HDR images are some of the hardest to get right. They often come out too highly processed and look terrible. In this Aurora HDR review, we run through what made this software special, what happened to it, and what you should use instead in 2026.
Verdict: 4/5. Aurora was the best HDR editor of its generation, but you can no longer buy it. Skylum folded it into Luminar Neo’s HDR Merge extension, which does everything Aurora did and more. Best for: existing owners who can keep using it. Everyone else, look at HDR Merge.
Luminar NEO and the HDR Merge Extension have replaced Aurora HDR. It brings Aurora’s Quantum HDR engine into a modern, actively developed editor. Learn more here.
Aurora HDR Is Discontinued: What Happened
Let’s deal with the elephant in the room first, because most reviews of this software still pretend it’s 2020. Skylum discontinued Aurora HDR in mid-2022. The last major release was Aurora HDR 2019, and new users can no longer purchase it. Skylum took everything Aurora did well, rebuilt it as the HDR Merge extension for Luminar Neo, and retired the standalone product.
What this means in practice:
- If you already own Aurora HDR: it keeps working, and you can keep using it. Just know that it receives no updates, so compatibility with future operating systems and new camera RAW formats is not guaranteed.
- If you were about to buy it: you can’t, at least not legitimately. Be wary of license keys from unofficial sellers. The official successor is Luminar Neo with the HDR Merge extension, which merges brackets, handles single-image HDR, and plugs into a full modern editor.
- If you just want great HDR software: skip to the alternatives section below, where we cover the successor and the surviving competition.
The rest of this review covers Aurora HDR as it shipped, both for the many photographers still running it and for anyone deciding whether the HDR Merge successor inherits a worthy legacy. Spoiler: it does.
What is HDR Photography?
HDR photography is a relatively new technique for photographers. It refers to capturing multiple takes of the same image at different exposure values and then using HDR software to merge these images to create a stunning photo. The result is an image that displays a higher dynamic range than would usually be possible in a single image taken in just one exposure. You can capture the highlights and shadows in remarkable detail and focus by using HDR photography.
Using this type of photography, you can create breathtakingly realistic recreations of what the eye can see. When you shoot just a single image, the range of lights and darks you can capture is limited. Cameras can only recreate a small dynamic range, but that changes when you add an HDR program into the mix.
HDR software, such as Aurora HDR or its successor HDR Merge, will take multiple images shot with varying exposure values, and carefully combine them using advanced algorithms. The result is a focused, high-contrast, accurate photo with a larger-than-life look and intensely bright colours. You can also make creative, painterly HDR images if that’s more your style, too.
One of our top photography tips is that this photography works particularly well for shooting still images such as cityscapes and landscapes. It’s not suited to capturing moving objects or people, as the result tends to be a blurred, unsatisfactory image.
For HDR photography, all you need is a camera, a tripod, and some HDR software. A tripod helps to keep your camera steady, making it easier to match up your shots for a seamless final image. It’s also a bonus if your camera has an Auto Exposure Bracketing Function, as this will save you time. If not, don’t worry, it just means that you’ll need to edit your exposure settings manually between each shot.
There are a few different HDR program options around. We’re reviewing Aurora HDR in this article, but we will also mention the best alternatives you can actually buy today. Now, onto the Aurora HDR review!
What Was Aurora HDR?
Aurora HDR was Skylum’s highly specialised software for creating top-quality HDR images. Skylum are the masterminds behind Luminar NEO photo-editing software and six other image processing apps. Skylum teamed up with the world-famous HDR photographer, Trey Ratcliff, to fuse their program-building knowledge with his HDR expertise. It was a winning combination.
First released in 2016, the original Aurora HDR 2017 version quickly became popular amongst photographers, both amateurs and pros. However, there were a fair few flaws in this first edition. Skylum listened carefully to their users and acted on their feedback, releasing Aurora HDR 2018 and then the final version, Aurora HDR 2019.
An all-new Quantum HDR engine powered that last release, and smart AI features and groundbreaking tone mapping technology took it to the next level. You could create some really spectacular images with no halos, overlaps, or chromatic aberrations. Additional photo editor functions allowed you to crop photos, correct colours, reduce noise, boost contrast, and more, all within Aurora.
You could use Aurora HDR as a standalone program, but it worked even better integrated with Lightroom, Apple Photos, or Photoshop. You could also run other Photoshop plugins within Aurora. This flexibility meant every photographer could find the right way to use Aurora within their established workflow.
We have just updated our best tablet for photo editing article here if you’re looking to do some mobile editing.
At retirement, Aurora HDR sold for $99.00, or $149 bundled with Luminar, with a 60-day money-back guarantee and an unlimited free trial. None of those offers exist anymore, which is exactly why the successor matters. The equivalent path today is Luminar Neo with the HDR Merge extension, which carries Skylum’s current trial and guarantee terms.
Pros:
- Amazing HDR photos
- Smart AI features
- Easy to use for beginners and pros
- Intuitive interface
- Great additional photo editing features
Cons:
- The advanced selection tools are quite limited
- There’s no healing brush when you use Aurora as a standalone program
- Waiting for an image to load can take a long time
- Discontinued: no updates, and new users can’t buy it