RawTherapee vs darktable: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between RawTherapee and darktable comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Bottom line: darktable wins this matchup. Our overall Image Editing pick is Adobe Creative Cloud. Our free Image Editing pick is GIMP. Pick RawTherapee if you need a fully free option.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
RawTherapee
Free, cross-platform raw image processing for photographers of all levels.
Best for you if:
- • You want completely free and open-source
- • You want high image quality processing capabilities
darktable
Open source photography workflow
Best for you if:
- • You want free and open source
- • You want non-destructive editing
| At a Glance | RawTherapee | darktable |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Image Editing | Image Editing |
Rating | 4.2/5 | 5.0/5 |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose RawTherapee or darktable?
Choose RawTherapee if
Free, cross-platform raw image processing for photographers of all levels.
- You want completely free and open-source
- You want high image quality processing capabilities
Choose darktable if
Open source photography workflow
- You want free and open source
- You want non-destructive editing
| Feature | RawTherapee | darktable |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Free |
| User Rating | ★4.2/5 56 reviews | ★5.0/5 (1) |
| Categories | Image EditingDeveloper Tools | Image EditingProductivity |
In-Depth Analysis
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
- +Completely free and open-source
- +High image quality processing capabilities
- +Extensive raw file support and correction tools
- +Cross-platform availability
- +Active and helpful community with documentation
Weaknesses
- -Requires time to learn due to its powerful features
- -May be overwhelming for absolute beginners
Key features
darktable
Open source photography workflow
The pricing for darktable is exceptionally fair and generous, as it is completely free.
Strengths
- +Free and open source
- +Non-destructive editing
- +Cross-platform
Weaknesses
- -Learning curve
- -Less polished UI
Key features
Pricing: RawTherapee vs darktable
| Plan | RawTherapee | darktable |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Free | Free Free |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on RawTherapee pricing and darktable pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are free. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: RawTherapee
Want the highest-rated option?
RawTherapee: 4.2/5 (56 reviews). darktable: 5.0/5 (1 reviews).
Go with: darktable
Value user reviews?
RawTherapee: 56 reviews (4.2/5). darktable: 1 review (5.0/5).
Go with: RawTherapee
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are free. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Both are image editing tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
darktable is rated higher: 5.0/5 vs 4.2/5.
Key Takeaways
darktable
- Higher rating: 5.0/5 vs 0.0
- More user reviews (1)
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
RawTherapee
- Choose if you want free, cross-platform raw image processing for photographers of all levels
The Bottom Line
darktable wins this matchup. Our overall Image Editing pick is Adobe Creative Cloud. Our free Image Editing pick is GIMP.
What Users Say
darktable Reviews
Easy to use
organisation of all the pics, screenshots, posters etc. editing is easy. options are also good to edit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is RawTherapee or darktable better?
darktable is rated 5.0/5 in our evaluation. Both are free.
What are RawTherapee and darktable used for?
RawTherapee: Free, cross-platform raw image processing for photographers of all levels.. darktable: Open source photography workflow.
What does RawTherapee cost vs darktable?
RawTherapee is completely free. darktable is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.