Comparison

MaxCurve vs Luminar

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

MaxCurve

This professional photo editor offers advanced curve editing with 28 unique curve types, surpassing even desktop software. It includes a manual camera, HDR, layers, masks, and blend modes for detailed image reconstruction and artistic expression.

Highlights
  • 28 comprehensive curve editing tools
  • Pro manual camera controls
  • Layer management with blend modes
  • Masking and channel adjustments
  • HDR and vignette tools
  • Sync with Photoshop via Wi-Fi
Read full description

Best Apps of 2016, as Chosen by Apple. MaxCurve is a professional photo editor, which has the most comprehensive curve editing function and pro manual camera. MaxCurve achieves great innovation with 28 curves, most of which users have never seen on other apps. Even Photoshop can't achieve such an exquisite adjustment performance. Furthermore, manual camera, HDR, layer, channel, mask, preset, blend mode, opacity, crop and vignette are available. MaxCurve is able to edit every detail of your photos to its maximum design and also help to perfectly reconstruct your photography works. It's an indispensable app for photographers, and an essential tool serving as great assistant for artists. "MaxCurve should satisfy even the most perfectionist image editors." -- DPReview "Take your iPhone photography to new levels with MaxCurve." -- App Advice "MaxCurve brings professional image editing that even goes beyond some of the Photoshop curve functions. Recommended." -- Life in LoFi "Even more powerful desktop applications like Photoshop don’t offer the same level of control over some of their adjustments as MaxCurve does through its diverse range of curves tools." -- iPhone Photography School RGB KIT - RGB, Red, Green and Blue curves CMYK KIT - CMYK, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black curves LIGHTNESS KIT - Contrast/Lightness curve - Exposure/Lightness curve, like shadow/highlight in Photoshop - Gamma/Lightness curve - Temperature/Lightness curve - Lightness/Hue curve, like hue/saturation in Photoshop - Black & White/Hue curve, best BW tool ever HSL KIT - Hue curve, like hue/saturation in Photoshop - Hue/Saturation curve - Hue/Lightness curve, like color balance in Photoshop - Saturation curve - Saturation/Hue curve - Saturation/Lightness curve LAB KIT - a curve - a/Luminosity curve - Copy a to b curve - b curve - b/Luminosity curve - Copy b to a curve - Luminosity curve LAYER KIT - Manage curves using maximum 40 layers - Add color layer, texture layer or self-blending layer; then set blend modes like in Photoshop - Adjust blending opacity using curves - Add mask for every layer CHANNEL KIT - RGB, CMYK, HSL and LAB channels - Check and adjust channels separately MORE KITS - HDR brings a stunning look to your image by using one image - Crop, rotation, mirror and ratio tools - Sharpness, blur, grain, structure and vignette tools - Powerful history function with snapshot - Pixelate and border tools MANUAL CAMERA - Adjust the exposure, ISO, shutter speed, temperature and focus by manual - Use the presets to be the filters while taking photos - Use it as a standalone camera SYNC TO PHOTOSHOP - MaxCurve can be linked to your Mac or PC's Photoshop using Wi-Fi, import images from Photoshop and export them back again after processing - Output presets as the format of 3D LUT, and use them in the function named 'Color Lookup' of Photoshop - You can perform collaborative work with Photoshop like a plugin, first of its kind ever created PROFESSIONAL EDIT - Process and save images as FULL size without downscaling resolution - Support for JPEG, TIFF, PNG and RAW (CRW, CR2, DNG, ARW, RAF, ORF, NEF, MRW, PEF, and others) - Reserve EXIF and GPS information as original picture - Add copyright info into EXIF, or add watermark for protecting your copyright - Choice of export quality - Analyze pictures by professional histogram and gradient map - Open MaxCurve in system's Photos app, and have it serve as a filter extension - Support is available for split view on iPad and 3D touch SHARE CURVES - Save curves into presets for subsequent and future use - We set up an online curve sharing platform for users to share photography artworks and curves without registration - Find inspiration on a publication highlighting creativity from around the globe - Save curves of other photographers to local presets Have suggestions or problems? Contact us via email: support@ maxcurve. net

About

Luminar

This app offers powerful AI-driven photo editing tools for mobile devices. It features intuitive controls, smart enhancements for skies, lighting, and skin, and a range of editing options for composition and style. Supports RAW files and integrates with Apple devices.

