AKVIS HDRFactory vs Photomatix Pro

AKVIS HDRFactory is paid HDR software for Windows, macOS and Linux. It provides both listed HDR merge modes, multiple tone-mapping controls, RAW-file support and batch processing for groups of images. Finished HDR images can be saved as TIFF, BMP, JPEG, WEBP or PNG files. The product has no free plan but includes a 10-day trial. Home Plugin and Home Standalone each cost $69 as a one-time purchase for a lifetime license covering two computers and non-commercial use. Home Deluxe costs $99, paid once with the same lifetime, two-computer and non-commercial terms. Business costs $154, paid once for a lifetime license covering two computers, with commercial use allowed. AKVIS was founded in 2004. The editions differ by format, feature grouping and permitted use, while every listed plan specifies the same computer count and lifetime term.

Photomatix Pro combines bracketed photos into HDR images, bringing out detail in both dark and bright areas. Version 7 offers six HDR methods, including Tone Mapping and Fusion, with advanced tone-mapping controls. Automatic alignment handles hand-held shots, and ghost-removal tools address movement between frames. Batch processing includes previews; presets and tools are also provided for real estate photography. Lightroom and Capture One plugins let users process photos and return the HDR image to those applications. The trial has no time limit, but trial-mode images carry a watermark. Photomatix Pro 7 costs $99, paid once; its license is a one-time purchase for one user and does not expire. The Pro Plus Bundle costs $129, paid once. PhotomatixCL offers command-line merging, processing, alignment, ghost removal, and JPG, TIFF, or EXR output; its free plan includes 100 credits per month. Photomatix Pro is listed for Windows and macOS, while the CLI runs on Linux and Windows.