RawTherapee
Also called raw therapee, rawtherapee
An open-source raw processor with a different tone than darktable. rawtherapee.exe is the process. It is not Lightroom.
What you need to know
RawTherapee is a free raw processor. It is not Lightroom.
rawtherapee.exe uses .pp3 sidecars and a folder browser. Lightroom is Adobe. darktable is the other GPL raw app with a different tone.
- What is it?
- Open-source raw processor
- Still current?
- Yes, see Current status
- Official download?
- Use the vendor link in this article
What is RawTherapee?
RawTherapee is an open-source raw processor. Sidecars are .pp3 files. The Windows executable is rawtherapee.exe.
If you have never used it
RawTherapee is a free raw processor. rawtherapee.exe is the process. It is not Lightroom. It is also not darktable. The tone engine and .pp3 sidecar are its own. Download from rawtherapee.com/downloads.
What is it used for?
Open a folder of raws. Lightroom uses a catalog. darktable uses a library. This is a browser.
A different engine than darktable. Do not expect the same sliders.
Batch process. Lightroom export is a different queue.
Who is it for?
- Photographers comparing free raw apps
- People who found darktable too modular
- Anyone who opened Lightroom looking for .pp3 files
Current status
RawTherapee (2005) is a current open-source raw processor from RawTherapee team. The vendor still points Windows users at https://www.rawtherapee.com/downloads/.
How old is it?
RawTherapee started in 2005, before darktable (2009). Lightroom shipped in 2007. Current RawTherapee is still a GPL processor with a File Browser, not an Adobe catalog.
Versions
Major channels first. Exact build numbers are not all verified here.
System requirements
Values follow the publisher's public guidance. Workload still changes the real need.
Minimum
| Operating system | A current supported Windows 10 or Windows 11 release, per the vendor |
|---|---|
| RAM | Enough for Windows plus this app. Heavy projects want more. |
Resource profile
- CPU demand
- Follows what you open inside the app
- RAM demand
- Follows documents, tabs, or libraries
Installed processes
These executables belong to this product when it is installed.
| rawtherapee.exe | Main Windows executable |
|---|
Startup components
RawTherapee does not need to start with Windows.
File locations
| Typical install | C:\Program Files\RawTherapee\ |
|---|
File formats
Common problems
Expected darktable modules
Different engine. Learn RawTherapee's tools. Do not paste darktable history.
Sidecar not next to the raw
Save .pp3 beside the file. Lightroom catalogs do not apply here.
Getting unstuck
Confirm rawtherapee.exe
Program Files\RawTherapee is the app. Lightroom.exe is Adobe. darktable.exe is the other GPL app.
Install from rawtherapee.com/downloads
Windows builds are listed there.
Read RawPedia
rawpedia.rawtherapee.com is the vendor manual.
Alternatives
darktable, Lightroom, and Capture One overlap. Lightroom does not replace a .pp3 workflow.
Official help and downloads
Start with the vendor. Random exe sites are not a support channel.
| Download | www.rawtherapee.com/downloads/ Official installer or vendor page |
|---|---|
| Help | rawpedia.rawtherapee.com/ Vendor support |
| Official site | www.rawtherapee.com/ Start here, not a random exe host |
Related hardware
RawTherapee wants RAM for big raws. A fast CPU helps the queue more than a gaming GPU.
Technical details
Technical details
Vendor version numbers change. This article does not pin a build.
Sources and verification
Reviewed by Feex editorial. Last verified August 2026 Status: Feex Reviewed. How we research.
- RawTherapee official site · Vendor product page
- RawTherapee help · Vendor support
- Foxhole process map · First-party samples on Windows PCs. Not a lab benchmark.
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