15 Best RAW File Converters in 2025

Movavi is primarily known for video editing, but its converter is incredibly fast. I was skeptical at first, but when I ran a batch of 50 Canon CR3 files, it finished the job in a fraction of the time it took other desktop tools. It supports over 180 formats and utilizes hardware acceleration to reduce processing time significantly. What I like most is that I just drag a folder in, pick a format, and hit start without any huddle or complex import steps, which really speeds up my workflow.

Meanwhile, Movavi Video Converter, as a universal file translator, easily converts proprietary camera RAW formats into common image formats for sharing or uploading.

I’ve used ACR for years, and its RAW conversion quality remains exceptional. It runs on the same powerful engine as Lightroom^® Classic. For me, ACR is the digital darkroom inside Photoshop^®, perfect for quick, non-destructive edits before deeper retouching. I rely on it most when working on single RAW files that need precise, layer-based adjustments after conversion.

I was particularly impressed with the June 2025 update, which added new Generative AI tools like People Removal and Reflection Removal directly into the interface. What I’m most intrigued about is that I can use it to convert a RAW file into a Smart Object in Photoshop®, a simple, efficient way to polish images before they hit Photoshop^®.

I switched to Affinity Photo for a few projects and was immediately impressed by its speed. For a free program, it lived up to its reputation for performance, processing large RAW files and batch conversions effortlessly while combining Lightroom^®-style RAW development with Photoshop^®-level layer editing.

The current Version 2.5 update improved brush performance and added support for more camera lens profiles, which helped correct distortions in my wide-angle RAW shots instantly. Best of all, I'm looking forward to the Version 2.6 update, which is expected to go live on October 30, 2025. The new update introduces Serif's first Machine Learning features and the Object Selection Tool, both of which will drastically speed up complex masking workflows.

Capture One Pro is where I turn when color accuracy is paramount. Its unique approach to color handling and the session-based workflow make it a great choice for commercial photography. I noticed immediately when testing my files that the detail in the shadow areas was slightly better preserved than in Lightroom^®, and the colors were more vibrant and accurate right after import, which often saves me a step in editing.

Meanwhile, its tethered shooting functionality is, arguably, the industry standard for studio photographers. The recent September 2025 updates brought new AI tools to the mobile version, including the Retouch Faces Tab and AI People Masking, which are great for quick commercial edits on the go. While it’s expensive, the results speak for themselves.

The cloud-centric version of Lightroom^® is incredibly streamlined and powerful. I started using Adobe^® Lightroom^® because I needed a solution to manage my photos across my desktop, tablet, and phone without manually syncing anything. The moment I upload a RAW file from my camera to my desktop, it’s instantly available for editing on my iPad Pro or even a web browser.

The interface is sleek and much simpler than the older Lightroom^® Classic, which I really appreciate as I don't need all the pro-level cataloging modules. The editing power is still top-tier, leveraging the same RAW processing engine. Meanwhile, Adobe recently pushed major AI updates, including a Generative Remove feature, which is powered by Adobe Firefly to effortlessly clean up unwanted objects and distractions, alongside a Lens Blur, which creates a professional depth-of-field effect on any image using AI.

DxO PhotoLab’s strength lies in its proprietary technology, built for photographers obsessed with image quality. Its DeepPRIME noise reduction is legendary; when I tested it on a high ISO image, the difference was night and day compared to standard noise reduction. This, combined with its automatic lens and camera corrections, allows it to deliver a near-perfect base image right from the start, making edits faster and more precise.

The program is built around the use of proprietary camera and lens correction modules, which automatically correct optical flaws like distortion, based on laboratory-measured data for tens of thousands of camera and lens combinations. When I tested this, the results were incredibly precise and often superior to what I get from other editors. Meanwhile, the latest version, DxO PhotoLab 9, brought significant improvements to color management and local adjustments.

Since I use a Mac, I wanted to test RAW Power, a program built by a former Apple engineer. I immediately noticed that it unlocks hidden controls within the native macOS RAW engine, giving me "Aperture-like" precision with tools like Boost for highlight recovery, which is unique. I love that it uses Apple’s own RAW decoding engine, so it offers a seamless experience.

Meanwhile, like most high-end alternatives, it offers non-destructive editing, custom controls, and great organizational features while remaining completely subscription-free. It's the ideal RAW tool for anyone who relies on iCloud Photos and the Mac's Finder for file management. The recent 2025 update (Version 3.5.3) improved support for compressed Fujifilm and Nikon RAW files.

ACDSee Photo Studio Ultimate stands out for its sheer speed. I can import, browse, and apply RAW adjustments to thousands of files faster than with any other tool, including Lightroom^®. I love that its "Develop" module handles the non-destructive RAW conversion, and the software offers a perpetual license.

