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Microsoft Photos vs Adobe Lightroom: catalog facts
Microsoft Photos	Adobe Lightroom
Free Free and included with Windows.	Paid Sold through Adobe subscription plans.
Windows	Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Web
Preinstalled and updated through the Microsoft Store Combines local photos and OneDrive in one gallery	Combines photo cataloging and RAW editing Library synced across desktop, web and mobile
Windows only iCloud Photos integration requires Windows 11	Subscription only Sync depends on Adobe's cloud service
Downloadable app	Downloadable app, Web application, Hosted service
Closed source	Closed source
License not stated	License not stated
No account needed	Not stated if an account is needed
Works offline	Not stated if it works offline
Official website Full listing and sources Checked October 2, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Checked September 23, 2026

Catalog facts only. Anything “not stated” is unconfirmed. Check full listings for details.