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ColorForge

colorforge.studio

Free plan WebWindowsmacOSLinuxiOSAndroid
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Spec score 9.0 #1 of 21 in HDR Software

What it is

ColorForge is a browser-based RAW and HDR photo editor that processes images on the device. It supports camera RAW files including CR2, CR3, NEF, ARW, DNG, RAF, ORF and RW2, with controls for exposure, tone curves, HSL adjustments, LUTs and presets. For HDR images, it can combine bracketed exposures, including RAW brackets, using GPU processing. Exports are available at full native sensor resolution as JPEG, PNG or TIFF, without watermarks; HDR output also includes 16-bit TIFF. ColorForge says photos stay local and are not uploaded to its servers. Editing, RAW decoding, HDR merging and exporting do not require an account. After the web app loads into the browser cache, it can continue working offline. It supports Chrome, Edge, Firefox and Safari, and the maker lists Windows, macOS, Linux, ChromeOS, iOS and Android availability. ColorForge is free: free, with no installation required. Presets are stored in an account database when signed in, or local browser storage when signed out.

Spec sheet

What it does
ColorForge is a browser-based RAW and HDR photo editor that processes images locally.Read 15 Oct 2026 · colorforge.studio
Product
ColorForge is a browser based RAW and HDR photo editor that processes images on the device.Read 5 Oct 2026 · colorforge.studio
Privacy
The maker says photos are processed locally and are never uploaded to its servers.Read 5 Oct 2026 · colorforge.studio
Support
The site provides a feedback and ticket page, where creating a ticket requires Google sign-in.Read 15 Oct 2026 · colorforge.studio
Account requirement
Editing, RAW decoding, HDR merging and export are available without registration.Read 15 Oct 2026 · colorforge.studio
API and SDKs
The opened product pages describe browser WebAssembly and WebGL components but do not provide a public API, SDK or self-hosting package.Read 15 Oct 2026 · colorforge.studio
Apple listing identity
The App Store ColorForge listing is an iPhone utility by developer Kazunari Negishi, separate from the browser product identity shown on colorforge.studio.Read 15 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
Apple platform requirement
That App Store listing requires iOS 18.6 or later and is marked iPhone-only in its description.Read 15 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
Apple privacy statement
Apple’s listing reports that the developer says the app collects no data, with Apple noting the developer-provided information is not verified.Read 15 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
Browser support
The site names Chrome, Edge, Firefox and Safari as supported modern browsers.Read 15 Oct 2026 · colorforge.studio
Curves and HSL
The editor provides RGB and per-channel tone curves and an eight-channel HSL mixer.Read 15 Oct 2026 · colorforge.studio
Editing
Features include exposure controls, tone curves, HSL color adjustments, LUTs and presets.Read 5 Oct 2026 · colorforge.studio
Export
The RAW editor exports full native sensor resolution as JPEG, PNG or TIFF without watermarks.Read 5 Oct 2026 · colorforge.studio
Export formats
Exports are available as JPEG, PNG and TIFF, including 16-bit TIFF output for HDR work.Read 15 Oct 2026 · colorforge.studio
Export resolution
The RAW editor exports at full native camera sensor resolution without watermarks.Read 15 Oct 2026 · colorforge.studio
Exposure controls
RAW editing includes exposure, highlights, shadows, whites, blacks, temperature and tint adjustments.Read 15 Oct 2026 · colorforge.studio
GPU rendering
ColorForge uses WebGL 2.0 shaders and a 32-bit floating-point rendering pipeline.Read 15 Oct 2026 · colorforge.studio
HDR
It merges multiple bracketed exposures, including RAW brackets, using GPU processing.Read 5 Oct 2026 · colorforge.studio
HDR merging
ColorForge merges two, three, five or more bracketed exposures, including RAW brackets.Read 15 Oct 2026 · colorforge.studio
HDR precision
RAW brackets are demosaiced and merged in 32-bit precision.Read 15 Oct 2026 · colorforge.studio
HDR processing
HDR fusion runs in custom WebGL GPU shaders using exposure-fusion weighting.Read 15 Oct 2026 · colorforge.studio
Installation
ColorForge runs in the browser without installing desktop software.Read 15 Oct 2026 · colorforge.studio
Licence
