Darkroom review
Fast RAW photo and video editing for iPhone, iPad and Mac
- Bergen Co.
- Free + paid plans
- iPhone & iPad, Mac
Does it deserve #3?
The verdict
Darkroom is the best-designed photo editor on Apple devices. It works straight from your Photos library, so there's no import step, and it handles RAW files, curves, color grading and batch edits quickly. Video editing uses the same tools. The free version covers the basics, while Darkroom+ unlocks the advanced tools. Get it if you live in Apple Photos and want speed without a cloud account.
- Direct Photos library editing
- RAW and ProRAW support
- Curves and color grading tools
- Batch editing and presets
Score breakdown
Overall = features 30% · design 20% · speed 20% · value 15% · privacy 15%. Why these weights?
What we like
- Clean interface that stays out of your way
- No import step thanks to Photos library integration
- Fast previews even with large RAW files
What could be better
- Apple devices only
- Advanced tools need a Darkroom+ plan
Apple users who want quick, high-quality edits straight from the Photos app
you edit on Android or Windows as well as Apple devices
Questions about Darkroom
Is Darkroom free?
Yes, Darkroom is free to download and includes core editing tools. A paid Darkroom+ plan unlocks the advanced color, video and batch tools.
Does Darkroom change my original photos?
No. Darkroom saves edits back to your Photos library non-destructively, so you can revert to the original at any time.
What are the best alternatives to Darkroom?
The closest alternatives are Adobe Lightroom, Snapseed and VSCO. See all of them ranked on our Darkroom alternatives page.
Where does Darkroom rank?
Darkroom ranks #3 of 8 in our Photo & Video ranking, with an overall score of 8.8 out of 10.