Brandwave

Adobe Lightroom vs Pixlr:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Adobe Lightroom had more branded searches than Pixlr among photo editing software worldwide. Adobe Lightroom had about 1.2 million branded searches, while Pixlr had 1 million. Adobe Lightroom made up 11.3% of all photo editing software searches we track, and Pixlr accounted for 10.2%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about photo editing software, Adobe Lightroom appeared in all five answers and Pixlr in none.

Among photo editing software worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Adobe Lightroom, about 11% more searches than Pixlr

Adobe Lightroom 1.2M searchesPixlr 1M searches

Who does AI mention more?

Adobe Lightroom, mentioned in every answer we collected

Adobe Lightroom in 5 of 5Pixlr in 0 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Adobe Lightroom, the only one of the two named

Adobe Lightroom first in 5Pixlr never named

Follow Adobe Lightroom vs Pixlr and get free monthly updates on what changed

By continuing you'll get index updates and occasional product news from Brandwave. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy

Track your brand against a rival →

Top photo editing software in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Adobe Lightroom appeared in all five answers. Pixlr did not appear in any of the five answers.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. Adobe Photoshop1st
  2. Adobe Lightroom2nd
  3. Capture One3rd
  4. Affinity4th
  5. Luminar Neo4th
  6. GIMP6th
  7. CyberLink PhotoDirector7th
  8. DxO PhotoLab8th
  9. RawTherapee9th
  10. +3 more
  11. Pixlr–
  12. +1 more

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • Adobe Lightroom5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Adobe Photoshop5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Capture One5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Affinity5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • GIMP3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Luminar Neo3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • RawTherapee2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • DxO PhotoLab2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • CyberLink PhotoDirector2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Pixlr0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

+4 more

See every answer about photo editing software

5 answers

Not named in any answer:

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 21, 2026.

Is Adobe Lightroom or Pixlr more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Adobe Lightroom and Pixlr by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all 14 photo editing software we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.

Adobe Lightroom and Pixlr among photo editing software worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for Adobe Lightroom, Pixlr. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthPhotopeaPicsartAdobe LightroomPixlrGIMPVSCOAdobe PhotoshopSnapseedCapture OneAffinityLuminar NeoRawTherapeeDxO PhotoLabCyberLink PhotoDirector
Oct 202531.9%16.7%9.7%12.7%8.4%6.6%6.4%3.2%0.86%1.6%0.86%0.39%0.26%0.47%
Nov 202527.2%17.9%9.7%13.6%8.9%6.8%6.7%3.2%1.1%2.7%1.1%0.4%0.27%0.4%
Dec 202529.1%19.1%10.4%11.4%7.7%7.3%7.2%3.5%0.96%1.2%0.96%0.35%0.19%0.53%
Jan 202629.2%18.8%10.6%11.4%9.2%7.4%5.9%3.5%0.96%1.2%0.96%0.35%0.19%0.43%
Feb 202631.3%19.5%11%10.8%8.2%6.5%6.3%3.1%0.69%0.9%0.85%0.31%0.17%0.38%
Mar 202629.8%19.2%11%11.4%7.9%7.5%6%3.6%0.98%1%0.8%0.29%0.2%0.29%
Apr 202630%22.5%11%9.8%7.7%6.2%6%3.6%0.66%0.72%0.99%0.3%0.2%0.24%
May 202630.9%22.4%10.8%10.3%6.5%6.5%5.1%4.6%0.68%0.74%0.83%0.31%0.2%0.25%
Jun 202632.2%22.2%11.1%8.9%6.8%6.7%5.3%3.4%1.1%0.93%0.71%0.32%0.21%0.12%
Jul 202632.8%22.3%9.7%9.4%7.1%6.8%5.4%3.3%0.89%0.94%0.73%0.32%0.22%0.1%
Aug 202632.7%22%11.3%8.7%7%6.8%5.4%3.3%0.88%0.78%0.59%0.32%0.22%0.1%
Sep 202632.6%17.5%11.3%10.2%8.3%6.7%6.5%3.2%1.3%1.1%0.48%0.32%0.26%0.1%

How has the Adobe Lightroom and Pixlr comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • The lead changed hands 3 times in the 12 months ending September 2026: Adobe Lightroom took it in February 2026, Pixlr took it in March 2026, Adobe Lightroom took it in April 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Adobe Lightroom’s share of searches among photo editing software worldwide moved from 9.7% to 11.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 1.2M.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Pixlr’s share of searches among photo editing software worldwide moved from 12.7% to 10.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 1.6M to 1M.

How did search popularity change for photo editing software worldwide in September 2026?

1 change

  1. In September 2026, Pixlr gained share of searches among photo editing software worldwide, from 8.7% to 10.2%.

How are branded searches counted?

47 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Adobe Lightroom’s and Pixlr’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.

Adobe Lightroom

6 branded search terms

  • adobe lightroom
  • lightroom
  • lightroom app
  • lightroom classic
  • lightroom mobile
  • lightroom presets

Pixlr

41 branded search terms

  • collage maker pixlr
  • e pixlr
  • edit image pixlr
  • edit photo pixlr
  • edit photos pixlr
  • edit picture pixlr
  • editor by pixlr
  • editor photo pixlr
  • editor pixlr
  • face swap pixlr
  • https //pixlr editor
  • image editor pixlr
  • photo editing pixlr
  • photo editing software pixlr
  • photo editor by pixlr
  • photo editor pixlr
  • photoshop editor pixlr
  • pic editor pixlr
  • picture editing pixlr
  • picture editor pixlr
  • pixlr
  • pixlr ai
  • pixlr background remover
  • pixlr bg remover
  • pixlr collage maker
  • pixlr e
  • pixlr editing
  • pixlr editor
  • pixlr editor editor
  • pixlr editor image
  • pixlr editor photo
  • pixlr editor software
  • pixlr express
  • pixlr face swap
  • pixlr filter
  • pixlr image editor
  • pixlr photo editing software
  • pixlr photo editor
  • pixlr x
  • pixlr/e/e

1–40 of 41

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among photo editing software

Creator with pink hair and a pink jacket

Put your own brand in this comparison

Brandwave tracks your branded demand next to the rival you actually watch, with your campaigns, spend and outcomes on the same timeline.

Start free