The 2025 version added new AI-powered tools, including an AI Subject Selection feature that made masking and targeted conversion adjustments incredibly fast, which I used to pull out the main subject in a portrait shot. The file management system is excellent; it works directly with your computer's folders (no cumbersome import process required), and the new AI-powered keywords save hours of manual tagging.

ON1 Photo RAW is a powerful, all-in-one RAW photo editor and organizer that positions itself as the main alternative to Adobe. I found its workflow to be extremely efficient. Basically, you don't have to import files; you just navigate to a folder using the Browse module and start editing immediately. This direct folder access supports RAW files from over 800 cameras and lets me immediately dive into complex, non-destructive edits using its layers module.

While it's a full desktop suite, ON1 Photo RAW’s mobile experience is equally strong. I appreciate that they offer a one-time purchase model for their software, which is rare for a tool this powerful. The 2025.2 Update brought the fantastic Super Select AI Tool to mobile, allowing me to tap on areas like the sky or foliage and adjust them without any complex masking, which is a major time-saver on a small screen.

RawTherapee is astonishingly powerful as a free tool. I was particularly impressed by the level of detail I could pull out of highlight and shadow areas using its sophisticated demosaicing algorithms. The software offers a unique Dual Demosaicing feature that allows me to combine methods for the best results, which is key for maximizing sharpness from complex RAW files. It also supports a massive range of camera files like Pixel Shift RAWs with ghost masking, and the non-destructive editing allows me to experiment freely.

I used its Luminance Tone Curve and Lab Adjustments extensively, which give me technical control over color and brightness that some paid tools can’t match. Meanwhile, the latest updates focus on color management and improved lens correction profiles, which are crucial for maximizing RAW quality. I also found the new Dehaze feature in the Raw Black Points tool and the Gamut Compression tool to be crucial for maximizing RAW quality, especially for highly saturated scenes.

I checked out Luminar Neo specifically for its AI features, and it lives up to the hype as a tool that dramatically speeds up creative editing. I was particularly impressed with the GenErase tool, which, like Adobe's Generative Fill, removes objects seamlessly. It operates as both a standalone editor and a plugin, meaning I can use it to convert RAW files directly or pass them through Lightroom^® first.

This dual approach gives me flexibility. Instead of spending 20 minutes masking and editing a sky, the Sky AI feature, which received an update in 2025, lets me replace a dull sky in seconds. For portrait work, the dedicated Face AI and Body AI tools offer subtle, natural-looking adjustments without any manual brushwork. The latest upgrade also introduced a truly seamless cross-platform experience, allowing me to start an edit on my mobile device and pick it up on my desktop, with every mask and slider position intact.

Darktable stands out among the free options for managing and editing large RAW libraries. Its dedicated “Lighttable” module makes organizing and rating files effortless, while the “Darkroom” module offers node-based precision editing that feels complex at first but deeply rewarding once mastered.

I appreciate the continuous, community-driven development, with recent updates focusing on new color science, support for the latest camera models, and enhancing raster masks for more precise local adjustments. It's a complete, free workflow solution, though I highly recommend using a system with a dedicated GPU and at least 16 GB of RAM for the smoothest experience, especially when using complex modules like profiled denoising.

Raw2dng is a smart Android utility built for photographers who shoot RAW on mobile. I found that it can compress DNG files by up to 60% without any quality loss, saving a ton of storage while keeping all metadata intact. The converted files open flawlessly in apps like Lightroom^®, making it an excellent bridge between phone photography and professional editing.

Since many mobile apps prefer or require DNG, this conversion tool is crucial. What I really appreciated when I tested it was the ability to import files directly from a compatible camera (such as my Sony) over a Wi-Fi connection, eliminating the need for a cable or the need to remove the SD card. The developer has also optimized the converter for specific cameras, like the Sony A7 series, by supporting embedded lens correction profiles.

I’ve been in situations where I needed to compress a hundred images or batch-convert a folder of PNGs to JPGs for a website. That's where I discovered iLoveIMG, which is the sister product to the popular iLovePDF. This web app is a simple, one-stop shop for almost any non-professional image task you can think of – compressing, resizing, cropping, watermarking, and converting to and from formats like JPG, PNG, and GIF.

What impressed me most is the speed and the batch functionality; I can drag and drop a whole folder, and it processes everything in seconds. Plus, for anyone concerned about security (which should be everyone), the platform is ISO/IEC 27001 certified and automatically deletes your uploaded files from their servers within two hours, which is a major trust factor for me.