kitio.aiAdobe Lightroom vs Capture One
A side-by-side look at pricing plans, free tiers, features, pros and cons, updated for 2026. Adobe Lightroom starts at $11.99/mo and Capture One starts at See pricing page. Check both pricing pages for current plans.
At a glance
Best for
Pricing model
Starting price
Free plan
Made by
Based in
Rating
Key features
- AI masking
- Denoise
- Generative Remove
- Adaptive presets
- Cloud sync
- RAW processing
- Advanced color editing
- Tethered capture
- AI masking
- AI culling
- AI skin retouching
| Feature | Adobe Lightroom | Capture One |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Photo editing and organizing app with AI masking and denoise | Pro photo editor known for color, tethering and AI masking |
| Category | Image | Image |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Free trial |
| Starting price | $11.99/mo | See pricing page |
| Free plan | Yes | No, trial available |
| Made by | Adobe | Capture One A/S |
| Based in | United States | Denmark |
| Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Key features |
|
|
Both offer: AI masking.
Pricing compared
Adobe Lightroom starts at $11.99/mo and Capture One starts at See pricing page. Check both pricing pages for current plans.
Free plan
Cheapest paid plan
Top plan
Free trial
3 plans
Free
Free
- Lightroom mobile app
- Basic editing tools
Lightroom
$11.99/mo
- Annual plan, billed monthly
- Lightroom on all devices
- 1TB cloud storage
Photography
$19.99/mo
- Annual plan, billed monthly
- Lightroom, Lightroom Classic and Photoshop
- 1TB cloud storage
Prices in USD, checked Oct 28, 2026 or later. Plans change often, so confirm on each tool's site before you buy.
Pros and cons
Adobe Lightroom
- Excellent RAW editing
- One-click AI masks
- Syncs across devices
- Subscription only for full features
- Cloud storage limits
- Two desktop versions confuse users
Capture One
- Excellent color control
- Reliable tethering for studio shoots
- AI tools cut culling and masking time
- Steeper learning curve than Lightroom
- Subscription cost adds up for hobbyists
- No free plan after the trial
Which one should you choose?
Choose Adobe Lightroom if you want:
- Excellent RAW editing
- One-click AI masks
- Syncs across devices
Watch out: subscription only for full features.
Choose Capture One if you want:
- Excellent color control
- Reliable tethering for studio shoots
- AI tools cut culling and masking time
Watch out: steeper learning curve than lightroom.
Adobe Lightroom vs Capture One FAQ
What is the difference between Adobe Lightroom and Capture One?
Adobe Lightroom: Photo editing and organizing app with AI masking and denoise. Capture One: Pro photo editor known for color, tethering and AI masking. Both are image tools.
Is Adobe Lightroom or Capture One cheaper?
Adobe Lightroom starts at $11.99/mo and Capture One starts at See pricing page. Check both pricing pages for current plans.
Do Adobe Lightroom and Capture One have free plans?
Adobe Lightroom: Yes. Capture One: No, trial available.
Who makes Adobe Lightroom?
Adobe Lightroom is made by Adobe, based in United States.
Who makes Capture One?
Capture One is made by Capture One A/S, based in Denmark.
Which should I choose, Adobe Lightroom or Capture One?
Choose Adobe Lightroom if you value excellent raw editing and one-click ai masks. Choose Capture One if you value excellent color control and reliable tethering for studio shoots.