Compare · Last checked October 20, 2026
ImageQuarry vs Luminar Neo for photo editing with AI
Luminar Neo, which Skylum now markets as Luminar on Desktop, Mobile and Web, is an AI-assisted photo editor for photographers, with RAW support, layers, masking and generative tools such as GenErase, GenSwap and GenExpand. It does not generate images from scratch. ImageQuarry creates images from a description or edits an uploaded one through conversation, keeping every version. Choose Luminar for editing your own photographs with a full desktop toolset and a one-time license. Choose ImageQuarry to create new images and change them by asking in words.
We make ImageQuarry. We compared it with Luminar Neo using Luminar Neo's own public pages, checked October 20, 2026, and say where Luminar Neo does more.
Last updated October 20, 2026
At a glance
| ImageQuarry | Luminar Neo | |
|---|---|---|
| Main job | Create and edit images by conversation | Edit photographs: RAW support, layers, masking, HDR, panoramas |
| Creating from text | Describe an image and get it | No text to image from scratch; generative erase, swap and expand |
| Describing a change | Ask for a change in words on a selected version | GenSwap: mask an area and type a short noun prompt, in English |
| How you pay | Starter at $9 per month with 100 image credits a month or Pro at $29 per month with 300 image credits a month | One-time licenses from $99; generative tools included for 1 year, then renewal |
ImageQuarry and Luminar Neo: the differences that matter
A full photo editor
Luminar Neo includes Sky AI, background removal, upscaling, noise reduction, relighting tools, photo restoration, layers, HDR merge, panorama stitching, focus stacking and batch processing, and works as a plug-in for Photoshop, Lightroom and Apple Photos.
Owning the software
Luminar sells perpetual licenses, "One-time payment, use apps forever", from $99 for desktop at the current sale price. Its generative tools and AI Assistant are included for 1 year, with renewal through Luminar Prime after that.
Making new images
ImageQuarry generates an image from a description and keeps going from there. Luminar Neo works on photos you already have; generating an image from text is not offered.
Instructions in plain words
Skylum advises GenSwap prompts written as nouns, avoiding verbs like "change" or "remove", and its AI Assistant suggests up to three edits per request. In ImageQuarry you write the change as you would say it, for example "Move the color into ultramarine and coral."
ImageQuarry vs Luminar Neo, side by side
Checked against Luminar Neo's public pages on October 20, 2026. "Not stated" means the pages we read do not say; it is not a claim that the feature is missing. "Not published" means ImageQuarry has not published that detail.
| Topic | ImageQuarry | Luminar Neo |
|---|---|---|
| Starting point | Describe the image in plain language, or upload an image and describe how you want it changed | Your own photo, including RAW files from over 1000 cameras |
| Editing with words | Select a version and ask for a change in words: lighting, background, an added object, composition or color | GenErase, GenSwap and GenExpand with masks and short prompts; AI Assistant suggests edits |
| Reference images | Add one or more source and reference images to guide material, color, light or shape | Not stated |
| Versions, variations and branching | Each change makes a new version and earlier versions are kept; make variations and branch from any version | Non-destructive editing with layers |
| Projects and library | Projects and a persistent library that keep prompts, references and versions together | Not stated |
| Image models | Nano Banana 2.1 (default), Nano Banana Pro, GPT Image 2.5 Flare and GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst | Not stated |
| Output resolution and formats | Not published | JPEG, PNG, TIFF and RAW formats supported |
| Commercial use terms | Not published | Not stated |
| Price | Starter at $9 per month with 100 image credits a month; Pro at $29 per month with 300 image credits a month; optional metered overage, off unless you turn it on; every plan is paid | Desktop Only $99, All Platforms $139, Max $159 one-time (sale prices); generative tools renew after 1 year (as of October 2026) |
As of 2026-10-20
Sources: Luminar Neo luminar; Luminar Neo genswap; Luminar Neo ai assistant; Luminar Neo pricing; Luminar Neo luminar web
Pricing
ImageQuarry plans come from its pricing. Luminar Neo prices are as of October 2026, from skylum.com. Credits are not comparable across products, because each vendor defines its own credit. Check the vendor for current pricing.
