Darktable

4.8.1 Photo editing suite for Windows

Daniel Gardner

Review: Powerful open-source software for processing RAW files, non-destructive editing, advanced color management.

Free and open source RAW processing software download, reviewed by Daniel Gardner
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Highly capable RAW image editing tool with an array of functions and tools for developing and perfecting images with different modules including darkroom and lighttable views.

Introducing Darktable, the free and open-source software solution for photo editing and file management. Built by a community of photography software enthusiasts, Darktable is the perfect alternative to corporate monopolies.

One of the benefits of an open-source community is that members contribute to both the development of the software and its ongoing functionality. But Darktable isn't just a closed community - it's an open one that encourages anyone with the skills to get involved. It's a nice concept that sets it apart from the rest.

What you'll get

But what can you expect from Darktable? Besides the plethora of image and RAW image processing tools, you'll notice that the app is also useful for managing photos. It balances a typical raw image converter and processor with a basic image management tool for efficient picture management. You can perform flexible database queries, image searches based on tags, rating, and color labels, and filter and sort your image collections.

Supports a wide range of common and uncommon image file formats

The app's highlight stems from its ability to import a wide array of image formats, such as JPG, CR2, HDR, PFM, and more. Its export system also makes it easy for you to create Picasa and Flickr web albums, HTML-based web galleries, and export pictures to formats such as JPEG, PNG, TIFF, PPM, PFM, and EXR.

An array of professional tools to enhance and repair images

Darktable is best known for its image processing operation modules. It helps you invert, crop, or rotate pictures, tweak the exposure, reconstruct color info, set the white balance, correct various saturation or color-related levels, remove noise, apply lens correction, remove spots, fix chromatic aberrations, and sharpen any image.

The app also allows you to preview your image collections in a slideshow mode and visualize a wide array of details about your photos, including editing their metadata and geo-metadata.

This Lightroom alternative also packs in color management using both ICC profiles and filmic color management; a live histogram and waveform, which can be used to adjust exposure and contrast; batch processing, which allows you to apply the same processing steps to a large number of images at once; and modules for advanced processing tasks such as HDR merging, perspective correction, and local contrast enhancement.

In closing

All in all, with its plethora of useful features wrapped in a fairly intuitive package, it's safe to say that Darktable deserves a chance to prove its worth as a conveniently and efficiently managed and edited digital images.

Features of Darktable

  • Batch processing: Automate processing of multiple images.
  • Color correction: Modify colors and tone.
  • Editing tools: Comprehensive array of non-destructive editing tools.
  • Export: Export images in a variety of formats.
  • Geotagging: Automatically add location data to images.
  • Image comparison: Compare multiple images side-by-side.
  • Library management: Easily manage, rate and tag photos.
  • Lightroom integration: Import and export Lightroom presets.
  • Local adjustments: Make targeted adjustments to images.
  • Masking: Easily create masks for selective editing.
  • Plug-ins: Extend the features with third-party plug-ins.
  • Raw development: Develop and edit RAW images.
  • Styles: Apply dozens of built-in styles to images.
  • Tethered shooting: Capture images directly to your computer.
  • Watermarking: Add custom watermarks to images.

Compatibility and License

Darktable is a free application released under the GPLv3 license on Windows from graphics editors. With software released under the open source GPLv3 license, anybody can download, install, run and distribute the software with little in terms of restrictions. The latest version we have is 4.8.1 and is available to download here.

What version of Windows can Darktable run on?

Darktable can be used on a computer running Windows 11 or Windows 10. Previous versions of the OS shouldn't be a problem with Windows 8 and Windows 7 having been tested. It's only available as a 64-bit download.

Filed under:
  1. Darktable Download
  2. Free Graphics Editors
  3. Open source and GPL software
  4. RAW Processing Software
Darktable has been picked by our editors as excellent.
Darktable has been tested for viruses and malware.
We have tested Darktable 4.8.1 against malware with several different programs. We certify that this program is clean of viruses, malware and trojans.