Capture One review

Capture One is the raw editor many studio and fashion photographers use, and enthusiasts pick it for its color and tethering. The pricing page lists support for 550+ cameras, industry-leading tethering with Live View, and assisted tools such as masking in a click, face and body skin retouching, AI crop, Match Look and Enhanced Denoise, plus negative film conversion for people scanning film. Plans include a desktop Pro subscription, an All in One plan that adds the iPad and iPhone app and cloud settings, a Studio plan for high-volume work, and a one-time Pro License for people who do not need the newest updates. Capture One also says subscribers can switch to a perpetual license at any time, at no extra cost once they have subscribed for 5 years. When we checked, the page showed us euro prices only, so the USD price is pending. It is more expensive and less beginner-friendly than Lightroom, which is why it ranks lower for hobbyists.

Who it is for

Enthusiasts who care most about raw color and tethered shooting.

Price

See vendor pricing (USD check pending).

US price check pending. See the vendor pricing page.

Key features

• Industry-leading tethering with Live View
• Support for 550+ cameras
• Masking in a click, face retouching and AI crop
• Match Look and Enhanced Denoise
• Negative film conversion and Content Credentials

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Strong raw color and tethering tools
• Strength: One-time Pro License next to subscriptions
• Strength: All in One plan adds iPad and iPhone apps
• Weakness: Highest ongoing cost among the desktop editors here
• Weakness: Learning curve for the session and catalog model
• Weakness: Mobile app costs extra on the Pro plan

Key facts

• Plans: Pro, All in One, Studio, Mobile, Pro License
• Camera support: 550+ cameras
• Perpetual option: Pro License, one-time purchase
• Loyalty: Perpetual license at no extra cost after 5 years of subscription

Where it ranks

Capture One is No. 8 in our Best Photo Editing Apps verdict.