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Head-to-head · HDR Software

ColorForge vs Photomatix Pro

  • Updated Sep 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
Higher score ColorForge #2 in HDR Software 8.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 2 features Visit ColorForge
Photomatix Pro #3 in HDR Software 8.1/10 Paid ✓ 2 of 2 features Visit HDRsoft

ColorForge leads on 1 check, Photomatix Pro on 1, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 3 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreColorForge · 8.6/10
  • Free planonly ColorForge
  • Most featuresPhotomatix Pro · 2 of 2

ColorForge scores higher on our rubric for hdr software: 8.6 against 8.1 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #3.

ColorForge offers free plan; Photomatix Pro doesn't. On tone mapping controls, ColorForge gives you Multiple where Photomatix Pro offers Advanced. Photomatix Pro offers batch processing; ColorForge doesn't publish it.

ColorForge is the better fit for free cross-platform HDR editing. Photomatix Pro is the better fit for advanced HDR photographers.

  • ColorForge fits best

    Free cross-platform HDR editing

  • Photomatix Pro fits best

    Advanced HDR photographers

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you click some links. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature ColorForge 8.6/10 Visit ↗ Photomatix Pro 8.1/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.6 8.1
Ranking #2 in HDR Software #3 in HDR Software
Best for Free cross-platform HDR editing Advanced HDR photographers
Pricing model Free Paid
Starting price Not published Not published
Free plan ✓ (best) —
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud Desktop
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android Windows, macOS
Support Tickets Email, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business, Mid-market
Features ColorForge 1/2 · Photomatix Pro 2/2
Batch processing Not published ✓ (best)
RAW file support ✓ ✓
Specs
HDR merge mode Both Both
Tone mapping controls Multiple Advanced
HDR output formats JPEG, PNG, 16-bit TIFF OpenEXR, DNG 32-bit, TIFF 32-bit, Radiance RGBE, PSB 32-bit
Supported platforms web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android Windows, macOS
Maximum input images Not published Not published
Our review
Pros
  • Supports RAW decoding across major camera file formats
  • Combines bracket fusion with alignment and deghosting controls
  • Runs on web, desktop operating systems, iOS, and Android
  • Supports bracketed exposures and single-image HDR processing
  • Six HDR methods with advanced tone mapping and exposure fusion
  • Batch processing, ghost removal, RAW support, and 32-bit output
Cons
  • No verified batch-processing workflow
  • Browser use depends on a modern browser environment
  • Export options are limited to JPEG, PNG, and 16-bit TIFF
  • Desktop-only workflow for Windows and macOS
  • Perpetual paid license rather than a free plan
  • Trial exports include a watermark
Our verdict

ColorForge is a free photo editor for photographers who need to develop camera RAW files, merge exposure brackets into HDR images, adjust tonal and color properties, and export finished work. It runs in modern browsers across web, Windows,…

Read the review →

Photomatix Pro is desktop HDR photography software for advanced photographers, real-estate professionals, and serious amateurs. It can merge bracketed exposures into HDR images or process single photographs for an HDR effect. The workflow…

Read the review →
  1. ColorForgeHDR Software 8.6Free plan
  2. Photomatix ProHDR Software 8.1Paid

Strengths and trade-offs

  • ColorForge — where it wins

    • Supports RAW decoding across major camera file formats
    • Combines bracket fusion with alignment and deghosting controls
    • Runs on web, desktop operating systems, iOS, and Android

    Where it doesn't

    • No verified batch-processing workflow
    • Browser use depends on a modern browser environment
    • Export options are limited to JPEG, PNG, and 16-bit TIFF

  • Photomatix Pro — where it wins

    • Supports bracketed exposures and single-image HDR processing
    • Six HDR methods with advanced tone mapping and exposure fusion
    • Batch processing, ghost removal, RAW support, and 32-bit output

    Where it doesn't

    • Desktop-only workflow for Windows and macOS
    • Perpetual paid license rather than a free plan
    • Trial exports include a watermark

More comparisons

All HDR software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Guides on HDR software

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026

Last updated · How we research and update