If you’re a photographer looking for the perfect alternative to Lightroom, then 2025 is your year. Renowned for its powerful editing tools and innovative features, ON1 Photo RAW has been named the best Lightroom alternative in a recent review by Micro Four Nerds in their video Best Lightroom Alternatives for 2025 (watch it at 11:05).

Recently posted on the YouTube channel Micro Four Nerds (be sure to subscribe), the video highlights ON1 Photo RAW’s features, including the masking capabilities, presets, responsiveness, and the option for a perpetual license (subscription-free model). As of this posting, the video has received over 64,000 views! ON1 Photo RAW is perfect for photographers seeking more control over their workflows and budgets. The reviewer also notes ON1’s speed and flexibility, making it an ideal choice for beginners and professionals alike. Check out the blog post here to read the written review.

From the blog:
“The sliders seem very similar to Lightroom and the interface is modern and snappy. It felt lighter on my machine compared to Luminar.

There’s even some Photoshop-style features like Ai generated canvas expanding, so if you only lightly use Photoshop, then this could be a solution for both in one.

You can add LUTs as presets, and they organize in folders really neatly — much neater than Luminar — so if you use presets in Lightroom, this is going to be the closest alternative.

It also has the Orton Effect glow, and quite a few similar features to Luminar, as well as some photoshop style things… as well as just being quite logical and intuitive.”

Why ON1 Photo RAW?

Here’s why we think ON1 Photo RAW deserves its spot at the top:

  • Advanced AI Features: Powerful tools like AI Masking, AI Sky Swap, and Generative Fill elevate your editing.
  • Flexibility: Unlike many competitors, you’re not locked into a subscription.
  • Workflow Efficiency: Lightning-fast import and cataloging, plus exceptional editing speed.
  • All-in-One Solution: Everything you need to organize, edit, and export your photos. It’s like having Lightroom and Photoshop in one app!

Whether you’re a hobbyist or a seasoned pro, ON1 Photo RAW 2025 truly raises the bar, proving that excellent photo editing software doesn’t have to come with limitations.

Curious to see what all the hype is about? Check out the free 30-day trial to experience ON1 Photo RAW!