The Best Focus Stacking Software in 2026
We researched focus stacking software from official websites, including pricing pages, plan tables, and product documentation. Products are ranked on the category’s core job, value for money, and verified features such as alignment, stacking, retouching, and batch processing for focus stacking software.
Our top picks
-
Top ranked
PlaneFuse#1 of 249.4/10A flexible local stacker for advanced photographers working across RAW and developed images.
Free plan
-
Runner-up
ForgePix#2 of 249.3/10A free, open-source workstation for focus stacking, astrophotography, and related image workflows.
Free plan
-
Top-ranked free plan
Shine Stacker#3 of 249.1/10A capable free stacker with desktop controls, RAW support, and automation options.
Free plan
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
The full ranking 24 tools, best first
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Best forAdvanced users needing flexible stacking workflows
A flexible local stacker for advanced photographers working across RAW and developed images.
- Manual retouching
- Batch processing
- RAW file support
9.4/10★★★★★Visit PlaneFuse -
Best forFree users needing a complete stacking workstation
A free, open-source workstation for focus stacking, astrophotography, and related image workflows.
- Manual retouching
- Batch processing
- RAW file support
9.3/10★★★★★Visit ForgePix -
Best forFree users wanting polished core stacking features
A capable free stacker with desktop controls, RAW support, and automation options.
- Manual retouching
- Batch processing
- RAW file support
9.1/10★★★★★Visit Shine Stacker -
Best forMac users wanting high-end free stacking
A free Mac stacker with five fusion engines, RAW support, retouching, and batch scripting.
- Manual retouching
- Batch processing
- RAW file support
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit Aduku Stacker -
Best forPhotographers wanting a mature paid workflow
A mature paid workflow for photographers who need RAW support and stacking control.
- Manual retouching
- Batch processing
- RAW file support
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit Helicon Focus -
Best forUsers prioritizing proven stacking methods
A focused desktop stacker with proven methods, batch processing, and one-time licenses.
- Manual retouching
- Batch processing
- Automatic alignment
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit Zerene Stacker -
Best forWindows users needing technical stacking controls
A technical Windows stacker with deep alignment, engine, retouching, and batch controls.
- Manual retouching
- Batch processing
- RAW file support
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit Rekall Fusion -
Best forUsers wanting AI-assisted all-in-one stacking
AI-assisted focus stacking with RAW support, batch processing, and broad exports.
- Manual retouching
- Batch processing
- RAW file support
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit Macro Studio -
Best forHigh-volume Lightroom-based stacking
A capable desktop stacker for high-volume Lightroom-based macro workflows.
- Manual retouching
- Batch processing
- RAW file support
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit FRANZIS -
Best forFree Windows users wanting creative extras
A free Windows focus-stacking tool with alignment, batch workflows, retouching, and 3D outputs.
- Manual retouching
- Batch processing
- RAW file support
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit PICOLAY -
Best forTechnical users exploring many fusion algorithms
A capable free option for technical users who want several focus-fusion methods.
- Batch processing
- Automatic alignment
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit OpenFocus -
Best forFree users wanting a simple multi-platform stacker
A capable free stacker with alignment, multiple algorithms, and GUI or CLI workflows.
- RAW file support
- Automatic alignment
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit ChimpStackr -
Best forUsers needing stacking plus multi-image enhancement
A broad, cross-platform stacker for photographers who need more than depth-of-field extension.
- Batch processing
- RAW file support
- Automatic alignment
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit site -
Best forFree Windows users wanting basic manual control
A free Windows tool with two stacking methods and practical manual retouching.
- Manual retouching
- Automatic alignment
7.5/10★★★★☆Visit DelphiTools -
Best forFree users needing automated technical processing
A capable free option for automated focus stacking, signal integration, and batch processing.
- Batch processing
- RAW file support
- Automatic alignment
7.4/10★★★★☆Visit Open Galileo -
Best forFree users wanting lightweight cross-platform stacking
A free, open-source stacker with alignment, previews, and command-line workflows.
- Automatic alignment
7.3/10★★★★☆Visit focus-stack -
Best forFree Windows users needing straightforward stacking
A free Windows focus-stacking tool with alignment controls and multiple stacking methods.
