Best Focus Stacking Software in 2026
Updated
In short: ImageFocus Alpha is ranked #1 of 23 as of 4 October 2026, ahead of PlaneFuse and ForgePix. The best-ranked option with a free plan is PlaneFuse.
Focus stacking software brings images made at different focus distances together to produce greater depth of focus. Compare automatic alignment and batch processing with manual retouching to see how each product handles your workflow. RAW file support and output formats can help you assess fit with your images, while supported platforms clarify where the software runs. Free-plan availability and paid-from pricing are also worth checking. ImageFocus Alpha, PlaneFuse, and ForgePix are among the options to consider. Weigh the listed processing, file, and platform details against the focus-stacking work you expect to do.
23 focus stacking software ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
23ranked
6free plans on this page
4 Oct 2026last checked
Input list Focus Stacking Software 23 channels on this page · 113 of 184 spec lines stated by the makers
Ch Tool Free planPaid fromRAW file supportAutomatic alignmentBatch processingManual retouchingSupported platformsOutput formats Spec sheet Score
01 ImageFocus Alpha Free planYesPaid fromnot statedRAW file supportnot statedAutomatic alignmentnot statedBatch processingnot statedManual retouchingnot statedSupported platformsnot statedOutput formatsJPEG, TIFF 2/8spec lines stated 7.2
02 PlaneFuse Free planYesPaid fromnot statedRAW file supportYesAutomatic alignmentYesBatch processingYesManual retouchingYesSupported platformsnot statedOutput formatsTIFF, PNG, JPEG, Linear DNG, depth map 6/8spec lines stated 7.2
03 ForgePix Free planYesPaid fromnot statedRAW file supportYesAutomatic alignmentYesBatch processingYesManual retouchingYesSupported platformsnot statedOutput formatsJPG, TIFF, layered Photoshop TIFF, FITS 6/8spec lines stated 7.0
04 Helicon Focus Free planNoPaid fromnot statedRAW file supportYesAutomatic alignmentYesBatch processingYesManual retouchingYesSupported platformsnot statedOutput formatsJPEG, TIFF, DNG, PNG, BMP, JPEG2000, PSD 6/8spec lines stated 7.0
05 PhotoAcute Studio Free planNoPaid fromnot statedRAW file supportYesAutomatic alignmentYesBatch processingYesManual retouchingNoSupported platformsnot statedOutput formatsRAW, JPEG, TIFF, OpenEXR 6/8spec lines stated 7.0
06 Shine Stacker Free planYesPaid fromnot statedRAW file supportYesAutomatic alignmentYesBatch processingYesManual retouchingYesSupported platformsnot statedOutput formatsTIFF, JPEG, multilayer TIFF 6/8spec lines stated 7.0
07 Zerene Stacker Free planNoPaid from39 one-timeRAW file supportNoAutomatic alignmentYesBatch processingYesManual retouchingYesSupported platformsnot statedOutput formatsTIFF, JPEG 7/8spec lines stated 7.0
08 Aduku Stacker Free planYesPaid fromnot statedRAW file supportYesAutomatic alignmentYesBatch processingYesManual retouchingYesSupported platformsmacosOutput formatsJPEG, PNG, TIFF, linear DNG, depth maps 7/8spec lines stated 6.9
09 Macro Studio Free planNoPaid from99 one-timeRAW file supportYesAutomatic alignmentYesBatch processingYesManual retouchingYesSupported platformsnot statedOutput formatsTIFF, JPEG, DNG 7/8spec lines stated 6.9
10 PICOLAY Free planYesPaid fromnot statedRAW file supportYesAutomatic alignmentYesBatch processingYesManual retouchingYesSupported platformswindowsOutput formatsJPEG, BMP, PNG, MPO, GIF 7/8spec lines stated 6.7
11 CKAN Free plannot statedPaid fromnot statedRAW file supportnot statedAutomatic alignmentnot statedBatch processingnot statedManual retouchingnot statedSupported platformsnot statedOutput formatsnot stated 0/8spec lines stated 6.1
12 OpenFocus Free planYesPaid fromnot statedRAW file supportnot statedAutomatic alignmentYesBatch processingYesManual retouchingnot statedSupported platformswindowsOutput formatsJPG, PNG, BMP, TIFF 5/8spec lines stated 6.1
13 ChimpStackr Free planYesPaid fromnot statedRAW file supportYesAutomatic alignmentYesBatch processingnot statedManual retouchingnot statedSupported platformsnot statedOutput formatsTIFF, PNG 4/8spec lines stated 6.0
14 Enfuse Free planYesPaid fromnot statedRAW file supportnot statedAutomatic alignmentNoBatch processingnot statedManual retouchingnot statedSupported platformsnot statedOutput formatsTIFF, JPEG, OpenEXR 3/8spec lines stated 6.0
15 focus-stack Free planYesPaid fromnot statedRAW file supportnot statedAutomatic alignmentYesBatch processingnot statedManual retouchingnot statedSupported platformsnot statedOutput formatsJPG, PNG 3/8spec lines stated 5.9
16 FOCUS projects 4 professional Free planNoPaid fromnot statedRAW file supportYesAutomatic alignmentYesBatch processingYesManual retouchingYesSupported platformsnot statedOutput formatsRAW, TIFF, JPEG and other formats 6/8spec lines stated 5.7
17 FocusFusion Free planYesPaid fromnot statedRAW file supportNoAutomatic alignmentYesBatch processingnot statedManual retouchingYesSupported platformswindowsOutput formatsnot stated 5/8spec lines stated 5.7
18 Rekall Fusion Free planNoPaid fromnot statedRAW file supportYesAutomatic alignmentYesBatch processingYesManual retouchingYesSupported platformswindowsOutput formatsTIFF, PNG, JPEG, 16-bit depth map, optional slabs and contribution masks 7/8spec lines stated 5.7
19 TuFuse Free planYesPaid fromnot statedRAW file supportYesAutomatic alignmentNoBatch processingnot statedManual retouchingnot statedSupported platformswindowsOutput formatsTIFF, BigTIFF 5/8spec lines stated 5.7
20 CombineZP Free planYesPaid fromnot statedRAW file supportnot statedAutomatic alignmentYesBatch processingnot statedManual retouchingnot statedSupported platformswindowsOutput formatsJPEG 4/8spec lines stated 5.6
21 Open Galileo Free planYesPaid fromnot statedRAW file supportYesAutomatic alignmentYesBatch processingYesManual retouchingnot statedSupported platformsnot statedOutput formatsJPG, PNG, TIFF 5/8spec lines stated 5.6
22 Focus Stacking Online Free planYesPaid fromnot statedRAW file supportnot statedAutomatic alignmentYesBatch processingnot statedManual retouchingnot statedSupported platformswebOutput formatsnot stated 3/8spec lines stated 5.5
23 Vitamin-R Free planNoPaid from29.95 one-timeRAW file supportnot statedAutomatic alignmentnot statedBatch processingnot statedManual retouchingnot statedSupported platformsmacosOutput formatsnot stated 3/8spec lines stated 5.4
Is your tool on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored. They are labelled, and the editorial order and scores never change for payment.
Questions about this list
Which focus stacking software is ranked first on Specifiction?
ImageFocus Alpha is ranked #1 of 23 with a score of 7.2. PlaneFuse is second and ForgePix third.
How many of these have a free plan?
6 of the 23 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked on what each maker publishes, the fullest spec sheet first: how deeply the product is documented, the platforms it runs on, a free tier or trial to test it, and its standing. Paid placements never change a rank.
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