Adobe Lightroom vs RawTherapee: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Adobe Lightroom and RawTherapee side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below, Adobe Lightroom leads on higher user rating; RawTherapee leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Adobe Lightroom
Photo editing and organization
Best for you if:
- • You want AI-powered editing
RawTherapee
Free, cross-platform raw image processing for photographers of all levels.
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (Adobe Lightroom requires payment)
| At a Glance | Adobe Lightroom | RawTherapee |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | From $11.99/mo, billed monthly Lightroom Plan (1TB) plan | Free 100% free |
Category | Image Editing Digital Asset Management | Image Editing Developer Tools |
Rating | 4.7/5 G2 4.6 · Capterra 4.8 3,624 reviews | 4.3/5 G2 4.1 · Capterra 4.4 · SourceForge 5.0 61 reviews |
Free plan | No | Yes |
Watch out for | Cloud storage limits: 1TB sounds generous but fills up if you sync original RAW files (50MB each = ~20,000 photos). | n/a |
Choose Adobe Lightroom or RawTherapee?
Choose Adobe Lightroom if
- You want AI-powered editing
- You want cloud sync
Choose RawTherapee if
- You want a fully free tool (Adobe Lightroom requires payment)
- You want completely free and open-source
- You want high image quality processing capabilities
In-Depth Analysis
Adobe Lightroom
Photo editing and organization
Lightroom pricing is straightforward but the plan structure confuses many buyers.
Watch out
Cloud storage limits: 1TB sounds generous but fills up if you sync original RAW files (50MB each = ~20,000 photos).
Strengths
- Pro: AI-powered editing
- Pro: Cloud sync
- Pro: Professional presets
Weaknesses
- Con: Subscription required
- Con: Learning curve
Key features
RawTherapee
Free, cross-platform raw image processing for photographers of all levels.
RawTherapee offers an incredibly generous pricing model, as it is completely free.
Strengths
- Pro: Completely free and open-source
- Pro: High image quality processing capabilities
- Pro: Extensive raw file support and correction tools
- Pro: Cross-platform availability
- Pro: Active and helpful community with documentation
Weaknesses
- Con: Requires time to learn due to its powerful features
- Con: May be overwhelming for absolute beginners
Key features
Plans and prices: Adobe Lightroom vs RawTherapee
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Adobe Lightroom |
| adobe.com/products/photoshop-lightroom read Oct 30, 2026 |
| RawTherapee |
| rawtherapee.com read Nov 2, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Adobe Lightroom pricing and RawTherapee pricing.
Key Takeaways
Adobe Lightroom
- Higher user rating: 4.7/5 vs 4.3/5
RawTherapee
- Has a free plan
What the data shows
On the data below, Adobe Lightroom leads on higher user rating; RawTherapee leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
- Adobe Lightroom has the higher user rating (4.7/5 from 3,624 reviews for Adobe Lightroom, 4.3/5 from 61 reviews for RawTherapee).
- Adobe Lightroom starts at $11.99/mo, billed monthly; RawTherapee has no public paid plan price on file.
- Only RawTherapee has a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Adobe Lightroom and RawTherapee compare in 2026?
On the data below, Adobe Lightroom leads on higher user rating; RawTherapee leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. Adobe Lightroom has the higher user rating (4.7/5 from 3,624 reviews for Adobe Lightroom, 4.3/5 from 61 reviews for RawTherapee). Adobe Lightroom starts at $11.99/mo, billed monthly; RawTherapee has no public paid plan price on file. Only RawTherapee has a free plan.
What are Adobe Lightroom and RawTherapee used for?
Adobe Lightroom: Photo editing and organization. RawTherapee: Free, cross-platform raw image processing for photographers of all levels.
What does Adobe Lightroom cost vs RawTherapee?
Adobe Lightroom's cheapest paid plan is Lightroom Plan (1TB) at $11.99/mo, billed monthly. RawTherapee is free. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Nov 2, 2026.
What's the main difference between Adobe Lightroom and RawTherapee?
Adobe Lightroom's main strength: AI-powered editing. RawTherapee's main strength: completely free and open-source.