The opened product pages do not state an open-source licence or software licence.Read 15 Oct 2026 · colorforge.studio
Limit: browser dependence
The product requires a supported modern browser and its offline mode only works after the web app has loaded into cache.Read 15 Oct 2026 · colorforge.studio
Limit: focused toolset
The listed workflow centers on RAW development, HDR merging, curves, HSL and LUTs rather than catalog management or broad desktop-editing features.Read 15 Oct 2026 · colorforge.studio
Limit: paint database
The App Store listing says its current paint data is centered on Gaia Color and that other manufacturers are planned for later addition.Read 15 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
LinkedIn business
The profile describes a patented process that prints custom color cosmetics and product casing together.Read 15 Oct 2026 · linkedin.com
LinkedIn company size
That LinkedIn ColorForge profile lists a company size of 2–10 employees.Read 15 Oct 2026 · linkedin.com
LinkedIn headquarters
That LinkedIn profile lists Peoria, Illinois as headquarters.Read 15 Oct 2026 · linkedin.com
LinkedIn manufacturing claim
The profile says its 3D printer can produce hundreds of unique color cosmetics in one batch in under five hours.Read 15 Oct 2026 · linkedin.com
LinkedIn name collision
A LinkedIn company also named ColorForge is described as a personal-care product manufacturing business, not as the photo editor.Read 15 Oct 2026 · linkedin.com
LinkedIn ownership type
That LinkedIn profile classifies the company as privately held.Read 15 Oct 2026 · linkedin.com
LUT support
Users can apply built-in cinematic LUTs or load custom .cube LUT files.Read 15 Oct 2026 · colorforge.studio
Offline use
The editor can continue working after its web app has loaded into the browser cache and the connection is removed.Read 15 Oct 2026 · colorforge.studio
Operating systems
The RAW editor says browser use works on Windows, macOS, Linux and ChromeOS.Read 15 Oct 2026 · colorforge.studio
Platform availability
The maker says the browser based editor works on Windows, macOS, Linux and ChromeOS.Read 5 Oct 2026 · colorforge.studio
Preset storage
Signed-in presets are stored as settings in an account database, while signed-out presets use local browser storage.Read 15 Oct 2026 · colorforge.studio
Privacy claim
ColorForge says photos remain in browser memory and are never uploaded to cloud servers.Read 15 Oct 2026 · colorforge.studio
Rating on Apple App Store
The Apple listing named ColorForge shows no usable rating because Apple says the number of ratings and reviews is insufficient.Read 15 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
RAW decoding
RAW files are decoded with a LibRaw C++ engine compiled to WebAssembly.Read 15 Oct 2026 · colorforge.studio
RAW formats
The editor lists CR2, CR3, NEF, ARW, DNG, RAF, ORF and RW2 camera files, plus JPEG, PNG, WebP and TIFF.Read 15 Oct 2026 · colorforge.studio
Supported browsers
The home page lists Chrome, Edge, Firefox and Safari as supported modern browsers.Read 5 Oct 2026 · colorforge.studio
Telemetry claim
The private-editor page says there is zero telemetry on photos and no cloud storage or processing servers.Read 15 Oct 2026 · colorforge.studio
Tone mapping
The HDR editor offers real-time tone mapping intended to preserve luminance and reduce halos.Read 15 Oct 2026 · colorforge.studio

Plans and prices

Free Free No account · no installation · no watermarks · full-resolution export Read 15 Oct 2026 · colorforge.studio

Every ColorForge plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Supports eight listed camera RAW formats.
  • Combines bracketed exposures with GPU processing.
  • Exports full-resolution images without watermarks.
  • Editing and export need no account.
  • Free plan costs nothing.

Limits

  • Offline use starts only after the app loads.
  • Feedback tickets require Google sign-in.
  • Custom presets use local storage when signed out.

Who it suits

ColorForge suits photographers who want browser-based RAW and HDR editing across desktop and mobile platforms. It may also suit people who need offline use after loading the app or prefer not to create an account for editing and export.

ColorForge in depth

Read the full write-up

ColorForge is a browser-based RAW and HDR editor for photographers who want image development without installing software. It suits people working with camera RAW files and exposure brackets; its strongest case is a free workflow that keeps editing available without an account.

