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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> Non subscription-based software?
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 10/07/2025 09:40:39 AM · #1
I prefer buying a license and using the software with occasional updates as needed.
Plugin support for Nik and Topaz is also important to me. Corel PSP has been great with those.

Corel Paint Shop Pro has been my go-to for many years (maybe 20 years now?). However, they've been bought out last year and it's not clear that they're planning on any updates to existing product anytime soon. Last update was in August 2023. The application still works fine, and overall, I still like it, but it's not keeping up with RAW file formats.

I've heard that Affinity Photo was decent, but they just announced a buyout this year and have turned off software purchase options pending an announcement on October 30th, 2025.

Tried ON1 Photo Raw 2025, using their free trial, and I do like the app so far. However, not all plugins are supported. Another issue is that the app has fairly stout system requirements. On my main PC it runs fine(ish), but it won't load at all on my outdated laptop, which I use for most of my DPC entry photos (while sitting in front of the TV at night). :-) Short of moving my PC downstairs into the den (which my wife is NOT going to like), I could use this as an excuse for a new laptop! :-D

I haven't tried the newest version of GIMP. It actually looks decent now and has some plugin support (for Nik and other open source, but not Topaz). However, it doesn't support RAW files natively.
RawTherapee is another app that looks decent I haven't downloaded yet. Supports a current range of RAW formats but no plugin support.
Is there anything else I'm missing that is NOT subscription based that I should consider?

TIA

Message edited by author 2025-10-07 11:19:10.
 10/07/2025 11:49:10 AM · #2
Have you checked out Darktable in conjunction with GIMP? My understanding is that the two work very closely in tandem with each other, and I believe RAW users find that DarkTable (with its own quirks, I'm sure) is to GIMP a lot of what Lightroom is to Photoshop.

Disclaimer: I'm a very happy GIMP user--albeit one who has a LOT to learn about how to get the most out of it--but I don't use Darktable myself because I never shoot in RAW for anything (yet). I also use ON1, and I 100% concur with your performance observations. It's a system resource hog, but for me it checks a lot of the boxes more economically than I can with anything else.

I haven't tried but have heard really great things about DxO's PhotoLab, and since you're already a Nik user, maybe you'd find that title worth looking into? It seems like they're developing along the same AI-powered trajectory as Adobe and companies like ON1.
 10/07/2025 03:18:53 PM · #3
Originally posted by kanaj:
Have you checked out Darktable in conjunction with GIMP? My understanding is that the two work very closely in tandem with each other, and I believe RAW users find that DarkTable (with its own quirks, I'm sure) is to GIMP a lot of what Lightroom is to Photoshop.

Disclaimer: I'm a very happy GIMP user--albeit one who has a LOT to learn about how to get the most out of it--but I don't use Darktable myself because I never shoot in RAW for anything (yet). I also use ON1, and I 100% concur with your performance observations. It's a system resource hog, but for me it checks a lot of the boxes more economically than I can with anything else.

I haven't tried but have heard really great things about DxO's PhotoLab, and since you're already a Nik user, maybe you'd find that title worth looking into? It seems like they're developing along the same AI-powered trajectory as Adobe and companies like ON1.

Thanks Johnathan.

Hadn't heard of Darktable. I'll check that out. Forgot about DxO's product. I'll take a peek at that too.
I did install RawTherapee and it looks like a fair choice, especially for free, but the lack of plugin support is tempering my response.
I still like ON1 Photo Raw 2025 the best. Figures, eh? :-)

Thanks again. I'll check those other ones out.
 10/09/2025 11:23:58 AM · #4
Photoshop Elements is not subscription based. I'm using the 2025 version and it supports all the RAW formats I've run into. I saw 2026 just came out but I haven't looked to see what the new features are.

Edit to add it does support plug-ins.

Message edited by author 2025-10-09 11:24:55.
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