What’s The Best Way to Buy Luminar in 2023?

The best way to buy Luminar Neo Photo Editor is the PRO Plan.

It includes all current and future Luminar Extensions, which allow you to do much more with the core software.

You also get two licenses, allowing you to use Luminar Neo on two computers.

(With the other plans, you can only use it on one.)

Best of all, you can save 34% with the Pro Plan when you pay annually.

If you don’t need the Extensions, the best way to buy Luminar is the LIFETIME Plan.

It’s a bit more expensive than the PRO Plan, but it’s also a one-time purchase (i.e., no subscription).

Whichever plan you choose, make sure to use the code shotkit10neo to save $10.

How Much Does Skylum Luminar Neo Cost?

Luminar Neo is available for three different prices depending on the Plan you choose.

Each Luminar Plan offers benefits for different types of users, so it’s important to understand the differences:

1. Luminar PRO Plan (Recommended)

$119 when paid annually or $14.95 when paid monthly. (Use code shotkit10neo to save $10)

What does the PRO Plan include?:

• Luminar Neo Photo Editor
• Extensions Pack (valued at $383)
• All future Extensions
• All upgrades
• Software updates
• Two licenses
• 10% Marketplace discounts
• Insiders community access
• 30 days money back guarantee
• 24/7 technical support

Who is the PRO Plan best for?

The Luminar Neo Extensions allow you to do even more with the base software.

There are currently 7 Extensions: Magic Light AI, Supersharp AI, Focus Stacking, Upscale, Background Removal AI, Noiseless AI and HDR Merge.

Most photographers find Upscale (the ability to enlarge photos without loss of quality), Background Removal and HDR Merge particularly useful.

Magic Light AI is fun for making any light source in your photo look like a star, and Noiseless and Supersharp AI are great to clean up images.

With the PRO Plan, you’ll also be able to download any future Neo Extensions free of charge.

(Since Skylum developed Neo on a modular framework, it’s highly likely there will be plenty more Extensions coming soon.)

Another reason to get the Luminar PRO Plan is if you own more than one computer – a laptop and a desktop, for example.

With the PRO Plan, you can use Luminar Neo on both computers, which is obviously more convenient.

This plan also includes a 10% discount in the Luminar Marketplace, where you can purchase additional Looks and Presets.

2. Luminar LIFETIME Plan (Best No-Subscription Option)

$149 one-time payment. (Use code shotkit10neo to save $10)

What does the LIFETIME Plan include?:

• Luminar Neo Photo Editor
• Software updates
• Insiders community access
• 30 days money back guarantee
• 24/7 technical support

Who is the LIFETIME Plan best for?

If you want to buy Luminar Neo outright as a one-time purchase, you should choose the LIFETIME Plan.

This plan is great if you dislike paying for a software subscription.

However, the upfront price is much more than the other two plans.

This plan doesn’t include any future upgrades, but you will benefit from updates – see the difference below.

With the LIFETIME Plan, you have to buy the Extensions individually or as part of an Extensions Pack ($299)

Each Extension ranges from $24.50 to $29.50, so if you’re sure you only need one or two, it can work out better to buy them individually.

3. Luminar EXPLORE Plan

$99 when paid annually or $9.95 when paid monthly. (Use code shotkit10neo to save $10)

What does the EXPLORE Plan include?:

• Luminar Neo Photo Editor
• All upgrades
• Software updates
• 5% Marketplace discounts
• Insiders community access
• 30 days money back guarantee
• 24/7 technical support

Who is the EXPLORE Plan best for?

This plan is best for anyone who wants to benefit from all future Luminar Neo upgrades as well as updates.

None of the Extensions is included, and you can’t purchase them separately.

(You should only choose the EXPLORE plan if you are absolutely certain you’ll never need to add functionality to Luminar Neo.)

This plan includes a 5% discount in the Luminar Marketplace, where you can purchase additional Looks and Presets.

My Recommended Way to Buy Luminar in 2023

When Luminar Neo was first released, it was only available for a one-time purchase (i.e., you could own it outright with no subscription).

This suited many users, particularly those who were looking for an alternative to Lightroom, which is a subscription-only photo editor.

