Aduku Stacker

Aduku Stacker is a free focus-stacking app for combining photographs taken at different focus distances into one sharp image. It is intended for macro, product, landscape, and microscopy photography, and offers Wavelet, Pyramid, Weighted, Hybrid, and Depthmap merge methods. Its default workflow processes images at 16-bit and uses 32-bit floating-point merge calculations, with memory-bounded batching for deep stacks. Automatic alignment uses feature matching and subpixel refinement; options include focus-breathing correction, homography, mesh warp, and manual alignment seeding. It imports JPEG, PNG, TIFF, BMP, HEIC, and DNG, and exports JPEG, PNG, TIFF, linear DNG, and depth maps. Proprietary RAW imports may require Adobe DNG Converter on macOS. Retouching lets users paint from aligned source frames, erase strokes, and undo or redo, but there is no clone tool. Processing is local and requires no internet connection. It runs on macOS 13 or later and 64-bit Windows 10/11; 8 GB RAM is sufficient for most stacks, while 16 GB is recommended for deep 16-bit RAW stacks.

Aduku Stacker provides multiple merge and alignment options for focus-stacking workflows, with local processing and broad listed import and export formats. Check the RAW import caveat and system requirements before use.

It suits photographers who want to combine focus-bracketed images on macOS or Windows. The command-line tool may also suit users scripting batch processing.

Aduku Stacker combines focus-bracketed photographs into one sharp image for macro, product, landscape, and microscopy work. It suits photographers who want detailed control without a software cost, including those scripting batches. Its local processing and varied merge tools are strong draws, but check the RAW workflow and your computer’s requirements first.

Overview

The free app handles the full focus-stacking workflow, from aligning frames to merging and retouching the result. Processing stays on the computer, with no account or internet connection needed for image processing. That is a practical advantage for photographers who prefer to keep image files local; the counterweight is that the publisher makes no commitment to support, maintain, or update the software.

Key features

Merge and alignment

Wavelet, Pyramid, Weighted, Hybrid, and Depthmap methods give users five approaches to combining a stack. Automatic alignment uses feature matching and subpixel refinement, while focus-breathing correction, homography, mesh warp, and manual alignment seeding provide more ways to address difficult frames. This breadth is useful for photographers who want to adjust their workflow to the stack, though users seeking a single, simple merge path may not need so many controls.

Image handling and retouching

The default workflow processes images at 16-bit and uses 32-bit floating-point merge math. Memory-bounded batching is intended to help with deep stacks, and a command-line version of the engine supports parameterized batch scripting.

Import covers JPEG, PNG, TIFF, BMP, HEIC, and DNG; export covers JPEG, PNG, TIFF, linear DNG, and depth maps. Proprietary RAW import may require Adobe DNG Converter on macOS, which can add a conversion step for camera-native RAW workflows. Retouching lets users paint from aligned source frames, erase strokes, and undo or redo edits, but there is no clone tool.

Pricing

Aduku Stacker costs nothing. The free plan includes automatic alignment, batch processing, manual retouching, RAW file support, and the app’s core stacking workflow; there is no paid tier or trial term to weigh. Its main cost is practical rather than financial: users should be comfortable with the support and update limitations, and macOS users working with proprietary RAW files may need a converter.

Platforms

The app runs on macOS 13 or later and 64-bit Windows 10/11. The stated memory guidance is 8 GB RAM for most stacks and 16 GB for deep 16-bit RAW stacks. Those requirements make the operating system and available memory important checks before building a workflow around it.

Who it's for

Aduku Stacker is a good fit for photographers who want local, no-cost focus stacking with multiple merge and alignment options, or for users who need command-line batch scripting. It is less suitable for anyone who depends on a clone tool, expects committed support or updates, or wants to import proprietary RAW files on macOS without an extra conversion step.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Five merge methods and several alignment corrections give users room to adapt processing to a stack.
• Pros: Local processing, no account requirement, and no internet requirement for image processing help keep the workflow self-contained.
• Pros: 16-bit processing, 32-bit floating-point merge math, batching, and command-line scripting cover demanding and repeatable workflows.
• Cons: Proprietary RAW import may require Adobe DNG Converter on macOS, adding a step for some camera workflows.
• Cons: Retouching has no clone tool, and the publisher does not commit to support, maintenance, or updates.
• Cons: Deep 16-bit RAW stacks call for 16 GB RAM, which may rule out some lower-memory systems.

Alternatives

Focus Stacking Software is the broader category to consult when comparing options. Choose ImageFocus Alpha instead if you need a free app across mobile and desktop platforms and use a compatible Euromex camera. FocusFusion is another free-plan Windows option. Pick ForgePix if MIT-licensed free software is the priority, or OpenFocus if you want an MIT-licensed option with a GUI on Windows and macOS and a CLI on Windows, macOS, and Linux. PICOLAY is for Windows users who can accept non-commercial use and an as-is, no-warranty offer. PlaneFuse suits users seeking MIT-licensed software that is free for personal and commercial use with no tiers. Choose Shine Stacker if you want an open-source download for Windows, Mac OS, or Linux. TuFuse is a Windows freeware option offered without restriction and without warranty.

Verdict

Choose Aduku Stacker if you want a free, local focus-stacking workflow with a choice of merge methods, alignment controls, and command-line batch processing. Look elsewhere if you need a clone tool, committed ongoing support, or a macOS RAW workflow that avoids conversion.