If you’re deciding between ON1 Photo RAW and Adobe Lightroom Classic, you’re not alone. It’s one of the most common questions among photographers who are either frustrated with Adobe’s subscription model or simply looking for a more capable all-in-one tool. Both are serious, professional-grade photo editors. But they’re built on different philosophies, and the right choice depends on how you work.

This comparison breaks down pricing, AI tools, editing capabilities, workflow, and performance side by side so you can make the call with confidence. The short version: ON1 Photo RAW is a powerful, subscription-free alternative with deeper AI features and built-in layered editing. Lightroom Classic is a mature platform with a strong ecosystem. Both deserve a serious look.

ON1 Photo RAW vs Adobe Lightroom Classic: Quick Comparison

Key Differences Between ON1 Photo RAW and Lightroom Classic

Pricing & Value

This is often the deciding factor. Adobe Lightroom Classic requires an active Creative Cloud subscription currently around $9.99/month for the Photography Plan. Cancel the subscription and you lose access to the software.

ON1 Photo RAW is a one-time purchase. You buy it, you own it, no monthly fees, no access cliffs. Upgrades to new major versions are available at a discounted upgrade price, but entirely optional. For photographers who bristle at the idea of perpetually renting their tools, this is a meaningful advantage.

Over three years, the subscription cost of Lightroom Classic can easily exceed the price of several generations of ON1.

AI-Powered Editing Tools

AI has become a major differentiator between photo editors, and this is where ON1 Photo RAW has a clear lead. ON1’s AI suite includes:

• Super Select AI — click any object or area and get an intelligent, edge-aware selection in seconds
• Sky Swap AI — detect and replace skies with a single click, with realistic blending
• Portrait AI — automatically detect faces and apply individualized retouching (skin, eyes, lighting) per subject
• Brilliance AI — one-click enhancement that intelligently adjusts tone, color, and noise simultaneously
• NoNoise AI — dedicated AI-powered noise reduction that preserves fine detail

Lightroom Classic has improved its AI masking and added Denoise AI in recent updates. But it still lacks built-in sky replacement and the depth of Portrait AI retouching without additional plugins or a round-trip to Photoshop.

Editing Workflow & User Experience

Lightroom Classic’s catalog-based workflow is well-established. You import photos into a catalog, and Lightroom tracks every edit non-destructively. However, catalogs can become fragile. File links break if you move images outside the app, and large catalogs can slow down over time.

ON1 uses a folder-based approach. You browse directly from your drives with no import required, no catalog database to maintain. This makes it more intuitive for photographers who prefer working with real file structures and is more resilient when you reorganize your storage.

Performance & Speed

ON1 generally handles large folder-based libraries more fluidly than Lightroom does with bloated catalogs. ON1’s GPU-accelerated processing pipeline helps with previews and rendering, particularly for AI-intensive tasks.

File Management & Organization

Lightroom Classic excels at catalog-based organization: smart collections, hierarchical keywords, color labels, star ratings, and face recognition are all mature and polished. For photographers with years invested in Lightroom keyword hierarchies, this is a genuine strength.

ON1’s folder-based system act as an image browser and is simpler but faster for photographers who organize with a clear directory structure. It supports keywords, ratings, color labels, and collections. If complex smart collections are central to your workflow, that’s worth weighing.

Feature Comparison Breakdown

Photo Editing Capabilities

Both ON1 and Lightroom Classic offer professional-grade RAW processing, non-destructive editing, lens and camera profiles, and a full suite of tone and color controls. The core editing floor is similar.

Where they diverge is in compositing. Lightroom Classic requires Photoshop for any layer-based editing. ON1 Photo RAW has full, non-destructive layers built in — so you can blend images, create composites, and apply masked effects all within one application.

AI Features

Presets & Effects

Both platforms support presets. Lightroom Classic has a solid ecosystem with adaptive presets that respond to image content.

ON1’s Effects module goes further with over 30 stackable creative filters. Dynamic Contrast, Glow, Sunshine, Lens Flare, and more — each fully maskable. You can combine multiple effects, mask them independently, and preview them in the browser before committing.

