RawTherapeeLinux vs Adobe Camera RawWindows

RawTherapee as a Linux alternative to Adobe Camera Raw

Updated October 21, 2026

Our verdict

RawTherapee is a strong, honest replacement for Adobe Camera Raw if you need deep control over raw processing without proprietary lock-in. It handles non-destructive editing, color management, and batch processing effectively. However, it lacks the polished, integrated workflow of Adobe’s ecosystem. It is ideal for enthusiasts and semi-pros who value transparency and advanced demosaicing controls. If you rely heavily on Photoshop integration or specific Adobe cloud features, you will face friction. For pure raw development on Linux, it is a mature, capable choice that trades some convenience for extensive manual control and open standards.

Feature parity85%

License: GPL-3.0+
Price: Free
Latest version: 5.13 (July 26, 2026)
Rating: —

Install RawTherapee Website ↗

RawTherapee screenshot — Color correction

What works the same

Non-destructive raw editing with real-time preview
Support for a wide range of camera raw formats
Advanced color management and ICC profile support
Batch processing capabilities
Basic adjustments like exposure, white balance, and sharpening

What is different

No native integration with Photoshop or Lightroom; works as a standalone application
Lacks built-in digital asset management and cloud syncing
User interface is more complex and less streamlined than Adobe's
No direct support for Adobe-specific proprietary file extensions beyond DNG
Requires more manual configuration for lens corrections and noise reduction

Opening your Adobe Camera Raw files

RawTherapee uses its own .rt2 file format to store non-destructive editing settings. It does not natively open or edit Adobe Camera Raw (XMP sidecar) files in the same way Adobe software does. You can import raw files that were previously edited in ACR, but the specific adjustment history and settings from ACR will not transfer directly. You will need to re-apply your edits in RawTherapee. Exporting to standard formats like JPEG, TIFF, and PNG is fully supported.

Switching from Adobe Camera Raw to RawTherapee, step by step

Install RawTherapee via your package manager or Flathub
Import your raw image files into RawTherapee
Re-apply your basic adjustments (exposure, white balance) using the real-time preview
Configure lens corrections and noise reduction as needed
Save your edits as .rt2 files for future non-destructive work
Export final images to JPEG or TIFF as required

Key features of RawTherapee

Non‑destructive raw editing with real‑time preview
Advanced demosaicing algorithms and colour management
Batch processing with custom scripts
Support for HDR DNG, JPEG, TIFF and PNG
Extensive lens correction and noise reduction tools
Customizable UI panels and keyboard shortcuts
Built‑in histogram, waveform and vectorscope

How to install RawTherapee on Linux

Flatpak (Flathub)flatpak install flathub com.rawtherapee.RawTherapee

Ubuntu / Mintsudo apt install rawtherapee

Debiansudo apt install rawtherapee

Fedorasudo dnf install rawtherapee

Arch / Manjarosudo pacman -S rawtherapee

openSUSEsudo zypper install rawtherapee

Frequently asked questions

Can RawTherapee open .xmp sidecar files from Adobe Camera Raw?

No, it does not directly interpret Adobe XMP sidecars. You must re-apply your edits in RawTherapee and save them as .rt2 files.

Is RawTherapee suitable for beginners?

It has a steeper learning curve than Adobe Camera Raw. The documentation (RawPedia) is extensive, but you need to be willing to read and understand basic color science concepts.

Does it support batch processing?

Yes, it supports batch processing with custom scripts, allowing you to apply a series of operations to multiple images at once.