ColorForge
ColorForge is a browser based RAW and HDR photo editor that handles images on the device.
What ColorForge is
ColorForge is a browser based RAW and HDR photo editor that handles images on the device. It opens camera RAW files including CR2, CR3, NEF, ARW, DNG, RAF, ORF and RW2, with controls for exposure, tone curves, HSL color adjustments, LUTs and presets. For HDR work, it combines multiple bracketed exposures, including RAW brackets, with GPU processing. Users can choose between both merge modes and adjust tone mapping with multiple controls. Exports retain full native sensor resolution and can be saved as JPEG, PNG or TIFF without watermarks; HDR output also includes 16-bit TIFF. The maker says photos are processed locally and are never uploaded to its servers. Editing, RAW decoding, HDR merging and exporting work without an account. Once the web app is loaded into the browser cache, it can keep working offline. Custom presets are stored in an account database when signed in, or in local browser storage when signed out. ColorForge runs in Chrome, Edge, Firefox and Safari, and the maker describes browser availability on Windows, macOS, Linux and ChromeOS. The listed platform support also includes iOS and Android. The free plan costs nothing, needs no account and requires no installation. Users can send feedback tickets and feature ideas, with Google sign in required to create a ticket.
Good
- Edits a broad set of camera RAW formats.
- Combines RAW exposure brackets using GPU processing.
- Exports full sensor resolution without watermarks.
- Editing, HDR merging and export need no account.
- Can continue offline after loading in the browser cache.
Watch out
- Feedback tickets require Google sign in.
- Custom presets use account database storage when signed in.
Who it suits
ColorForge suits photographers who want to edit camera RAW files or merge bracketed exposures in a browser, with local image processing and no account requirement for editing or export. It also fits people who need full sensor resolution exports or offline use after the web app loads.
Verdict
Choose ColorForge if you want browser based RAW editing and HDR merging with local processing, no watermark exports and no account requirement for core editing. Consider whether its preset storage options and Google sign in requirement for support tickets suit your workflow.
Plans and prices
From ColorForge's own pricing page, checked 15 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | No account · no installation · no watermarks · full-resolution export |
The facts
Each one read from ColorForge's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Account requirement
- Editing, RAW decoding, HDR merging and export are available without registration.checked 15 Oct 2026
- API and SDKs
- The opened product pages describe browser WebAssembly and WebGL components but do not provide a public API, SDK or self-hosting package.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Curves and HSL
- The editor provides RGB and per-channel tone curves and an eight-channel HSL mixer.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Editing
- Features include exposure controls, tone curves, HSL color adjustments, LUTs and presets.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Export
- The RAW editor exports full native sensor resolution as JPEG, PNG or TIFF without watermarks.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Export formats
- Exports are available as JPEG, PNG and TIFF, including 16-bit TIFF output for HDR work.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Export resolution
- The RAW editor exports at full native camera sensor resolution without watermarks.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Exposure controls
- RAW editing includes exposure, highlights, shadows, whites, blacks, temperature and tint adjustments.checked 15 Oct 2026
- GPU rendering
- ColorForge uses WebGL 2.0 shaders and a 32-bit floating-point rendering pipeline.checked 15 Oct 2026
- HDR
- It merges multiple bracketed exposures, including RAW brackets, using GPU processing.checked 5 Oct 2026
- HDR merging
- ColorForge merges two, three, five or more bracketed exposures, including RAW brackets.checked 15 Oct 2026
- HDR precision
- RAW brackets are demosaiced and merged in 32-bit precision.checked 15 Oct 2026
- HDR processing
- HDR fusion runs in custom WebGL GPU shaders using exposure-fusion weighting.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Installation
- ColorForge runs in the browser without installing desktop software.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Licence
- The opened product pages do not state an open-source licence or software licence.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: focused toolset
- The listed workflow centers on RAW development, HDR merging, curves, HSL and LUTs rather than catalog management or broad desktop-editing features.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: paint database
- The App Store listing says its current paint data is centered on Gaia Color and that other manufacturers are planned for later addition.checked 15 Oct 2026
- LinkedIn business
- The profile describes a patented process that prints custom color cosmetics and product casing together.checked 15 Oct 2026
Where it runs
- Apple listing identity
- The App Store ColorForge listing is an iPhone utility by developer Kazunari Negishi, separate from the browser product identity shown on colorforge.studio.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Apple platform requirement
- That App Store listing requires iOS 18.6 or later and is marked iPhone-only in its description.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Apple privacy statement
- Apple’s listing reports that the developer says the app collects no data, with Apple noting the developer-provided information is not verified.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Browser support
- The site names Chrome, Edge, Firefox and Safari as supported modern browsers.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: browser dependence
- The product requires a supported modern browser and its offline mode only works after the web app has loaded into cache.checked 15 Oct 2026
The company
- LinkedIn company size
- That LinkedIn ColorForge profile lists a company size of 2–10 employees.checked 15 Oct 2026
The full review of ColorForge
ColorForge is a free browser editor for camera RAW files and bracketed HDR photos. It suits photographers who want detailed image adjustments without installing software or creating an account for editing. Its local processing and full-resolution exports make it a practical choice for that workflow, while preset storage and browser dependence deserve consideration.
Overview
ColorForge combines RAW development and HDR merging in a browser. It supports CR2, CR3, NEF, ARW, DNG, RAF, ORF and RW2 files, covering many common camera RAW formats. Exposure controls, tone curves, HSL adjustments, LUTs and presets give users meaningful control over image development, though the toolset is focused on RAW and HDR work rather than a wider photo-editing workflow.