Mobile & Cloud Capabilities

ON1 Cloud Sync allows you to publish entire folder structures navigable on mobile (iOS and Android), syncs across multiple desktop computers, and keeps presets, add-ons, and preferences in sync across devices.

Lightroom Classic’s mobile syncing requires an active Creative Cloud subscription and routes through Adobe’s cloud infrastructure.

Pros and Cons

ON1 Photo RAW Pros & Cons

Pros:

• No subscription required, own it outright
• More advanced AI tools (Sky Swap AI, Portrait AI, Super Select AI, Brilliance AI)
• Built-in layers for compositing and blending without Photoshop
• Folder-based organization with no need to import
• Includes Focus Stacking and Time-Lapse Creation
• Over 30 creative, maskable filters in the Effects module
• Built-in Lightroom Migration Assistant

Cons:

• Less mature catalog/keyword management than Lightroom
• Smaller third-party plugin ecosystem
• Learning curve for long-time Lightroom users

Lightroom Classic Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Deeply mature catalog organization with smart collections and keywords
• Strong integration with Photoshop, Bridge, and Adobe ecosystem
• Large, established plugin marketplace
• Familiar to a large user base

Cons:

• Subscription required, ongoing cost, no ownership
• No built-in layer editing, requires Photoshop for compositing
• No built-in sky replacement
• Catalog-based system can become fragile and slow with large libraries
• Image upscaling and some AI features require full CC subscription

Is ON1 Photo RAW the Best Lightroom Alternative?

ON1 consistently ranks as one of the top Lightroom alternatives, and for good reason. It’s the most feature-complete standalone option, especially for photographers who want a single app handling editing, organization, AI tools, and creative effects without needing Photoshop.

Other alternatives worth knowing:

• Capture One — excellent RAW processing and color tools, but expensive and subscription-heavy. Strong for studio and commercial photographers.
• DxO PhotoLab — outstanding RAW development and optics corrections. Less capable for organization.
• Luminar Neo — AI-heavy and accessible, but less stable with weaker organization tools.

For photographers wanting the best balance of professional power, AI capabilities, pricing, and workflow flexibility, ON1 Photo RAW is the strongest all-in-one Lightroom alternative available.

Final Verdict: ON1 Photo RAW vs Lightroom Classic

Both tools are capable of producing exceptional results. But the right choice depends on your priorities.

Choose ON1 Photo RAW if:

• You want to own your software outright without a monthly subscription
• You need AI-powered tools like sky replacement, smart masking, and portrait retouching in one app
• You want built-in layers without round-tripping to Photoshop
• You organize files by folder and prefer direct access without catalog management
• You’re ready to leave Adobe’s ecosystem — ON1’s migration tool makes the switch straightforward

Stick with Lightroom Classic if:

• You’re deeply embedded in the Adobe ecosystem (Photoshop, Bridge, Cloud)
• Your workflow depends on advanced smart collections and keyword hierarchies
• Your team already uses Adobe tools and consistency matters

For most photographers evaluating their options in 2026, especially those frustrated with subscription pricing or looking for more AI capability without adding apps, ON1 Photo RAW delivers more value, more tools, and true ownership. It’s not just a Lightroom alternative; for many photographers, it’s the better choice.

Learn more in our Lightroom to ON1 migration guide →

Try ON1 Photo RAW →

As photographers, our growing photo libraries require fast and efficient photo organization. Whether managing thousands of raw files or an enthusiast looking for photo cataloging, the right photo organizing software can save you time and frustration.

Lightroom Classic has been the go-to for many photographers for years, offering a structured catalog-based system. However, in 2025, alternatives to Lightroom, like ON1 Photo RAW, redefine photo organization software by providing a more flexible, import-free workflow that speeds up access to your images.

So, how does ON1 Photo RAW compare to Lightroom Classic when organizing and managing photos? Let’s break down the key differences so you can choose the best software for your workflow.

• • Cataloging vs. Direct File Access
  • Speed & Performance
  • File & Folder Organization
  • Search, Metadata & Keywords
  • Backup & File Safety
  • Which Photo Organizing Software is Right for You?

1. Cataloging vs. Direct File Access

One of the biggest differences between ON1 Photo RAW and Lightroom Classic is how they handle photo organization.

