ArgyllCMS vs Calman

ArgyllCMS is a free, open-source ICC-compatible color management system for creating profiles and calibrating devices. Its command-line tools support scanners, cameras, film recorders, displays, and RGB, CMY and CMYK printers. It can create device-link profiles with options such as video calibration standards and 3D LUTs, and work with spectral samples, selectable illuminants and observer types, and paper fluorescent-whitener compensation. