AKVIS HDRFactory vs HDRMerge

AKVIS HDRFactory7.9Visit HDRMerge6.6Visit

Higher score AKVIS HDRFactory #5 in HDR Software 7.9/10 From $69 · 10-day trial ✓ 2 of 2 features Visit AKVIS

vs

HDRMerge #10 in HDR Software 6.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 2 features Visit HDRMerge

• AKVIS HDRFactory fits best

  Cross-platform HDR with plugins

• HDRMerge fits best

  Free RAW-to-DNG HDR merging

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Side by side

Feature	AKVIS HDRFactory 7.9/10 Visit ↗	HDRMerge 6.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	7.9	6.6
Ranking	#5 in HDR Software	#10 in HDR Software
Best for	Cross-platform HDR with plugins	Free RAW-to-DNG HDR merging
Pricing model	Paid	Free
Starting price	$69one-time	Not published
Free plan	—	✓ (best)
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux	Windows, macOS, Linux
Support	Email, Docs	Community
Built for	Solo, Small business	Solo, Small business
Features AKVIS HDRFactory 2/2 · HDRMerge 2/2
Batch processing	✓	✓
RAW file support	✓	✓
Specs
HDR merge mode	Both	Both
Tone mapping controls	Multiple	Not published
HDR output formats	TIFF, BMP, JPEG, WEBP, PNG	DNG 1.4
Supported platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux	Windows, macOS, Linux
Maximum input images	Not published	Not published
Our review
Pros	Combines multi-exposure HDR and single-image pseudo-HDR processing Offers detailed tone mapping, alignment, presets, and batch processing Runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux with plugin and standalone editions	Free and open source on Windows, macOS, and Linux Graphical ghost-removal masks and automatic small-translation alignment Command-line batch processing with 16-, 24-, and 32-bit output
Cons	Home Plugin and Home Standalone provide basic functionality Ghost removal and local correction require higher license tiers Commercial use requires the Business license	Output is centered on DNG 1.4 Automatic alignment handles small image translations Best suited to users with a compatible RAW or HDR editor
Our verdict	AKVIS HDRFactory is desktop HDR imaging software for photographers, designers, and digital artists. It combines multiple exposures into HDR images and can create a pseudo-HDR effect from one photo. The software supports Windows, macOS, and… Read the review →	HDRMerge is desktop software for photographers who want to combine multiple camera RAW exposures into one high-dynamic-range RAW image. It merges exposure-bracketed RAW files, supports certain single RAW files containing multiple bracketed… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• AKVIS HDRFactory — where it wins

  • Combines multi-exposure HDR and single-image pseudo-HDR processing
  • Offers detailed tone mapping, alignment, presets, and batch processing
  • Runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux with plugin and standalone editions

  Where it doesn't

  • Home Plugin and Home Standalone provide basic functionality
  • Ghost removal and local correction require higher license tiers
  • Commercial use requires the Business license

• HDRMerge — where it wins

  • Free and open source on Windows, macOS, and Linux
  • Graphical ghost-removal masks and automatic small-translation alignment
  • Command-line batch processing with 16-, 24-, and 32-bit output

  Where it doesn't

  • Output is centered on DNG 1.4
  • Automatic alignment handles small image translations
  • Best suited to users with a compatible RAW or HDR editor

• AKVIS HDRFactory7.9/10 · From $69 · 10-day trial

  A flexible HDR tool for photographers who want detailed tone control across three desktop platforms.

  Visit AKVISFull verdict →
• HDRMerge6.6/10 · Free plan

  A free, open-source tool for merging bracketed RAW exposures into floating-point DNG.

  Visit HDRMergeFull verdict →