Head-to-head
Adobe Lightroom vs ON1 Photo RAW
2 tools, 11 differing data points, mostly pricing and positioning.
From
$11.99/mo billed yearly (Lightroom)
Free plan
Yes
The verdict
Adobe Lightroom or ON1 Photo RAW?
Section 01
Pricing, plan by plan
Every plan each vendor publishes, monthly and yearly where both are offered.
AAdobe Lightroom
Lightroom
— · $11.99/mo billed yearly
Photography
— · $19.99/mo billed yearly
Adds Photoshop and Lightroom Classic
OON1 Photo RAW
ON1 Photo RAW
$99.99 one-time
ON1 Photo RAW MAX
$169.99 one-time
Adds cloud generative tools and sync
Section 02
Pros and cons
From each tool's full review, written from the same checked facts.
AAdobe Lightroom
Pros
- Non-destructive raw editing with AI-powered masking, such as Select Subject and Select Sky, across desktop, web and mobile.
- Generative Remove and generative upscale, powered by Adobe Firefly and Topaz Gigapixel, clear distractions and enlarge low-resolution photos.
- A cloud-synced library keeps photos and edits consistent across Windows, Mac, iOS and Android.
- Adobe does not train Firefly on Creative Cloud subscribers' personal content.
Cons
- Sold only by subscription, with no perpetual license to buy the software outright.
- Tethered capture, HDR and panorama merging, and plug-in support belong to Lightroom Classic rather than cloud Lightroom.
- The free tier is the mobile app only; full editing across devices requires a paid plan.
OON1 Photo RAW
Pros
- Sold as a one-time perpetual licence, not tied to a subscription.
- A free companion app exists for iOS and Android alongside the desktop app.
- Tethered shooting support for Canon and Nikon cameras.
- A broad AI toolset covering masking, denoising, object removal and upscaling.
Cons
- Cloud-rendered generative tools and Cloud Sync across devices need the MAX plan; they are not part of the base one-time purchase.
- Restore AI's photo restoration is a MAX-only feature.
- There is no developer API for connecting it to other software.
Side by side
| Company | ||
| Founded | 1982 | 2005 |
| HQ | USA | United States |
| Platforms | Windows, Mac, Web, iOS, Android | Windows, Mac, iOS, Android |
| Pricing | ||
| Pricing model | Subscription | One-time purchase or subscription |
| Free plan | Yes, mobile app | No |
| Free trial | Yes, 7 days | Yes, 30 days |
| Starting price | $11.99/mo billed yearly (Lightroom) | $99.99 one-time |
| All plans | Lightroom Photography | ON1 Photo RAW — $99.99 one-time ON1 Photo RAW MAX — $169.99 one-time |
| Positioning | ||
| Best for | Photographers who want their raw library and edits synced across computer, phone and web | Photographers who want raw editing, a photo library and AI tools in one app they buy once |
| Differentiator | Adobe Lightroom syncs a raw photo library across devices, with AI masks and Generative Remove. | ON1 Photo RAW combines a raw editor, photo library and AI tools, bought once. |
| Competitors | Capture One, darktable, Luminar Neo | Adobe Lightroom, Luminar Neo, Capture One |
Section 03
Adobe Lightroom vs ON1 Photo RAW: common questions
Is Adobe Lightroom or ON1 Photo RAW cheaper?
Adobe Lightroom's cheapest paid plan is $11.99/mo billed yearly (Lightroom) and ON1 Photo RAW's is $99.99 one-time. Compare what each plan includes below before going on price alone.
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