darktable is an open-source photo editor for people who want to develop camera raw files and organize a photo library.1 This free open-source photo editor is worth considering if you want a desktop workflow with deliberate control over what you share.7 Its export tools let you save finished photographs to disk and choose which metadata to include.6 Metadata means information attached to a photograph, such as location details.
Last checked October 28, 2026.
At a glance
- What it is: A photo organizer and raw developer.
- Works on: Linux, Windows and Apple silicon Macs have current downloads.2 Current official Intel Mac releases are unavailable.4
- Price: Free.7
- Licence: GPL-3.0-or-later.1 Open source means its code is available to inspect and adapt under its licence.
- Best for: Photographers willing to learn detailed editing controls.
- Official site: darktable.org
What darktable does and how it protects your privacy
Raw files are a camera’s starting material, before the finished photograph is produced. Think of darktable as a place to decide how that finished photograph should look. It provides a library for organizing photographs and tools for adjusting exposure, cropping and other image changes.1 Start with a small set of pictures rather than your entire collection.
darktable records editing instructions in its library database and accompanying XMP files instead of rewriting the original raw photograph.5 An XMP sidecar is a small companion file kept beside a photograph. Keep that companion with the original when moving your work.
The privacy advantage is the option to keep your working collection on storage you control, then share only a finished copy. Treat the editing library, exported photographs and backups as separate decisions. For help planning the last of these, see the Academy guide to managing backups with Backrest.
Key features in darktable
- Non-destructive editing: Adjust an image without changing the original.8
- Library filtering: Find pictures using tags, ratings and colour labels.8
- Colour management: Support for colour profiles helps maintain consistent output.8
- Graphics acceleration: OpenCL support lets compatible graphics hardware help with processing.8
- Flexible exports: Create JPEG, PNG or TIFF copies for different uses.8
- Metadata choices: Choose whether location tags accompany exported pictures.6
darktable pros and cons
Pros
- Free access makes it easy to try before changing your photo workflow.7
- Keeping originals separate from finished copies encourages careful sharing.
- Detailed editing controls reward time spent learning a repeatable routine.
- Choosing export metadata gives privacy-conscious photographers a useful final checkpoint.
Cons
- The developers acknowledge a steep initial learning curve.4
- Sharing the database and settings across computers has no built-in support.4
- Camera compatibility can depend on the file format and compression option.4
- The Flatpak package does not include darktable’s AI features.2
Is darktable safe and private?
darktable is developed by the darktable team.1 The project remains active: version 5.6.2 was released on October 4, 2026.3 Use the project’s download links, keep the application updated and begin with copies of a few photographs you can afford to experiment with.
The manual says image-related data is kept in the library database as well as sidecar files.5 Protect those files as carefully as the photographs. Use a locked computer account and full-disk encryption for sensitive collections, and consider an encrypted backup. For Linux folder protection, the Academy’s gocryptfs guide is a useful starting point.
Export destinations include online services as well as disk storage.6 For a local workflow, choose a local destination and review the destination folder before exporting. Decide separately whether any backup or folder-sync service should receive that folder.
Export metadata controls include camera Exif data, location tags, private tags and editing history.6 For public copies, turn off information you do not intend to share, then inspect a sample export. Also look at the picture itself for addresses, badges or documents. Choose darktable for control over editing and sharing; keep device security and storage protection part of the same routine.
How to get started with darktable
- Get the right installer. Start at the official download page and select the package for your computer. Linux users can also find a community-provided package on Flathub.7
- Try your camera files. Copy a few raw photographs into a working folder, keeping a separate backup. Try the same recording settings you normally use on your camera.
- Import a small batch. Use the import module on the left of the lighttable to add a photograph or folder.4 Give yourself one simple goal, such as preparing three holiday pictures to share.
- Make a modest edit. Start with brightness and cropping. Compare the result with the starting picture before adding more adjustments. Learn one control at a time.
- Prepare a private export. In the export module, choose disk storage and an output format. The export preset menu’s preferences open the metadata settings.6 Review the options, export one picture and inspect it before repeating the process.
- Back up the work. Keep the XMP companions in your backups so you can reconstruct your edits.5 Keep originals, companions and finished copies clearly named so you know what you are sharing.
Who should use darktable, and who might prefer something else?
Choose darktable if photography is a hobby you want to grow into and you enjoy learning how a picture is made. It is especially appealing when you want control over the working files and the copies that leave your computer. Try a complete import-to-export session before moving a large collection.
Consider digiKam if organizing a family photo collection is your starting priority. If you specifically need DCP camera profiles, darktable’s FAQ points to RawTherapee or ART instead.4 A camera profile describes how camera colour is interpreted. Choose around the jobs you do most often rather than the longest feature list.
Frequently asked questions
Is darktable free?
Yes, darktable is available free of charge.7 Budget time for learning the workflow and arranging your own backups.
Does darktable change my original photos?
No: it opens images in read-only mode.5 Keep your originals and export separate finished copies for sharing.
Can darktable replace Lightroom?
It covers raw editing and library management, but its developers caution that it is not a direct replacement.4 Try familiar editing tasks first, and make your decision from the resulting workflow.
Does darktable run on an Intel Mac?
The last official Intel Mac version was 5.6.1.4 The current official Mac download targets Apple silicon; check your Mac’s processor before choosing an installer.
