, ON1 offers more customization settings for the catalog folder.

3. RAW Support

ON1 Photo RAW

Both programs support most raw formats. ON1 supports over 800 cameras, and its raw processor includes AI features. It also supports raw layer adjustments.

Neo raw edits panel

Luminar Neo doesn’t have masking in raw editing. On the plus side, you can keep returning to adjust the raw processing even after applying regular edits.

4. Effects

ON1 Effects panel

ON1 machine learning for your presets learns your style and creates preset suggestions based on your work.

It also has various effects, such as borders, textures, etc.

Neo’s effect Layers

Neo has the effects under the Layers feature. It includes bokeh, light leaks, and flares. You can also upload an image to create a double exposure effect.

5. AI Tools

Neo Sky AI tool

Luminar Neo uses cutting-edge technology in all its AI features. In its latest upgrade, it added a Water Enhancer and Twilight Enhancer.

These add to its previous features, such as Sky Replacement, Face Retouching, Relight, etc. It also uses generative AI in GenSwap and GenErase.

Neo also has AI masking tools that help you identify and select specific elements, such as architecture, humans, or the sky.

ON1 also has some impressive AI integration. The NoNoise AI is a fantastic AI-powered noise reduction tool. It also has Super Select to make quick edits on limited areas on top of the AI mask.

ON1 AI Sky replacement tool

ON1 allows you to create AI adjustment presets (some are already included). It has AI deblurring, Sky Swap with a sky library from OcuDrone, and others.

Brilliance AI automatically identifies what can be improved and applies the corrections. You can further customize this effect on a local and global level.

Also, as I mentioned before, it has AI keywords that detect content and attributes like “underexposed” or “blurred” to categorize your photos further.

In all, both applications have impressive AI features that are continually evolving.

6. Advanced Features

ON1’s tethered shooting panel

Neo’s layer support is limited to working with overlays. Instead, ON1 allows layers for compositing, including text and graphics.

ON1 allows tethered shooting, while Neo doesn’t.

Generally speaking, ON1 has more advanced tools and allows precise control over all the features. It also has edge detection on the masking brush and Content-Aware crop.

Neo’s available extensions

Many of Neo’s more advanced tools are offered as extensions. These include HDR Merge, Focus Stacking, Background Removal, and others. As of this year, they aren’t available as a one-time purchase but only on a subscription basis.

7. Plug-In/Preset Support

Luminar Neo in Photoshop

Both programs can be used as presets to complete your editing process with some of the best photo editors. These include Lightroom, Photoshop, Capture One, or Affinity Photo.

ON1 in Photoshop

As for the presets and plugins you can install on them, ON1 has more than 100 new presets, textures, and creative filters. You can also create your own or upload ones from a third party.

Neo also supports presets and other creative assets. Your purchase currently includes the Anniversary collection of assets. However, you can always buy more on the Skylum marketplace or create your own.

8. Mobile App Support

ON1 mobile is a complete app that allows you to shoot, edit, and organize. This solution has practically all the tools and enables you to do even advanced retouching of your photos.

You can also sync all your work across devices using its cloud storage.

There isn’t a Luminar Neo mobile, but a Luminar Share app allows you to easily share your photos.

There’s also Luminar for iPad, a complete photo editor. However, it’s a separate product and is not included with any Luminar Neo subscriptions or purchases.

9. Performance and Speed

ON1 speed improvements in its latest upgrade

In its latest upgrade, ON1 significantly improved the software’s speed and performance.

Opening pictures, making edits, and previewing presets are almost immediate. However, in my tests, importing pictures took much longer with ON1 than Luminar – probably because it’s analyzing the images to generate the keywords.

Neo has excellent performance, too. Some of the effects of the AI masking might take longer with complex photos, but nothing serious.

Remember that your computer may perform differently depending on multiple factors.

10. Price

Source: Luminar Neo

Both programs offer the option to buy a lifetime license without access to further updates. The current price is US$119 (on sale) for Luminar Neo and US$99.99 for ON1 Photo RAW.

If you have a previous license, ON1 Photo RAW offers the upgrade to the current version for US$79.

You can also update a previous Luminar license to Luminar Neo, but you must log in to your account to find out the price.

Source: ON1 Photo RAW

ON1 prices start at US$7.99 per month or $89.99 per year as a subscription. This includes the desktop and mobile versions for up to five devices, continuous updates, plug-ins, and 200GB cloud syncing storage.

It also offers a creative bundle with 100+ presets, textures, and a Deep Dive video course. On1 offers a 30-day free trial and free-forever assets.

Neo’s plans start at US$11.95 per month and US$99 per year. All subscriptions except the one for a month include a Masterclass and the Anniversary Collection bundle. You can install and activate Neo on up to two devices.

Luminar Neo offers a 7-day free trial.

The prices may vary depending on where you live and the offers available.

Luminar Neo vs ON1 Photo RAW: Final Verdict

As I always say, there isn’t an overall best photo editor—it all depends on your needs.

Both Neo and ON1 are great photo editors with similar pricing and powerful AI and photo management features.

Both developers have expressed that they’ll continue to support and upgrade their current versions.

ON1, however, has more features and allows more control over them. It also supports layers for photo compositing, text, and graphics.

It has a fully functional app, allows more computers with your subscription or purchase, and supports tethered shooting.

If you’re more interested in excellent results with little effort from the first time you use the software – then Luminar Neo is the one for you.

It’s very intuitive and offers professional-looking results with just a few clicks.

FAQs

Are On1’s effects better than Luminar Neo’s?

Neo and On1 both have fantastic filters, presets, and effects. Which one is better comes down to personal taste. However, Neo has more AI features, especially the generative ones.

Does Luminar Neo handle raw files?

Yes, Luminar Neo supports the most common types of raw photos and offers hassle-free editing. The full list of supported files is in Skylum’s user guide.

Is Luminar Neo the best alternative to ON1 Photo RAW?

It’s difficult to choose the best photo editor. Although ON1 is more robust and has a steeper learning curve, I consider it a great software alternative to Luminar Neo.

Who are the competitors of Luminar Neo?

Neo’s competitors are ON1 Photo RAW, Lightroom, Capture ONE, ACDSee, and Darktable. Other competitors without a photo manager include Affinity Photo, Photoshop, and GIMP.

Who has the best sky replacement: Luminar Neo, On1 Photo RAW, or Photoshop?

In my opinion, On1 Photo RAW does the best job overall. It offers impressive results and many tools for customization.

Neo does a great job, too, but you can’t reposition the reflection independently from the sky, which can be problematic sometimes. Photoshop offers the most tools and does a great masking job, but it doesn’t add a reflection.