RawTherapeeLinux
vs
Lightroom CCWindows
RawTherapee as a Linux alternative to Lightroom CC
Updated
Our verdict
RawTherapee is a solid replacement for Lightroom CC when you need raw development and non‑destructive editing, but it lacks a full digital asset management system. It works best for photographers who are comfortable handling large libraries in a separate tool (e.g., digiKam, darktable, or a file‑system based workflow) and who want advanced control over demosaicing, noise reduction, and color management. For casual users who rely on Lightroom’s integrated catalog, presets, and cloud sync, RawTherapee will feel incomplete.
- License
- GPL-3.0+
- Price
- Free
- Latest version
- 5.13 (July 26, 2026)
- Rating
- —
What works the same
- Both provide non‑destructive RAW editing and batch processing
- Both offer advanced color grading and tone adjustment tools
- Both support extensive metadata editing and tagging
- Both include histograms, waveforms, and vectorscopes
- Both allow custom keyboard shortcuts and UI customization
What is different
- RawTherapee has no built‑in digital asset manager or cloud sync; users must rely on external catalog tools
- No direct support for Lightroom presets or plugin ecosystem
- Export options are limited to standard image formats; no direct Lightroom CC export presets
- No printing or publishing features built into the app
- No subscription model – free, but no official support
Opening your Lightroom CC files
RawTherapee cannot open Lightroom CC catalog files (.lrcat) or XMP sidecar files directly. It can open raw files exported from Lightroom or the raw files themselves, and you can export JPEG/TIFF/PNG for use elsewhere. For full catalog migration, you would need to export images and metadata from Lightroom and import them into a separate DAM such as digiKam.
Switching from Lightroom CC to RawTherapee, step by step
- Export all RAW and JPEG files from Lightroom CC to a folder structure you control.
- Export metadata (XMP) from Lightroom for each image using the "Export XMP" option.
- Import the raw files into RawTherapee and apply any desired edits.
- Use a DAM like digiKam or darktable to re‑catalog the edited images and import the XMP metadata.
- Export final images from RawTherapee in the desired format for sharing or printing.
- If needed, re‑apply Lightroom presets by recreating them manually in RawTherapee’s adjustment modules.
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 install flathub com.rawtherapee.RawTherapeesudo apt install rawtherapeesudo apt install rawtherapeesudo dnf install rawtherapeesudo pacman -S rawtherapeesudo zypper install rawtherapeeFrequently asked questions
Can I use Lightroom presets in RawTherapee?
No, RawTherapee does not read Lightroom preset files. You would need to recreate the adjustments manually or use the RawTherapee preset system, which is separate.
Does RawTherapee support HDR DNG?
Yes, RawTherapee can open and process HDR DNG files, though the workflow is manual compared to Lightroom’s HDR merge tools.
What about batch processing?
RawTherapee offers robust batch processing with custom scripts and command‑line options, allowing you to apply the same edits to many images at once.
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