darktable

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Score9.0

Rank#4 of 160

PriceFree

Free planYes

Runs onLinux, macOS, Windows

Summary

darktable is a free photography workflow application for organizing digital negatives and developing raw images. It stores images in a database and offers a zoomable lighttable, while its editing leaves original files unchanged. It imports standard, raw, and high dynamic range formats such as JPEG, CR2, NEF, HDR, PFM, and RAF. Color tools include automatic display-profile detection on most systems and built-in ICC profiles for sRGB, Adobe RGB, XYZ, and linear RGB. Many operations can use OpenCL GPU acceleration, and tethered shooting with live view is supported for some camera brands. Exports include disk storage, email attachments, Piwigo webalbums, and HTML-based galleries; many aspects can also be scripted in Lua. Optional AI tools cover object masking, denoising, and upscaling, but the Flatpak release does not include them as of September 2026. Downloads are available for Windows, macOS, and Linux/Unix options. macOS bundles require version 13.5 or later. The project notes that the learning curve can be steep.

Who it is for

darktable suits photographers who want a free raw-processing workflow with non-destructive editing and control over their process. It may be less suitable for users who want a gentle learning curve or depend on DCP profiles or presets from other programs.

What is good

Free, with Windows, macOS, and Linux options.
Editing leaves original images unchanged.
Imports standard, raw, and HDR image formats.
Many operations can use OpenCL GPU acceleration.
AI features include masking, denoising, and upscaling.

What to know first

The project notes a steep learning curve.
Flatpak does not include AI features.
macOS bundles require macOS 13.5 or later.
DCP camera profiles and other programs’ presets are unsupported.

Verdict

darktable offers a broad, non-destructive workflow for managing and developing images, with optional AI features and multiple export routes. Its learning curve and specific profile and preset limitations are worth considering.

darktable plans and pricing

All plans

darktable Free Open source photography workflow application and raw developer · GPL version 3 or later darktable.org · 29 Sept 2026

Compared on photo editing software

Free plan: Yesdarktable.org

Facts

Free plan: Yesdarktable.org · 20 Sept 2026
Platform: multi-platformdarktable.org · 20 Sept 2026
RAW photo support: Yesdarktable.org · 20 Sept 2026
Masking tools: Yesdarktable.org · 20 Sept 2026
Batch editing: Yesdarktable.org · 20 Sept 2026
Cloud sync: Nodarktable.org · 20 Sept 2026
AI retouching: Yesdarktable.org · 20 Sept 2026
What it does: darktable manages digital negatives in a database, provides a zoomable lighttable, and develops and enhances raw images.darktable.org · 29 Sept 2026
Editing: Editing is non-destructive and leaves original images unchanged.darktable.org · 29 Sept 2026
Formats: It imports standard, raw, and high dynamic range formats, including JPEG, CR2, NEF, HDR, PFM, and RAF.darktable.org · 29 Sept 2026
Color management: It supports automatic display profile detection on most systems and built-in ICC profiles for sRGB, Adobe RGB, XYZ, and linear RGB.darktable.org · 29 Sept 2026
GPU processing: Many image operations can use GPU acceleration through OpenCL.darktable.org · 29 Sept 2026
Tethering: It supports tethered shooting with live view for some camera brands.darktable.org · 29 Sept 2026
Export and integrations: The export system supports Piwigo webalbums, disk storage, email attachments, and HTML-based web galleries.darktable.org · 29 Sept 2026
Automation: Many aspects of darktable can be scripted in Lua.darktable.org · 29 Sept 2026
AI features: AI features are opt-in and disabled by default; they support tasks including object masking, denoising, and upscaling.docs.darktable.org · 29 Sept 2026
AI packaging limit: The Flatpak release does not include darktable’s AI features, as of September 2026.darktable.org · 29 Sept 2026
Platform downloads: The install page provides Windows installers and macOS disk images, and points to Linux/Unix source, AppImage, package manager, and Flatpak options.darktable.org · 29 Sept 2026
macOS requirement: The provided macOS bundles support macOS versions starting with 13.5 (Ventura).darktable.org · 29 Sept 2026
Security and signing: The FAQ says Windows builds are not currently signed with a trusted code-signing certificate, which can trigger SmartScreen or Smart App Control warnings.darktable.org · 29 Sept 2026
Support: The project directs users to the Pixls.us forum for help and GitHub Issues for bug reports and feature requests.darktable.org · 29 Sept 2026
Notable limits: The FAQ says darktable does not support DCP camera profiles and that presets from other programs are not compatible.darktable.org · 29 Sept 2026
Intended users: The project describes darktable as a flexible raw-processing toolbox that leaves users in control of their workflow and notes that its learning curve can be steep.darktable.org · 29 Sept 2026