A good Lightroom plugin can make your life a lot easier, at least when it comes to streamlining your photo editing process. So, to help you improve your post-processing workflow, here is a list of the 21 best Lightroom plugins!
Adobe Lightroom Classic is the most popular photo editor and organizer in the market. It stands out for its wide selection of editing features and its powerful image cataloging system.
However, although it is a fairly comprehensive program, it can sometimes be a bit limited. Fortunately, Lightroom supports many plugins that allow you to increase its functionality. You only need to find the ones that fit you the most.
But, before heading into the 21 best Adobe Lightroom plugins, let’s clarify a few things:
What is a Plugin for Lightroom?
Plugins (also called add-ons) are pieces of software designed to work within another program, in this case, Lightroom. They are complements that provide additional tools for enhancing your retouching process without having to switch programs.
Some plugins may come with Lightroom presets, but they are not the same thing. A Lightroom preset is a series of default settings for editing images in one click. They work like a customizable filter and are perfect for batch editing and defining a uniform aesthetic within a project.
Moreover, many Lightroom plugins also work as standalone apps or extensions for Photoshop and other programs. What’s more, most paid options offer a free trial version that you can download and test for a limited amount of time before purchasing.
Still, keep in mind that most plugins are only available for the desktop version of Lightroom (Adobe Lightroom Classic). The mobile version (formerly called Lightroom CC and now simply Lightroom) is more limited.
You can also check out our post here on how to make and sell lightroom presets.
How to Install a Lightroom Plugin?
Installing a plugin in Lightroom is pretty quick and straightforward. If you have never done it before, here is what you should do:
- Download the plugin and unzip the zip file.
- Open Lightroom.
- Go to File > Plug-in Manager.
- In the dialog box that opens, click “Add” in the low left corner.
- Select the plugin you want. You should choose a folder with a name ending in “.lrplugin”.
- Click “Done” and then restart Lightroom.
Et voilà! Your new plugin is ready to use.
It goes without saying that you should always download your plugins from reliable sources and follow all instructions and recommendations given by the plugin developer, if any.
Now that you know how to install Lightroom plugins, let’s dive into our list of recommended options:
21 Best Plugins for Adobe Lightroom Classic
Here is a varied selection of useful plugins for Lightroom, with both free and paid options for Windows and Mac users. We included software to simplify your workflow, advanced photo enhancement tools for professionals, and other alternatives for creative image editing.
Without further ado, here are our top 21 picks:
1. Luminar NEO
Price: subscription from around $99/year
Website: Skylum Luminar NEO
Skylum Luminar NEO uses artificial intelligence to enhance your photos in seconds. It provides quick, professional-looking results in a convenient, intuitive interface. In short, it is perfect for those who don’t want to spend much time editing.
Luminar NEO works as a plugin for Lightroom and Photoshop or as a standalone app if you prefer. Its key features include AI sky replacement, portrait and skin retouching tools, color editing, creative presets, and more.
If you want to know more about Skylum Luminar NEO, read our in-depth Luminar Neo review here!
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