Using the best free HDR software allows you to create stunning composite images without having to buy expensive software suites.
High Dynamic Range (HDR) photography is a brilliant technique for capturing landscapes with uneven lighting. Creating a HDR image is fairly simple, but you need the software to be able to do it properly. That’s why we’ve listed all the best free HDR software in this article.
We start the article by looking at the best free HDR software options. These are perfect is you’re just getting started with HDR photography. But free software if often limited, which is why we have some paid software recommendations in the second part of the article.
Whether you’re a beginner or more experienced, you’ll be able to find the best HDR software in this post.
The best free HDR software allows you to create fantastic high dynamic range images without spending money on software.
To create a HDR image, you need to combine several exposures of the same image. By taking two, three, or more images of the same scene with different exposure values, you can blend them together using software to create an image with a super-high dynamic range.
The HDR technique gives you incredible detail, bringing out every line and feature from areas that would otherwise be blown out or overexposed.
This might sound complicated, but it’s actually fairly simple once you have the right software. All the free HDR software we look at in this article are simple and easy to use.
However, the free software options are limited and the results can be mixed. That’s why we’ve included some of the best HDR software you can purchase.
| Brand |
Brand
Fotor
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| Operating System |
Operating System
macOS and Windows
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| Completely Free |
Completely Free
Yes
|
| Key Features |
Key Features
brightness, contrast and saturation adjustment tools, simple interface
|
The Fotor HDR Photo Editor is the best free software for creating high dynamic range images. You don’t even need to download or install the software. You can use it through your web browser, simply uploading images from your hard drive.
Uploading and merging your images couldn’t be easier. Once the HDR tool is open in your browser, upload three or more images into the image boxes in the interface. Then click “start” to merge the images together.
When you have your merged image, you can make minor edits to improve the final picture. You have structure, soft, and intense pre-set effects. These filters have been specifically designed for HDR images, giving you more intensity and detail.
The free program also has several adjustment tools, allowing you to change brightness, saturation, and sharpness.
Fotor has a free plan for its basic software package. It includes basic editing and design features, but other than that, it is fairly limited. If you need more from your editing software, you can upgrade to one of their fairly priced paid plans.
But if you only want to use the HDR feature, the Fotor HDR Editing Tool is your best option.
| Brand |
Brand
Luminance HDR
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| Operating System |
Operating System
macOS, Windows, and Linux
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| Completely Free |
Completely Free
Yes
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| Key Features |
Key Features
RAW file support, Batch HDR merging, color management workflow
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For a long time, Luminance HDR was the go-to program if you wanted a free HDR editor. It’s still a fantastic piece of single-purpose software. But the fact that they only update it every few years keeps it off the top spot.
Luminance HDR is an intuitive program with an easy-to-use interface. The most recent 2021 edition features many useful tools to bring out the best in your HDR photography.
Developers upgraded the HDR solution with new features like automatic anti-ghosting, FITS support integration with Windows taskbar, improved 1/10 with TIPF 32 bit and redesigned merge algorithms.
Some new sliders have been implemented too, such as ‘Gamma’ and ‘Saturation’. You also have a command line interface and a color management workflow for even more creative control.
Luminance HDR reads both JPEG and RAW files. A key benefit to Luminance HDR is the ease at which you can export photographs to additional photo editing software, such as GIMP (a free alternative to Photoshop).
| Brand |
Brand
HDRLabs
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| Operating System |
Operating System
Windows
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| Completely Free |
Completely Free
Yes
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| Key Features |
Key Features
RAW file support, fast processing, real-time previews
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Picturenaut is another free HDR software tool. Picturenaut is by HDRLabs, a project established to create free software for various processes.
Picturenaut is a very light software program. It’s easy to install and even easier to use. Touted as one of the best free HDR software solutions out there, Picturenaut is just as intuitive as Luminance but functions a little bit differently.
The program has a drag-and-drop feature and supports both PNG and RAW files. The tool also includes Alpha channel view, auto-cropping, and is one of the fastest at tone mapping.
Picturenaut has been known to crash if you work too fast with large RAW files. It can only handle so much at one time, so take your time and allow the program to do its thing.
The open-source API is also publicly available for programmers interested in tweaking the program for even better results. This German program is ever-changing with new intelligence added every day.
| Brand |
Brand
HDRTools
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| Operating System |
Operating System
macOS and Windows
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| Completely Free |
Completely Free
Yes
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| Key Features |
Key Features
Simple interface, RAW file support, basic adjustment tool set
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FDRTools is a free HDR software tool for those looking to create a more realistic look to a high dynamic range image. There is a free basic version and a more advanced shareware version.
The program is not as advanced as the other software on this list. But it’s an excellent choice for a beginner who doesn’t want a complicated interface or too many editing tools that might be confusing.
A big difference between FDRTools and other HDR software is its goal to bridge the gap between merging and tone mapping. The FDRTools tone mapping algorithm is very advanced in comparison to other programs.
The user has full control over the merging process by looking at the tone mapped image. They can then edit the merging of source images in real-time. Users can choose to include or not include a particular source image or adjust the opacity of individual images.
