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Photography · head to head

Corel PaintShop Pro vs darktable

Corel PaintShop Pro logo

Corel PaintShop Pro

Photography

One-time purchase photo editor from Corel, positioned as a budget Photoshop alternative with no subscription

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
darktable logo

darktable

Photography

Free open-source RAW photo editor and digital darkroom

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only darktable has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Corel PaintShop Pro corel has slowed its release cadence, so buyers researching a current edition often find the newest widely sold version is PaintShop Pro 2023, not a genuinely new annual release.; darktable open-source with no vendor pricing: Darktable is released under GPL 3.0; no cost or licensing applies
  • They diverge on capability: Corel PaintShop Pro covers Layer-based editing, darktable covers Non-destructive RAW editing.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Corel PaintShop Pro and darktable actually diverge.

Attributes where Corel PaintShop Pro and darktable differ
AttributeCorel PaintShop Prodarktable
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelOne-time purchase, paid upgradesfree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWindowswindows, mac, linux

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Photography).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Corel PaintShop Pro

  • Layer-based editing
  • RAW processing
  • AI selection tools
  • Batch processing scripts
  • HDR merge and photo restoration tools
  • Perpetual licensing with paid upgrades

Only in darktable

  • Non-destructive RAW editing
  • Virtual lighttable
  • Wide camera RAW support
  • Tethered shooting
  • Color management and modules

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Corel PaintShop Pro

  • A Windows hobbyist who wants layer-based photo editing without paying an Adobe subscriptionnot darktable
  • A long-time PaintShop Pro user with existing scripts and workflows built around the productnot darktable
  • Someone restoring old family photos who wants the bundled restoration and HDR tools rather than assembling a plugin stacknot darktable
  • A budget-conscious small studio doing basic compositing that does not require Photoshop plugin compatibilitynot darktable

darktable

  • Processing RAW photos without paying for a subscription editornot Corel PaintShop Pro
  • Organizing and cataloging large personal photo librariesnot Corel PaintShop Pro
  • Tethered shooting directly into an editing workflownot Corel PaintShop Pro
  • Applying non-destructive edits that preserve the original RAW filenot Corel PaintShop Pro

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Corel PaintShop Pro

  • Corel has slowed its release cadence, so buyers researching a current edition often find the newest widely sold version is PaintShop Pro 2023, not a genuinely new annual release.
  • It is Windows-only, ruling it out for Mac-based photographers entirely.
  • Its RAW processing and colour engine trail Lightroom, Capture One and DxO PhotoLab in independent quality comparisons, particularly on noise and dynamic range.
  • The plugin and brush ecosystem is much smaller than Photoshop, so third-party workflows built around Adobe filters do not transfer.
  • Paid upgrades to major new versions mean the true cost over several years can approach a Photoshop Elements-style total, eroding the one-time-purchase advantage.

darktable

  • Open-source with no vendor pricing: Darktable is released under GPL 3.0; no cost or licensing applies
  • Self-hosted photography workflow: customers bear full responsibility for hosting, maintenance, and support outside community
  • No commercial support model published: community-driven project with mailing lists and forums only; no commercial SaaS alternative
  • Community contribution required for feature development: no vendor roadmap for prioritized feature work; community volunteers drive development

Pricing, plan by plan

Corel PaintShop Pro

On request
  • PaintShop Pro$79.99/one-time
    • Layer-based editing and RAW processing
    • Perpetual licence, no subscription
    • Paid upgrade for the next major version
  • PaintShop Pro Ultimate$99.99/one-time
    • Everything in the standard edition
    • Bundled AI and utility add-ons
    • Extra brush and effect packs

darktable

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full RAW editing and lighttable features
    • Open-source under GNU GPL v3
    • No account or subscription required

Which should you pick?

Choose Corel PaintShop Pro if

  • You need layer-based editing.
  • You work on Windows.
  • You also want raw processing.
Corel PaintShop Pro review

Choose darktable if

  • You need non-destructive raw editing.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on windows, mac, linux.
  • You also want virtual lighttable.
darktable review

Questions people ask

Is Corel PaintShop Pro or darktable better?
Neither clearly leads. Corel PaintShop Pro starts at On request and darktable at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Corel PaintShop Pro or darktable?
darktable has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Corel PaintShop Pro and Free for darktable.
Does Corel PaintShop Pro or darktable run on more platforms?
Corel PaintShop Pro runs on Windows. darktable runs on windows, mac, linux.
Can I use darktable for free?
Yes. darktable has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Corel PaintShop Pro starts at On request.
What is Corel PaintShop Pro best used for?
Corel PaintShop Pro is most often used for a windows hobbyist who wants layer-based photo editing without paying an adobe subscription, a long-time paintshop pro user with existing scripts and workflows built around the product, someone restoring old family photos who wants the bundled restoration and hdr tools rather than assembling a plugin stack, a budget-conscious small studio doing basic compositing that does not require photoshop plugin compatibility. Of those, a windows hobbyist who wants layer-based photo editing without paying an adobe subscription and a long-time paintshop pro user with existing scripts and workflows built around the product are not what darktable is typically brought in for.
What can Corel PaintShop Pro do that darktable cannot?
Corel PaintShop Pro covers Layer-based editing, RAW processing, AI selection tools, Batch processing scripts. darktable covers Non-destructive RAW editing, Virtual lighttable, Wide camera RAW support, Tethered shooting.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Corel PaintShop Pro: Is PaintShop Pro a subscription like Photoshop?

No, it is sold as a one-time purchase; major new versions are separate paid upgrades rather than a recurring subscription.

darktable: How much does Darktable cost?

Darktable is free and open-source under the GPL 3.0 license. There are no licensing fees, subscription costs, or commercial restrictions.

Source
Corel PaintShop Pro: Does PaintShop Pro edit RAW files?

Yes, it imports and processes camera RAW files, though its RAW engine is less capable than dedicated tools like Lightroom or Capture One.

darktable: Is Darktable created by a commercial vendor?

No. Darktable is a community-driven open-source project 'created for photographers, by photographers.' It has no commercial vendor or SaaS model.

Source
Corel PaintShop Pro: Is there a Mac version?

No, PaintShop Pro is Windows-only.

darktable: How can I get support for Darktable?

Darktable is supported through community channels including mailing lists and forums. There is no commercial support option published on the website.

Source
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