RawTherapee is a free desktop program for developing raw photos on Linux, macOS and Windows. Its non-destructive, 32-bit floating-point engine handles raw files from many digital cameras, including HDR DNG, as well as JPEG, TIFF and PNG images. Users can control demosaicing and development with multiple algorithms, use masking tools and batch process images. Editing parameters can be copied or pasted across files, and the program includes command-line use as well as a graphical interface. RawTherapee can open raw images from GIMP as a plugin and return edited images there, or send processed images to GIMP or another editor in one click. It is released under the GNU General Public License version 3. The project directs users to RawPedia and a community forum for help. It does not include digital asset management, printing or uploading features. For macOS, version 5.13 has different minimum requirements for Apple Silicon and Intel, and must be installed in /Applications to start.
Who it is for
RawTherapee targets photographers from enthusiast newcomers to professionals who want to develop raw images on a desktop. It may be a poor fit for professionals who need built-in asset management, printing or uploading.
What is good
- Free raw development on Linux, macOS and Windows.
- Non-destructive 32-bit floating-point processing.
- Supports masking and batch editing.
- Can integrate with GIMP or another editor.
- Includes command-line use.
What to know first
- No digital asset management features.
- No printing or uploading features.
- macOS version 5.13 requires installation in /Applications.
- macOS minimum requirements vary by processor type.
Verdict
RawTherapee focuses on image development, with raw support, batch processing and editor integration at no cost. Users needing asset management, printing or uploading will need those features elsewhere.
RawTherapee plans and pricing
All plansCompared on photo editing software
- Free plan
- Yes