ON1 Photo RAW uses a hybrid system. This allows you to browse files directly from your hard drive without importing them. Users can also take advantage of cataloged folders for faster searching. In Lightroom Classic, all photos need to be imported into a database-driven catalog, which can be slower but does provide robust metadata indexing.

Which is better?
If you want immediate access to your photos and loathe the hassle of importing them each time, ON1 Photo RAW’s browser-based system is a game-changer. But if you rely on advanced cataloging tools, Lightroom Classic may still be appealing.

Adobe Lightroom Classic: Catalog-Centric

Lightroom Classic uses a catalog system, where photos must be imported into a database before editing. This structure is powerful but comes with complexity:

• Powerful search and filtering
• Risk of broken links if files are moved outside of Lightroom
• Slower performance on large catalogs
• Requires regular catalog backups

ON1 Photo RAW: Folder-Based Simplicity

ON1 uses a direct folder-based browser—you can edit your files exactly where they live:

• No import needed—just open folders
• Live previews and metadata update instantly
• No catalog corruption
• Easier to maintain across drives or cloud storage

Side-by-Side Comparison: DAM Features

2. Speed & Performance

A key factor in choosing a photo organizing tool is performance, especially when working with large libraries.

ON1 Photo RAW is optimized for speed, letting you open folders instantly without waiting for an import. You can also catalog specific folders for fast metadata searches. Lightroom Classic relies on its catalog system, which can slow down as it grows, requiring regular optimization to maintain speed.

Which is better?
If you work with thousands of images daily and need fast access, ON1 Photo RAW gives you instant file browsing without performance slowdowns.

3. File & Folder Organization

How each software handles your files can significantly impact your workflow efficiency.

ON1 Photo RAW respects your existing folder structure, letting you organize files exactly how you want without being locked into a proprietary system. Lightroom Classic tracks files inside its database, meaning if you move them outside of Lightroom, they will show up as missing files—requiring relinking.

Which is better?
If you want complete control over file management without worrying about broken links, ON1 Photo RAW gives you greater flexibility.

4. Search, Metadata & Keywords

A powerful photo organizer must offer search, keywording, and metadata management to help you quickly find images.

ON1 Photo RAW supports keywords, AI keywording, metadata searches, and Smart Albums, giving you a flexible way to manage photos without a catalog dependency. Lightroom Classic includes hierarchical keywording and facial recognition, which can be helpful for photographers who organize by people.

Which is better?
If you need face detection for people-based organization, Lightroom Classic may be beneficial. However, for a faster, more flexible keywording and search system, ON1 Photo RAW keeps things simple and effective.

5. Backup & File Safety

Photo organization isn’t just about access—it’s also about protecting your work.

ON1 Photo RAW stores non-destructive edits in .on1 sidecar files, keeping your RAW images untouched while allowing you to move files freely. Lightroom Classic saves all edits within its catalog, which means if the catalog file gets corrupted, you could lose edits and metadata unless adequately backed up.

Which is better?
If you prefer non-destructive editing without worrying about a single database file, ON1 Photo RAW gives you more security and flexibility.

6. Which Photo Organizing Software is Right for You?

ON1 Photo RAW is Ideal If:

• You want simple, fast file browsing
• You edit from multiple drives or folders
• You dislike the complexity of catalogs
• You want true non-destructive edits without an import process

See how ON1 compares beyond DAM in our Lightroom alternative roundup.

Lightroom Classic is Ideal If:

• You’re already deep into Lightroom’s ecosystem
• You rely heavily on smart collections and tagging
• You’re okay managing a central catalog file carefully

In 2025, Photo RAW 2025 continues to innovate in photo organization software, making it a great alternative to Lightroom Classic for photographers who value speed, control, and aren’t required to pay for a subscription.

Want to give it a go? Try ON1 Photo RAW today and take your photo organizing workflow to the next level!

We’re excited to announce the release of ON1 Photo RAW 2025.1, a free update for ON1 Photo RAW 2025 owners. This update enhances several tools and features, and we’re excited to get it into your hands. We’ve made some significant updates to the ON1 Photo RAW for Mobile app as well!

What’s New in Version 2025.1: Check out all of the videos and see how to get the update below!