| ImageQuarry plan | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Starter | $9 per month | 100 image credits a month; optional metered overage at $0.12 per extra credit, off unless you turn it on |
| Pro | $29 per month | 300 image credits a month; optional metered overage at $0.09 per extra credit, off unless you turn it on |
| Product | Plan | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Luminar Neo | Desktop Only | $99.00 one-time (sale price) | Generative tools included for 1 year |
| Luminar Neo | All Platforms | $139.00 one-time (sale price) | Desktop, mobile and web; generative tools for 1 year |
| Luminar Neo | Max | $159.00 one-time (sale price) | Generative tools for 1 year |
| Luminar Neo | Luminar on Web, Full Access | $69.00 per as listed | Includes Luminar on Mobile, 7-day trial |
Prices as of 2026-10
About each product
ImageQuarry
ImageQuarry is a conversational AI image workspace. You describe an image or upload one, then ask for specific changes in words, such as new lighting, a different background or an added object. Each change makes a new version and earlier versions are kept, so you can make variations, branch from any version, add reference images and organize the work in projects and a library. You can choose between four image models: Nano Banana 2.1 (the default), Nano Banana Pro, GPT Image 2.5 Flare and GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst. Plans: Starter at $9 per month with 100 image credits a month, and Pro at $29 per month with 300 image credits a month, with optional metered overage that is off unless you turn it on. Every plan is paid. ImageQuarry has not published output specifications or rights terms yet, and it is not a headshot or background removal tool.
Luminar Neo
Luminar Neo is Skylum's AI photo editor, now presented as Luminar on Desktop, Mobile and Web. It runs on macOS and Windows, on Android, iOS and ChromeOS, and in desktop browsers, and plugs into Photoshop, Lightroom and Apple Photos. Its toolset covers sky replacement, background removal, upscaling, relighting, restoration, layers, masking, HDR, panoramas and focus stacking, plus GenErase, GenSwap and GenExpand. Skylum sells one-time licenses, includes generative tools for one year, and says it is trusted by over a million photographers.
Which one fits your work
Choose ImageQuarry when
- You want to create images from a description, not only edit photos
- You want to ask for changes in everyday words
- You want versions you can branch from, kept in projects
Choose Luminar Neo when
- You edit your own photographs, including RAW files
- You want a one-time license instead of a subscription
- You want a desktop editor with layers, HDR and panoramas
- You work inside Photoshop, Lightroom or Apple Photos
How to try both on the same image
- Pick a landscape photo with a distracting object in it.
- In Luminar Neo, mask the object and try GenSwap with a noun prompt such as "blue sea".
- In ImageQuarry, upload the photo and ask in a full sentence to replace the object and warm the light.
- Compare control and effort, then decide which tool fits that part of your work.
Questions about ImageQuarry vs Luminar Neo
Is Luminar Neo still sold?
Yes. Skylum now markets it as Luminar on Desktop, while its pages still call the desktop app Luminar Neo (skylum.com, October 2026).
Does Luminar Neo generate images from text?
Generation from scratch is not offered. Its generative tools erase, swap and expand parts of your own photos.
Do Luminar generative tools need renewal?
Skylum says generative tools, Restoration and AI Assistant are included with a license for 1 year from purchase, after which you renew through Luminar Prime.
Can ImageQuarry edit my own photos?
Yes. Upload an image and describe how you want it changed; each change becomes a new version, and the earlier path stays in the workspace.
Sources
Every competitor fact on this page comes from the vendor's own pages, checked on the date shown. Recheck them before you buy.
Checked October 20, 2026
Create an image. Edit it with words. Keep refining.
Create the image you could not shoot
Describe it or upload a starting photo, then keep refining it in words.
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