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RawTherapee
RawTherapee · founded 2004
What it is
RawTherapee is a free desktop program for developing raw image files on Linux, macOS, and Windows. Its non-destructive, 32-bit floating-point processing engine works with raw files from a broad range of digital cameras, including HDR DNG, as well as JPEG, TIFF, and PNG images. Photographers can control demosaicing and development with multiple algorithms, use masking tools, and process batches of images. Editing parameters can be copied or pasted across files, and the program offers command-line use alongside its graphical interface. RawTherapee can open raw images from GIMP as a plugin and return edited images to GIMP, or send processed images to GIMP or another editor in one click. It is libre software under the GNU General Public License version 3. The project directs users to RawPedia documentation and a community forum. The project notes that professionals may find it lacks peripheral features such as digital asset management, printing, and uploading. The macOS 5.13 build has separate minimum requirements for Apple Silicon and Intel, and must be installed in /Applications to start.
For and against
For
- Free software under the GNU General Public License version 3.
- Non-destructive, 32-bit floating-point processing engine.
- Supports raw files plus JPEG, TIFF, and PNG.
- Batch processing and parameter copying across files.
- Works with GIMP as a plugin or external editor.
Against
- Does not include digital asset management, printing, or uploading.
- macOS 5.13 requires newer systems on Apple Silicon and Intel.
- macOS installation must be in /Applications.
The verdict
RawTherapee offers detailed raw development tools, batch processing, and routes to GIMP or other editors at no cost. Photographers seeking asset management, printing, or upload features should note that these are not included.
Who it suits
RawTherapee targets photographers from enthusiast newcomers through professionals who want to develop raw images. Its batch tools and GIMP integration may also suit users working across multiple images or editors.
Plans and prices
Free
GPLv3 license · no digital asset management, printing, or uploading features
Read 30 Sep 2026 · rawtherapee.com
On the record
- Batch editing
- Yesrawtherapee.com · read 20 Sep 2026
- Batch processing
- It can batch process developed images and copy or paste editing parameters across files.rawtherapee.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Command line
- It includes command-line usage in addition to its graphical interface.rawtherapee.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Demosaicing
- It provides advanced control over demosaicing and development, including multiple demosaicing algorithms.rawtherapee.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- External editors
- It can send processed images to GIMP or another editing tool in one click.rawtherapee.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Feature limits
- The project says professionals may lack peripheral features such as digital asset management, printing, and uploading.github.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- GIMP integration
- RawTherapee can open raw images from GIMP as a plugin and import the edited image back into GIMP.rawpedia.rawtherapee.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Image formats
- It supports non-raw JPEG, TIFF, and PNG files.github.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Installation security
- On macOS, RawTherapee must be installed in /Applications and refuses to start if installed elsewhere.rawtherapee.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Latest version
- RawTherapee 5.13 was released on July 26, 2026.rawtherapee.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Layer editing
- Norawtherapee.com · read 20 Sep 2026
- License
- RawTherapee is released as libre software under the GNU General Public License version 3.github.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- macOS requirement
- The macOS 5.13 build requires macOS Tahoe 26.0 or newer on Apple Silicon or macOS Monterey 12.0 or newer on Intel.rawtherapee.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Masking tools
- Yesrawtherapee.com · read 20 Sep 2026
- Platform
- desktoprawtherapee.com · read 20 Sep 2026
- Processing
- It provides a non-destructive, 32-bit floating-point processing engine.rawtherapee.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Purpose
- RawTherapee is a free, cross-platform raw image processing program for developing raw files.rawtherapee.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Raw support
- It supports raw files from a broad range of digital cameras, including HDR DNG files.github.com · read 30 Sep 2026
