GPL-3.0freeRuns locallyImage & Design
darktable: Open-Source Lightroom Alternative
Open-source photography workflow and RAW developer (lighttable + darkroom).
- License
- GPL-3.0
- Stars
- 13,300 (2026-10-21)
- Platforms
- Linux, Windows, macOS
- First seen
- 2012-03-21
TL;DR. darktable is Open-source photography workflow and RAW developer (lighttable + darkroom). License: GPL-3.0 (verified). Platforms: Linux, Windows, macOS. Price: free. Runs locally: yes. It is an alternative to Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop.
| Name | darktable |
|---|---|
| Language | C |
| License | GPL-3.0 |
| Pricing | free |
| Platforms | Linux, Windows, macOS |
| Runs locally | Yes |
| Stats | 13,300 stars · 1,484 forks (as of 2026-10-21) |
| First seen | 2012-03-21 |
| Repository | https://github.com/darktable-org/darktable |
darktable is an open-source photography workflow application and RAW developer. Official hosts we opened on 2026-10-21: darktable.org and darktable-org/darktable. It is listed on Lightroom alternatives as a catalog-plus-develop app, not because we measured feature parity.
Key facts (2026-10-21)
| Field | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Stars / forks | 13,300 / 1,484 | GitHub API darktable-org/darktable |
| Created | 2012-03-21T21:53:04Z | same |
| Last push | 2026-10-21T00:49:10Z | same |
| License | GPL-3.0 | LICENSE / GitHub license field |
| Language | C | GitHub |
| Latest release | release-5.6.2, 2026-10-04T16:36:31Z | GitHub Releases |
| Job | Lighttable + darkroom, non-destructive RAW | darktable.org |
darktable.org (opened 2026-10-21): “A virtual lighttable and darkroom for photographers.” Original images are never modified. GPU-accelerated processing is documented as optional.
What we did not invent
We have no sourced bake-off against Lightroom or RawTherapee. Compare darktable vs Lightroom and darktable vs RawTherapee. Pixel editors are a different job: PhotoCraft vs GIMP, GIMP vs Photoshop, How to install PhotoCraft.
Related
Comparisons
FAQ
Is darktable free?
Yes, as GPL-3.0 software. The repository LICENSE is GNU GPL version 3 (checked 2026-10-21). That is not legal advice; read the LICENSE.
Does it replace Adobe Lightroom?
darktable.org describes a virtual lighttable and darkroom for RAW files. We do not claim catalog, tethering, or preset parity with Lightroom. See darktable vs RawTherapee and Lightroom alternatives.
What version did you check?
GitHub release release-5.6.2 (published 2026-10-04T16:36:31Z). API check 2026-10-21: 13,300 stars, last push 2026-10-21T00:49:10Z. We have not run the installer.
Sources & verification
- https://github.com/darktable-org/darktable
- https://github.com/darktable-org/darktable/releases/tag/release-5.6.2
- https://www.darktable.org/
- https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Darktable_4.4.2_with_an_image_opened_in_darkroom_view.png
License notes are not legal advice. Read the original LICENSE. Trademark & disclaimer.