OpenFocus

Free plan Open source LinuxMacSelf-hostedWindows

What OpenFocus is

OpenFocus is a desktop application for aligning and combining multi-focus image sequences into all-in-focus images. It offers ECC and Homography methods for alignment, with fusion choices including Guided Filter, DCT, DTCWT, GFG-FGF, and the StackMFF V4 AI model. A wipe view lets users compare source frames and results with a movable divider, and the software can create per-pixel maps of focus position. OpenFocus can process batches across folders or run through a headless command-line interface for scripting and CI. Listed inputs include JPG, PNG, BMP, TIFF, MP4, and numbered image folders; the manual also describes decoding additional video formats. Outputs include JPG, PNG, BMP, TIFF, image-sequence folders, and GIF animations. Research functions include scale bars calibrated from image metadata and multi-page TIFF stacks that retain 16-bit depth. The interface supports English, Chinese, Japanese, and Spanish, with automatic system-language detection. The project is free under the MIT License, though included algorithms may have separate license terms. Its GUI is available for Windows and macOS, and its CLI is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux. Windows and macOS builds are unsigned and may trigger first-launch warnings.

Who it suits

OpenFocus is intended for researchers, engineers, and image-processing professionals working with multi-focus sequences. Its batch tools, command-line interface, and research-oriented output options may suit both desktop and scripted workflows.

What it does well

Offers five listed fusion methods.
Batch processing works across folders.
Headless command-line interface supports scripting and CI.
Can retain 16-bit depth in multi-page TIFF stacks.
Free and released under the MIT License.

What to know first

Windows and macOS builds are unsigned.
Included algorithms may have separate license terms.
GUI is listed only for Windows and macOS.

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
Free and open source	Windows/macOS GUI · Linux CLI · MIT source license	Free

As github.com lists them, read 15 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

Open the OpenFocus project website.
Choose the graphical interface for Windows or macOS, or the command-line interface for Windows, macOS, or Linux.
Launch the app; Windows and macOS builds may show a first-launch security warning.
Load supported images, a numbered image folder, or a listed video input.
Align and fuse the sequence, then export in a supported output format.

Verdict

OpenFocus provides alignment, fusion, comparison, and batch tools for multi-focus image work. Users should account for unsigned app warnings and check license terms for included algorithms.

Questions

How much does OpenFocus cost?

OpenFocus is free under the MIT License.

Which platforms does it support?

The graphical interface is available for Windows and macOS. The command-line interface supports Windows, macOS, and Linux.

What image and video formats can it use?

Listed inputs include JPG, PNG, BMP, TIFF, MP4, and numbered image folders. The manual also describes decoding additional video formats.

What can it export?

It can export JPG, PNG, BMP, TIFF, image-sequence folders, and GIF animations.

Is OpenFocus open source?

The project is released under the MIT License. Included algorithms may have their own license terms.

Can it process batches or run from a script?

Yes. It supports batch processing across folders and a headless command-line interface for scripting and CI.

Facts from OpenFocus's own pages

3D export: Version 1.54–1.55 added textured OBJ export combining a depth map and fused image. · github.com, 15 Oct 2026
Algorithm limitation: OpenFocus A produces a deliberately soft look and is not intended for the supplied benchmark. · github.com, 15 Oct 2026
Batch and CLI: It supports batch processing across folders and a headless command-line interface for scripting and CI. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
Batch processing: The application can process multiple folders with progress reporting, cancellation and organized outputs. · github.com, 15 Oct 2026
Command line: A pip-installable headless CLI runs on Windows, macOS and Linux and returns exit codes 0, 1 or 2 for success, processing errors or usage errors. · github.com, 15 Oct 2026
Compare and inspect: A wipe compare view uses a draggable divider to compare source frames and results, and the software can generate per-pixel focus-position depth maps. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
Depth maps: Index-deciding fusion methods can produce per-pixel focus-position maps with pseudo-color display and 16-bit export. · github.com, 15 Oct 2026
Documentation: The project links an English manual, Chinese manual, changelog, large-stack performance notes and build commands. · github.com, 15 Oct 2026
Exports: The manual lists JPG, PNG, BMP, TIFF, image-sequence folders, and GIF animations as output options. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
Extensibility: Source builds use Python 3.10 with requirements.txt, and PyInstaller packaging instructions are provided. · github.com, 15 Oct 2026
Feature limitation: The comparison table lists camera or rail control as unavailable in OpenFocus. · github.com, 15 Oct 2026
Fusion methods: Fusion options include Guided Filter, DCT, DTCWT, GFG-FGF, StackMFF V4 and OpenFocus A/B/C. · github.com, 15 Oct 2026
GPU limitation: GPU acceleration is optional and is provided for the StackMFF V4 neural model. · github.com, 15 Oct 2026
Image alignment: It offers ECC and Homography methods to align image sequences. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
Input formats: The manual lists JPG, PNG, BMP, TIFF, MP4, and numbered image folders as supported inputs; it also describes decoding several additional video formats. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
Intended users: The manual describes OpenFocus as a desktop application for researchers, engineers, and image-processing professionals. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
Interface: The desktop application is built with PyQt6 and supports CPU processing by default. · github.com, 15 Oct 2026
Languages: The interface supports English, Chinese, Japanese, and Spanish, with automatic system-language detection. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
License: The repository is released under the MIT License. · raw.githubusercontent.com, 15 Oct 2026
License caveat: Included research algorithms may carry original license terms in addition to the OpenFocus MIT license. · github.com, 15 Oct 2026
Microscopy features: The software supports TIFF µm-per-pixel calibration, dust-map flat-field correction and publication scale bars. · github.com, 15 Oct 2026
News: 2026-10-15: The project announced OBJ export, camera RAW support and depth smoothing for OpenFocus B on October 15, 2026. · github.com, 15 Oct 2026
News: 2026-10-15 retouch: A same-day release added the retouch brush, live progress, per-method kernel memory and improved DTCWT and GFG-FGF behavior. · github.com, 15 Oct 2026
Output formats: Exports include JPG, PNG, WebP, BMP and TIFF, with 16-bit data preserved through the pipeline. · github.com, 15 Oct 2026

Where OpenFocus stands on Freedom251

Focus Stacking Software#1 of 24