Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Darktable VS ON1 Photo RAW

Compare Darktable VS ON1 Photo RAW and see what are their differences

Darktable logo Darktable

darktable is an open source photography workflow application and raw developer.

ON1 Photo RAW logo ON1 Photo RAW

All-in-one photo editor and raw processor.
  • Darktable Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-10-18
  • ON1 Photo RAW Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-10

Darktable features and specs

  • Open Source
    Darktable is open-source software, meaning it's free to use and its source code is available for users to modify and improve. This can appeal to those who prefer community-driven projects.
  • Non-Destructive Editing
    The software ensures that the original image files are never altered. All edits are stored in a separate file, allowing users to revert to the original image at any time.
  • RAW Processing
    Darktable supports a wide range of RAW file formats from numerous camera manufacturers, offering high-quality RAW image editing capabilities.
  • Extensive Toolset
    Darktable offers a comprehensive set of tools for color correction, retouching, and other adjustments, comparable to other professional photo editing software.
  • Cross-Platform Support
    Available for Linux, macOS, and Windows, Darktable allows users to work on their preferred operating system without compatibility issues.
  • Active Community
    Darktable has an active community of users and developers who regularly contribute to forums, create tutorials, and develop plugins, providing robust support.

Possible disadvantages of Darktable

  • Learning Curve
    Darktable has a steep learning curve, which can be daunting for beginners who are not familiar with photo editing software.
  • Less Intuitive UI
    Compared to some commercial alternatives, Darktable's user interface is less intuitive, which may make it harder for new users to navigate and utilize all features efficiently.
  • Slower Performance
    Some users have reported that Darktable can be slower compared to other photo editing software, especially when working with very large files or complex edits.
  • Limited Integration
    Darktable does not integrate as seamlessly with other software in the Adobe ecosystem, which could be a drawback for those who rely on multiple Adobe products for their workflow.
  • Infrequent Updates
    Although the software is updated, it does not receive updates as frequently as some commercial alternatives, which can delay the release of new features or bug fixes.
  • Limited Documentation
    While there is a community and some documentation available, new users might find comprehensive guides and official tutorials lacking compared to more mainstream software.

ON1 Photo RAW features and specs

  • Non-destructive Editing
    ON1 Photo RAW offers non-destructive editing, allowing users to make changes to their photos without permanently altering the original image.
  • Comprehensive Toolset
    The software includes a wide range of editing tools and features, such as layers, HDR, panorama merging, and local adjustments, making it versatile for various editing needs.
  • Integrated Workflow
    ON1 Photo RAW provides an all-in-one photo editing and organizing solution, eliminating the need to switch between multiple applications for different tasks.
  • AI-based Features
    Includes AI-powered tools that simplify complex tasks like sky replacement and portrait retouching, saving time and enhancing ease of use.
  • Frequent Updates
    ON1 frequently updates Photo RAW to introduce new features, improve performance, and address user feedback, keeping the software current and competitive.

Possible disadvantages of ON1 Photo RAW

  • Steep Learning Curve
    Given its comprehensive set of features and tools, new users may find the software difficult to learn initially, requiring time and effort to master.
  • Performance Issues
    Some users report performance issues, such as slow processing speeds or software crashes, particularly when working with large files or complex edits.
  • Limited Plugin Support
    Compared to other major editing software, ON1 Photo RAW has limited support for third-party plugins, which may affect users looking to expand its functionality.
  • Subscription Model
    ON1 offers a subscription model for ongoing updates and access to new features, which might not be ideal for users who prefer a one-time purchase.
  • Operating System Requirements
    The software requires a relatively updated operating system and hardware specifications, which might be a limitation for users with older computers.

Darktable videos

Free Lightroom Alternative: Darktable Review

More videos:

  • Review - darktable 3.0 How Good is it in comparison to other editing programs?
  • Review - Lightroom vs Darktable - the Key Difference ? 2019

ON1 Photo RAW videos

On1 Photo RAW 2020 vs Lightroom Which is BETTER?

More videos:

  • Review - On1 Photo RAW 2019 - Was it Worth it?
  • Review - Ditching Lightroom | On1 Photo RAW 2020 Workflow + a killer feature

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Darktable and ON1 Photo RAW)
Image Editing
89 89%
11% 11
Photos & Graphics
73 73%
27% 27
Graphic Design Software
100 100%
0% 0
Photo Editing
80 80%
20% 20

User comments

Share your experience with using Darktable and ON1 Photo RAW. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
Log in or Post with

Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Darktable and ON1 Photo RAW

Darktable Reviews

Our 6 Favorite Free Photoshop Alternatives (2022 Update)
Darktable is a free, open-source photo editing software that is used by photographers and editors and is a wonderful alternative to the likes of Photoshop and Lightroom.
5 Best Linux Photo Management Software
Darktable is more of a photo editing application than an organizer. Darktable stands out for its own user interface regardless of the desktop environment you might be using, and of course for its editing capabilities. The basic features include:
Source: itsfoss.com

ON1 Photo RAW Reviews

Top 10 Online Image Rotator Review 2022
ON1 Photo RAW is a creative software that is not only easy to use but you can also try for free. It offers a lot of editing features. It offers several features that are unique to this application. To start working on this image rotator tool you have to locate your images where they are stored in your device and select them to get your preferred perspective.
Source: topten.ai

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Darktable seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 8 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Darktable mentions (8)

  • Photomator for Mac
    I'm pretty new to photography. I understand a lot of the basics (ex-wife shot as a professional hobbyist for a few years) but never really paid much attention to her editing workflow. Adobe already gets me for $20/mo for Illustrator (because designers) and I looked at alternatives. I've been using darktable http://darktable.org since I got my camera about a month ago and it's nice enough for me. - Source: Hacker News / about 2 years ago
  • Nudibranch (Nembrotha cristata), Verde Island, Philippines, April 2023
    Thank you! The shot was gently edited in darktable. More TG-5 / single strobe examples here. Source: about 2 years ago
  • I've seen it with Adobe
    No, unfortunately not. But check out the free Darktable app which is similar on darktable.org and also this list https://petapixel.com/best-free-raw-editing-programs/. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Exporting a RAW file. Is it possible without the format changing? If I export to another folder on my mac it becomes a .jpeg, to Lightroom it becomes a .jpg, to Photoshop it becomes a .tiff. I want to be able to edit the RAW file, a .dng in another app that is not Apple proprietary.
    It sounds like you might want non-destructive editing. Look at something like darktable.org or Lightroom. You can edit your RAW files in multiple different ways, i.e., effectively keeping multiple copies of edited RAW files around. Source: almost 3 years ago
  • Software to edit and enhance Photos (JPG and RAW).
    If you're looking to learn more complicated software without having to rent it while you do, there's Darktable. Rawtherapee is another app in the same category, and usually appeals to people who don't like Darktable's interface. Source: about 3 years ago
View more

ON1 Photo RAW mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of ON1 Photo RAW yet. Tracking of ON1 Photo RAW recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Darktable and ON1 Photo RAW, you can also consider the following products

GIMP - GIMP is a multiplatform photo manipulation tool.

digiKam - Professional Photo Management with the Power of Open Source

Adobe Photoshop - Adobe Photoshop is a webtop application for editing images and photos online.

XnView MP - XnView is a free software that allows you to view, resize and edit your images. It supports more than 500 different formats!

Affinity Photo - Affinity is the imaging and design suite for creative professionals exclusively for Mac.

MAGIX PhotoStory - Professional slideshows in three steps – import photos and videos, add effects and music and share your story on DVD or online. Download free trial.