Overview

ColorForge combines RAW editing and HDR merging in a browser. It supports CR2, CR3, NEF, ARW, DNG, RAF, ORF and RW2, a useful spread for photographers handling files from different camera systems. Exposure controls, tone curves, HSL adjustments, LUTs and presets extend it beyond a basic bracket merger, while keeping its focus on RAW development and HDR rather than a wider photo-editing toolkit.

The maker says photos are processed on the device and never uploaded to its servers. Editing, RAW decoding, HDR merging and export are available without an account. Preset storage is the trade-off: signed-in users save settings to an account database, while signed-out users rely on local browser storage.

Key features

RAW and HDR workflow

GPU processing merges multiple bracketed exposures, including RAW brackets. Support for both HDR merge modes and multiple tone-mapping controls gives photographers options for shaping the result. That makes ColorForge a good fit for bracket-based HDR work; readers seeking tools beyond the stated RAW and HDR editing controls should look elsewhere.

Export and offline use

The RAW editor exports at full native sensor resolution to JPEG, PNG or TIFF without watermarks. HDR exports include JPEG, PNG and 16-bit TIFF, making the higher-bit-depth option useful when that format suits the intended workflow. The maker says editing can continue offline once the web app has loaded into the browser cache, but that does not remove the initial browser requirement.

Pricing

The Free plan costs nothing. It requires no account, adds no watermarks and needs no installation; the core editing, RAW decoding, HDR merging and export features are also account-free. That is a straightforward fit for individual photographers who want to work without a subscription or signup. No free trial is offered, and no seat or usage quota is stated.

The main compromise is preset persistence rather than a paid feature tier: signed-out settings stay in local browser storage, while an account saves them to an account database. Google sign-in is required to submit a feedback ticket or feature idea, though not to edit or export.

Platforms

ColorForge is a web app, with the maker naming Chrome, Edge, Firefox and Safari as supported modern browsers. The editor is also described as working on Windows, macOS, Linux and ChromeOS, and the platform list includes iOS and Android. This breadth favors users who want browser access across desktop and mobile, but the browser-based workflow is not a substitute for a separately installed desktop application.

Who it's for

Choose ColorForge if you want to develop supported camera RAW files, merge exposure brackets and export full-resolution results without watermarks or an account. Its local-processing approach is also appealing to photographers who want images to remain on their device. It is a weaker fit if your priority is a broad photo-editing suite or account-backed preset storage without signing in.

Pros and cons

Pros: No-cost editing, no installation and no account requirement keep the barrier to trying RAW and HDR workflows low.

Pros: Support for eight named RAW formats, RAW bracket merging and 16-bit TIFF HDR export covers a substantial HDR workflow.

Pros: The maker says photos stay on-device, and cached access can continue offline after the app loads.

Cons: Signed-out presets use local browser storage rather than an account database, so preset persistence is tied to the browser.

Cons: Its stated controls center on RAW and HDR editing, so it is not the choice for readers seeking a broader photo suite.

Alternatives

Browse HDR software for more options in the category. Choose PhotomatixCL if its paid plans, Linux, macOS and Windows support, free plan and free trial better suit your needs. SNS-HDR is another freemium option with a free trial for macOS and Windows. Instant Meshes is a free option for Linux, macOS and Windows. MergeHDR offers an iOS and macOS option with a free trial and a free tier limited to the first 10 exports, up to five per day. Photomatix Pro may suit readers considering a paid product with a free trial and broad platform coverage. easyHDR offers free trials and HOME and COMMERCIAL license plans with custom pricing. Luminance HDR is a free, open-source desktop HDR option for Linux, macOS and Windows. ON1 Portrait AI is a paid, trial-available option for macOS and Windows.

Verdict

ColorForge is the right choice for photographers who want free, account-free RAW development and bracketed HDR merging in a browser, with local processing and full-resolution exports. Look elsewhere for a broader editing suite or a workflow that does not depend on browser-based preset storage.

Verdict

ColorForge sets out its RAW formats, editing controls, HDR workflow and export options in detail. The listed free plan and account-free editing make its terms clear, with preset storage differing by sign-in status.

Where Specifiction places it

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