Highlights
  • AI Sky Replacement
  • AI Photo Enhancement
  • AI Skin Retouching
  • AI Body Shaping
  • RAW File Editing
  • Intuitive Gesture Controls
  • Photo Filters
Features
Read full description

Luminar — Your all-in-one, on-the-go photo editor and creative companion for iPhone, iPad and Vision Pro. Explore powerful AI-driven tools and an interactive interface that responds to your touch, delivering a uniquely engaging photo editing experience. Streamlined design with unparalleled control Luminar's user-friendly design allows you to edit your photos with intuitive gestures, featuring smoothly gliding sliders and spinning dials that respond realistically to your touch with motion and sound. With Luminar, there are no complicated functions or processes. Less fuss, more creativity. Smart AI enhancements Powered by cutting-edge technology, Luminar is the revolutionary smart AI photo enhancer for your every need: - SkyAI: Seamlessly replace dull skies with brilliant ones for impressive backdrops - EnhanceAI: Effortlessly enhance photo quality with a single slide, adjusting color, tone and clarity for professional results in seconds - StructureAI: Unlock hidden details and clarity in your images, enhancing contrast and texture for striking visual impact - Light Depth: Add natural depth and dimension with AI-powered, depth-aware lighting - FaceAI: Automatically enhance face features, brighten the face and subtly refine proportions - SkinAI: Automatically retouch the skin and remove imperfections for a clean and smooth result - BodyAI: Shape a subject’s midsection in a realistic way by adding or removing volume - BokehAI: Blur backgrounds, adjust focus, customize bokeh shapes All-in-one powerhouse - Curves: Edit photos with precise color and tone adjustments, achieving the perfect balance and mood - Details: Enhance every detail with just a tap, bringing your images to life with clarity and sharpness - Crop: Easily trim, align, flip and rotate for the perfect composition, ensuring your images stand out - Landscape: Transform your landscapes with ease and enhance golden hour lighting, brighten foliage, or remove haze for breathtaking results - Monochrome: Convert your color photos to stunning black and white masterpieces, adding depth and mood to your images - Erase: Effortlessly remove distracting elements from your photos to place focus on your subjects - Photo Filters: Enjoy a diverse collection of photo effects that add a unique style to your shots - RAW File Support: Edit your RAW photos directly on your mobile, preserving maximum image quality Seamless integration with Apple devices Designed for the Apple ecosystem, Luminar makes it easy to edit photos taken on your iPhone or iPad, enhancing your editing workflow. On the iPad, you can add personal touches using the Apple Pencil for sharper details and convenient edits. Plus, discover a new immersive editing experience with Vision Pro, optimized for iPadOS and VisionOS. Luminar — Envision more Whether you're a beginner or a pro, the Luminar AI photo editor offers a range of features to suit your needs, including detail enhancement, photo retouching, color adjustment, and more. Try Luminar now and experience next-level photo editing at your fingertips. Compatibility Note: The Luminar picture editor is optimized for devices running iOS/iPadOS 17 and newer. Please note that on iPad 6-gen, certain advanced features such as Erase, Sky AI and Relight AI are not available. To access all features, you need to purchase one of the plans below: 1 Week subscription 12 Months subscription (+7 days free trial. Once the trial is over, you will be charged a yearly subscription) Lifetime license Subscriptions auto-renew at the cost of the chosen package, unless canceled 24-hours in advance prior to the end of the current period. The subscription fee is charged to your iTunes account at confirmation of purchase. You may manage your subscription and turn off auto-renewal by going to your Account Settings after purchase. Privacy Policy: https://skylum.com/legal Terms of use: https://skylum.com/legal-eula

