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RAW photo editing

Develop camera RAW files with non-destructive edits and manage photo libraries.

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Free RAW photo editing tools

Every free tool in this category, by name.

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4 alternatives

  • ART

    Open-source RAW photo processor forked from RawTherapee, with a simpler interface and local editing with layers and masks.

    License: Open source
    • Windows
    • macOS
    • Linux
    Status: Unknown
    • DNG: opens only, full fidelity
    • CR3: opens only, partial fidelity. Support depends on the LibRaw version in your build
    • NEF: opens only, full fidelity
    • ARW: opens only, full fidelity

    This replaces Adobe Lightroom and Adobe Lightroom Classic

  • darktable

    Open-source RAW photo workflow app with a lighttable library, a darkroom editor, masks and tethered shooting.

    License: Open source
    • Windows
    • macOS
    • Linux
    Status: Unknown
    • DNG: opens only, full fidelity. Reads DNG files; the raw denoise tool can write a linear DNG
    • CR3: opens only, full fidelity. Newer camera models need a recent LibRaw
    • NEF: opens only, full fidelity
    • ARW: opens only, full fidelity
    • XMP: opens and saves, partial fidelity. Imports ratings, tags and about ten Lightroom adjustments from sidecars, and writes its own XMP

    This replaces Adobe Lightroom and Adobe Lightroom Classic

  • LightCraft

    Open-source photo library and RAW developer written in Rust, with masks, presets, XMP sidecars and batch export.

    License: Open source
    • Windows
    • macOS
    • Linux
    • Self-hosted
    Status: Unknown
    • DNG: opens and saves, full fidelity. DNG files use their own color matrices
    • CR3: opens only, partial fidelity. Opens as an embedded preview only; RAW decode is not done yet
    • NEF: opens only, partial fidelity. Develops with a neutral color matrix, so color looks muted
    • ARW: opens only, partial fidelity. Develops with a neutral color matrix, so color looks muted
    • XMP: opens and saves, partial fidelity. Reads and writes XMP sidecars and reads Lightroom develop settings

    This replaces Adobe Lightroom and Adobe Lightroom Classic

  • RawTherapee

    Open-source RAW photo processor with several demosaic methods, selective editing and a batch queue, with no catalog.

    License: Open source
    • Windows
    • macOS
    • Linux
    Status: Unknown
    • DNG: opens only, full fidelity
    • CR3: opens only, full fidelity
    • NEF: opens only, full fidelity
    • ARW: opens only, full fidelity

    This replaces Adobe Lightroom and Adobe Lightroom Classic

Paid apps with no free alternative yet

No free tool ranks Strong for these yet. Each page says what a free version would need.