Side by side

ArgyllCMS vs ColourSpace

Both stand on display calibration software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.

ArgyllCMS

Free plan Open source APILinuxMac+2

ArgyllCMS offers broad device profiling and color-conversion capabilities through command-line tools. Its lack of a built-in GUI and Wayland limitation matter when choosing a workflow.

Visit ArgyllCMS

ColourSpace combines profiling, LUT generation, and detailed colour assessment for a range of professional and home cinema settings. Check the free edition's limits, Windows-based Mac use, and license conditions against your setup.

Visit ColourSpace

The facts

	ArgyllCMS	ColourSpace
Free plan	Yes	Yes
Open source	Yes	Not published
Runs on	API, Linux, Mac, Self-hosted, Windows	Mac, Windows
Lowest paid plan	Free or on request	Free or on request
Plans published	2	3
Maker	Not published	Not published
Website	argyllcms.com	lightillusion.com
On display calibration software	#1 of 24	#3 of 24

ArgyllCMS: what it does well

Free, open-source software for Linux, macOS, and Windows
Profiles scanners, cameras, displays, and printers
Supports 3D LUTs and spectral sample data
Includes 8-bit and fully accurate 16-bit conversion tools
Documentation covers individual tools and common tasks

What to know first

No graphical interface is included
Native Linux display calibration and profiling under Wayland is unsupported
Commercial and non-GPL use requires a separate license

ColourSpace: what it does well

Profiles displays and generates calibration LUTs
Interactive 3D graphs show colour points and errors
Higher licenses support LUTs at 1024³ and beyond
Integrates with listed displays and video systems

What to know first

Free ZRO edition has no LUT capability
Native macOS version is in development
Standard license covers one PC
License activation and periodic checks need internet access

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