I preferred AI and they let me make the switch. They let me use AI as a free trial for months-until Neo was released. I asked support if I could switch to AI if I preferred it after a free trial. I originally bought Neo but hadn't tried AI. On an unrelated note, I think Skylum support is fantastic. The black and white conversion tool in 4 and AI is very limited. I emailed them suggesting they update it or introduce a new black and white plug-in. I have actually been using Tonality, Skylum's legacy black and white plug-in recently. However, neither is a part of my normal workflow. I have had no problems using it or AI as standalones.

I believe L4 lacks sky replacement, something Luminar AI does very well Can be used as a standalone app and as a plugin for Photoshop & Lightroom All AI tools are exclusive. In any event Luminar 4 may still be free and their are free trials of Luminar AI. I also believe what Luminar does to the data is best done on the widest data set, hence 16 bit raw images, as much of what it does best can add noise as you push the sliders to the right. I like to have the option to use restraint or not or go anywhere in between. That might be good advice for any program. What I think the program does best should be done manually and with restraint. Made a lot in Luminar 4 which transferred nicely to AI. I advise any new user to ignore all pre-set looks and edits as they are garish and overwrought, unless that appeals to you.

It seems unusable to me as a stand-alone processor but doubtless has its devotees who use it that way. I use Luminar AI almost daily but only as a plug-in from PS.

Luminar ai plugin