Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Pixelitor VS Darktable

Compare Pixelitor VS Darktable and see what are their differences

Pixelitor logo Pixelitor

Pixelitor is a cross-platform raster graphics editor written in Java.

Darktable logo Darktable

darktable is an open source photography workflow application and raw developer.
  • Pixelitor Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-05-07
  • Darktable Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-10-18

Pixelitor features and specs

  • Open Source
    Pixelitor is completely free and open source, allowing users to modify and distribute the software according to their needs.
  • Lightweight
    The software is lightweight and doesn't require a powerful computer to run, making it accessible to users with older or less powerful machines.
  • Feature-Rich
    Despite being lightweight, Pixelitor offers a wide range of features like layers, multiple image effects, and support for various file formats.
  • Cross-Platform
    Pixelitor is available on multiple operating systems including Windows, Mac, and Linux, making it versatile for different users.

Possible disadvantages of Pixelitor

  • Limited Advanced Features
    While it offers many basic tools, Pixelitor lacks some advanced features found in more professional-grade software like Adobe Photoshop.
  • User Interface
    The user interface may feel outdated or less intuitive compared to other modern graphic design software, which might affect the user experience.
  • Performance Issues
    Some users might experience performance slowdowns when working with large files or performing complex edits.
  • Lack of Support
    As an open-source project, it may not have the level of support provided by commercial software, making it difficult for users to get help when issues arise.

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.

Pixelitor videos

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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

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Pixelitor and Darktable)
Graphic Design Software
21 21%
79% 79
Image Editing
14 14%
86% 86
Photos & Graphics
100 100%
0% 0
Digital Drawing And Painting

User comments

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Reviews

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

Pixelitor Reviews

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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

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Darktable should be more popular than Pixelitor. 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.

Pixelitor mentions (1)

  • Paint.net
    Since I didn't see it mentioned, my multiplatform (Java based) alternative to Paint.net is Pixelitor, https://pixelitor.sourceforge.io/. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago

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 / almost 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
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Pixelitor and Darktable, you can also consider the following products

Online Image Editor - Online editor for images and animated gifs with multiple effects and tools

GIMP - GIMP is a multiplatform photo manipulation tool.

Krita - Krita is a professional FREE and open source painting program. It is made by artists that want to seaffordable art tools for everyone. Concept art. texture and matte painters, illustrations and comics.

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

RealWorld Photos - RealWorld Photos is an free portable photo editor for Windows.

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