RawTherapee
Free open-source RAW photo processor
FreeImageOpen Source3 impressions
RawTherapee is a free alternative to Adobe Lightroom.
RawTherapee is a free, cross-platform raw photo processor for high-quality image development.
- for
- Enthusiast to professional photographers who need advanced raw editing.
- pricing
- free
- license
- GPL-3.0
Key features
- 32-bit non-destructive editing — Processes images with a floating-point engine preserving original data.
- Advanced demosaicing — Offers multiple algorithms, including dual-algorithm compositing for better colour reconstruction.
- Pixel-shift and HDR support — Combines pixel-shift frames with ghost masking and handles high-dynamic-range DNG files.
- Raw correction tools — Provides dark frame subtraction, flat-field correction, and hot/dead pixel removal.
- Cross-platform — Runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows with installers and AppImage formats.
- Open-source GPLv3 — Free to use, modify, and redistribute under a copyleft license.
Use cases
- Convert RAW files from a DSLR into high-quality JPEGs
- Create HDR images by merging multiple exposures
- Correct sensor artifacts like hot pixels and uneven illumination
- Apply precise colour and detail adjustments for professional prints
RawTherapee vs alternatives
| RawTherapee |  darktable |  GIMP |  Adobe Lightroom |  Krita | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Non-destructive RAW development | Open-source photography workflow | General raster editing | Paid RAW workflow with cloud services | Digital painting and illustration |
| Pricing | Free | Free | Free | Subscription | Free |
| DevHunt upvotes | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Launched | — | — | — | — | — |
- RawTherapee vs darktable: darktable is also open-source but focuses more on a Lightroom-style workflow
- RawTherapee vs GIMP: GIMP is a general image editor, not specialized for raw processing
- RawTherapee vs Adobe Lightroom: Adobe Lightroom is commercial and offers cloud sync and subscription pricing
- RawTherapee vs Krita: Krita targets digital painting rather than raw photo development
RawTherapee FAQ
Is RawTherapee free to use?+
Yes, it is released under the GPLv3 license and can be used at no cost.
Which operating systems are supported?+
RawTherapee runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows.
Does it support RAW files from many camera models?+
It provides best-in-class support for a broad range of digital cameras, including multi-frame and pixel-shift RAW files.
Can I edit images without altering the original file?+
Yes, the processing is non-destructive, preserving the original RAW data.
Summarized by DevHunt from rawtherapee.com · Oct 7, 2026. Details may change; check the official site.
About this listing
DevHunt lists RawTherapee because developers expect to find it next to the tools in its category. It did not launch on DevHunt. Work on RawTherapee? Message us to claim this listing.
