TL;DR
darktable vs RawTherapee: For most Mac users in 2026, darktable is the better choice for Photo editors because it is the more widely adopted, better-maintained option in the Photo editors space. Both install with a single Homebrew command, so the switching cost is low. Choose RawTherapee instead if photo support is your priority.
Which is better: darktable or RawTherapee?
darktable is the top pick for most Mac users looking at Photo editors — it is free and open-source and installs in one Homebrew command. RawTherapee is the stronger choice if you prefer an open-source alternative. Both are worth trying.
darktable vs RawTherapee
Which is the better Photo editors for Mac in 2026?
We compared darktable and RawTherapee across 6 key factors including price, open-source status, and community adoption. Read our full breakdown below.
darktable
Open source photography workflow application
RawTherapee
RAW image processing program
Our Verdict
For most Mac users in 2026, darktable is the better choice for Photo editors because it is the more widely adopted, better-maintained option in the Photo editors space. Both install with a single Homebrew command, so the switching cost is low. Choose RawTherapee instead if photo support is your priority.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | darktable | RawTherapee |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Open Source | Yes | Yes |
| Replaces | Adobe Lightroom ($10/mo) | Capture One ($300) |
| Best for | photo, raw, lightroom alternative | photo, raw, processing |
| Install | brew install --cask darktable | brew install --cask rawtherapee |
| Category | Media & Entertainment | Media & Entertainment |
Quick Install
brew install --cask darktablebrew install --cask rawtherapeeLearn More
Video Tutorials
The FREE Lightroom Alternative | Darktable Tutorial for Beginners
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Darktable 5 Tutorial for Beginners 🩵
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Darktable 4.6 Beginners's Guide: Mastering Photo Editing for Beginners 📸
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