The Generative Eraser now includes two new options to make removing distractions a breeze. Now, it can automatically detect common distractions like sensor dust, wires, people, and vehicles and then remove them with a single click of a button. Second, we’ve added automatic object detection from Super Select AI, allowing you to tap on specific objects to erase them without manual brushing. Just point, click, and erase! This update makes removing distractions fast and easy. Check out these two videos where I show these tools in action.

We also have a new model in the Generative Eraser that removes larger distractions. Check it out in this video below.

With Automatic Stacking, keeping your photos organized is also much easier. The updated stacks feature automatically groups photos based on visual similarity or capture times, making it simple to organize related images. We’ve also included refinements to give you more control and flexibility when managing your stacks. Check those out in this video.

New in ON1 Photo RAW for Mobile
The Improved User Interface in ON1 Photo RAW for Mobile delivers a sleek, modern editing experience. We’ve optimized the interface design for mobile screens, especially for one-handed use, with filters that are easier to adjust and a more space-efficient layout. The cleaner, more readable design brings a fresh look to ON1 Photo RAW for Mobile while maintaining the familiarity that users love.

The new Consolidated Develop Controls simplify your editing workflow by grouping essential tools from the Tone, Color, Auto, and Detail panes into a single, streamlined Develop Pane. This layout mirrors the simplicity of native Photos apps, making it intuitive and efficient for new and experienced users alike. Check out the new ON1 Photo RAW for Mobile update in this video below.

We’ve also added support for the latest RAW formats in ON1 Photo RAW 2025.1 and ON1 Photo RAW for Mobile, ensuring you can work seamlessly with images from the newest cameras. We’ve also added additional lens support and many more bug fixes.

ON1 Photo RAW 2025.1 is a free update for all 2025 owners. Ready to give it a try? Download the update and enjoy the enhanced features.

Getting the Update

To get the update, just launch ON1 Photo RAW 2025 and it will check for the update automatically (each time you launch it). Follow the on-screen instructions to install the update. We hope you enjoy this free update to ON1 Photo RAW 2025! Thanks for being part of the ON1 community, and stay tuned for more improvements and features coming to ON1 Photo RAW 2025!

If you’re on the go, remember to check out the updated ON1 Photo RAW for Mobile app, which brings many enhancements to your phone or tablet. Note: It has been submitted to the app stores and could be pending app review before the update is available in your area.

About ON1 Photo RAW
Elevate your photo editing with ON1 Photo RAW. Perfect for photographers of all skill levels, ON1 Photo RAW is an intuitive yet powerful photo editing software application that blends speed, versatility, and quality into one AI-powered application. It’s the ultimate AI photo editor and includes everything a photographer needs in one application. Experience why it’s the top Lightroom Alternative, giving you the ultimate control to bring your photographic visions to life.

We are thrilled to announce that ON1 Photo RAW 2025 is available today! Whether you’ve used previous versions of Photo RAW or are brand new to ON1, this new release is packed with powerful new features that will transform your editing experience.

Note: Anyone who pre-ordered version 2025 can sign in and go here to download their purchase of Photo RAW 2025. For subscribers, please go here. 

Photo RAW 2025 introduces exciting new AI-driven tools that simplify traditional editing methods and quickly deliver excellent results. From advanced Generative AI for retouching to Depth-Aware Masking and much more, we’ve designed this version to reduce complex editing and help you create your best photos!

We’re excited about the year ahead and the continued opportunity to be part of your creative journey. Thank you for being a valued member of the ON1 community. We look forward to helping you achieve great results with ON1 Photo RAW 2025!

Best regards,
The ON1 Team

Price and Availability
Order a license for ON1 Photo RAW MAX 2025 for standalone use and plugin capabilities ($149.99 upgrade, or $169.99 for new customers) or Photo RAW 2025 for standalone use only ($79.99 upgrade, or $99.99 for new customers). Anyone who orders either version of Photo RAW by October 31st gets the 2025 Essentials Kit ($50 value-free). Photo RAW MAX 2025 is also available as part of the ON1 Everything Subscription Plans, which include all of the current ON1 editing applications and plugins for Photoshop, Lightroom, Capture One, Affinity, Corel PSP, and Apple Photos, along with ON1 Cloud Sync storage and all future versions of each software title in the plans.

