Aduku Stacker vs Helicon Focus
Aduku Stacker
aduku.appHelicon Focus
heliconsoft.comSide by side
| Figure | Aduku Stacker | Helicon Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | — |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 12 |
| Spec score · Focus Stacking Software | 7.9 (#9) | 7.9 (#10) |
| Image processing | The default workflow processes images at 16-bit, uses 32-bit floating-point merge math, and supports memory-bounded batching for deep stacks. | The software processes images with 16-bit precision and supports color profiles for color reproduction. |
| Purpose | Aduku Stacker combines focus-bracketed photographs into one sharp image for macro, product, landscape, and microscopy photography. | Helicon Focus combines multiple images taken at different focus distances into one image with extended depth of field. |
| Support | The maker lists [email protected] for questions and support, and says it has no obligation to provide support, maintenance, or updates. | 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. |
Plans
Helicon Focus
- Lite — 1 yearPrice not published
- Pro package — 1 yearPrice not published
- Premium package — 1 yearPrice not published
- Lite — lifetimePrice not published
- Pro package — lifetimePrice not published
- Premium package — lifetimePrice not published
- Helicon Focus Lite — 1 year license$30 a year
- Helicon Focus Pro package — 1 year license$55 a year
- Helicon Focus Premium package — 1 year license$65 a year
- Helicon Focus Lite — Lifetime license$115, paid once
In their own words
Aduku Stacker
Aduku Stacker combines photographs taken at different focus distances into a sharp image, for macro, product, landscape and microscopy photography. The free app offers five merge methods: Wavelet, Pyramid, Weighted, Hybrid and Depthmap. Its default workflow processes images at 16-bit and uses 32-bit floating-point merge calculations, with memory-bounded batching for deep stacks. Automatic alignment uses feature matching and subpixel refinement; options include focus-breathing correction, homography, mesh warp and manual alignment seeding. It imports JPEG, PNG, TIFF, BMP, HEIC and DNG, and exports JPEG, PNG, TIFF, linear DNG and depth maps. Proprietary RAW files may require Adobe DNG Converter on macOS. Retouching lets users paint from aligned source frames, erase strokes and undo or redo, but there is no clone tool. Processing is local and does not require an internet connection. It runs on macOS 13 or later and 64-bit Windows 10/11; 8 GB RAM is sufficient for most stacks, with 16 GB recommended for deep 16-bit RAW stacks.
Helicon Focus
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.