kitio.aiLuminar Neo vs Topaz Photo
A side-by-side look at pricing plans, free tiers, features, pros and cons, updated for 2026. Luminar Neo starts at $119 one-time and Topaz Photo starts at $39/mo. 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
- Sky replacement
- Relight AI
- Portrait retouching
- Generative erase
- Photoshop plugin
- Autopilot detection
- AI denoise
- Motion blur sharpening
- Face recovery
- Lightroom plugin
| Feature | Luminar Neo | Topaz Photo |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | AI photo editor for quick sky, portrait and lighting fixes | AI tool that denoises, sharpens and recovers faces in photos |
| Category | Image | Image |
| Pricing model | Free trial | Paid |
| Starting price | $119 one-time | $39/mo |
| Free plan | No, trial available | No |
| Made by | Skylum | Topaz Labs |
| Based in | – | United States |
| Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Key features |
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Pricing compared
Luminar Neo starts at $119 one-time and Topaz Photo starts at $39/mo. Check both pricing pages for current plans.
Free plan
Cheapest paid plan
Top plan
Free trial
3 plans
Desktop
$119 one-time
- Lifetime desktop license
- Includes plug-in for Photoshop/Lightroom
Cross-device
$159 one-time
- Desktop, mobile and web apps
- Cross-device editing sync
Max
$179 one-time
- Everything in Cross-device
- 1 year of Luminar Prime AI tools
- Library of presets, LUTs and skies
3 plans
Topaz Photo
$39/mo
- Photo enhancement models
- Unlimited cloud image rendering
Topaz Studio
$69/mo
- All apps: Video, Photo, Gigapixel
- Mobile and web apps included
- 32MP cloud export limit
Topaz Studio Pro
$75/mo
- Billed monthly for 12 months
- Pro licenses for all apps
- Pro-exclusive models
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
Luminar Neo
- Big edits with few sliders
- Strong sky and portrait tools
- Works as a plugin
- Can be slow on older machines
- Frequent upsells for add-ons
- Catalog tools are basic
Topaz Photo
- Strong noise and blur fixes
- Automatic suggestions
- Works as a plugin
- Subscription only
- Slow on older hardware
- Can over-sharpen textures
Which one should you choose?
Choose Luminar Neo if you want:
- Big edits with few sliders
- Strong sky and portrait tools
- Works as a plugin
Watch out: can be slow on older machines.
Choose Topaz Photo if you want:
- Strong noise and blur fixes
- Automatic suggestions
- Works as a plugin
Watch out: subscription only.
Luminar Neo vs Topaz Photo FAQ
What is the difference between Luminar Neo and Topaz Photo?
Luminar Neo: AI photo editor for quick sky, portrait and lighting fixes. Topaz Photo: AI tool that denoises, sharpens and recovers faces in photos. Both are image tools.
Is Luminar Neo or Topaz Photo cheaper?
Luminar Neo starts at $119 one-time and Topaz Photo starts at $39/mo. Check both pricing pages for current plans.
Do Luminar Neo and Topaz Photo have free plans?
Luminar Neo: No, trial available. Topaz Photo: No.
Who makes Luminar Neo?
Luminar Neo is made by Skylum.
Who makes Topaz Photo?
Topaz Photo is made by Topaz Labs, based in United States.
Which should I choose, Luminar Neo or Topaz Photo?
Choose Luminar Neo if you value big edits with few sliders and strong sky and portrait tools. Choose Topaz Photo if you value strong noise and blur fixes and automatic suggestions.