Luminar Neo vs Lightroom Classic: workflow comparison

Anthony Morganti compares Luminar Neo with Lightroom Classic using the same photos, focusing on whether Lightroom users can adapt their editing workflow to Neo. He says much of the comparison also applies to Lightroom, though its import process differs. The source description discloses his Skylum affiliate relationship.

The walkthrough covers importing, culling and organizing images before moving into edits. Both applications support flags, star ratings and folder structures. Morganti describes Neo's import process as easier, but notes that it lacks copyright metadata presets during import, color labels and Lightroom Classic's assisted culling.

AI object removal gets a side-by-side demonstration. He also explains Neo's GenSwap and GenExpand tools, alongside HDR merging, panorama stitching and focus stacking. These examples concern photo editing; the tutorial does not establish whether the AI features work offline.

The main workflow difference is how Neo stores adjustments in its Edits section and attaches masks to individual tools. Develop Raw supports global adjustments and profiles but has no masking. The separate Develop tool supports masks, lacks profiles and uses a different white-balance scale.

Morganti prefers Lightroom's AI noise reduction and Neo's dedicated portrait controls. Those are his assessments, illustrated through editing examples, rather than general performance benchmarks.