Compare software

Capture One vs darktable: catalog facts
Capture One	darktable
Paid Commercial software, sold as a license or subscription.	Free Free and open source, funded by donations.
Windows, macOS	Windows, macOS, Linux
Tethered shooting support favored by studio photographers Precise RAW and color handling	Fully non-destructive: your original raw file is never modified Professional colour management maintained all the way through to print
Paid software, often priced higher than mainstream RAW editors Steeper learning curve for casual users	The project itself says it is not a free Adobe Lightroom replacement A steep learning curve; the module list assumes you know the underlying concepts
Downloadable app	Downloadable app
Closed source	Open source
License not stated	License: GPL-3.0
Not stated if an account is needed	No account needed
Not stated if it works offline	Works offline
Official website Full listing and sources Checked September 22, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Checked September 20, 2026

Catalog facts only. Anything “not stated” is unconfirmed. Check full listings for details.