What’s The Best Way to Buy Luminar in 2024?

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 also a one-time purchase (i.e., no subscription).

Whichever plan you choose, read our Luminar Neo review and use the code shotkit10neo to save $10.

How Much Does Skylum Luminar Neo Cost?

Luminar Neo is available for two 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.

NB. The Luminar Neo price changes multiple times during the year depending on the season and limited-time offers, which is why I haven’t listed the exact Luminar Neo price options in this article.

1. Luminar PRO Plan (Recommended)

Pricing options for 24 months, 12 months or 1 month. (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 losing 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 can also 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.

Remember, this is a Luminar Neo subscription – you need to pay each month, 12 months or 24 months.

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

This is the only Luminar Neo lifetime license option – a 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
• 1 Perpetual license (yours forever)

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, buying them individually can work out better.

Remember, this is a Luminar Neo one time purchase – you’ll pay once and own it forever.

My Recommended Way to Buy Luminar in 2024

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 looking for an alternative to Lightroom, a subscription-only photo editor.

Now Skylum lets users choose between 2 ways to buy Luminar – 1 of which is a subscription option.

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 plan, 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.

Luminar Neo Pro vs Lifetime: What’s the Difference

With both the Pro plan and a Luminar Neo 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 Luminar Neo has now superseded. There is no longer a Lumianr AI price.

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.