Photo editing and cataloguing across desktop, mobile and web with cloud sync.
- Starting price
- US$11.99/month
- Pricing model
- Paid
- User rating
- 4.6 / 5
- Best for
- Photo cataloguing and non-destructive editing
Lightroom is Adobe’s photo manager and raw editor. Where Photoshop works on one image at a time, Lightroom is built for thousands: import, cull, edit, sync and publish.
Who Lightroom is for
Photographers with volume. Wedding, event and travel shooters live in it because editing is non-destructive and presets apply across hundreds of frames in one pass.
There are two versions. Lightroom is cloud-first and syncs across devices. Lightroom Classic is desktop-first with folder-based catalogues, and most professionals still prefer it.
Which plan should you pick?
The Lightroom single-app plan is US$11.99 a month according to Adobe’s published US plan pricing, and includes 1TB of cloud storage.
The Photography plan at US$19.99 a month adds Photoshop and Lightroom Classic on top, which is worth the extra eight dollars for almost anyone editing seriously.
Storage is the thing to watch. A cloud-first workflow with raw files fills 1TB quickly, and additional storage is billed on top.
Adobe Lightroom pricing and plans
Lightroom single app
US$11.99
per month
Cloud-first version with sync.
- Lightroom on desktop, mobile and web
- 1 TB cloud storage
- Presets and profiles
- Non-destructive raw editing
Photography plan
US$19.99
per month
The usual choice for photographers.
- Lightroom, Lightroom Classic and Photoshop
- 1 TB cloud storage
- Adobe Portfolio
- Camera Raw
Creative Cloud Pro
US$69.99
per month
US$34.99 for the first three months.
- 20+ apps
- Adobe Firefly
- Full font library
- All photography apps included
Pricing checked against the official Adobe Lightroom pricing page on 5 September 2026. Vendors change plans often, so confirm before you buy.
What Adobe Lightroom actually does
- Non-destructive raw editing
- Catalogue management for large libraries
- Presets and batch editing across hundreds of frames
- AI masking for subjects, skies and backgrounds
- Denoise and lens corrections
- Sync across desktop, mobile and web
- Lightroom Classic for folder-based workflows
- Direct publishing to portfolios and social
Pros and cons
What works well
- Built for editing thousands of photos, not one
- Fully non-destructive editing
- AI masking for subjects and skies is excellent
- Syncs across desktop, mobile and web
- Photography plan bundles it with Photoshop cheaply
What to watch out for
- Two confusingly similar versions
- 1 TB fills fast with raw files
- Extra cloud storage is billed separately
- Subscription only
- Cloud version lacks some of Classic’s precision
Adobe Lightroom FAQs
Is Lightroom free?
The mobile app has a free tier with basic editing. Full raw editing, cloud sync and desktop use require a subscription.
How much does Lightroom cost?
The single-app plan is US$11.99 a month with 1 TB of storage. The Photography plan at US$19.99 adds Photoshop and Lightroom Classic.
What is the difference between Lightroom and Lightroom Classic?
Lightroom is cloud-first and syncs everywhere. Classic is desktop-first with folder-based catalogues and more precise local control. Most professionals still use Classic.
Is 1 TB enough storage?
For JPEG workflows, yes. For raw files from a modern high-resolution camera it fills quickly, and extra storage is billed on top.
Can I use Lightroom offline?
Classic works fully offline. The cloud version needs a connection to sync, though you can edit locally and sync later.
Does it edit video?
It handles basic video adjustments and applies some presets to clips, but it is not a video editor.
What happens to my catalogue if I cancel?
Classic catalogues stay on your drive but the application stops working. Cloud-stored originals must be downloaded before your storage is reduced.
Where does the 4.6 rating come from?
It is the aggregate score from 3,298 reviewers on G2, checked 12 August 2026. It is not our own hands-on test score.
Weighing up other options? Read the 6 best Lightroom alternatives.
Ready to try Adobe Lightroom?
Go to Adobe Lightroom