Lightroom vs RawTherapee : Free vs Paid Editor [Ultimate Comparison] 2025
Choosing the best choice over Lightroom vs RawTherapee covers several aspects that individuals can’t miss out on.
For instance, you have to check out the interface, editing capabilities, pricing, and value of both apps.
Lightroom is a popular editing app with millions of users all over the world due to its robust editing tools.
The major reasons for using it include non-destructive editing, advanced editing tools, and integration with Creative Cloud.
On the contrary, RawTherapee is a free, open – source app which contains a powerful raw photo processing system.
Just like Lightroom, it has amazing tools for editing but the overall performance depends on the ultimate comparison.
Lightroom vs RawTherapee | An Overview
Whenever the countdown begins in choosing the right photo editor choice, the most important thing is the user interface.
If you know how to utilize the interface, no matter how complex it is, you will get tremendous results.
“Having a Survey among the professionals let me know that Lightroom is more popular for its easy integration with Adobe Products. However, individuals who want to gain experience for editing often choose RawTherapee as a free option.”
If you want an economical substitute to Lightroom, RawTherapee is the greatest option. It doesn’t require any registration and downloading is easy and simple as compared to Lightroom.
Though Lightroom has robust editing features, faster performance, and an intuitive interface, RawTherapee excels in colour correction.
Besides, you may also perform raw file corrections to a deeper level using RawTherapee. Lightroom vs Capture One gives another alternative to Lightroom, if you want to explore any other app.
A Detailed Feature Comparison for Lightroom vs RawTherapee
Feature | Adobe Lightroom | RawTherapee |
User Interface | Intuitive, Minimalist, and Organized | Clunky and Complex |
Batch Processing | Supported | Supported |
Non-Destructive Editing | Yes | Yes |
Cost | Subscription Based | Free, Open-Source |
Tethering Module | Available | Not Available |
Keyboard Shortcuts | Yes | Yes |
Metadata Management | Yes | Yes |
File Management | Streamline | Complex |
Catalog System | Organized & Efficient | No Catalog system |
Presets & Filters | Yes | Yes |
Local Adjustments | Yes | No |
Spot Removal Tools | Available | Not Available |
Lens Correction | Yes | Yes |
Color Grading Tools | Yes | Yes |
Histogram Adjustment | Yes | Yes |
Noise Reduction | Yes | Yes |
Export Options | Supported | Supported |
Mobile App Integration | Supported | Not Supported |
User Interface – RawTherapee vs Lightroom
Having a look at the long pedigree of the Photography Industry, Adobe Lightroom has an intuitive interface than RawTherapee.
RawTherapee has a clumsy and complex interface containing three main working areas. The File Browser, the Queue, and the Editor are located in these sections.
While doing primary functions, you can use separate buttons and tabs. The main page tabs in Lightroom are a source of navigation which helps to import and organize several Raw image files.
Besides, it’s quick, simple and easy to make adjustments using these tabs located at the top-right corner of the interface. However, you will not find such clarity in RawTherapee.
There are main tabs and pages within RawTherapee located on the left side of the interface. These help users to import and manage files photo editing, and export the results.
To perform additional functions, there are a lot of buttons that slow down the learning curve in RawTherapee.
Another feature that is lacking in RawTherapee and is less intuitive is folder organization. RawTherapee has its version of presets that you can easily use, whereas Lightroom doesn’t own it.
In short, Lightroom’s interface is a minimalist, slick, and tight user interface for all editing processes. The UI of Adobe Lightroom is easy to use for quick image processing of Raw Files.
If you are looking for any other free source editing app as a Lightroom alternative, have a look over Lightroom vs Darktable.
Winner – Lightroom
File Management Capabilities – LR vs RT
The clear Lightroom interface provides fast and easy-to-perform import options in the Library tab. Choose the location of your files that you want to import after opening this tab.
You will see there is a catalogue to save your edits, and you may create your collections. Keep in mind that moving edits from one location to another in Lightroom may result in edit losses.
However, the File management in Lightroom is clear as compared to RawTherapee with an edging bonus to integrate with Photoshop.
