ON1 is a powerful photo editing and AI tools without a subscription.
I’ve dabbled in digital graphic arts since I was the wee age of 8 or 9 years old. You see, I grew up around video production and post-production in the era before Photoshop and the suite of Adobe products became standard. My first hands-on experience with graphic creation came through the Chyron Generator, a tool that taught me the fundamentals of layering, compositing, and visual storytelling. Those skills directly translate to the powerful capabilities we now take for granted in modern photo editing software.
Even though the grandmaster of modern photo editing is Photoshop and its sister Adobe apps, there are a lot of great alternatives out there. Ever since Adobe switched to a subscription method of distribution for their software, I’ve been trying out the other graphic design apps in the market. Lightroom has actually been the hardest to replace — but not impossible. ON1 has filled that void for me and made it that much easier to walk away from Adobe. For the purposes of this review, I’m going to be focusing on how ON1 can replace Lightroom and add some fantastic value to photo editing workflows thanks to its layered-based editing tools, AI-powered tools, and RAW Processing.
About ON1
ON1, originally known as onOne Software, was founded in 2005 in Portland, Oregon, by Craig Keudell with just four employees. The company began by acquiring popular Photoshop plug-ins from Extensis and LizardTech—including Genuine Fractals, Mask Pro, and PhotoFrame—kicking off its mission to build easy, effective photo software for photographers. Over the years, ON1 has evolved from a plug-in developer into a full-featured editing platform, culminating in the launch of ON1 Photo RAW. The company has consistently led the way in creating software built specifically for photographers.
Background Info
Launched in 2016 after development began in 2014, ON1 Photo RAW was created to provide an all-in-one professional photo editing workflow. Combining raw processing, AI-powered tools, layer-based editing, and organization, the app eliminates the need for multiple software solutions. Designed with usability and accessibility in mind, ON1 Photo RAW caters to professional and enthusiast photographers—covering landscape, portrait, wedding, and commercial photography—who want a powerful, flexible editing solution without a subscription lock-in.
Tech Stack
ON1 Photo RAW is built using C++ and the Qt framework, enabling seamless deployment across Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. The software leverages GPU acceleration via Vulkan shaders to ensure high-performance image processing, while proprietary AI and machine learning models power features like NoNoise AI and Super Select AI.
Main Features
Core Editing Tools
Develop Module: Advanced RAW processing for tone, color, exposure, and contrast. Local Adjustments: Gradient, brush, and masking tools for fine-tuning specific areas. Filters & Effects: Over 30 effects like Vintage, Grunge, and Dynamic Contrast; stack and blend them in layers. Masking Tools: AI masks, masking brushes, gradient masks, luminosity masks, line masks, color range, and depth masks.AI-Powered Features
Super Select AI: Intelligent selection tool for quick adjustments. Generative Erase AI: Remove unwanted elements seamlessly. Generative Crop AI: Expand images intelligently with content-aware filling. Depth Lighting Filter: AI-generated depth maps to relight scenes. Highest Quality Model: Generative AI model for enhancing sharpness and removing noise during enlargements.Creative Filters
Split Field Filter: Apply different adjustments to each half of your photo with a smooth, adjustable transition. Double Exposure Filter: Blend two photos together with control over blending modes, opacity, and masking. Motion Filter: Add realistic motion blur to moving subjects or simulate dynamic panning effects.Layer-Based Editing
Mask Layers: Apply multiple masks to the same layer, each with its own settings. Improved Mask Quality: Cleaner edges, better hair and fur detection, and smarter feathering around tricky details. Adding Filter Improvements: Filters now load faster, preview more smoothly, and use improved AI masking to target the right areas automatically.Mobile Integration
ON1 Photo RAW for Mobile: Edit on the go with iOS and Android apps. Super Select AI on Mobile: Tap directly on areas of your photo to make adjustments—no masking, no brushing, no guesswork. Cloud Sync: Sync photos and non-destructive edits across multiple devices.Plugin Support
Plugin Capabilities: Launch Photo RAW and all its tools as plugins inside Photoshop, Lightroom Classic, Apple Photos, Capture One, Affinity Photo, and Corel PaintShop Pro.Additional Features
No Subscription Required: Includes all of the ON1 editing tools. 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee: Risk-free trial. World-Class Support: Access to training videos and customer support. You Own Your Photos: No cloud storage lock-in.Pricing and Availability
As of writing this review, ON1 is offering their newest iteration of the app for $119.99 (pre-order) as a one-time fee license or $79.99/year, which includes 200GB Cloud Sync and Future Upgrades. A subscription is not required to use ON1 and there is also a free trial.