The maker says photos are processed on the device and never uploaded to its servers. Editing, RAW decoding, HDR merging and exporting work without an account. That makes ColorForge a strong fit for photographers who want to keep their editing local and skip registration. Custom presets are saved in local browser storage when signed out, or to an account database when signed in; users who want presets tied to an account will need to sign in.
Key features
HDR merging and tone mapping
ColorForge merges multiple bracketed exposures, including RAW brackets, with GPU processing. It supports both HDR merge modes and multiple tone-mapping controls, giving photographers options for shaping the final image. This is a useful combination for building HDR images from a camera bracket; it does not make the editor a general-purpose replacement for broader photo software.
Export and offline editing
The RAW editor exports at full native sensor resolution to JPEG, PNG or TIFF, without watermarks. HDR output also supports JPEG, PNG and 16-bit TIFF, which gives users a higher-bit-depth option for HDR files. The maker says the editor can continue working offline after it has loaded into the browser cache, a useful option when connectivity drops, though initial loading requires the web app to be available.
Browser requirements
The maker says the editor works on Windows, macOS, Linux and ChromeOS, and lists Chrome, Edge, Firefox and Safari as supported modern browsers. The wider platform list also includes iOS and Android. Browser-based access avoids installation, but users who prefer a dedicated desktop application may find this workflow less suitable.
Pricing
ColorForge's Free plan costs nothing. It includes editing without an account, RAW decoding, HDR merging and exports without watermarks, with no installation required. There is no free trial because the plan itself is free, and no account is needed to use its core editing features.
The free plan is a good fit for individual photographers who want the stated RAW and HDR workflow without paying or signing up. No paid plan is described, so there is no higher tier to weigh against the free option. Users who want to submit a feedback ticket or feature idea must sign in with Google, even though core editing remains available without an account.
Platforms
ColorForge is available through the web and is listed for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android. The maker also says the browser editor works on ChromeOS. Chrome, Edge, Firefox and Safari are named as supported browsers. Photos are processed locally according to the maker, and the app can keep working offline after it has loaded in the browser cache.
Who it's for
ColorForge fits photographers who shoot RAW and want to develop images, merge exposure brackets and export without watermarks. It is particularly appealing to people who prefer browser access, want local image processing, or do not want an account for editing. It is less suited to users looking for a broader editing suite or those who need custom presets stored with an account but do not want to sign in.
Pros and cons
Pros
- No cost or account barrier for editing: The Free plan includes RAW decoding, HDR merging and export without requiring registration.
- Broad RAW format support: CR2, CR3, NEF, ARW, DNG, RAF, ORF and RW2 cover a range of camera files.
- Full-resolution, watermark-free exports: The RAW editor exports native sensor resolution, and HDR output includes 16-bit TIFF.
- Local and cache-based workflow: The maker says photos stay on the device, with offline work possible after the web app loads.
Cons
- Presets depend on sign-in choice: Signed-out presets stay in local browser storage rather than an account database.
- Support tickets require Google sign-in: Users can edit without an account, but need Google sign-in to submit feedback or feature ideas.
- Focused editing scope: The stated tools center on RAW development and HDR, so users seeking a wider photo-editing toolset should consider another editor.
- Browser-dependent access: The editor requires a supported browser, and offline use begins only after the web app has loaded into its cache.
Alternatives
For more options in this category, browse HDR Software.
- Instant Meshes is another free option for Linux, macOS and Windows.
- Choose Luminance HDR if you want free, open-source desktop HDR imaging software for Linux, macOS or Windows.
- PhotomatixCL offers paid plans with a free plan and trial; its Lite plan is $19 a month for 1,000 monthly credits on one system.
- SNS-HDR is a freemium alternative with a free trial for macOS and Windows.
- HDRMerge is free, GPL-3.0-or-later software for Linux, macOS and Windows.
- MergeHDR is an iOS and macOS option with a free tier for merging and previewing; its first 10 exports are free, with a limit of five per day.
- easyHDR offers HOME and COMMERCIAL licenses for Linux, macOS and Windows, with custom pricing.
- HDR Merge Master is another free option for Linux, macOS and Windows.
Verdict
Choose ColorForge if you want free, browser-based RAW development and HDR merging, local processing, and native-resolution exports without watermarks or an account for editing. Its strongest case is the combination of camera RAW support and HDR tools in a no-cost workflow. Look elsewhere if you need a broader photo editor, want presets stored to an account without signing in, or prefer software that does not depend on a browser.
Getting started
- Open the ColorForge website in Chrome, Edge, Firefox or Safari.
- Use the browser editor on a listed supported platform.
- Start editing without creating an account.
- Sign in if you want custom presets saved to an account database.
- Load the web app in the browser cache to continue working offline later.
Questions
How much does ColorForge cost?
The Free plan is free.
Do I need an account to edit or export?
No. Editing, RAW decoding, HDR merging and export do not require an account.
Which RAW formats does it support?
Listed formats include CR2, CR3, NEF, ARW, DNG, RAF, ORF and RW2.
What can I export?
The RAW editor exports full native sensor resolution as JPEG, PNG or TIFF without watermarks. HDR output formats include JPEG, PNG and 16-bit TIFF.
Can I use ColorForge offline?
The maker says it can continue working offline after the web app has loaded in the browser cache.
Where are custom presets stored?
When signed in, preset settings are saved to an account database. When signed out, they are stored in local browser storage.
Alternatives to ColorForge
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