Open-Source Lightroom Alternatives Exist, but an AI Clone Fell Short

A project claiming to recreate Adobe’s creative tools with AI drew attention in October 2026, but closer inspection showed it did not match their functionality. Open-source alternatives to Lightroom are available, though the supplied report does not detail their features.

4 Nov 2026

A free, AI-generated alternative to Adobe Lightroom may sound appealing, but one high-profile attempt to recreate Adobe’s creative software has not lived up to that promise. The project, called Artcraft, was announced by US developer Brandon Thomas in mid-October 2026.

Artcraft was presented as an AI-built replica of Adobe’s creative tools. On closer inspection, however, the software suite mainly resembled its inspiration in appearance and lacked the same range of features, according to the report.

The report points to open-source Lightroom alternatives, but the available information does not name them or describe what they can do.

Sources: t3n.