About ON1 Photo RAW
Elevate your photo editing game with ON1 Photo RAW. Perfect for photographers of all skill levels, ON1 Photo RAW offers an intuitive yet powerful platform that blends speed, versatility, and quality into one AI-powered application. It’s the ultimate AI photo editor and includes everything a photographer needs in one application. Experience why it’s the top Lightroom Alternative, giving you the ultimate control to bring your photographic visions to life.

WAIT! We’re Not Done Yet…

Several exciting new features are already in the works and will come in the first free update for version 2025 in just a couple of months. These new features will include an enhanced Generative Eraser to automatically detect and remove distractions like people, wires, and vehicles with a single click. Thanks to new AI-powered object detection, you will be able to point and click on objects for easy removal. Automatic Stacking will also be added to group similar images by visual likeness or capture times, streamlining your workflow. Face Restoration from Resize will also be available in Edit, allowing you to enhance small or out-of-focus faces with stunning, realistic detail, making it perfect for photo restoration.

Updated 10/21/2024 — ON1 Photo RAW 2025 is officially released!

We’re excited to announce ON1 Photo RAW 2025 will be officially released on October 21st! All active subscribers and those who pre-ordered a license will receive their software on the morning of October 21st. As an additional bonus, we’ll include the new ON1 Photo RAW 2025 Essentials Kit—a complete guide to mastering the workflow as well. The kit includes the Beginner’s Guide, Best Practices Workflow Guide, Most Popular Keyboard Shortcuts, User Guide, Getting Started Video Course, and Dan Harlacher’s Signature Color Presets. The software and additional bonuses will be sent by email.

ON1 Photo RAW 2025 has many incredible new editing features, including Generative AI for intelligent content-aware editing, new Depth Masking, enhanced Color Editing tools, Automated Dust and Power Line Removal, new organization features, and much more. These new features will make your editing experience more powerful and efficient.

Price and Availability
Pre-order a license for ON1 Photo RAW MAX 2025 with plugin capabilities ($149.99 upgrade, or $169.99 for new customers) or Photo RAW 2025 for standalone use only ($79.99 upgrade, or $99.99 for new customers), and receive the new ON1 Essentials Kit when the product arrives October 21st. Customers who pre-order version 2025 can use Photo RAW 2024.5 until the latest version is released. Photo RAW MAX 2025 is also available as part of the ON1 Everything Subscription Plans, which include all of the current ON1 editing applications and plugins for Photoshop, Lightroom, Capture One, Affinity, Corel PSP, and Apple Photos, along with ON1 Cloud Sync storage and all future versions of each software title in the plans.

About ON1 Photo RAW
Elevate your photo editing game with ON1 Photo RAW. Perfect for photographers of all skill levels, ON1 Photo RAW offers an intuitive yet powerful platform that blends speed, versatility, and quality into one AI-powered application. It’s the ultimate AI photo editor and includes everything a photographer needs in one application. Experience why it’s the top Lightroom Alternative, giving you the ultimate control to bring your photographic visions to life.

Generative AI transforms photography and photo editing by offering tools that simplify complex tasks like removing distractions and expanding image boundaries. At ON1, we’ve integrated AI into our products for over five years, and in Photo RAW 2025, we’re introducing new features like the Generative Eraser, Generative Crop, and Generative Replace. These tools allow photographers to enhance images with speed and precision. You can run them locally on your computer or use a cloud-based option through our partner, Stability.ai. While generative AI isn’t perfect, it offers exciting opportunities for creativity and efficiency in photography.

Today, photography, like many other endeavors, is impacted by artificial intelligence, or AI for short. AI, also called machine learning, is transforming how many sectors operate. It can simplify complex tasks, improve search results, find data correlations, and more. In the world of photography, it enhances results and speeds up repetitive tasks. At ON1, we’ve been using AI in our products for over five years, so we are no strangers to its capabilities. Our approach to AI is to assist photographers in solving complex or repetitive tasks.

