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ON1 Photo RAW vs darktable

ON1 Photo RAW logo

ON1 Photo RAW

Software

All-in-one RAW photo editor and organizer, an alternative to Lightroom and Photoshop

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
darktable logo

darktable

Software

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: ON1 Photo RAW it is a Mac and Windows desktop application only, with no mobile app or web-based editing option.; darktable interface has a steeper learning curve than commercial editors with more guided workflows.
  • They diverge on capability: ON1 Photo RAW covers RAW processing and organization, darktable covers Non-destructive RAW editing.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which ON1 Photo RAW and darktable actually diverge.

Attributes where ON1 Photo RAW and darktable differ
AttributeON1 Photo RAWdarktable
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelone-timefree
Free tierNoYes
Platformsmac, windowswindows, mac, linux

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

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 ON1 Photo RAW

  • RAW processing and organization
  • Layers and masking
  • NoNoise AI
  • Resize AI
  • Super Select AI
  • Generative editing tools
  • Presets, filters, and LUTs

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.

ON1 Photo RAW

  • Editing and organizing RAW photos without a subscriptionnot darktable
  • Replacing a Lightroom plus Photoshop workflow with one applicationnot darktable
  • Applying AI noise reduction to high-ISO imagesnot darktable
  • Upscaling images for large prints using AInot darktable
  • Building composite edits with layers and masksnot darktable

darktable

  • Processing RAW photos without paying for a subscription editornot ON1 Photo RAW
  • Organizing and cataloging large personal photo librariesnot ON1 Photo RAW
  • Tethered shooting directly into an editing workflownot ON1 Photo RAW
  • Applying non-destructive edits that preserve the original RAW filenot ON1 Photo RAW

Where each one falls short

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

ON1 Photo RAW

  • It is a Mac and Windows desktop application only, with no mobile app or web-based editing option.
  • Pricing and available bundles are not clearly listed on the marketing pages, requiring users to reach checkout to see actual costs.
  • Some advanced features and content bundles are locked behind the higher-priced MAX or Studio subscription tiers rather than the base one-time purchase.
  • As a smaller ecosystem than Adobe's, it has fewer third-party plugin and tutorial resources built around it.

darktable

  • Interface has a steeper learning curve than commercial editors with more guided workflows.
  • Lacks the AI-based generative editing tools found in newer commercial competitors like Luminar Neo.
  • No official mobile app, limiting editing to desktop platforms only.
  • Community-driven support model lacks the dedicated customer support of paid software.

Pricing, plan by plan

ON1 Photo RAW

On request
  • Photo RAW$undefined/one-time
    • One-time payment, no subscription
    • Install on two computers
    • Full RAW editing and organization
  • Photo RAW MAX$undefined/one-time
    • One-time payment or subscription option
    • Install on three computers
    • Adds extra effects and content bundles
  • Photo Studio$undefined/month
    • Subscription plan
    • Includes all individual ON1 plugin and standalone titles
    • Cloud sync and ON1 Plus training content

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 ON1 Photo RAW if

  • You need raw processing and organization.
  • You work on mac, windows.
  • You also want layers and masking.
ON1 Photo RAW 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 ON1 Photo RAW or darktable better?
Neither clearly leads. ON1 Photo RAW 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, ON1 Photo RAW or darktable?
darktable has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for ON1 Photo RAW and Free for darktable.
Does ON1 Photo RAW or darktable run on more platforms?
ON1 Photo RAW runs on mac, 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. ON1 Photo RAW starts at On request.
What is ON1 Photo RAW best used for?
ON1 Photo RAW is most often used for editing and organizing raw photos without a subscription, replacing a lightroom plus photoshop workflow with one application, applying ai noise reduction to high-iso images, upscaling images for large prints using ai. Of those, editing and organizing raw photos without a subscription and replacing a lightroom plus photoshop workflow with one application are not what darktable is typically brought in for.
What can ON1 Photo RAW do that darktable cannot?
ON1 Photo RAW covers RAW processing and organization, Layers and masking, NoNoise AI, Resize AI. darktable covers Non-destructive RAW editing, Virtual lighttable, Wide camera RAW support, Tethered shooting.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

ON1 Photo RAW: Does ON1 Photo RAW require a subscription?

No. ON1 Photo RAW is sold with 'one price covers everything, no subscription' as the default purchase model, though a subscription-based Photo Studio bundle is also offered for users who want ongoing access to all ON1 apps.

Source
ON1 Photo RAW: What AI features does ON1 Photo RAW include?

It includes Resize AI for super-resolution enlargement, NoNoise AI for noise reduction, Super Select AI for one-click selections, and generative tools such as Sky Swap AI and Generative Erase.

Source
ON1 Photo RAW: How many computers can I install ON1 Photo RAW on?

The standard Photo RAW purchase allows installation on two computers, the MAX edition allows three, and the Photo Studio subscription allows installation on five computers.

Source
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