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Head-to-head · Display Calibration Software

Datacolor Spyder vs ArgyllCMS

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score Datacolor Spyder #3 in Display Calibration Software 8.7/10 Paid ✓ 0 of 4 features Visit Datacolor
ArgyllCMS #7 in Display Calibration Software 7.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit ArgyllCMS

Datacolor Spyder leads on 0 checks, ArgyllCMS on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreDatacolor Spyder · 8.7/10
  • Free planonly ArgyllCMS
  • Most featuresArgyllCMS · 4 of 4

Datacolor Spyder scores higher on our rubric for display calibration software: 8.7 against 7.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #7.

Datacolor Spyder is the better fit for photographers and creators calibrating modern displays. ArgyllCMS is the better fit for free, expert instrument-based calibration.

  • Datacolor Spyder fits best

    Photographers and creators calibrating modern displays

  • ArgyllCMS fits best

    Free, expert instrument-based calibration

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.

Side by side

Feature Datacolor Spyder 8.7/10 Visit ↗ ArgyllCMS 7.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.7 7.9
Ranking #3 in Display Calibration Software #7 in Display Calibration Software
Best for Photographers and creators calibrating modern displays Free, expert instrument-based calibration
Pricing model Paid Free
Starting price Not checked yet Free plan
Free plan Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms Windows, macOS Windows, macOS, Linux
Support Tickets, Docs Community, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Datacolor Spyder 0/4 · ArgyllCMS 4/4
ICC profile export Not checked yet ✓ (best)
LUT calibration Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Multi-monitor calibration Not checked yet ✓ (best)
HDR calibration Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Specs
Monitor limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Supported platforms windows_macos Microsoft Windows, Apple macOS, Linux
Our review
Pros
  • Calibrates LCD, mini-LED, OLED, QD-OLED, Apple XDR and Liquid Retina displays
  • Measures ambient light and supports multi-monitor calibration
  • Includes before-and-after comparisons and DevicePreview for other devices
  • Free, open-source calibration and profiling across Windows, macOS, and Linux
  • Supports ICC profiles, VideoLUTs, 3D LUTs, HDR, and multi-display workflows
  • Works with numerous colorimeters and spectroradiometers
Cons
  • Requires a compatible Spyder sensor
  • Runs only on Windows and macOS desktop systems
  • Does not profile printers; that is a separate Spyder Print product
  • Command-line software rather than a native graphical interface
  • Requires compatible color measurement hardware for instrument-based workflows
  • Technical users may need to rely on comprehensive documentation
Our verdict

Datacolor Spyder is a hardware-assisted display calibration system for photographers, graphic designers and content creators who need custom monitor profiles. Its software measures monitor output and supports LCD, mini-LED, OLED and…

Read the review →

ArgyllCMS is an open-source color management system for calibrating and profiling displays and other devices. Its command-line tools are designed for technically capable users, developers, color-management specialists, and production…

Read the review →
  1. Datacolor SpyderDisplay Calibration Software 8.7Paid
  2. ArgyllCMSDisplay Calibration Software 7.9Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Datacolor Spyder — where it wins

    • Calibrates LCD, mini-LED, OLED, QD-OLED, Apple XDR and Liquid Retina displays
    • Measures ambient light and supports multi-monitor calibration
    • Includes before-and-after comparisons and DevicePreview for other devices

    Where it doesn't

    • Requires a compatible Spyder sensor
    • Runs only on Windows and macOS desktop systems
    • Does not profile printers; that is a separate Spyder Print product

  • ArgyllCMS — where it wins

    • Free, open-source calibration and profiling across Windows, macOS, and Linux
    • Supports ICC profiles, VideoLUTs, 3D LUTs, HDR, and multi-display workflows
    • Works with numerous colorimeters and spectroradiometers

    Where it doesn't

    • Command-line software rather than a native graphical interface
    • Requires compatible color measurement hardware for instrument-based workflows
    • Technical users may need to rely on comprehensive documentation
  • Datacolor Spyder8.7/10 · Paid

    Spyder builds custom display profiles across modern monitors, but requires a compatible sensor.

    Visit DatacolorFull verdict →
  • ArgyllCMS7.9/10 · Free plan

    A free, technical toolkit for instrument-based calibration, ICC profiles, LUTs, and HDR workflows.

    Visit ArgyllCMSFull verdict →

More comparisons

All display calibration software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update