Compared to Adobe’s pricing ecosystem, which requires an ongoing subscription for Lightroom and Photoshop (among other tools), ON1 provides a more flexible, cost-effective option for photographers who prefer to own their software outright while still accessing powerful editing and AI tools.
Privacy Policy
According to ON1’s privacy policy, ON1 Photo RAW collects basic personal information linked to you, including your name, email address, and country or postal code. This data is used for product activation, ownership verification, customer support, refund processing, sending product updates and notifications, and determining eligibility for upgrade pricing. ON1 does not sell your personal information and only shares it with trusted service providers under strict confidentiality agreements. All data is transmitted securely with encryption and stored in a protected database, with compliance to PCI and GDPR standards.
The full privacy policy can be found here.
Setup & Installation
ON1 Photo Raw Max can be downloaded directly from on1.com. Once you purchase a license, you can access it from your account when you log into the ON1 website or log into the app after you download it. There are a few permissions to enable upon startup, but aside from that, you can start using the app as soon as it’s installed.
Managing Your Photos: Lightroom vs. ON1 Photo RAW
One the big differences between Lightroom and ON1 is how they handle files. Lightroom uses a catalog system to manage photos, while ON1 Photo RAW interacts directly with the files where they live on your drive. As a result, ON1 creates sidecar files next to the original file to store any edits, AI adjustments or metadata. I wasn’t expecting that and was confused at first about all the IMG_XXX.on1 files I was seeing on my computer. Then I discovered it was all in how ON1 handles files. The big advantage to this type of file system is that it’s more flexible than a Lightroom catalogue. Here’s a breakdown of the differences of each.
FeatureLightroom (Catalog-Based)ON1 Photo RAW (File-Based / Sidecar)OrganizationPowerful centralized catalog; advanced search, keywords, collectionsFlexible file-based system; less advanced search and filteringEditingNon-destructive, stored in catalog; works well with PhotoshopNon-destructive, stored in sidecar files; built-in layers and AI toolsWorkflowRequires importing files into catalog; structured workflowWorks directly with existing files; flexible workflowPerformanceFast browsing with large libraries using previewsPerformance can vary with large folders; previews stored in databaseBackup / PortabilityCatalog can be backed up or synced to cloudSidecar files must be maintained; edits tied to file locationLearning CurveModerate; catalog system may confuse beginnersModerate; file-based approach may feel unfamiliar to catalog usersIntegrationStrong with Adobe ecosystemAll-in-one editing; no additional software needed for many tasksRisk of Data LossCatalog corruption can lose editsDeleting sidecar files removes edits, originals remain safeUser Experience
From the get-go, I found ON1 familiar. The interface of ON1 Photo RAW is intuitive for both new and experienced users. As someone proficient with Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop, I found it fairly easy to navigate the app. Many of the same tools available in Lightroom are present in ON1, which allowed me to keep a similar editing workflow.
The organization of modules such as Develop, Effects, Layers, and Browse makes it simple to find the tools I needed. Most of my work was done using the Develop tools, but I also explored some of the more advanced AI features during testing. Overall, the app feels very intuitive, particularly for users with prior experience in graphic design or photo editing software. Beginners may encounter a few learning curves, but ON1 provides a comprehensive knowledge base that addresses most questions and helps users get up to speed quickly.
process > export workflow, but in ON1, I found that I first needed to place the images I want to edit into catalog folders before processing and exporting. This made it possible to find the photos I was focusing on quickly and know that they were already in the right spot. Also, by doing this step, you ensure the sidecar files are contained to one location on your system rather than being scattered around. The ability to create subfolders directly within the app is a helpful feature that streamlines organization.
In terms of speed and responsiveness, ON1 performs well during the editing process. I tested it on a 2024 14-inch M4 MacBook Pro with 24GB of memory and did not experience any noticeable lag. The app does use more system resources than some other applications, but this is comparable to the demands of Lightroom, making its performance feel solid and reliable.
The majority of my photo editing ends up being related to the products I’m reviewing. Therefore, I typically don’t replace backgrounds or other elements. That said, I specifically found a picture I took of the ocean a few years ago just so I could replace the sky with a sunset. It was remarkable how quickly ON1 recognized the sky and with a few simple adjustments, I made it look like it was the native sky from when I captured the image. I’m excited about the new features that are being rolled out with the next iteration of the app given the ease of using the AI options that are already included.
Conclusion
ON1 Photo RAW is a strong Lightroom alternative, offering a robust set of tools for professional and enthusiast photographers. Its combination of layered editing, AI-powered features, and flexible file management makes it ideal for those seeking an all-in-one photo editing solution without committing to a subscription. While the file-handling approach may require some adjustment, the flexibility, performance, and powerful feature set make ON1 Photo RAW a compelling option for anyone looking to step away from the Adobe ecosystem.
For more information, visit on1.com
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