Freedom251 › Focus Stacking Software
Helicon Focus
What Helicon Focus is
Helicon Focus combines photographs made at different focus distances into one image with extended depth of field. It is intended for focus stacking in macro and micro photography, close-ups, jewelry and product photography, landscapes, flowers, animals, and still life. Images are processed at 16-bit precision, with color-profile support, and the software can open RAW files. Its Pro RAW-in-DNG-out mode saves the result as a DNG; output formats also include JPEG, TIFF, PNG, BMP, JPEG2000, and PSD.
The software can process stacks of hundreds of high-resolution images and supports unlimited stack length. Retouching tools can copy areas from aligned source images or combine areas from multiple outputs, with a grid for detailed adjustments. Batch rendering can queue and split stacks, and other applications can call Helicon Focus using command-line parameters. Plugins export stacks from Lightroom and Capture One. Pro features add 3D model export and 2D micropanorama stitching.
A fully featured trial begins at first installation and lasts 30 days. After the trial, Demo mode limits output resolution and adds a watermark. Current downloads are for 64-bit Windows 10 and 11, and macOS 12 or later. Annual licenses start at $30 a year; lifetime licenses start at $115, paid once.
Who it suits
Helicon Focus suits photographers who need to combine images with different focus distances, including macro, product, landscape, and still-life photographers. It also fits users who want retouching, batch rendering, or Lightroom and Capture One stack-export workflows.
What it does well
- Combines focus-bracketed images into extended-depth-of-field results.
- Processes images at 16-bit precision and supports color profiles.
- Opens RAW files and exports multiple image formats.
- Supports unlimited stack length and large high-resolution stacks.
- Includes batch rendering and manual retouching tools.
- Plugins export stacks from Lightroom and Capture One.
What to know first
- The fully featured trial lasts 30 days.
- Demo mode limits output resolution and adds a watermark.
- Annual licenses revert to demo mode after one year.
- The current downloads require Windows 10 or 11, or macOS 12 or later.
Limits
The fully featured trial lasts 30 days from first installation. Afterward, Demo mode limits output resolution and adds a watermark. Annual licenses are valid for one year after purchase and then revert to demo mode.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Lite — 1 year | Single user · Up to four computers | On request |
| Pro package — 1 year | Single user · Up to four computers | On request |
| Premium package — 1 year | Single user · Up to four computers | On request |
| Lite — lifetime | Single user · Up to four computers | On request |
| Pro package — lifetime | Single user · Up to four computers | On request |
| Premium package — lifetime | Single user · Up to four computers | On request |
| Helicon Focus Lite — Lifetime license | Lifetime license; all updates are free. · Lite features · single user · up to four computers, one copy in use at a time | $115, paid once |
| Helicon Focus Pro package — Lifetime license | Lifetime license; all updates are free. · Pro features · Helicon Remote for desktop computers · single user · up to four computers, one copy in use at a time | $200, paid once |
The first 8 of 12 plans, as heliconsoft.com lists them, read 20 Sept 2026. The maker's own page has the final word. Every plan
Getting started
- Download Helicon Focus for 64-bit Windows 10 or 11, or macOS 12 or later.
- Install and start the 30-day fully featured trial.
- Open images taken at different focus distances and create a stack.
- Use retouching tools or batch rendering as needed.
- Choose an annual or lifetime license if you want to continue beyond the trial.
Verdict
Choose Helicon Focus if focus stacking is central to your photography workflow and you want RAW support, retouching, or batch rendering. The trial lets you use the full feature set for 30 days. Look elsewhere if you need a free plan or an operating system outside the supported Windows and macOS versions.
Questions
How much does Helicon Focus cost?
Annual licenses are $30 a year for Lite, $55 a year for Pro, and $65 a year for Premium. Lifetime licenses are $115, paid once for Lite, $200, paid once for Pro, and $240, paid once for Premium.
Is there a free plan or trial?
There is no free plan, but a fully featured trial lasts 30 days from first installation. Demo mode follows the trial and limits output resolution while adding a watermark.
Which operating systems are supported?
Current downloads are listed for 64-bit Windows 10 and 11, and macOS 12.0 or later.
What are the differences between the Pro and Premium packages?
Both include Pro features. Pro includes Helicon Remote for desktop computers, while Premium includes Helicon Remote for desktop, Android, and iOS.
Can Helicon Focus open RAW files?
Yes. Its Pro RAW-in-DNG-out mode saves the result as a DNG.
How many computers can a license cover?
Each listed annual and lifetime license is for a single user and up to four computers, with one copy in use at a time.
Facts from Helicon Focus's own pages
- 3D and panorama
- Pro features include 3D model export and 2D micropanorama stitching. · heliconsoft.com, 3 Oct 2026
- Editing tools
- Retouching tools can copy areas from aligned source images or combine areas from multiple outputs, and a grid supports detailed retouching. · heliconsoft.com, 3 Oct 2026
- Free plan
- No · heliconsoft.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Image processing
- The software processes images with 16-bit precision and supports color profiles for color reproduction. · heliconsoft.com, 3 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The maker describes plugins for exporting stacks from Lightroom and Capture One to Helicon Focus. · heliconsoft.com, 3 Oct 2026
- Minimum requirements
- The downloads page lists a 64-bit operating system, 8 GB RAM, and 1600×1200 screen resolution as minimum hardware requirements. · heliconsoft.com, 3 Oct 2026
- Personal data
- The maker says it collects checkout and contact-form information to provide licenses, deliver products, and provide customer support, and describes using industry-standard security technologies, procedures, and organizational measures. · heliconsoft.com, 3 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Helicon Focus combines multiple images taken at different focus distances into one image with extended depth of field. · heliconsoft.com, 3 Oct 2026
- RAW workflow
- Helicon Focus can open RAW files, and its Pro RAW-in-DNG-out mode saves the result as a DNG file. · heliconsoft.com, 3 Oct 2026
- Stack capacity
- The maker says Helicon Focus can process stacks of hundreds of high-resolution images and supports unlimited stack length. · heliconsoft.com, 3 Oct 2026
- Support
- For technical issues, the maker directs users to submit a bug report through Help → Contact support on Windows or Mac and points users to its FAQ. · heliconsoft.com, 3 Oct 2026
- Supported operating systems
- The current Helicon Focus 8 downloads are listed for 64-bit Windows 10 and 11 and macOS 12.0 or later. · heliconsoft.com, 3 Oct 2026
- Target users
- The maker describes focus stacking as useful for macro and micro photography, close-ups, jewelry, product photography, landscapes, flowers, animals, and still life. · heliconsoft.com, 3 Oct 2026
- Trial and demo limit
- The fully featured trial starts at first installation and lasts 30 days; afterward, Demo mode limits output resolution and adds a watermark. · heliconsoft.com, 3 Oct 2026
- Workflow features
- Helicon Focus can queue and split stacks for batch rendering and can be called from other applications using command-line parameters. · heliconsoft.com, 3 Oct 2026
Where Helicon Focus stands on Freedom251
- Focus Stacking Software#19 of 24
- Photo Editing Software#151 of 160