Now Skylum lets users choose between 3 ways to buy Luminar – 2 of which are subscription options.

While the option to buy Luminar outright is attractive, it’s still quite a lot of money to spend in one go.

With the PRO and EXPLORE plans, you now have the ability to use one of the best photo editing tools on the market for under $10 a month.

Another advantage of choosing the Luminar PRO plan is that you immediately gain access to $383 worth of Extensions).

Out of the 7 Extensions currently available, you’re sure to find a few that are useful or fun.

(Personally, I use the Upscale and Background Removal Extensions a lot and find Magic Light a lot of fun.)

Also, the PRO plan is the only one that lets you use Luminar Neo on two computers.

So, my recommendation is to buy Luminar on the PRO plan as it’s the best value option.

FAQs About Buying Luminar Neo

What’s the difference between Updates and Upgrades?

Updates are changes to a particular version of the Luminar software. An upgrade is a whole new version of the software/another software that represents a significant change or major improvement.

What’s the difference between the EXPLORE and PRO plans?

In both plans, you get access to the Luminar Neo photo editor app, but with the Pro plan, you also get:

• Immediate access to all existing pro-level Extensions and future access to any new Extensions as soon as they are released.
• Extensions include AI-based tools for sharpening, upscaling, noise reduction, focus stacking, merging HDR images, background removal, light manipulation, etc.
• The possibility to use Luminar Neo on two devices instead of one
• A bigger discount (10% instead of 5%) on Marketplace items (Skies, Presets, LUTs, Overlays, etc.)

What’s the difference between the EXPLORE and LIFETIME plans?

With both the Explore plan and a lifetime license, you get access to the Luminar Neo photo editor app. With the Explore plan, you also get the following:

• All major platform updates, in addition to performance and functionality improvements.
• You will always have the latest software version, even if an entirely new product version is released.
• A 5% discount on Marketplace items (Skies, Presets, LUTs, Overlays, etc.)

What’s the difference between the PRO and LIFETIME plans?

With both the Pro plan and a lifetime license, you get access to the Luminar Neo photo editor app. With the Pro plan, you also get the following:

• Immediate access to all existing pro-level Extensions and future access to any new Extensions as soon as they are released.
• Extensions include AI-based tools for sharpening, upscaling, noise reduction, focus stacking, merging HDR images, background removal, and light manipulation.)
• All major platform updates, in addition to performance and functionality improvements. You will always have the latest software version, even if an entirely new Luminar version is released.
• The possibility to use Luminar Neo on two devices instead of one
• A 10% discount on Marketplace items (Skies, Presets, LUTs, Overlays. etc.)

How can you buy the Luminar Extensions?

Extensions are available to monthly and annual PRO plan subscribers, or you can buy the Extensions Pack if you buy the LIFETIME Luminar Neo license. You can also buy Extensions separately inside Luminar Neo or in My Account on the Skylum website.

How does the money-back guarantee work?

You have 30 days after the purchase date to try Luminar Neo to see if it suits your needs. If you’re not 100% satisfied, you can contact Skylum support to request a full refund.

Is Luminar a one-time purchase?

Yes, you can buy Luminar as a one-time purchase on the LIFETIME plan. However, there are also two subscription options available too, which may be more suitable for you.

Do professional photographers use Luminar?

Luminar Neo is designed for every level – from complete beginner photographers to seasoned professionals – you can learn more in our guide on how to use Luminar Neo. However, pros will likely use it more as a plugin in conjunction with other image editing software such as Lightroom.

I’m a professional photographer and use Luminar Neo as a plugin for Lightroom.

Should I buy Luminar AI or Luminar Neo?

Luminar AI is no longer available, making the decision simple. If you already own Luminar AI, there are several key differences between Luminar Neo and Luminar Neo that may encourage you to upgrade.

Is Luminar 4 discontinued?

Luminar 4 is no longer available to purchase. It was replaced by Luminar AI, which has now been superseded by Luminar Neo.

Is there a Luminar Neo free trial?

No, there isn’t a free trial of Luminar Neo, but there is a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can test the software with the option of getting a full refund if it doesn’t suit you.