RapidRAW
RapidRAW is a non-destructive RAW photo editor for Windows, macOS, Linux, and an experimental Android build distributed as an APK.
What RapidRAW is
RapidRAW is a non-destructive RAW photo editor for Windows, macOS, Linux, and an experimental Android build distributed as an APK. It processes image adjustments on the GPU for real-time feedback and saves edits in sidecar files, keeping the original images unchanged. The editor includes an image library, presets, batch operations, tone curves, an HSL color mixer, detail enhancement, and effects. AI tools can mask subjects, skies, and foregrounds, tag images automatically, and remove simple objects. AI masks run on the CPU and may take a few seconds on a modern CPU. Users can connect a local ComfyUI server for generative edits with their own hardware and models. Desktop editing and local AI features run on the user’s computer; Cloud processing uses a crop around the masked area rather than the full RAW file. The desktop editor is free, while RapidRAW Cloud costs $14 a month for 200 cloud edits each month. Batch export supports JPEG, PNG, TIFF, WebP, JPEG XL, AVIF, and CUBE LUT.
Good
- Free desktop editor with local AI tools
- Sidecar edits leave original images untouched
- Batch export supports seven listed formats and CUBE LUT
- Connects to a local ComfyUI server
Watch out
- AI masks run on the CPU and may take seconds
- Android build is experimental
- Cloud plan costs $14 a month
Who it suits
RapidRAW suits photographers who want RAW editing with batch tools and local AI features across desktop platforms. Its experimental Android build may also interest users willing to install an APK.
Verdict
RapidRAW combines RAW editing, batch operations, and local AI tools in a free desktop editor. Cloud edits cost extra, and AI masking may take a few seconds because it runs on the CPU.
Plans and prices
From RapidRAW's own pricing page, checked 11 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| RapidRAW desktop editor | Free | Open-source desktop editor; standard RAW editing and local AI tools are free |
| RapidRAW Cloud | $14 a month | 200 cloud edits each month · no local dedicated GPU required · Simple monthly billing, tax included |
The facts
Each one read from RapidRAW's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- AI retouching
- Yeschecked 22 Sep 2026
- AI tools
- Built-in AI features include subject, sky, and foreground masking, automatic image tagging, and simple object removal.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Batch editing
- Yeschecked 22 Sep 2026
- Cloud data handling
- The privacy policy says Cloud crops are processed in memory, discarded after the result is returned, and not stored in the company’s database or logs.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Cloud processing
- RapidRAW Cloud sends only a crop around the masked area for processing; the full RAW file is not uploaded.checked 11 Oct 2026
- ComfyUI integration
- RapidRAW can connect to a user’s local ComfyUI server for self-hosted generative edits using their own hardware and models.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Editing workflow
- Edits are stored in sidecar files, leaving original images untouched.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Export formats
- Batch export supports JPEG, PNG, TIFF, WebP, JPEG XL, AVIF, and CUBE LUT.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Features
- The editor includes an image library, presets, batch operations, tone curves, an HSL color mixer, detail enhancement, and effects.checked 11 Oct 2026
- GPU processing
- The product page says image adjustments are processed on the GPU for real-time feedback.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Masking tools
- Yeschecked 22 Sep 2026
- Notable limitation
- AI masks currently run on the CPU and may take a few seconds on a modern CPU.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- The privacy policy says desktop editing and local AI features run on the user’s computer and that the company does not receive photos or usage statistics from the desktop app.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Product
- RapidRAW is a non-destructive, GPU-accelerated RAW image editor.checked 11 Oct 2026
- RAW photo support
- Yeschecked 22 Sep 2026
- Support
- The documentation directs users to GitHub Discussions, Discord, and GitHub bug reports for help.checked 11 Oct 2026
Money
- Free plan
- Yeschecked 22 Sep 2026
The company
- Headquarters
- Kriens, Switzerlandchecked 28 Sep 2026
- Maker
- The maker’s site identifies Timon Käch as developer and photographer in Lucerne, Switzerland.checked 11 Oct 2026
Where it runs
- Platform
- multi-platformchecked 22 Sep 2026
- Supported platforms
- The installation guide lists Windows, macOS, Linux, and an experimental Android build distributed as an APK.checked 11 Oct 2026
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