Aperty Review: The New Portrait Retouching Standard
In November 2024, Skylum introduced Aperty, a photo-editing software specifically designed for portrait photography. With AI-powered tools that streamline skin retouching, facial enhancements, and more, Aperty stands out as a strong competitor to Luminar Neo and Adobe Lightroom. It promises quick, precise edits with a user-friendly design—perfect for professionals and beginners alike.
But how does Aperty measure up to established tools like Luminar Neo and Lightroom? Let’s explore its key features, pricing, and use cases to find out.
Features of Aperty: What Sets It Apart?
1. AI-Powered Portrait Retouching
Aperty’s AI takes care of time-consuming portrait edits with tools for:
- Skin smoothing that maintains texture.
- Blemish removal without overdoing it.
- Eye and teeth enhancement to create striking yet natural results.
2. Fine-Tuned Facial Adjustments
Unlike competitors, Aperty offers precision sliders to reshape features like jawlines, cheekbones, or eyebrows while preserving natural proportions.
3. Batch Editing Efficiency
The ability to apply consistent edits to multiple images makes it perfect for weddings, events, and studio photographers managing large portfolios.
4. Non-Destructive Editing
Like Lightroom, Aperty uses layers for non-destructive editing, giving you full control over every adjustment without altering the original file.
5. Customizable Presets and Styles
Save your favorite settings to streamline workflows and create a consistent aesthetic.
Pricing Breakdown (Europe/Spain)
| Software | Pricing Options (as of this post date) |
| Aperty | €26.95/month (Check Actual) |
| Luminar Neo | €79.00 (one-time) (Check Actual) |
| Adobe Lightroom | €12.09/month (Photography Plan) (Check Actual) |
Aperty is notably not the more affordable…
Aperty vs. Luminar Neo vs. Adobe Lightroom
| Feature | Aperty | Luminar Neo | Adobe Lightroom |
| AI Portrait Tools | Advanced and highly focused | Balanced across portrait and landscape | Minimal, mostly manual |
| Landscape Editing | Limited | Excellent | Strong |
| Batch Processing | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Cloud Syncing | No | No | Yes |
| Ease of Use | Beginner-friendly, intuitive for AI | Simple with creative flexibility | Steeper learning curve |
| Plugin Support | Limited | Expanding | Extensive |
| Price | See Price | See Price | See Price |
Pros and Cons of Aperty
Pros:
- Portrait Specialization: Tailored tools for face and skin editing outperform general-purpose editors.
- AI Power: Quickly achieves natural results with minimal input.
- User-Friendly: Friendly for users new to AI photo editing or those needing fast and professional results.
Cons:
- Limited Beyond Portraits: Less capable for landscape, architecture, or creative compositing.
- Fewer Third-Party Add-Ons: Lacks the plugin ecosystem of Lightroom.
Who Should Use Aperty?
Aperty is best for:
- Portrait Photographers: Its tools are specialized for headshots, fashion, and beauty photography.
- Event Photographers: The batch processing feature makes it ideal for handling large photo sets.
- Beginners and Enthusiast Editors: If you’re intimidated by Lightroom or need something reliable yet powerful, Aperty fits the bill.
Aperty vs. Luminar Neo: The Portrait Advantage
While Luminar Neo offers versatile editing for various genres, Aperty’s portrait focus gives it the edge for users prioritizing facial enhancements and skin retouching. Neo remains a better option for landscape or artistic compositions, while Aperty shines in speed and precision for people-centric photography.
Aperty vs. Adobe Lightroom: Simplicity vs. Ecosystem
Adobe Lightroom excels as an all-in-one photo editor and organizer, with deep integration into the Adobe Creative Cloud ecosystem. However, it comes with a steeper learning curve and requires a monthly subscription.
Conversely, Aperty streamlines portrait retouching and remains cost-effective, presenting an ideal solution for photographers who desire uncomplicated tools. It allows for efficient editing without extensive time investment while still delivering natural and professional outcomes.
Final Thoughts: Is Aperty Worth It?
For photographers focused on portrait editing, Aperty delivers exceptional value and ease of use. Its AI-powered tools, affordable pricing, and dedicated features make it a no-brainer for beginners and professionals alike. While it won’t replace Lightroom for extensive cataloging or Luminar Neo for creative editing, it offers unmatched simplicity and precision in portrait retouching.If your primary focus is capturing the perfect shot of people, Aperty is a must-try addition to your toolkit.
