Side by side
ArgyllCMS vs PsyCalibrator
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.
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 Free plan LinuxMacWindows
Choose PsyCalibrator if your research workflow needs display luminance and color measurement with supported Spyder hardware, plus gamma correction. It requires MATLAB or GNU Octave, Psychtoolbox, and a compatible instrument, so it does not suit workflows without those dependencies.
Visit PsyCalibratorThe facts
| ArgyllCMS | PsyCalibrator | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Yes | Not published |
| Runs on | API, Linux, Mac, Self-hosted, Windows | Linux, Mac, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 2 | 1 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | argyllcms.com | github.com |
| On display calibration software | #1 of 24 | #5 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
PsyCalibrator: what it does well
- Free, open-source package.
- Measures luminance and color with supported Spyder instruments.
- Returns CIE 1931 xyY coordinates.
- Corrects grayscale or individual color channels.
- Supports lookup-table gamma correction and restoration.
What to know first
- Requires MATLAB or GNU Octave and Psychtoolbox.
- Requires a Spyder5, SpyderX, or SpyderX2 instrument.
- Windows users need a photometer driver, subject to the stated compatibility conditions.
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