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Head-to-head · Display Calibration Software

X-Rite i1Profiler vs ArgyllCMS

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score X-Rite i1Profiler #1 in Display Calibration Software 9.2/10 Pricing on request ✓ 3 of 4 features Visit X-Rite
ArgyllCMS #7 in Display Calibration Software 7.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit ArgyllCMS

X-Rite i1Profiler 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 scoreX-Rite i1Profiler · 9.2/10
  • Free planonly ArgyllCMS
  • Most featuresArgyllCMS · 4 of 4

X-Rite i1Profiler scores higher on our rubric for display calibration software: 9.2 against 7.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #7.

X-Rite i1Profiler is the better fit for professional X-Rite instrument workflows. ArgyllCMS is the better fit for free, expert instrument-based calibration.

  • X-Rite i1Profiler fits best

    Professional X-Rite instrument workflows

  • 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 X-Rite i1Profiler 9.2/10 Visit ↗ ArgyllCMS 7.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.2 7.9
Ranking #1 in Display Calibration Software #7 in Display Calibration Software
Best for Professional X-Rite instrument workflows Free, expert instrument-based calibration
Pricing model Paid Free
Starting price Pricing on request Free plan
Free plan Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms Windows, macOS Windows, macOS, Linux
Support Phone, Docs Community, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features X-Rite i1Profiler 3/4 · ArgyllCMS 4/4
ICC profile export ✓ ✓
LUT calibration ✓ ✓
Multi-monitor calibration ✓ ✓
HDR calibration Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Specs
Monitor limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Supported platforms Windows 11; macOS 14.x through 26.x Microsoft Windows, Apple macOS, Linux
Our review
Pros
  • Basic and Advanced workflows support guided or user-defined calibration.
  • Matches multiple displays and supports workgroup calibration workflows.
  • Adds ambient-light, uniformity, QA, LUT, and iterative-profiling tools.
  • 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 compatible X-Rite measurement instruments.
  • i1Profiler v3.8.7 no longer supports i1Pro 2 or i1iO 2.
  • Pricing is handled through contact-sales and sales/OEM channels.
  • 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

X-Rite i1Profiler is desktop color-management software for calibrating and profiling displays, projectors, scanners, and printers. It creates ICC display profiles and supports compatible X-Rite measurement instruments. For display work, it…

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. X-Rite i1ProfilerDisplay Calibration Software 9.2Pricing on request
  2. ArgyllCMSDisplay Calibration Software 7.9Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • X-Rite i1Profiler — where it wins

    • Basic and Advanced workflows support guided or user-defined calibration.
    • Matches multiple displays and supports workgroup calibration workflows.
    • Adds ambient-light, uniformity, QA, LUT, and iterative-profiling tools.

    Where it doesn't

    • Requires compatible X-Rite measurement instruments.
    • i1Profiler v3.8.7 no longer supports i1Pro 2 or i1iO 2.
    • Pricing is handled through contact-sales and sales/OEM channels.

  • 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
  • X-Rite i1Profiler9.2/10 · Pricing on request

    A deep X-Rite workflow suite for precise display calibration, profiling, and QA.

    Visit X-RiteFull 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