darktable

Open-source alternative · mapped from 1 paid tool. Fit is not feature parity.

Facts

License

GNU General Public License v3.0 Permissions of this strong copyleft license are conditioned on making available complete source code of licensed works and modifications, which include larger works using a licensed work, under the same license. Copyright and license notices must be preserved. Contributors provide an express grant of patent rights. May Commercial useModificationDistributionPatent usePrivate use Must License and copyright noticeState changesDisclose sourceSame license No LiabilityWarranty Summary from GitHub's choosealicense.com

Paid-feature tier A

Self-host

Paid-feature limitsNone established

Tier A: Locally operated desktop RAW developer and photo library application. Published workflow functionality available in the GPL edition; official source and installers available without a paid edition. Community Flatpak omits AI features: packaging limitation, not a paid software gate. License source. Repository: darktable-org/darktable. Self-host: desktop; hosted offer from the project: no.

Replaces

Adobe LightroomEntry price USD 11.99 / seat / month

Fit:

Local RAW development and photo-library workflow. Official FAQ warns this is not a direct replacement: presets are incompatible, Lightroom edit import is old and unreliable, and edits may need rebuilding. Check camera support; do not assume Adobe cloud/library synchronization transfers.

Sources: www.darktable.org, www.darktable.org · checked 2026-10-21
Full comparison: Adobe Lightroom vs darktable