Read Also: Lightroom vs Photoshop
RawTherapee has a File browsing system rather than a File Management system where you can access images without import.
Open the left side tab locate the file folders of images that you want to edit in it, and review them in the central window.
You will not find any smart collections in the form of advanced filtering and sorting options in RawTherapee.
Within Lightroom, you can view metadata for raw images or files containing aperture, shutter, and focal length of image shots.
Similarly, RawTherapee contains certain options for colour-coded tags and ranking to manage images and files.
What RawTherapee lacks rather than Lightroom is the clear organization of files. Hence, for file management again, Lightroom is the winner.
Winner – Lightroom
Advanced Editing Tools and Capabilities
For editing tools and capabilities among RawTherapee vs Lightroom, we can’t ignore RawTherapee. It contains many basic tools based on menus and submenus for exposure, contrast, and saturation.
Along with basic tools, RawTherapee also contains advanced editing tools, including noise reduction and sharpening tools.
It has endless color adjustments, profile lens correction, along with chroma adjustments. Adobe Lightroom has impressive presets and a large collection of image-editing tools to showcase your editing skills.
You can create major transitions in images by making collages, cropping, and using other advanced tools. Besides, the compensation sliders within Lightroom help to manipulate images.
RawTherapee has basic editing tools that you can prefer if you are looking for a free, open-source editing app. Using the standard editing tools, you can manipulate images with the Editor Tab.
Its subcategories contain noise reduction, sharpening tools, and granular adjustments that help to contrast and make transformations to your images.
The advanced features and AI enhancements in Lightroom stand it to be the first-rate editing software.
The major leading factor for Lightroom’s editing tools popularity is the role of AI advancements in Lightroom.
Winner – Lightroom
General Performance – RawTherapee vs Adobe Lightroom
Though RawTherapee shares several features similar to Lightroom, it lacks high performance due to frequent lagging.
Using advanced tools and features while processing adjustments reduces a fast and efficient workflow. The unnecessary interruptions make it difficult to handle large batches of files.
However, the batch editing process in RawTherapee reduces the performance lagging issues. The demosaicing algorithm in RawTherapee, including AMaZE, enhances detail recovery and image sharpness.
Though Lightroom also uses a proprietary demosaicing algorithm, it results in softened images, which reduces crispness.
However, when talking about performance, Lightroom has established authority due to its fastness and responsiveness.
Within a fraction of a second, all the alterations customize the image while editing, which RawTherapee lacks.
Creative work always requires peace, and using Lightroom’s intuitive interface, the user gets it rapidly. The combination of various tools, AI enhancements, and advanced Lightroom features make it enjoyable to use.
You can easily learn each tool through tutorials and set up LR with the integration of other Adobe products like Photoshop.
That’s why professionals always prefer Lightroom, which is ideal for sharing work themes and projects within no time.
Winner – Lightroom
Printing & Exporting Features in Lightroom & RawTherapee
Other features that need a comparison over Lightroom vs RawTherapee are printing and exporting. There is only a marginal difference that you need to count down for this purpose.
You can use a lot of presets while exporting images in Lightroom within the File menu. Here you have to choose file namings and select standard export locations as well.
The professionals mostly like the advanced settings while exporting in Lightroom, where you can include metadata and add a watermark.
You can use a template editor if you are willing to save any projects and utilize an export-based location for batch exports.
On the contrary, RawTherapee exports images manually or in the form of large batches in the “Queue”. It has all file formats, and you can use basic features to name files.
Besides, the Queue system gives a preview in the central window where you can see all the export images. You can reposition images, send them to Queue, and export them immediately.
Despite all these features, RawTherapee lacks advanced features making it less efficient and simplistic. Therefore, Lightroom wins in exporting features too!
Winner – Lightroom
Pricing and Value – Choose Carefully the Best Choice!
Since Lightroom offers all the advanced features after buying the subscription, you can take any package as per your needs.
On the other hand, RawTherapee gives all the basic features and tools free due to open-source photo editing software.
