darktableLinux
vs
Windows PhotosWindows
darktable as a Linux alternative to Windows Photos
Updated
Our verdict
darktable is a solid replacement for Windows Photos for users who want more than basic viewing and editing. It covers most of the core tasks—viewing JPEG/PNG, cropping, rotating, resizing, organizing, tagging, and batch processing—while adding advanced raw support and a non‑destructive workflow. It is ideal for photographers who need higher quality edits or raw files, but it is heavier than Windows Photos and lacks simple video playback and basic slideshow features that casual users expect.
- License
- GPL-3.0+
- Price
- Free
- Latest version
- 5.6.2 (October 4, 2026)
- Rating
- —
What works the same
- Both can open JPEG, PNG, and WebP files
- Both provide basic image manipulation (crop, rotate, resize)
- Both allow tagging and basic organization of photos
- Both support batch processing of images
- Both can create simple slideshows
What is different
- darktable focuses on raw and high‑precision editing, Windows Photos does not
Opening your Windows Photos files
darktable can open JPEG, PNG, WebP, and raw files from most cameras. It does not natively read Windows Photos proprietary libraries or .jpg files with embedded Windows Photos metadata, but standard image files work fine. For video files, darktable has no playback capability; you need another player.
Switching from Windows Photos to darktable, step by step
- Export your photos from Windows Photos to a folder (use the built‑in export or copy the Pictures folder).
- Install darktable from your distribution’s package manager or Flathub.
- Open darktable and import the exported folder into its database.
- Use the lighttable view to browse and tag images, then switch to darkroom for edits.
- Export edited images back to a folder for use with other applications.
Key features of darktable
- Non‑destructive editing with a history stack
- Lighttable and darkroom modes
- High‑precision raw processing
- Geotagging map view
- Tethering support
- Print and slideshow modes
- Extensible via Python scripts
How to install darktable on Linux
flatpak install flathub org.darktable.Darktablesudo apt install darktablesudo apt install darktablesudo dnf install darktablesudo pacman -S darktablesudo zypper install darktableFrequently asked questions
Can I use darktable for simple photo viewing like Windows Photos?
Yes, the lighttable mode lets you scroll through images quickly, but it is not as lightweight as the default Windows Photos viewer.
Does darktable support video playback?
No, darktable does not play videos. Use a separate player such as VLC or the default video player.
Is darktable suitable for beginners?
It has a steeper learning curve than Windows Photos, but the interface is well documented and many tutorials exist for basic tasks.
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