# Luminar vs Image Studio Pro

The clearest difference is ratings volume: Luminar at 4.8K against Image Studio Pro's 1. Luminar also leads on chart position (#172 vs unranked) and iOS requirement (17.0 vs 26.0). Image Studio Pro's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.8). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Luminar sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days and Image Studio Pro sells 9 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Image Studio Pro holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Luminar has 4.8K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Luminar ships an update every 9 days, Image Studio Pro fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on November 12, 2026 and November 9, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Luminar | Image Studio Pro |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.8 (4.8K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/luminar-photo-editor-and-enhancer/id6476109261/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/image-studio-pro/id6757129721/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **4.8K** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 41.5% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 9 days** | Fortnightly |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#172** | — |
| Size | 670 MB | 5 MB |
| Requires iOS | **17.0** | 26.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Vision Pro** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Skylum](https://appshunter.io/developer/1457042223) | [Scott Manley](https://appshunter.io/developer/1864388985) |

## What reviewers say

### Luminar

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/luminar-photo-editor-and-enhancer/id6476109261)

**Currently charting:** #172 Top Grossing · Photo & Video (US App Store)

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:** Family Sharing, iPhone Duo support

**In-app purchases (8)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 1 Week | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| 1 Month | $14.99 | per month |
| 12 Months | $39.99 | per year |
| 1 Year | $39.99 | per year |
| Prime subscription | $69.99 | per year |
| 12 Months + Prime | $79.99 | per year |
| Lifetime | $69.99 | one-time |
| Lifetime Web + Desktop | $99.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

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

**Requested features**

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


### Image Studio Pro

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/image-studio-pro/id6757129721)

This app offers professional-grade photo editing tools for iPhone and iPad users. It provides advanced adjustments for color, exposure, and creative effects, with a focus on a non-destructive workflow and on-device processing for privacy.

**Highlights:** Professional adjustments (exposure, contrast, tone curve), Advanced color grading (HSL, split toning), Creative effects (sharpening, noise reduction, glow), Smart cropping with social media presets, Non-destructive editing workflow, On-device processing for privacy

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (9)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monochrome Master | $1.99 | one-time |
| Landscape | $1.99 | one-time |
| Vintage Collection | $1.99 | one-time |
| Portrait Pro | $1.99 | one-time |
| Creative Effects | $2.99 | one-time |
| Modern Looks | $2.99 | one-time |
| Film Classics | $2.99 | one-time |
| Cinematic | $2.99 | one-time |
| Unlock All Styles | $14.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Luminar free?

Luminar is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Image Studio Pro free?

Image Studio Pro is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Luminar or Image Studio Pro?

Image Studio Pro is rated higher. Luminar averages 4.8 out of 5 from 4.8K ratings, while Image Studio Pro averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do Luminar or Image Studio Pro have ads?

Neither Luminar nor Image Studio Pro shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Luminar or Image Studio Pro?

Luminar ships an update every 9 days, and Image Studio Pro fortnightly. Most recently, Luminar was updated on November 12, 2026 and Image Studio Pro on November 9, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*