Adobe Lightroom vs DxO PhotoLab
Adobe Lightroom scores 8.1 to DxO PhotoLab's 4.7 among the raw photo editors we rate, and is the better pick for 2 of the 4 kinds of buyer below.
Adobe Lightroom wins, 8.1 to 4.7
DxO PhotoLab sells one-time licences alone, an Essential edition and a pricier Elite edition, with no subscription. Lightroom charges $11.99 a month billed yearly for Lightroom alone and never sells a licence you keep. Lightroom syncs your library across devices, removes objects automatically, and merges HDR and panoramas. DxO PhotoLab answers with automatic removal of sensor dust and Virtual Copies with a full edit history, all for a price you pay once.
Pick Adobe Lightroom if you want cloud sync and panorama merging.
Pick DxO PhotoLab if you want to pay once and never subscribe.
Best for
Who each one suits, decided on the criteria that matter to that buyer and the checked facts where the two differ.
- Shoots tethered to the computer: Adobe Lightroom yes, DxO PhotoLab no
- Merges HDR or panoramas: Adobe Lightroom yes, DxO PhotoLab no
- AI upscaling: Adobe Lightroom yes, DxO PhotoLab no
- Syncs photos or edits to other devices: Adobe Lightroom yes, DxO PhotoLab no
- Third-party plugins: Adobe Lightroom yes, DxO PhotoLab no
- Developer or scripting API: Adobe Lightroom yes, DxO PhotoLab no
- Sells a licence you own outright: DxO PhotoLab yes, Adobe Lightroom no
- But Adobe Lightroom leads on free plan: Adobe Lightroom yes, DxO PhotoLab no
- Ways to reach support: Adobe Lightroom 3 support channels, DxO PhotoLab 4 support channels
How they score
Both are scored the same way, against the other raw photo editors we rate, from facts on each vendor's own pages. Adobe Lightroom leads on 3 of 4 criteria.
Where they differ
Every point where the two vendors' published facts disagree, with a link to where each fact was read. "Not published" means the vendor does not say either way.
Published by only one of them
Where they match (4)
Pricing, plan by plan
Every plan each vendor publishes, monthly and yearly where both are offered.
Adobe Lightroom
DxO PhotoLab
For everything else about each tool, read the full Adobe Lightroom review and DxO PhotoLab review.
Adobe Lightroom vs DxO PhotoLab: common questions
Which is better, Adobe Lightroom or DxO PhotoLab?
Adobe Lightroom scores 8.1 and DxO PhotoLab 4.7 out of 10 among the raw photo editors we rate. Adobe Lightroom is ahead on what it adds beyond the basics, workflow and sharing and privacy and trust. DxO PhotoLab is ahead on pricing.
Is Adobe Lightroom or DxO PhotoLab cheaper?
Adobe Lightroom's cheapest paid plan is $11.99/mo billed yearly (Lightroom) and DxO PhotoLab's is $159.99 one-time (Essential). Compare what each plan includes below before going on price alone.
Do Adobe Lightroom and DxO PhotoLab have a free plan?
Adobe Lightroom does and DxO PhotoLab does not.
What can Adobe Lightroom do that DxO PhotoLab cannot?
What can DxO PhotoLab do that Adobe Lightroom cannot?
On the facts both vendors publish: sells a licence you own outright.
