Hardik Dodiya
Easy to use
Pros: organisation of all the pics, screenshots, posters etc. editing is easy. options are also good to edit.
Cons: use Auto AI to organise all the pics, screenshots, posters etc.
Open source photography workflow
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Reviews onSourceForge
2 reviews trackedThe Bottom Line
Entry price
Free, no paid tier
Biggest pro
Free and open source
Biggest con
Learning curve
TL;DR - darktable
- Free open-source photo editing like Lightroom
- RAW processing for 450+ camera formats
- Non-destructive editing workflow
Pricing: Free forever
Best for: Individuals & startups
Top Pros
- organisation of all the pics, screenshots, posters etc.
Top Cons
- use Auto AI to organise all the pics, screenshots, posters etc.
What is darktable?
darktable is a free, open-source photography workflow application and RAW developer. Similar to Adobe Lightroom, it provides non-destructive editing of RAW images from over 450 camera models. Features include color correction, lens correction, noise reduction, and sophisticated masking. Organize your photo library with tags, stars, and collections. Available for Linux, macOS, and Windows. Professional photo editing without the subscription cost.
Available on: Linux, Windows, macOS
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Free and open source
- Non-destructive editing
- Cross-platform
Cons
- Learning curve
- Less polished UI
Ratings Across the Web
4(1 reviews)
What people say
“Stable, feature-full, nice interface, great linux support, open source. What else could we wish for?”via SourceForge
Ratings aggregated from independent review platforms. Learn more
Key Features
RAW processingNon-destructive editingColor managementTetheringOpen sourceCross-platform
Pricing Plans
Pricing checked Jul 27, 2026
Free
Free
- Full RAW processing
- Non-destructive editing
- Tethered shooting
- Color management
- Masking tools
- Open source GPL-3.0
Is darktable worth the price?
100/100
The pricing for darktable is exceptionally fair and generous, as it is completely free.
Offering full RAW processing and non-destructive editing at no cost is an outstanding value proposition compared to proprietary alternatives. It's best for budget-conscious photographers and those who value open-source software.
Hidden Costs & Gotchas
No direct hidden costs for the software itself.
Requires user's own hardware for operation.
Time investment for learning the interface.
No dedicated customer support included.
How darktable Compares to Competitors
Compared to Adobe Lightroom, which costs $9.99/month, darktable offers a similar feature set for free. Affinity Photo, a one-time purchase of $69.99, also provides a strong alternative, but darktable's zero-cost model is unmatched in accessibility.
Reviews (1)
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Best darktable Alternatives
Top alternatives based on features, pricing, and user needs.
Adobe LightroomPaid
Photo editing and organization
Affinity PhotoPaid
Pro photo editing without the subscription
Capture OnePaid
Professional photo editing software
DxO PhotoLabPaid
Advanced RAW photo editing software with AI-powered noise reduction and local adjustments.
RawTherapeeFree
Free, cross-platform raw image processing for photographers of all levels.
Still deciding?
Most buyers shortlist 2 or 3 tools before committing. Pull a side-by-side comparison or browse the full alternatives shortlist below.
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darktable FAQ
How does darktable handle image editing?
darktable provides non-destructive editing of RAW images, allowing users to make adjustments without altering the original file. It includes features for color correction, lens correction, noise reduction, and sophisticated masking to refine photographs.
Which teams would benefit most from using darktable?
darktable is ideal for photographers and creative professionals who require advanced image editing capabilities without a subscription cost. It supports individual users and small teams looking for a powerful, open-source solution for their photography workflow.
How is darktable priced?
darktable is free to use, as it is an open-source application. There are no paid plans or subscription costs required to access its full range of features.
Can darktable help organize a large photo library?
Yes, darktable includes tools for organizing photo libraries. Users can manage their images using tags, star ratings, and collections to keep their photography workflow streamlined.
What kind of trade-offs should users expect with darktable?
Users should be aware that darktable has a learning curve due to its extensive features and may present a less polished user interface compared to some commercial alternatives. However, it offers professional photo editing capabilities without a subscription.
How does darktable compare to Adobe Lightroom?
Similar to Adobe Lightroom, darktable offers non-destructive editing of RAW images and a comprehensive photography workflow. However, darktable is free and open-source, providing an alternative without the subscription model of Adobe Lightroom.
Source: darktable.org