If you are looking for any other free software as an alternative to Lightroom, read the comparison for Lightroom vs Snapseed.
Winner – RawTherapee
Platform Compatibility | Lightroom vs RawTherapee
Lightroom | RawTherapee |
Available on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android | Available on Windows, macOS, and Linux |
Cloud-based access via Adobe Creative Cloud | No mobile version, Desktop only |
Syncs edits across desktop and mobile devices | Offline software; no cloud sync or online access |
Key Features of Adobe Lightroom You Should Never Miss
Some of the key features of Adobe Lightroom which stand out as exceptional than RawTherapee are given below;
- Batch Editing
- Tutorials for learning
- Mobile App Integration
- Integration with Creative Cloud
- Tethered Capabilities & Support
1. Batch Editing Process:
Batch Editing is the process of applying the same adjustments over multiple images simultaneously. Though RawTherapee supports this feature, it is not more advanced in it.
Lightroom offers extensive, efficient, and comprehensive batch editing capabilities. On the contrary, you can make basic adjustments using RawTherapee.
2. Tutorials for Learning:
Beginners often find it easier to learn using any photo editing app like Adobe Lightroom or RawTherapee by tutorials. Using them, you can give a consistent and efficient look to your images in Lightroom.
On the other hand, RawTherapee lacks tutorials but owns Rawpedia, from where you can learn using tools. Besides, the open-source program also has a large community to help individuals learn its interface.
3. Mobile App Integration:
Adobe Lightroom offers mobile app integration, which is a great feature for users to access their work anywhere for edit.
You can make edits and sync your work across various devices easily. However, RawTherapee lacks a mobile app integration feature for the editing process.
4. Integration with Creative Cloud:
Since Lightroom is a part of the Adobe Creative Ecosystem, it is famous for its integration with Adobe Products.
While buying the subscription, you may take a plan of Lightroom + Photoshop to make your images more aesthetic.
However, you will not find any integration of RawTherapee with any other editing app. Hence, it lacks the advanced tools to give a more efficient editing workflow.
5. Tethering Capabilities & Support:
Unlike Lightroom, RawTherapee doesn’t have tethered abilities and photographers aren’t able to connect their cameras with software.
Hence, using Lightroom you can easily capture real-time images as it owns tethered abilities and do immediate editing.
Key Features of RawTherapee to Count Down
Like Adobe Lightroom. RawTherapee also excels in some exciting features that make it a suitable choice. Let us have a look over them;
- Open Source Flexibility, Free to download
- Advanced Raw Processing Tools and Features
- Customizable User Interface
- Process Images with Batch Editing
For image quality, RawTherapee counts in a 96-bit processing engine, non-destructive editing, and advanced colour handling.
1. Open-Source Resilence and Flexibility
RawTherapee is famous for its open-source resilience and free-to-use editing tools. There is no registration or subscription for using this software and users can utilize the latest updates for their editing practices.
2. Advanced Raw Processing Tools and Features
Another key feature which RawTherapee owns is containing advanced tools and features for Raw image processing.
Users can get detailed controls over processing for overexposure, noise reduction, and endless colour correction possibilities.
3. Personalize User Interface
Though RawTherapee has a complex user interface, you can make certain customizations and arrange panels and tools.
This will not only enhance your creativity and productivity but also help save time in finding tools.
4. Process Images with Batch Editing
The famous Batch editing technique in RawTherapee alleviates its performance-lagging issues and handles batches easily.
You can edit multiple images simultaneously in one go and make your image editing process more competent, valuable, and productive.
Impressions about Adobe Lightroom
PROS
CONS
Impressions about RawTherapee
PROS
CONS
Frequently Asked Questions about RawTherapee vs Lightroom
A Closure Statement
The above article covers a side-by-side comparison of Lightroom vs RawTherapee. RawTherapee is an ideal option if you’re searching for a free, open-source substitute for Lightroom.
However, keep in mind it owns basic tools with a complex interface. Lightroom, on the other hand, has sophisticated capabilities and an easy-to-use interface, but it costs money.
