Helicon Focus
heliconsoft.com
What it is
Helicon Focus combines photographs captured at different focus distances into one image with extended depth of field. It is designed for focus stacking in macro and micro photography, close-ups, jewelry, products, landscapes, flowers, animals, and still life. The software processes images at 16-bit precision, supports color profiles, opens RAW files, and can save Pro results as DNG. It handles stacks of hundreds of high-resolution images and supports unlimited stack length. Retouching tools copy areas from aligned source images or combine areas from outputs, with a grid for detailed work. Batch rendering can queue and split stacks, while command-line parameters allow calls from other applications. Lightroom and Capture One plugins export stacks. Pro features add 3D model export and 2D micropanorama stitching. Current downloads support 64-bit Windows 10 or 11 and macOS 12 or later. A fully featured trial lasts 30 days; Demo mode then limits resolution and adds a watermark.
Spec sheet
- Purpose
- Helicon Focus combines multiple images taken at different focus distances into one image with extended depth of field.Read 3 Oct 2026 · heliconsoft.com
- Free plan
- NoRead 20 Sep 2026 · heliconsoft.com
- Integrations
- The maker describes plugins for exporting stacks from Lightroom and Capture One to Helicon Focus.Read 3 Oct 2026 · heliconsoft.com
- Support
- For technical issues, the maker directs users to submit a bug report through Help → Contact support on Windows or Mac and points users to its FAQ.Read 3 Oct 2026 · heliconsoft.com
- 3D and panorama
- Pro features include 3D model export and 2D micropanorama stitching.Read 3 Oct 2026 · heliconsoft.com
- Editing tools
- Retouching tools can copy areas from aligned source images or combine areas from multiple outputs, and a grid supports detailed retouching.Read 3 Oct 2026 · heliconsoft.com
- Image processing
- The software processes images with 16-bit precision and supports color profiles for color reproduction.Read 3 Oct 2026 · heliconsoft.com
- Minimum requirements
- The downloads page lists a 64-bit operating system, 8 GB RAM, and 1600×1200 screen resolution as minimum hardware requirements.Read 3 Oct 2026 · heliconsoft.com
- Personal data
- The maker says it collects checkout and contact-form information to provide licenses, deliver products, and provide customer support, and describes using industry-standard security technologies, procedures, and organizational measures.Read 3 Oct 2026 · heliconsoft.com
- RAW workflow
- Helicon Focus can open RAW files, and its Pro RAW-in-DNG-out mode saves the result as a DNG file.Read 3 Oct 2026 · heliconsoft.com
- Stack capacity
- The maker says Helicon Focus can process stacks of hundreds of high-resolution images and supports unlimited stack length.Read 3 Oct 2026 · heliconsoft.com
- Supported operating systems
- The current Helicon Focus 8 downloads are listed for 64-bit Windows 10 and 11 and macOS 12.0 or later.Read 3 Oct 2026 · heliconsoft.com
- Target users
- The maker describes focus stacking as useful for macro and micro photography, close-ups, jewelry, product photography, landscapes, flowers, animals, and still life.Read 3 Oct 2026 · heliconsoft.com
- Trial and demo limit
- The fully featured trial starts at first installation and lasts 30 days; afterward, Demo mode limits output resolution and adds a watermark.Read 3 Oct 2026 · heliconsoft.com
- Workflow features
- Helicon Focus can queue and split stacks for batch rendering and can be called from other applications using command-line parameters.Read 3 Oct 2026 · heliconsoft.com
Plans and prices
Lite — 1 year Price not published Single user · Up to four computers Read 20 Sep 2026 · heliconsoft.com
Pro package — 1 year Price not published Single user · Up to four computers Read 20 Sep 2026 · heliconsoft.com
Premium package — 1 year Price not published Single user · Up to four computers Read 20 Sep 2026 · heliconsoft.com
Lite — lifetime Price not published Single user · Up to four computers Read 20 Sep 2026 · heliconsoft.com
Pro package — lifetime Price not published Single user · Up to four computers Read 20 Sep 2026 · heliconsoft.com
Premium package — lifetime Price not published Single user · Up to four computers Read 20 Sep 2026 · heliconsoft.com
Helicon Focus Lite — 1 year license $30 a year Valid for one year after purchase; then reverts to demo mode. Lite features · single user · up to four computers, one copy in use at a time Read 3 Oct 2026 · heliconsoft.com
Helicon Focus Pro package — 1 year license $55 a year Valid for one year after purchase; then reverts to demo mode. Pro features · Helicon Remote for desktop computers · single user · up to four computers, one copy in use at a time Read 3 Oct 2026 · heliconsoft.com
Helicon Focus Premium package — 1 year license $65 a year Valid for one year after purchase; then reverts to demo mode. Pro features · Helicon Remote for desktop, Android, and iOS · single user · up to four computers, one copy in use at a time Read 3 Oct 2026 · heliconsoft.com
Helicon Focus Lite — Lifetime license $115, paid once Lifetime license; all updates are free. Lite features · single user · up to four computers, one copy in use at a time Read 3 Oct 2026 · heliconsoft.com
Helicon Focus Pro package — Lifetime license $200, paid once Lifetime license; all updates are free. Pro features · Helicon Remote for desktop computers · single user · up to four computers, one copy in use at a time Read 3 Oct 2026 · heliconsoft.com
Helicon Focus Premium package — Lifetime license $240, paid once Lifetime license; all updates are free. Pro features · Helicon Remote for desktop, Android, and iOS · single user · up to four computers, one copy in use at a time Read 3 Oct 2026 · heliconsoft.com
Strong points and limits
Strong points
- Processes 16-bit images with color profiles
- Supports RAW input and DNG output
- Unlimited stack length is supported
- Batch queueing and stack splitting
- Lightroom and Capture One plugins
Limits
- No free plan
- Demo mode adds a watermark after trial
- Requires 64-bit Windows 10/11 or macOS 12+
- Annual or lifetime licenses are paid
Who it suits
Helicon Focus suits photographers working with focus-stacked macro, product, landscape, or still-life images. It is also aimed at users needing RAW handling, batch rendering, retouching, or Pro export features.
Verdict
Helicon Focus provides a focused stacking workflow with extensive input, retouching, batch, and export support. The 30-day full trial offers evaluation, but continued use requires a license and Demo mode limits output.
Where Specifiction places it
- Focus Stacking Software#10 of 247.9
- Photo Editing Software#122 of 1597.6
Alternatives to Helicon FocusAll alternatives →
FOCUS projects 4 professional 8.0 Visit 
Macro Studio 8.0 Visit