Adobe Lightroom vs PhotoDirector
Adobe Lightroom
adobe.com
PhotoDirector
cyberlink.comSide by side
| Figure | Adobe Lightroom | PhotoDirector |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | Free |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | — |
| Android | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 9 | 5 |
| Spec score · AI Photo Editors | 9.3 (#1) | 8.5 (#31) |
| Spec score · Photo editors | 9.3 (#2) | 8.9 (#12) |
| Spec score · Photo Editing Software | 9.3 (#4) | 9.0 (#11) |
| Spec score · Photography Software | 9.3 (#1) | 8.4 (#8) |
| AI retouching | Yes | Yes |
| Batch editing | Yes | Yes |
| Cloud sync | Yes | Yes |
| Founded | 1982 | 1996 |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Headquarters | San Jose, California, USA | New Taipei City, Taiwan |
| Masking tools | Yes | Yes |
| Platform | multi-platform | multi-platform |
| Purpose | Lightroom is a cloud-based service for creating, editing, organizing, storing, and sharing photos across devices. | PhotoDirector is generative-AI photo editing software for creating, enhancing, and transforming images, aimed at beginners and experienced editors. |
| RAW photo support | Yes | Yes |
Plans
Adobe Lightroom
- Creative Cloud Pro for students and teachersPrice not published
- Creative Cloud Pro for students and teachersPriced on request
- Lightroom for teamsPriced on request
- Lightroom for teamsPrice not published
- Creative Cloud Pro for teamsPrice not published
- Creative Cloud Pro for teamsPriced on request
- Lightroom$11.99 a month
- Photography$19.99 a month
- Creative Cloud ProPrice not published
PhotoDirector
- PhotoDirector 365 EssentialFree
- PhotoDirector 365Price not published
- PhotoDirector 2027$119.99 a month
- PhotoDirector EssentialFree
- PhotoDirector 2027$119.99, paid once
In their own words
Adobe Lightroom
Lightroom is Adobe’s cloud-based service for creating, editing, organizing, storing, and sharing photos across devices. Its photo libraries are searchable, and the editing toolkit includes RAW support, batch editing, masking, AI retouching, AI Lens Blur, Adaptive Presets, portrait Quick Actions, and sensor Dust Removal. Generative Remove uses Adobe Firefly to remove distractions, while Assisted Culling helps sort photos by image quality and group similar shots. Generative upscale with Topaz Gigapixel can enlarge images by up to 4x. Users can collaborate in shared albums, post to social network apps, or share with the Lightroom community. Lightroom is available on Android, iOS, macOS, web, and Windows, with a free mobile app and premium features available as an upgrade. Adobe offers a free plan and a 7-day trial; billing begins when the trial ends, with a further 14-day refund period described. Named plans include Lightroom, Photography, and Creative Cloud Pro, as well as student, teacher, and team options.
PhotoDirector
PhotoDirector is generative-AI photo editing software for creating, enhancing, and transforming images. Edit by Chat turns plain-language requests into guided editing actions, while Quick Action suggests changes such as enhancement, background blur, color correction, and cleanup. Generative features include image generation, image-to-video, character motion swap, multi-face swap, AI try-on, and object replacement. For detailed editing, PhotoDirector supports RAW files, batch work, image organization, layers, masks, blending modes, compositing, exposure, HSL, curves, sharpening, and lens correction. Its stock feature provides access to iStock by Getty Images. PhotoDirector Essential is free without a time limit, but advanced AI tools and selected export options are restricted. Mac and Windows versions are separate products, and a license does not transfer between them. Internet access is required for activation, subscription access, online services, some features, and updates. The free plan requires no payment information.