I’ve worked with a lot of software in the past—partly for work—but these days, I stick to open-source solutions. So, I can’t help you with DxO. The most important thing is to find an editor that feels intuitive to you. Whether it’s free or a one-time purchase doesn’t matter much—every package has its strengths. The key is discovering where those strengths lie.

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I was curious as to whether anyone has any experience with DXO Photolab. I purchased it for a try. Seems to be good and there is no subscription attached to it, just a one off purchase price.

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Hey Harrie, zo lang het werkt is het ok zou ik zeggen – inderdaad, de versie zal verouderen maar ok – hoe dan ook, niets belet je (als je ruimte op je schijf hebt) RT reeds te installeren, zo kan je er gewoon aan worden en kan je ook je oude programma nog gebruiken.

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Thanks Bushcrafter, I had not heard of DigiKam or g Thumb, What is your assessment of these software and where do they fit in the scheme of things. One of the reasons I use On 1 and Neo is their AI noise removal as I sent my K1 to variable ISO and it often goes way up even to the 52k which needs intelligent noise control. Sop far I have not been able to get such good results with RawTherapee at high ISO. Have you managed it?

Laurie

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Thanks for your comment! You’re absolutely right—every software has its own unique set of tools and features. The key is finding what best suits your style of photography. Combining different programs is a great approach, and that’s exactly what I do. While RawTherapee is my main editing software, I also use GIMP, Darktable, digiKam, gThumb, and many other specialized tools. But they all have one important thing in common—they’re completely **free**! 😊

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Welcome, Digiphotoman!

Your experience confirms Emily from MFN’s ranking that RawTherapee aligns more closely with Lightroom. Learning happens naturally—you start with the basics, and over time, you’ll naturally explore new tools.

Even after all these years of using RawTherapee, from its very first versions, I’m still learning new things. I know plenty of photographers—professionals, enthusiasts, and amateurs alike—who only use a fraction of Lightroom’s capabilities. It all depends on the kind of photographer you are and the tools you actually need.

What I mean is, don’t worry about mastering every detail. In reality, I know very few people who truly have an in-depth knowledge of any editing software. The most important thing is to get comfortable with the tools you need—everything else will follow naturally.
Have a great day !
Marc.

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Darktable is undoubtedly a fantastic program, but as Emily mentioned, RawTherapee’s workflow and interface are slightly closer to Lightroom.

That said, I’d recommend both! I’m always happy when photographers are willing to give them a try. After all, whether it’s Darktable or RawTherapee, convincing photographers that free software can be just as good is often the biggest challenge.
Thanks Berny!

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