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A photographer or entrepreneur asks how much the software costs in the first year, whether they have to subscribe or can buy it as a one-off purchase and whether the software can be tried before paying. These decide 50 points out of a hundred.
Score shows how the company does on our comparison criteria, on a 0–100 scale. Rankings cannot be bought.
Basic metrics · 71.8
+ The entire professional-level image editing tool is completely free of charge without restrictions: RAW development, retouching, HDR, batch functions and an unlimited number of layers
Basic metrics: 71.8, rank 3 · ▲ 2 places
Basic metrics · 68.4
+ Completely free, open-source software (GNU GPL) with no subscription, one-off purchase or usage restrictions
Basic metrics: 68.4, rank 4 · ▲ 2 places
Basic metrics · 66.2
+ An exceptionally wide range of AI tools (sky replacement, generative removal and expansion, noise removal, sharpening) is described in detail
Basic metrics: 66.2, rank 6 · ▲ 3 places
Basic metrics · 72.9
+ All prices are publicly shown in euros, and both a subscription and a one-time-purchase perpetual licence (391 euros) are available without contacting the company
Basic metrics: 72.9, rank 2 · ▼ 2 places
The buying motives of these services could not be checked; the reason is shown for each one. They are not on the list as poor performers but as unscored. The result of the basic metrics is shown for comparison.
+ Extensive and continuously updated RAW and camera support, and a cloud-based catalogue that syncs photos between desktop, mobile and browser
– The site blocks automatic reading (bot protection).
Basic metrics: 74.9, rank 1 (for comparison only)
+ Only a one-time-purchase perpetual licence without a continuous subscription: Essential 119.99 euros and Elite 239.99 euros, prices shown publicly
– The site blocks automatic reading (bot protection).
Basic metrics: 68.2, rank 5 (for comparison only)
Weights are fixed. All companies are measured on the same scale. Read the full methodology.
| Buying motive | What is measured | Scale | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price in the first year QUESTIONHow much does the programme cost in the first year? | Price in euros of the cheapest published desktop programme for the first year. | €0 = 100 points, €250 or more = 0, in between directly proportional. | 26 p |
| Free, one-off purchase or subscription QUESTIONCan I get the programme without a monthly fee? | Whether the manufacturer offers the programme for free, as a one-off purchase or only as a subscription. | Free = 100, one-off purchase = 65, one-off purchase or subscription available = 55, subscription only = 0. | 14 p |
| Trial or return QUESTIONCan I try the programme or get my money back? | Free use, money-back guarantee or free trial period. | Free use = 100, 30-day return = 65, 7-day trial = 35, no trial = 0. | 10 p |
| Basic metrics | Digital quality, transparency, reachability and AI quality score | Basic metrics × 0.5 | 50 p |
We scored 6 image editing and RAW editing software products on 20 metrics. The most important question for a photographer: is the real price revealed without making contact, is it clearly stated whether it is a continuing subscription or a one-off purchase, is there a genuine free version or free trial and what are its real limits, and are RAW support, operating system support and cancellation stated before you commit?
Price publicly displayed without contacting (subscription or one-off purchase stated) (22), RAW support and supported camera formats stated (18), free version or trial and its actual limits stated (15), owning company stated on the site (15), supported operating systems (Windows, Mac, Linux, mobile) stated (10), AI tools clearly stated (10), contract term and cancellation stated (10)
Transparency is 30% of the basic metrics, i.e. 15% of the total points · these metrics make up its 100 points · the full formula and the other pillars
How to read the comparison correctly: Half of the points come from buyer's questions, i.e. things the buyer finds out before deciding. The other half measures how openly the company publishes its prices, terms and contact details. Clear differences in points indicate a genuine difference: one tells you the price immediately, another only after logging in. Close scores should not be read as a ranking order, because every measurement has a margin of variation. The measurement accuracy and the full calculation formula are open in the methodology.
Customer experience is brought into the assessment separately. We also collect customer feedback and customer experiences about companies through separate surveys. The survey results will be added to the overall assessment later.
Subscription versus one-off purchase determines the total cost. Adobe Lightroom is subscription only, so you keep paying for as long as you use the software. DxO PhotoLab is sold only as a one-off permanent licence that you pay for once. Capture One and Luminar Neo both offer both models. Affinity Photo and GIMP are completely free. The cheapest monthly price can become more expensive over the years than a single one-off purchase.
A genuine free version varies. GIMP is completely free open-source software, and Affinity Photo became free of charge after the Canva acquisition in 2025. Adobe, Capture One, DxO and Luminar offer only a time-limited free trial, after which use requires payment. Check whether it is a permanent free version or just a trial period before you build your work around it.
RAW support and ownership vary. DxO PhotoLab and Capture One specialise in RAW development and camera-specific corrections. GIMP supports RAW files only through a separate plugin. Ownership is split between Adobe (United States), Canva (Australia), Capture One AS (Denmark), Skylum (United States), DxO Labs (France) and a free community (GIMP). When using cloud services, it is worth reading where the image data is stored.
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