The best Adobe Lightroom alternatives in 2026
Pro photo editor and organiser with AI masks, Generative Remove, Denoise and culling. Adobe Lightroom scores 8.3/10 in our AI photo editors ranking. 1 alternative scores higher. Every app below is scored with the same published rubric.
10 alternatives, best first
Full AI photo editors ranking →- 1
Google Photos
Best forAnyone who wants quick, free AI fixes on the photos already on their phone
Free photo library with conversational AI editing, Magic Eraser and Nano Banana
Has that Adobe Lightroom doesn't: Edit by describing changes in text · AI portrait and face retouching
Free
8.4/10★★★★★Visit ↗ - 2
Canva photo editor
Best forNon-designers who edit photos to use in social posts, slides and marketing
Canva's free photo editor, with Magic Edit, Magic Eraser and Background Remover on Pro
Has that Adobe Lightroom doesn't: Background removal or replacement · Edit by describing changes in text
Free plan · paid from $144/year
Our Canva photo editor verdict →Adobe Lightroom vs Canva photo editor
8.2/10★★★★★Visit ↗ - 3
Adobe Photoshop
Best forDesigners and retouchers who need full control over complex edits and composites
The pro image editor, with Generative Fill, an AI Assistant and on-device Remove
Has that Adobe Lightroom doesn't: Background removal or replacement · Edit by describing changes in text
Free plan · paid from $7.99/month
Our Adobe Photoshop verdict →Adobe Lightroom vs Adobe Photoshop
8.1/10★★★★★Visit ↗ - 4
Luminar Neo
Best forHobbyist photographers who want strong AI tools without an Adobe subscription
AI-first photo editor with sky replacement, GenErase and a one-time licence option
Has that Adobe Lightroom doesn't: AI portrait and face retouching
From £129 one-time
8.1/10★★★★★Visit ↗ - 5
Photoroom
Best forOnline sellers and small brands making product photos at volume
AI product-photo editor for background removal, AI backgrounds and batch editing
Has that Adobe Lightroom doesn't: Background removal or replacement
Free plan · paid from $7.50/month
8.0/10★★★★★Visit ↗ - 6
Picsart
Best forSocial creators who want quick edits, effects and templates in one app
All-in-one photo and video editor with AI tools, templates and an AI agent marketplace
Has that Adobe Lightroom doesn't: Background removal or replacement · Edit by describing changes in text
Free plan · paid from $11.99/month
7.7/10★★★★★Visit ↗ - 7
Fotor
Best forCasual users who want quick one-click fixes in a browser
Online and mobile photo editor with one-click AI enhance, object removal and expand
Has that Adobe Lightroom doesn't: Background removal or replacement · AI portrait and face retouching
Free plan · paid from $8.99/month
7.6/10★★★★★Visit ↗ - 8
Snapseed
Best forPhone photographers who want precise manual edits for free
Google's free pro-style mobile photo editor, with Smart Masking in Snapseed 4.0
Has that Adobe Lightroom doesn't: AI portrait and face retouching
Free
7.5/10★★★★★Visit ↗ - 9
Photomator
Best forMac, iPhone and iPad users who want a cheaper Lightroom alternative
Apple-only photo editor with ML Super Resolution, Denoise and AI selections
Free plan · paid from $29.99/year
7.3/10★★★★★Visit ↗ - 10
Facetune
Best forSelfie and portrait retouching on a phone
Selfie and portrait retouching app with AI enhance, headshots and object removal
Has that Adobe Lightroom doesn't: AI portrait and face retouching
Free plan · paid from $77.99/year
6.6/10★★★★★Visit ↗
Quick answers
What is the best alternative to Adobe Lightroom?
In our AI photo editors ranking, Google Photos scores highest among the alternatives (8.4/10). Best for: Anyone who wants quick, free AI fixes on the photos already on their phone. Adobe Lightroom scores 8.3/10.
Is there a free alternative to Adobe Lightroom?
Yes. Google Photos is free (All editing tools, including conversational editing, are free), and scores 8.4/10 in our ranking.
Why look for a Adobe Lightroom alternative?
Common reasons people switch: Subscription only; no one-time licence. Generative tools use a monthly credit allowance. More to learn than one-tap apps.