Best HDR Software in 2026
Updated
In short: Luminance HDR is ranked #1 of 20 as of 4 October 2026, ahead of PhotomatixCL and SNS-HDR. The best-ranked option with a free plan is PhotomatixCL. The lowest first paid tier on this page is PhotomatixCL at $19/mo.
For creating high dynamic range images, HDR software can differ in how it combines source images and shapes the final look. Compare HDR merge mode, tone mapping controls, RAW file support, and HDR output formats, along with batch processing and the maximum number of input images. Supported platforms, free plans, and paid-from pricing add practical cost and compatibility details. The ranked entries open with easyHDR, Luminance HDR, and PhotomatixCL, followed by SNS-HDR and ColorForge. Consider the source files you work with and the output options you need when comparing the listed features.
20 HDR software ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
#1 Luminance HDR Top pick · 7.0 Free plan · Free
#2 PhotomatixCL Runner-up · 7.0 Free plan · $19/mo
#3 SNS-HDR Also great · 7.0 Free plan · €30/mo- Free plan LinuxmacOSWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- HDR merge mode
- both
- Tone mapping controls
- multiple
- Batch processing
- Yes
- RAW file support
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free planFree trial LinuxmacOSWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Paid from
- 39 one-time
- HDR merge mode
- bracketed
- Tone mapping controls
- multiple
- Batch processing
- Yes
- RAW file support
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms$19/mofirst paid tier About PhotomatixCLVisit site - Free planFree trial macOSWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- HDR merge mode
- both
- Tone mapping controls
- multiple
- Batch processing
- Yes
- RAW file support
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms€30/mofirst paid tier About SNS-HDRVisit site - Free plan LinuxmacOSWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- HDR merge mode
- both
- Batch processing
- Yes
- RAW file support
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free trial LinuxmacOSWindows
- Free plan
- No
- HDR merge mode
- both
- Tone mapping controls
- multiple
- Batch processing
- Yes
- RAW file support
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - LinuxmacOSWindows
- HDR merge mode
- bracketed
- Batch processing
- Yes
- RAW file support
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free trial apiiOSLinuxmacOSWebWindows
- Free plan
- No
- HDR merge mode
- both
- Tone mapping controls
- advanced
- Batch processing
- Yes
- RAW file support
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms$19/mofirst paid tier About Photomatix ProVisit site - WindowsmacOSLinux
- Free plan
- No
- Paid from
- 69 one-time
- HDR merge mode
- both
- Tone mapping controls
- multiple
- Batch processing
- Yes
- RAW file support
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms$69/mofirst paid tier About AKVIS EnhancerVisit site - WebWindowsmacOSLinuxiOSAndroid
- Free plan
- Yes
- HDR merge mode
- both
- Tone mapping controls
- multiple
- RAW file support
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free trial macOSWindows
- Free plan
- No
- HDR merge mode
- both
- Tone mapping controls
- advanced
- Batch processing
- Yes
- RAW file support
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Web
- Free plan
- Yes
- HDR merge mode
- bracketed
- RAW file support
- No
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - LinuxmacOSWindows
- Free plan
- No
- Paid from
- 69 one-time
- HDR merge mode
- both
- Tone mapping controls
- multiple
- Batch processing
- Yes
- RAW file support
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Windows
- Free plan
- No
- Paid from
- 59 one-time
- HDR merge mode
- both
- Tone mapping controls
- multiple
- Batch processing
- Yes
- RAW file support
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - WindowsmacOSLinux
- HDR merge mode
- both
- RAW file support
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - macOSWindows
- Free plan
- No
- HDR merge mode
- both
- Tone mapping controls
- advanced
- Batch processing
- Yes
- RAW file support
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - iOSmacOS
- Free plan
- No
- HDR merge mode
- bracketed
- Tone mapping controls
- multiple
- RAW file support
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - WindowsmacOS
- Free plan
- No
- HDR merge mode
- bracketed
- Batch processing
- Yes
- RAW file support
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms -
- Free plan
- Yes
- HDR merge mode
- bracketed
- Tone mapping controls
- advanced
- RAW file support
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Windows
- Free plan
- No
- HDR merge mode
- bracketed
- RAW file support
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Web
- Free plan
- No
- HDR merge mode
- bracketed
- Batch processing
- Yes
- RAW file support
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms
Is your app on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored. They are labelled, and the editorial order and scores never change for payment.
Questions about this list
Which HDR software is ranked first on Everything Xiaomi?
Luminance HDR is ranked #1 of 20 with a score of 7.0. PhotomatixCL is second and SNS-HDR third.
How many of these have a free plan?
4 of the 20 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
Which is the cheapest paid option?
On this page, PhotomatixCL has the lowest first paid tier we found: $19/mo.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked on what each maker publishes: documentation depth, a free tier and the platforms it runs on. Paid placements never change a rank.