FDRTools has noteworthy customer service and is constantly updating its features.
| Brand |
Brand
EasyHDR
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| Operating System |
Operating System
macOS and Windows
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| Completely Free |
Completely Free
Yes
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| Key Features |
Key Features
RAW file support, batch merging, brush tools, color management
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EasyHDR is just as its name suggests – easy. It is available both as a standalone program and as a plugin for Lightroom. The free version does not expire, but it does watermark your images.
The software may be easy to use, but it is powerful.
Drag and drop RAW or JPEG images into the program and use the presets to get started. Then adjust the tone mapping tools to get a realistic effect. Much of the interface looks similar to Lightroom and Photoshop, making tools easy to find and use.
There’s even a clone brush to take out errant dust spots. The software also includes basic layers for masking and color correction.
EasyHDR allows for batch editing, which automatically identifies the HDR sequences. This is great for photographers who do a lot of HDR conversions.
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These are our top recommendations for HDR software if you have the budget to pay for a more complete editing program.
The free software are great if you’re just getting started with HDR editing. But if you already have experience, or you want a more complete editing package, it’s worth investing in a paid editing software.
You’ll be able to do more advanced HDR editing, and you can do other types of image processing.
| Brand |
Brand
Adobe
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| Operating System |
Operating System
macOS and Windows
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| Payment Type |
Payment Type
Subscription
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| Key Features |
Key Features
Wide ranging tool set, RAW file support, HDR presets
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Adobe Lightroom tops most lists relating to photo editing software. Whether adjusting exposure or creating HDR images, it’s the best software in town. The problem is, software of this standard doesn’t come for free.
Despite the incredibly wide range of tools in Lightroom, creating HDR images is surprisingly simple. Upload your images into the program, highlight all of them, then right click. From the menu, select Merge, then HDR. That’s it.
Lightroom is one of the most complete software suites for photo editing. You can make minor adjustments to contrast, exposure, brightness, or pretty much any aspect of you image. But you can also make sweeping changes, adding presets or batch editing images.
Adobe has now introduced a number of AI tools to streamline the editing process. AI tools can add a bokeh effect or remove unwanted items within an image. Adobe is not alone in using AI to help photographers edit their photos, but these tools are state-of-the-art.
There is a 7-day free trial with a Lightroom, Photography, or Creative Cloud subscription. But once the seven days are up, you’ll have to pay monthly to keep the subscription.
| Brand |
Brand
Luminar
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| Operating System |
Operating System
macOS and Windows
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| Payment Type |
Payment Type
Subscription or one-time purchase
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| Key Features |
Key Features
AI features, presets and custom presets, sky replacement and background removal tools
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Skylum’s Luminar Neo is one of the leading photo editing software when it comes to AI editing. It was one of the first to integrate AI into its tool set. Now, Neo has become one of the most popular programs for photographers.
Luminar Neo is also one of the best HDR merging and editing programs. The initial merge could not be easier, as you simply drag the images you want to merge into the HDR Merge command box on the right-hand side of the interface.
Once merged, you can edit and tweak your final HDR image to get it the way you want. The toolset isn’t quite as wide-ranging as that of Lightroom. But you still have plenty of creative control.
Neo also has a HDR effect. This helps you achieve the intense HDR look without having to merge several images with different exposures. The results are not quite as good as a true HDR merge, but it’s a great shortcut if you want the HDR look.
Other useful tools include the AI sky replacement and AI background removal features. Replacing a sky or removing a background used to be a painstaking process. But Luminar Neo has turned them into two-click operations.
Skylum offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, but there’s no free trial. You also have the option of a 12-month subscription or a one-off lifetime perpetual license. Both are reasonably priced.
Read our full Luminar Neo review in this link.
| Brand |
Brand
DxO
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| Operating System |
Operating System
macOS and Windows
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| Payment Type |
Payment Type
one-time purchase
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| Key Features |
Key Features
Specialist HDR software, local adjustments, single-image HDR effect
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The Nik HDR Efex software is a plugin for the full DxO PhotoLab program. Like Luminar Neo, it’s not as popular as Lightroom. But this is the perfect program if you’re dedicated to HDR photography.
This software makes it easy to merge multiple images for the best HDR effect. You can combine as many exposures as you need, and the software does most of the heavy lifting for you.
Once merged, you have an excellent array of adjustment tools to help you achieve the perfect final image. You can adjust exposure, saturation, contrast, and even feathering.
This software also allows you to add the HDR effect to single images. That means you don’t need three or five images merged into one to create an image with a high dynamic range. Getting a true HDR effect with one image is quick and simple.
As a plugin, you already need to have a software suite for Nik HDR Efex to plug into. It’s compatible with DxO PhotoLab, as well as Lightroom Classic and Photoshop. It’s a great additional software if you’re serious about HDR photography.
Creating powerful HDR images isn’t difficult if you have the right software. And thanks to these free HDR software options, you can have fun with HDR photography without spending a penny.
Programs like Fotor HDR Photo Editor and Luminance HDR help you create stunning images for free. Whether you’re shooting landscapes or real estate, you have the software to help you get started with HDR.
But Free software is often limited. And if you want to take your photo editing and HDR merging to the next level, you will have to upgrade to paid software. That’s when you need to look to Lightroom or Luminar Neo.
