Digital photography has evolved at breakneck speed, and today, artificial intelligence (AI) plays a central role in the editing process. Among the most prominent software, Skylum’s Luminar Neo stands out for its innovative tools. But in 2025, is it still the best solution for photographers and content creators? In this article, I’ll give you a complete review of Luminar Neo , its strengths, limitations, new features, and alternatives.
What is Luminar Neo?
Developed by Skylum, Luminar Neo is a photo editing software that relies heavily on AI. Unlike giants like Photoshop or Lightroom, it targets a wider audience: beginner photographers, travel enthusiasts, and content creators on Instagram, YouTube, or TikTok.
The idea is simple: to offer accessible, fast software capable of transforming a photo in a few clicks without spending hours in front of the screen.
With Luminar Neo , you can:
- Remove unwanted objects from a photo.
- To completely change the sky of a landscape.
- Automatically improve light and colors.
- Apply presets or LUTs for a professional style in one click.
Luminar Neo’s 2025 New Features
In 2025, Luminar Neo continues to evolve with new features:
- Next-generation AI : better face detection, more precise hair separation, faster background removal.
- Enhanced extensions : HDR Merge, Upscale AI, Supersharp AI, etc.
- Optimized compatibility : better integration with macOS Sonoma and Windows 11.
- New AI presets : perfect for portraits, travel landscapes and product photos.
These developments reinforce its position as a modern and easy-to-use photo software.
Luminar Neo Highlights
- Stunningly simple
Even if you’ve never used photo editing software, you can quickly achieve a professional result. - AI that saves time
No more hours spent isolating a subject or correcting a sky. Luminar Neo ‘s AI takes care of everything. - A library of varied presets
Travel, portrait, landscape, wedding: there are dozens of styles ready to be applied. - A competitive price
Compared to Adobe, Luminar Neo remains much more affordable, especially with an annual subscription.
The limitations of Luminar Neo
- Performances sometimes heavy
If your computer is not powerful, some AI functions may slow down. - Less comprehensive than Adobe Photoshop
For complex editing, Photoshop remains indispensable. - A subscription model under discussion
Some criticisms focus on the addition of paid extensions on top of the subscription.
Luminar Neo vs Lightroom, Photoshop and DxO
The question often comes up: should you choose Luminar Neo or another software?
- Lightroom : excellent for managing photo libraries, but more complex and expensive.
- Photoshop : unbeatable for advanced photo editing, but demanding to learn.
- DxO PhotoLab : renowned for optical correction and noise reduction, but less intuitive.
👉 For the majority of amateur and semi-pro photographers, Luminar Neo remains the best option if you want a simple, efficient, and AI-based tool.
Luminar Neo prices in 2025
Luminar Neo offers several plans:
- Monthly subscription : convenient for testing the software without commitment.
- Annual subscription : more economical with access to regular updates.
- Perpetual license : sometimes available during special promotions.
💡 Tip: Skylum often offers bundles (software + AI extensions) at a discounted price. If you’re looking to invest seriously, this is the best choice.
Who is Luminar Neo for?
- For amateur photographers who want to improve without stressing themselves out.
- To travellers and bloggers who publish a lot of visual content.
- For content creators on Instagram, YouTube and TikTok who are looking for a professional result in minutes.
- For busy professionals who want fast software to process large volumes of photos.
Alternatives to Luminar Neo
If you’re still undecided, here are some credible alternatives for 2025:
- Lightroom (Adobe): more expensive but very comprehensive.
- DxO PhotoLab : excellent for technical corrections.
- Topaz Photo AI : excellent in specific AI retouching.
- Affinity Photo : software without subscription.
Verdict: an indispensable ally for 2025
After several tests, my opinion is clear: Luminar Neo remains a benchmark in 2025 for anyone who wants modern, intuitive, and AI-powered photo software.
It will not completely replace Photoshop for the most demanding creators, but for 90% of photographers, it offers unbeatable value for money.
👉 If you’re looking to enhance your photos quickly and cheaply, Luminar Neo is undoubtedly the best choice.
💡 Final tip : You can try Luminar Neo for free before buying it. It’s the best way to see if its AI tools match your editing style.
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