Free and open first

Best Photography Software in 2026

Photography software can cover RAW processing, photo catalogs, batch editing and image exports. This list includes tools for Windows, macOS, iOS, Linux, Android and the web, for people choosing on a budget.

28 apps
Research read 28 Sept 2026
How the order is worked out

1

Lychee

Free plan Open source AndroidAPIiPhone+3

Lychee offers self-hosted photo organization and sharing with a free edition and a paid Supporter Edition.

8.9 Free plan Visit site
2

Adobe Lightroom
by Adobe Lightroom
Free plan AndroidiPhoneMac+2

Choose Lightroom if you need photo editing and organizing across desktop, web, and mobile, with RAW support, batch editing, masking, AI retouching, and cloud sync.

7.7 Free plan · 7-day trial Visit site
3

darktable

Free plan LinuxMacWindows

darktable provides a broad raw-image workflow, with database organization, non-destructive editing, and several export paths at no cost.

7.4 Free plan Visit site
4

iCloud Backup

Free plan AndroidAPIExtension+4

Choose iCloud Backup if you use iOS and want mobile file backup, photo features and file restoration, with a free 5 GB tier and paid storage options.

7.4 Free plan · paid from $0.99/mo Visit site
5

LibrePhotos

Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+4

LibrePhotos brings searchable organization, sharing and mobile backup to a self-hosted library. Check its Windows and CPU-only deployment limits against how you plan to run it.

7.3 Free plan Visit site
6

FUJIFILM X RAW STUDIO
by FUJIFILM X RAW STUDIO
Free plan MacWindows

FUJIFILM X RAW STUDIO’s central requirement is a USB-connected camera of the same model that captured the RAW file.

7.2 Free plan Visit site
7

Nikon NX Studio

Free plan MacWindows

Pick Nikon NX Studio if you use a Nikon digital camera and want a free desktop suite spanning still image and video workflows.

6.9 Free plan Visit site
8

PhotoDirector
by PhotoDirector
Free plan MacWindows

Choose PhotoDirector if you want generative editing features together with controls for RAW, layers, masks, and compositing.

6.9 Free plan · paid from $79.99/yr Visit site
9

RawTherapee
by RawTherapee
Free plan LinuxMacWindows

RawTherapee focuses on image development, with raw support, batch processing and editor integration at no cost.

6.9 Free plan Visit site
10

Photomator

Free plan iPhoneMac

Photomator combines RAW support, nondestructive adjustments, AI selections, and repair tools for Apple platforms.

6.8 Visit site
11

Showfoto

Free plan LinuxMacWindows

Showfoto offers a broad set of editing tools and local-file workflows at no cost. Its database limitation is important for anyone who needs image versioning.

6.8 Free plan Visit site
12

Alcedo Studio

Free plan MacWindows

6.3 Free plan Visit site
13

Canon Digital Photo Professional

Free plan MacWindows

6.2 Free plan Visit site
14

Excire Foto

Free trial MacWindows

Excire Foto 2027 provides broad local search and organization tools across Windows and macOS. Its one-time purchase model, trial, and missing cloud sync are key considerations before choosing it.

6.2 From $249 · 14-day trial Visit site
15

Mylio Photos

Free trial AndroidiPhoneMac+1

Mylio Photos focuses on organizing, searching, syncing, and backing up mixed media across devices.

6.2 From $15/user/mo (annual) · 7-day trial Visit site
16

Exposure
by Exposure
Free trial MacWindows

Exposure X7 combines RAW editing and photo organization in a desktop application with standalone and plug-in modes.

6.1 30-day trial Visit site
17

FastRawViewer

Free trial MacWindows

FastRawViewer focuses on fast RAW assessment and file handling rather than broad editing.

6.1 30-day trial Visit site
18

ON1 Photo RAW
by ON1 Photo RAW
Free trial AndroidExtensioniPhone+2

ON1 Photo RAW covers editing, organization, and export, with AI tools and cloud sync options. The trial lasts 30 days; note the plan-dependent computer limits and that Restore AI is reserved for MAX.

6.1 30-day trial Visit site
19

IMatch

Free trial Windows

IMatch brings broad cataloging, search, and metadata capabilities to Windows collections, with a 30-day trial to evaluate it.

5.9 From $145 · 30-day trial Visit site
20

Rollfilm

Free plan LinuxMacWindows

5.8 Free plan Visit site
21

Luminar Neo
by Luminar Neo
Paid AndroidAPIExtension+5

Luminar Neo offers a broad set of editing tools across desktop and mobile platforms, including RAW support and AI retouching.

5.7 From $129 · 7-day trial Visit site
22

Photo Mechanic

Free trial MacWindows

Choose Photo Mechanic if you need fast photo review, ingest, metadata handling, and batch editing on macOS or Windows.

5.7 From $14.99/mo · 30-day trial Visit site
23

XnView MP

Free plan LinuxMacWindows

5.7 Free plan · paid from €29 Visit site
24

Capture One
by Capture One
Paid iPhone

Choose Capture One for advanced photo editing, RAW conversion, and tethering across desktop and mobile plans.

5.6 7-day trial Visit site
25

SILKYPIX Developer Studio Pro12
by SILKYPIX Developer Studio Pro12
Free trial Windows

SILKYPIX Developer Studio Pro12 focuses on RAW development with targeted corrections, presets, and selected-format support.

5.4 From 25,300 JPY · 30-day trial Visit site

#1Places #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 on this list can be bought by the makers of the software on it. See the price

Compare free plans, paid starting prices, trial periods, RAW support, catalog and batch features, platforms, included cloud storage and export formats. If code access matters, read the open-source licence; check platform and storage needs before choosing.

Questions

Which photography software has a free plan?

Alcedo Studio, Canon Digital Photo Professional, darktable and iCloud Backup show a free plan.

Which tools offer a free trial?

Excire Foto lists a 14-day trial. FastRawViewer and IMatch list 30-day trials.

What paid starting prices are shown?

Excire Foto starts at $249, IMatch at $145 and Iridient Developer at $119.99. iCloud Backup has paid storage from $0.99 per month.

What platforms do these tools support?

The list covers Windows, macOS, iOS, Linux, Android and web software. Check the platform field for the tool you plan to use.

Is open-source photography software available?

Open-source code is offered by tools on this list. Read the licence for the software you are considering.

Questions

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