Screenshots

MaxCurve4 screens
Luminar4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Luminar at Free against MaxCurve's $0.99. Luminar also leads on update cadence (every 9 days vs every 4 weeks) and chart position (#148 vs unranked). MaxCurve's advantage is review sentiment (81% vs 42%) and in-app purchases (none vs 14). On rating, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Luminar is free to download; MaxCurve costs $0.99 up front. Luminar sells 11 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. MaxCurve asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for MaxCurve against 4.8 for Luminar. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Luminar has 4.7K ratings behind it against 922, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 81% of MaxCurve's written reviews are positive against 42% of Luminar's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

MaxCurve ships an update every 4 weeks, Luminar every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 27, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 3 level
MaxCurve versus Luminar: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMaxCurveLuminar
Price$0.99Free — better
Rating4.7 (922 ratings)4.8 (4.7K ratings) — better
Positive reviews80.5% of reviews — better41.6% of reviews
Number of ratings9224.7K — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 weeksEvery 9 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
Best chart rank—#148 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Vision Pro
Requires iOS8.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size112 MB667 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer晓东 王Skylum

Customer experience

MaxCurve

All ratings921 ratings
Positive92.8%
Neutral2.8%
Negative4.3%
Written reviews257 reviews
Positive80.5%
Neutral8.2%
Negative11.3%

Luminar

All ratings4,700 ratings
Positive95.1%
Neutral1.3%
Negative3.5%
Written reviews811 reviews
Positive41.6%
Neutral13.6%
Negative44.9%

User reviews

MaxCurve

From 922 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Powerful photo editing capabilities
  • 👍 Intuitive and user-friendly interface
  • 🎨 Excellent color correction and curve tools
  • 💻 Great for desktop and mobile editing
  • 🖌️ Versatile layering and blending options

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional crashes and stability issues
  • 🔁 Lack of updates and bug fixes
  • 📱 Compatibility problems with newer devices/OS
  • 💰 Concerns about in-app purchases and subscription model
  • 🤔 Steep learning curve for some advanced features

Luminar

From 4.7K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Powerful editing tools
  • 👍 Intuitive and easy to use
  • 🎨 Great AI-powered features
  • 💡 Convenient mobile editing

Room to improve

  • 🔒 Subscription-only model
  • 🐛 Buggy and slow performance
  • 💰 Expensive subscription
  • 🔙 No option to save mid-edit

Bugs and requests

MaxCurve

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Lower interface elements being cut off
  • Filter masks appearing misaligned
  • Photos disappearing after editing
  • Frequent, unpredictable crashes

Requested features

5 requests
  • Local masking and selective editing tools
  • Levels and histogram adjustments
  • Skin smoothing and portrait enhancement
  • Improved undo/redo functionality
  • Expanded RAW file support

Luminar

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Crashes and freezes
  • Issues with saving and exporting
  • Inaccurate AI-powered tools

Requested features

4 requests
  • Batch editing and presets
  • Raw file support
  • Masking and local adjustments
  • Export options (PNG, TIFF)

In-app purchases

None

MaxCurve

No in-app purchases

11 purchases

Luminar

Subscriptions8
  • 1 Week2 variants$4.997 Days
  • 1 Month$14.991 Month
  • 6 Months$25.996 Months
Show 5 more
  • 12Months with monthly payment$39.991 Year
  • 12 Months7 Days trial$39.991 Year
  • 1 Year7 Days trial$39.991 Year
  • Prime subscription$69.991 Year
  • 12 Months + Prime7 Days trial$79.991 Year
One-time3
  • Lifetime2 variants$69.99
  • Lifetime Web + Desktop$99.99
  • Lifetime Access: Mobile + Desktop$179.99

Questions

Is MaxCurve free?
MaxCurve costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Luminar free?
Luminar is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, MaxCurve or Luminar?
Luminar is rated higher. MaxCurve averages 4.7 out of 5 from 922 ratings, while Luminar averages 4.8 from 4.7K ratings.
Do MaxCurve or Luminar have ads?
Neither MaxCurve nor Luminar shows ads.
Which is updated more often, MaxCurve or Luminar?
MaxCurve ships an update every 4 weeks, and Luminar every 9 days. Most recently, MaxCurve was updated on October 26, 2026 and Luminar on October 27, 2026.

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