# Adobe Lightroom for iPad vs Capture One

The clearest difference is rating: Adobe Lightroom for iPad at 4.8 against Capture One's 3.5. Adobe Lightroom for iPad also leads on ratings volume (51K vs 331) and review sentiment (37% vs 18%). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Adobe Lightroom for iPad sells 11 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month and Capture One sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $10.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Adobe Lightroom for iPad holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Adobe Lightroom for iPad has 51K ratings behind it against 331, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 37% of Adobe Lightroom for iPad's written reviews are positive against 18% of Capture One's.

Adobe Lightroom for iPad ships an update every 2 weeks, Capture One fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 31, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Adobe Lightroom for iPad | Capture One |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (51K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/adobe-lightroom-for-ipad/id804177739/reviews)** | [3.5 (331 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/capture-one/id1514081672/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **51K** | 331 |
| Positive reviews | **37.1% of reviews** | 18.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 weeks** | Fortnightly |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 351 MB | 1.4 GB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **17.0** |
| Devices | iPad | **iPhone, iPad** |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Adobe Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/331646274) | [Capture One A/S](https://appshunter.io/developer/404906438) |

## What reviewers say

### Adobe Lightroom for iPad

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/adobe-lightroom-for-ipad/id804177739)

This app is a free photo and video editor that uses AI to enhance images. It offers tools for retouching, blurring backgrounds, removing distractions, and applying creative filters. Easily edit photos for social media or personal memories.

**Highlights:** AI-powered photo enhancement, Retouching and object removal, Background blur and bokeh effect, One-tap Quick Actions, Community-shared presets, Batch editing for consistency

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (11)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium Monthly 40GB | $1.99 | per month |
| Premium | $4.99 | per month |
| Premium Monthly 100GB | $6.99 | per month |
| Premium Monthly 100GB | $6.99 | per month |
| Premium Monthly 100GB | $7.99 | per month |
| Premium Weekly 100GB | $7.99 | per 7 days |
| Lightroom plan 1TB | $9.99 | per month |
| Premium Yearly 40GB | $19.99 | per year |
| Premium Yearly 40GB | $29.99 | per year |
| Premium Yearly 100GB | $39.99 | per year |
| Premium Yearly 100GB | $49.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fast and efficient editing
- 👍 Intuitive and user-friendly interface
- 💡 Powerful editing tools on the go
- 🔒 Seamless cloud sync across devices

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and performance issues
- 🔒 Restrictive subscription model
- 💰 Expensive monthly fees
- 🔍 Missing key features compared to desktop version

**Reported bugs**

- Syncing issues causing data loss
- Selective editing tools lagging and freezing
- Export limitations (max 15 photos at a time)
- Inconsistent performance across devices

**Requested features**

- Batch editing and renaming options
- HDR and panorama merging
- Expanded export options (raw, TIFF, etc.)
- Customizable color profiles and presets
- Improved organization and metadata management


### Capture One

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/capture-one/id1514081672)

Edit and organize RAW photos directly on your mobile device. Tether your camera for real-time shooting, apply edits instantly, and collaborate with clients through shared feedback and ratings. Seamlessly transition your work to desktop for final touches.

**Highlights:** Tether camera directly to mobile, Real-time shooting and review, RAW photo editing on the go, Instant style and look application, Client collaboration with feedback, External storage support, Supports 550+ camera models

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Capture One mobile | $10.99 | per month |
| All in One | $39.99 | per month |
| Capture One mobile | $109.00 | per year |
| All in One | $294.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Excellent tethering capability
- 👍 Intuitive and easy-to-use interface
- 🚀 Fast image rendering
- 👍 Great for culling and rating photos on the go
- 👍 Seamless integration with desktop Capture One

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and stability issues
- 🔒 Requires separate subscription even for desktop users
- 👎 Severely limited editing features compared to desktop version
- 👎 Slow cloud sync and lack of external storage support
- 👎 Unintuitive file management and export workflow

**Reported bugs**

- Inability to log in due to keyboard not appearing
- Inconsistent behavior when importing and exporting photos
- Crashes when attempting to use certain editing features
- Issues with wireless tethering and connection stability

**Requested features**

- Add layers, masks, curves, and other advanced editing tools
- Enable direct import from camera/SD card, not just cloud sync
- Allow opening and editing desktop Capture One sessions/catalogs
- Improve tethering functionality with live view and camera control
- Provide option to purchase app outright instead of subscription


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Adobe Lightroom for iPad free?

Adobe Lightroom for iPad is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Capture One free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Adobe Lightroom for iPad or Capture One?

Adobe Lightroom for iPad is rated higher. Adobe Lightroom for iPad averages 4.8 out of 5 from 51K ratings, while Capture One averages 3.5 from 331 ratings.

### Do Adobe Lightroom for iPad or Capture One have ads?

Neither Adobe Lightroom for iPad nor Capture One shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Adobe Lightroom for iPad or Capture One?

Adobe Lightroom for iPad ships an update every 2 weeks, and Capture One fortnightly. Most recently, Adobe Lightroom for iPad was updated on October 31, 2026 and Capture One on October 30, 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.*