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darktable darktable-org/darktable

Photography workflow app and non-destructive raw developer with a lighttable library and darkroom editing.

Creator kit + Compare GitHub ↗ Install guide (official) ↗

darktable at a glance

Checked 15 Oct 2026

darktable is a mature raw developer and photo library for Linux, Windows and Apple Silicon Macs (5.6.2, 4 Oct 2026), GPL-3.0. It needs 4 GB RAM at minimum (8 GB recommended) and runs without a GPU, though one is strongly recommended. Optional AI masks, denoise and upscale are off by default, and its model policy only accepts GPL-compatible weights. The README itself says it is not a free Lightroom replacement: workflows differ.

Cite this pageRepoQuarry. “darktable.” Checked 15 Oct 2026. https://repoquarry.dev/projects/darktable

How much of Adobe Creative Cloud does it replace?

1 of 7 jobs. Mature raw developer and library, but the README says it is not a Lightroom replacement; workflows differ.

No: Photo editing (Photoshop) Not covered
No: Vector design (Illustrator) Not covered
Partial: Raw photo editing and library (Lightroom) Partial replacement
No: Video editing (Premiere Pro) Not covered
No: Motion graphics and compositing (After Effects) Not covered
No: Page layout (InDesign) Not covered
No: PDF editing (Acrobat) Not covered

For photo editing (Photoshop), vector design (Illustrator), video editing (Premiere Pro), motion graphics and compositing (After Effects), page layout (InDesign), PDF editing (Acrobat), see other Adobe Creative Cloud alternatives. You may also need to build an interface, an API server and hosting yourself.

Facts, with sources

Every answer links to where we found it. We read the documentation; we did not install it.

Report a correction
QuestionAnswerSourceChecked
Runs on my machine? Confirmed: Yes, desktop app darktable is an open source photography workflow application and non-destructive raw developer - a virtual lighttable and darkroom for photographers. github.com · darktable#readme ↗ 1d ago
Code licence Partial: GPL-3.0 (copyleft) github.com · LICENSE ↗ 1d ago
Model weights licence Confirmed: Optional AI models (off by default) must be under GPL-3.0-compatible licences Proprietary or non-commercial-only models are not accepted. github.com · darktable-ai#readme ↗ 1d ago
Commercial use Partial: Yes, under GPL-3.0 copyleft conditions github.com · LICENSE ↗ 1d ago
Paid services needed? Confirmed: None required github.com · darktable#readme ↗ 1d ago
Hardware Confirmed: 4 GB RAM minimum (8 GB recommended); GPU optional but strongly recommended A GPU is not mandatory but is strongly recommended for a smoother experience. github.com · darktable#hardware ↗ 1d ago
Operating systems Confirmed: Linux, BSDs, Windows 10+, Apple Silicon Macs on macOS 15+ (no Intel Macs listed) Apple Silicon Macs running macOS 15 and later github.com · darktable#supported-platforms ↗ 1d ago
Setup effort Confirmed: Easy; Windows installer, macOS DMG, AppImage or Flatpak Download package for Windows github.com · darktable#latest-release ↗ 1d ago

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