AI technology is evolving faster than anyone could have predicted. It has moved from a novelty to a mainstream business imperative in just a few years. The rapidly changing technology is being driven by new types of AI, such as large language models and diffusion models. These newer models possess greater contextual understanding than earlier generations and can produce astounding results that rival human output. In the photography space, diffusion models have given rise to what we call generative AI—the ability to create new pixels, including entire images, from basic text or other minimal input. Like any new technology, it can be used for both good and harm. Many photographers worry about being replaced by AI or having their photos stolen by it. Additionally, this technology can create scenes that never existed in reality, which to many feels like the antithesis of photography.

Fearmongering aside, when used responsibly generative AI is super valuable. Two areas where it can enhance real photographs are in removing large distractions and expanding the photo’s boundaries. Both tasks have traditional, non-AI solutions that photographers have used for years, but mastering these skills can take years. Generative AI allows us to accomplish these tasks much faster. In Photo RAW 2025, we introduce generative AI in the form of the Generative Eraser and Generative Crop.

Think of the Generative Eraser as the evolution of the Perfect Eraser. It will be the new standard for removing large distractions from your photos. However, this doesn’t mean it will be suitable for everything. We still recommend the non-destructive healing brush for small or simple retouching tasks, which works well in many everyday situations. But when dealing with more challenging tasks like removing photobombers, bystanders, signs, braces, cars, etc., the Generative Eraser excels. The workflow is slightly different, as generative AI doesn’t produce the same result when identical input is given repeatedly. Therefore, the results must be saved rather than replayed like other non-destructive settings. The output from the Generative Eraser is applied to a new copy of the layer you’re working on, allowing you to retry as much as you like to achieve the desired result.

Similarly, think of Generative Crop as the next step beyond content-aware crop. It’s an option when you use the crop tool to expand the canvas beyond the original photo, allowing you to recompose the shot if necessary. It’s like zooming out after the fact. The results from Generative Crop far surpass the quality of content-aware crop. Like the Generative Eraser, its results are created on a new layer copy.

As part of the Photo RAW 2025 product lifecycle, we will introduce a third generative AI tool—Generative Replace. This new option within the Generative Eraser allows you to use a text prompt to influence the generation of a specific area. For example, you could add a bird to a fence or place the moon in the sky.

At this point, you may be wondering what is required to use these features. We offer a solution that works locally on your computer and an option that works in the cloud with a partner. To use these features locally, you’ll need a modern GPU with at least 4GB of VRAM. These GPUs include the RTX 1070, 2060, 3050, and 4060 or better for NVIDIA or the Radeon 570, 5300XT, 6400, or 7600 for AMD. Of course, each card does require the latest drivers. Apple Silicon systems with 16GB or more RAM will work as well. Running these features locally instead of in the cloud protects your privacy since no photos go there. It also allows us to provide generative AI features without requiring a subscription. Keep in mind that diffusion models are typically run in the cloud on large servers equipped with specialized GPUs designed for AI processing. To make these models functional on standard PC gamer GPUs, we’ve had to scale them down. While they should generally yield acceptable results, they may not be as precise as some cloud-based solutions.

If your system doesn’t meet the minimum recommended requirements, we’ve partnered with Stability.ai, the creators of Stable Diffusion, for an in-app integration with their cloud-based service. Visit dreamstudio.ai to create an account and purchase credits. Then, enter your Stability key in Photo RAW, and Photo RAW will use Stability in the cloud for these tools. (Each tool usage currently costs 3–4 credits, with each credit priced at one cent USD at the time of this writing). Anyone can use Stability integration, as it is not limited to users with low-end systems. The Stability integration can sometimes yield different results, which may be better in some cases, and it can also be faster depending on your hardware specifications. Stability.ai’s terms of service protect your privacy.

Now, let’s discuss what to expect in terms of results when using these tools. While it’s an exciting and valuable development, it is imperfect, just like any other AI-based tool. You’ll usually get excellent, usable results on the first try with most photo editors using this technology. Sometimes, however, you may need to retry to achieve the results you want. Remember, each attempt will yield different outcomes. We return the results to a copy of the original photo layer, allowing you greater control over blending and adjustments. In our tests, our results are comparable to those of others editors with the same techhnology. Nobody does a great job 100% of the time, but all of them do pretty darn good most of  the time. You can view a few examples below. As with all AI features, there may be times when it fails to deliver the desired results, but again, as you can see, not everyone is perfect 100% of the time. Rest assured, we are continuously working to improve the output and provide updated models as we train them.