- Automatic alignment
7.2/10★★★★☆Visit CombineZP -
Best forWindows users wanting editing extras with stacking
A Windows-only focus-stacking editor with RAW tools and layered adjustments.
- Manual retouching
- RAW file support
7.1/10★★★★☆Visit Ashampoo -
Best forOccasional users who prefer browser-based stacking
A focused, free browser workflow for occasional multi-image stacking.
- Automatic alignment
7.0/10★★★★☆Visit Focus Stacking -
Best forCLI users comfortable managing alignment separately
A free, open-source focus blender for aligned-image workflows and CLI users.
6.9/10★★★☆☆Visit Enfuse -
Best forWindows users needing simple focus blending
A free Windows utility for controlled image fusion, with alignment handled elsewhere.
- RAW file support
6.8/10★★★☆☆Visit TawbaWare -
Best forMac users seeking timed work sessions
A structured macOS focus timer with analytics and task-manager integrations.
6.7/10★★★☆☆Visit Vitamin-R -
Best forImaging users needing broad device support
A free microscopy suite that combines focus stacking with capture, analysis, and imaging tools.
6.6/10★★★☆☆Visit Euromex -
Best forKerbal Space Program mod management
A capable Kerbal Space Program mod manager, but not a focus-stacking tool.
6.0/10★★★☆☆Visit KSP-CKAN
No tools match those filters.
Compare at a glance
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | RAW file support | Automatic alignment | Batch processing | Manual retouching | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PlaneFuse | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.4 |
| 2 | ForgePix | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.3 |
| 3 | Shine Stacker | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.1 |
| 4 | Aduku Stacker | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.9 |
| 5 | Helicon Focus | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.8 | |
| 6 | Zerene Stacker | No | $39 one-time | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.7 |
| 7 | Rekall Fusion | No | $24/yr | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.6 |
| 8 | Macro Studio | No | $99 one-time | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.4 |
| 9 | FOCUS projects 4 professional | No | €99 one-time | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.2 |
| 10 | PICOLAY | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.0 |
| 11 | OpenFocus | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | 7.9 | ||
| 12 | ChimpStackr | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | 7.8 | ||
| 13 | PhotoAcute Studio | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | 7.6 | |
| 14 | FocusFusion | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | 7.5 | ||
| 15 | Open Galileo | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.4 | |
| 16 | focus-stack | Yes | Free | Yes | 7.3 | |||
| 17 | CombineZP | Yes | Free | Yes | 7.2 | |||
| 18 | Ashampoo FOCUS #6 | No | $70 one-time | Yes | Yes | 7.1 | ||
| 19 | Focus Stacking Online | Yes | Free | Yes | 7.0 | |||
| 20 | Enfuse | Yes | Free | No | 6.9 | |||
| 21 | TuFuse | Yes | Free | Yes | No | 6.8 | ||
| 22 | Vitamin-R | No | $29.95 one-time | 6.7 | ||||
| 23 | ImageFocus Alpha | Yes | Free | 6.6 | ||||
| 24 | CKAN | Free | 6.0 |
Head-to-head All 28 comparisons →
- PlaneFuse vs ForgePix
- PlaneFuse vs Shine Stacker
- PlaneFuse vs Aduku Stacker
- PlaneFuse vs Helicon Focus
- PlaneFuse vs Zerene Stacker
- PlaneFuse vs Rekall Fusion
- PlaneFuse vs Macro Studio
- ForgePix vs Shine Stacker
- ForgePix vs Aduku Stacker
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How we rank focus stacking software
Every tool on this page was researched by iTechGuides Editors from its official website — pricing pages, plan tables and product documentation. We rank on how well each one does this category's core job, what the free or entry plan includes, and where it falls short. Where we have enough verified facts, the score out of 10 is a rubric — job fit, value and how much we could verify — shown with its breakdown on every tool's page; a tool we have not verified enough to score yet shows its rank without a number. Scores are re-checked when a product changes its plans. Read the full editorial policy, or submit a tool we missed.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update