Version 5.13 · GPL-3.0-only · Windows · macOS · Linux
Looking for an alternative to RawTherapee?Compare darktable, ART.Compare alternativesWith RawTherapee you get more control from RAW photos. You set exposure, white balance, sharpening and noise reduction and look at the result before exporting. Your original file will be retained as a starting point.
You can carefully adjust recordings with difficult colors or large differences of light. Editing profiles help when multiple photos are taken under similar conditions. However, control by photo remains useful, especially in skin tones and light skies.
Download RawTherapee
Downloads are available for Windows, macOS, Linux.
Compare RawTherapee with alternatives
With RAW editing, you work with a development recipe next to your original photo. Compare noise reduction, color management, lens corrections and catalog functions. Operation settings are usually not interchangeable between apps, even when both support the same camera.
| Software | What can it do? | Platform and licence |
|---|---|---|
| RawTherapeeYou are viewing this app | You develop RAW files with many technical settings for detail, color and tightening. The workflow is aimed at file editing and a processing queue. | Windows, macOS, LinuxGPL-3.0-only |
| darktableView this alternative | You manage and develop RAW photos with a non-destructive workflow and extensive modules. You get both catalog functions and a lot of control over the development process. | Windows, macOS, LinuxGPL-3.0-only |
| ARTView this alternative | You use a RawTherapee-derived RAW editor with your own selection and tool layout. That's relevant if you want RAW check with a different work order. | Windows, macOS, LinuxOpen source |
Choose an alternative to explore its features, system requirements and download options.
Who is it for?
This is useful when you photograph with a camera in RAW and want to determine the development for yourself. It suits you if you want to put time in color and detail settings. You need other main tools for organizing photos, finding faces or collages.
Getting started
First work with a few photos from the same camera and also assess them by full size. Export only after white balance and exposure are correct.
Computer requirements
macOS 26 (Apple Silicon) or macOS 12 (Intel); Windows and Linux: see platform download
Privacy
You can develop photos locally. RAW files and exports may contain camera and location data. When sharing, check which metadata are included. Store originals with personal data or sensitive locations on shielded storage, even if you show final exports only a cut-out.
Good to know
You don't get a simple replacement for all the tasks of a photo library. Check the support for your RAW format.
Please note
Support depends on camera and file variant. Check a few own RAW files before you convert an entire photo series. Strong noise reduction and tightening can affect details or emphasize edges. Tune color space and dimensions to screen, website or print.
Advantages
- You will gain extensive control over RAW development.
- Non-destructive processing lets you go back to the original.
- Detail and color settings give room for a targeted finish.
Things to consider
- The learning curve is larger than automatic filters.
- Camera support and output color request check.
- A convincing preview should continue to be compared with the final export.
Download RawTherapee
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Provider’s website · rawtherapee.com
Version history
5.13
You get more control over local photo editing and see sharper examples on high resolution screens.
What’s new?
- You can sharpen parts of a photo with Capture Deconvolution. With noise reduction, you can keep more fine details.
- You can show multiple guides at the same time when cutting and changing their color. This makes it easier to align the cut-out with your composition.
- You can see sharper thumbnails and previews on HiDPI screens. The Dutch translation and the support for several new camera performances have also been updated.
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Our verdict
RawTherapee is especially suitable if you want to carefully develop RAW photos with control over colour, detail and tone. The operation does not change the original RAW file in the same way as directly overwriting a JPEG. That'll give you room to start over. The many institutions do ask for a firm approach; at the same time turning on many slides makes the result difficult to assess.
Choose RawTherapee if you are willing to make photos for photo considerations about colour and detail. For only a quick cut or collage, this approach is more extensive than necessary. Start with material from your own camera and assess the export at both pixel level and overall. Saved development settings allow different output versions without specifying the source.
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