Luminar Neo is an AI-powered photo editing application from Skylum, positioned as a Lightroom alternative with heavy emphasis on one-click AI enhancements. As of mid-2026, the platform offers a suite of AI-driven tools including Sky AI (automatic sky replacement with realistic lighting matching), Portrait AI (skin smoothing, eye enhancement, face slimming, and teeth whitening), Relight AI (3D depth-aware lighting adjustment), and GenErase (AI object removal with background reconstruction). The software runs as a standalone application on macOS and Windows, with plugins available for Lightroom, Photoshop, and Apple Photos. Unlike subscription-only competitors, Luminar Neo still offers a perpetual license option alongside its subscription plan. Pricing as of mid-2026: Explore subscription ($14.95/month or $119/year, includes all AI tools, continuous updates, and 1TB cloud storage), Pro subscription ($24.95/month or $199/year, adds premium assets, additional AI models, and priority support), and Perpetual license ($199 one-time purchase, includes current version permanently but no future major updates). The 2026 update introduced new AI models for noise reduction and sharpening, though independent reviews suggest these still lag behind dedicated tools like DxO PureRAW and Topaz Photo AI. The platform also added batch processing capabilities for applying AI edits across large photo sets, a feature long requested by event and wedding photographers. User feedback presents a mixed picture. Casual photographers and content creators praise the one-click AI tools for dramatically speeding up editing workflows — sky replacement and portrait enhancement that would take 30+ minutes in Photoshop can be done in seconds. The interface is cleaner and more approachable than Lightroom for beginners. However, professional photographers consistently report that Luminar Neo's AI masking is less precise than manual selection, frequently missing fine details like flyaway hairs or complex edges. Performance is also a concern — the application is noticeably slower than Lightroom on large RAW files, and the push toward subscription pricing has alienated users who previously valued Skylum's perpetual license model. For quick social media edits and hobbyist photography, Luminar Neo is excellent; for high-end professional retouching, Photoshop and Lightroom remain the standard.