A Lightroom alternative you buy once
If you retouch photos with layers, masks and adjustments, you can stop renting software. One honest note first: Photo Pro Edition is a layer editor, not a photo catalog, so it will not replace Lightroom's library.
Free in your browser first
Convert, crop, compress and open camera raw photos here. Nothing is uploaded.
Subscription or pay once
| Adobe Lightroom (1 TB plan) | Photo Pro Edition | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $14.99 a month (annual plan billed monthly), $22.49 month-to-month | $24.99 once |
| Cost over 3 years | $539.64 | $24.99 |
| Payment | Monthly, until you cancel | One payment, no subscription |
| Open camera raw and DNG files | Yes | Yes |
| Adjustment layers, tones and colour | Yes | Yes |
| Masks and Select Subject | Yes | Yes |
| Layers, blend modes, PSD files | No. Layers are in Photoshop | Yes |
| Photo library, catalog and cloud sync | Yes | No. It is an editor, not a catalog |
| Works offline, no account | Needs an Adobe account | Yes, no account and no key |
Adobe Lightroom (1 TB plan) prices are US list prices read on 2026-10-25 and can change. Source: Adobe's Lightroom plan FAQ (helpx.adobe.com), price for subscribers from March 20, 2026. Prices in your country may differ. Pay-once prices are in US dollars, taxes may be added at checkout.
Get it
One payment, no subscription, no account. Works offline on your PC.
Need more than one? Pro Bundle | $59.99 once gets PDF Pro Editor, Video Pro Editor, Photo Pro Edition, Music Tools and CAD Tools for one payment.
Only need to open a file someone sent you? Anyopen opens documents, spreadsheets, PDF, pictures and archives for $9.99, once.
Questions
What is a Lightroom alternative with a one-time purchase?
For editing individual photos on Windows, Photo Pro Edition works with raw and DNG files, adjustment layers, masks and layers for one payment. It does not manage a photo library, so keep a folder system for that.
Can it open my camera raw files?
Yes. It opens camera raw and DNG, plus PSD, PNG, JPEG, WebP and TIFF.
Is there a free trial?
Yes. Photo Pro Edition has a free 7-day trial in the Microsoft Store.
Does it work without internet?
Yes. The app runs on your PC and your photos stay on it.
Not affiliated with Adobe. Adobe, Lightroom are trademarks of their owners and are used only to describe what this page is compared with.