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Head-to-head · Color Management Software

X-Rite i1Profiler vs Eyedropper

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score X-Rite i1Profiler #1 in Color Management Software 9.1/10 Pricing on request ✓ 0 of 5 features Visit X-Rite
Eyedropper #7 in Color Management Software 7.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 5 features Visit Eyedropper

X-Rite i1Profiler leads on 0 checks, Eyedropper on 0, and 6 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 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 · 9.1/10
  • Free planonly Eyedropper

X-Rite i1Profiler scores higher on our rubric for color management software: 9.1 against 7.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #7.

X-Rite i1Profiler is the better fit for professional display profiling and QA. Eyedropper is the better fit for linux users needing color picking and conversion.

  • X-Rite i1Profiler fits best

    Professional display profiling and QA

  • Eyedropper fits best

    Linux users needing color picking and conversion

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 9.1/10 Visit ↗ Eyedropper 7.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.1 7.9
Ranking #1 in Color Management Software #7 in Color Management Software
Best for Professional display profiling and QA Linux users needing color picking and conversion
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 Linux
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business
Features X-Rite i1Profiler 0/5 · Eyedropper 0/5
Display calibration Not checked yet —
Printer profiling Not checked yet —
Camera profiling Not checked yet —
HDR calibration Not checked yet —
ICC profile management Not checked yet —
Specs
Supported platforms Not checked yet Linux
License model Not checked yet One-time
Our review
Pros
  • Supports display and projector calibration with ICC profile creation.
  • Includes multi-display matching, LUT handling, and workgroup workflows.
  • Adds ambient-light measurement, iterative profiling, and display QA tests.
  • Converts colors across Hex, RGB, HSV, HSL, CMYK, XYZ, and CIELAB.
  • Provides an HSL editor and palettes of different shades.
  • Lets users customize displayed color formats and their order.
Cons
  • Pricing is handled through contact sales.
  • Requires compatible X-Rite measurement instruments.
  • i1Profiler v3.8.7 no longer supports i1Pro 2 and i1iO 2.
  • Does not provide display calibration.
  • Does not include printer or camera profiling.
  • Does not manage ICC profiles.
Our verdict

X-Rite i1Profiler is desktop color-management software for calibrating and profiling displays, projectors, scanners, and printers. It serves professionals and teams that need controlled display measurement, ICC profile creation, and…

Read the review →

Eyedropper is a free, open-source Linux desktop utility for people who need to pick, enter, edit, and inspect colors in several formats. Its audience includes developers, designers, and other solo or small-scale users who need color values…

Read the review →
  1. X-Rite i1ProfilerColor Management Software 9.1Pricing on request
  2. EyedropperColor Management Software 7.9Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • X-Rite i1Profiler — where it wins

    • Supports display and projector calibration with ICC profile creation.
    • Includes multi-display matching, LUT handling, and workgroup workflows.
    • Adds ambient-light measurement, iterative profiling, and display QA tests.

    Where it doesn't

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

  • Eyedropper — where it wins

    • Converts colors across Hex, RGB, HSV, HSL, CMYK, XYZ, and CIELAB.
    • Provides an HSL editor and palettes of different shades.
    • Lets users customize displayed color formats and their order.

    Where it doesn't

    • Does not provide display calibration.
    • Does not include printer or camera profiling.
    • Does not manage ICC profiles.
  • X-Rite i1Profiler9.1/10 · Pricing on request

    A focused choice for display calibration, ICC profiling, multi-monitor matching, and QA.

    Visit X-RiteFull verdict →
  • Eyedropper7.9/10 · Free plan

    A free Linux color utility for picking, editing, converting, and organizing color formats.

    Visit EyedropperFull verdict →

More comparisons

All color management software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update