Free Adobe Lightroom alternatives
Adobe Lightroom is a photo management and editing application used by photographers for organising, developing and exporting raw images. It is available only by subscription, which adds up for hobbyists. darktable is a free, open-source raw editor with a similar library and develop workflow, while RawTherapee suits detailed raw work.
Best free alternative to Adobe Lightroom: darktable. RAW processing, non-destructive edits, tagging and a darkroom workflow, free and open source.
Side by side
| Option | What you get | What you miss |
|---|---|---|
| darktable | RAW processing, non-destructive edits, tagging and a darkroom workflow, free and open source. | Lightroom's cloud sync, mobile app and AI masking tools. |
| RawTherapee | RAW development with advanced color tools, local adjustments and batch processing. | Lightroom's cloud catalog, mobile editing and AI-based masking. |
Questions people ask
What is the best free alternative to Adobe Lightroom?
darktable. RAW processing, non-destructive edits, tagging and a darkroom workflow, free and open source.
Is there a free version of Adobe Lightroom?
Not a full one, but darktable and RawTherapee are free and cover most of what Adobe Lightroom does.
What do you miss with a free Adobe Lightroom alternative?
Lightroom's cloud sync, mobile app and AI masking tools.