Generative AI is a powerful tool that reshapes the landscape of photography and photo editing. At ON1, our goal is to empower photographers with AI that simplifies complex tasks without compromising the artistic integrity of their work. While AI is not without its challenges and imperfections, it offers exciting new possibilities for creativity and efficiency. With tools like the Generative Eraser, Generative Crop, and the upcoming Generative Replace, we are very excited to continue exploring this technology’s potential. As AI continues to evolve, so will our products, always with the photographer’s needs first.

Portland, OR—September 3, 2024—ON1, the developers of professional-grade photo editing software, proudly announce the upcoming release of ON1 Photo RAW 2025. This latest version will include an incredible blend of new technologies, features, and significant improvements to existing tools. The release is currently slated for October.

Updated 10/21/2024 — ON1 Photo RAW 2025 is officially released!

Revolutionizing Retouching with Generative AI and Depth-Aware Editing
ON1 Photo RAW 2025 introduces new and powerful generative AI features that enhance the content-aware capabilities of both the crop and new Generative Erase tools. These updates enable photographers to extend canvases more naturally and remove large distractions, like people or cars, while filling in missing details with realistic results. Additionally, the new Depth Masks feature utilizes powerful AI models to infer the depth within a scene, allowing photographers to blend or apply adjustments or effects based on the scene’s depth. This adds a layer of control that hasn’t existed before, making effects like lens blur and other adjustments more natural. See the new features in action

Automated Editing Tasks for Removing Common Distractions
The introduction of automatic detection and removal of common distractions, like sensor dust and power lines are also new features coming in this release.

Enhanced Color Editing & Layout Creation
ON1 Photo RAW 2025 expands its color editing capabilities with two new filters. The Edit Color filter offers precise hue, saturation, and brightness control within specific color ranges. The new Match Color filter allows photographers to apply the color from one image to another, making it the perfect tool to mimic others’ looks and style. Additionally, improvements to the new canvas dialog simplify the creation of layouts, making it easier to set common sizes and add your photos in one step.

Streamlined Organization
Photo organization will also be enhanced with the new Target Album feature, allowing users to set an album as a target and quickly add photos to the album with a shortcut key. This will help streamline sorting through extensive collections of images, making album management faster. To further enhance the organization of your photos, ON1 Photo RAW 2025 introduces Stacking. This feature is handy for organizing brackets, bursts, and other grouped shots, reducing clutter and speeding up the culling process.

What’s Coming Next
Looking forward, ON1 is excited to reveal several features and updates that will arrive soon after the initial release of version 2025 including an enhanced Generative Eraser that automatically detects and removes distractions like sensor dust, wires, vehicles, and people with a single click. You’ll also be able to point and click on objects for easy removal, thanks to new AI-powered object detection. Automatic Stacking will group similar images by visual likeness or capture times, streamlining your workflow. Additionally, Face Restoration from Resize will be available in Edit, allowing you to enhance small or out-of-focus faces with stunning, realistic detail, making it perfect for photo restoration.

Price and Availability
Pre-order a license for ON1 Photo RAW MAX 2025 with plugin capabilities ($149.99 upgrade, or $169.99 for new customers) or Photo RAW 2025 for standalone use only ($79.99 upgrade, or $99.99 for new customers), and receive the new ON1 2025 Creative Pack of 100 presets, LUTs, and extras delivered with Photo RAW 2025 this fall. Customers who pre-order version 2025 can use Photo RAW 2024.5 until the new version is released. Photo RAW MAX 2025 is also available as part of the ON1 Everything Subscription Plans, which include all of the current ON1 editing applications and plugins for Photoshop, Lightroom, Capture One, Affinity, Corel PSP, and Apple Photos, along with ON1 Cloud Sync storage and all future versions of each software title in the plans.

About ON1 Photo RAW
Elevate your photo editing game with ON1 Photo RAW. Perfect for photographers of all skill levels, ON1 Photo RAW offers an intuitive yet powerful platform that blends speed, versatility, and quality into one AI-powered application. It’s the ultimate AI photo editor and includes everything a photographer needs in one application. Experience why it’s the top Lightroom Alternative, giving you the ultimate control to bring your photographic visions to life.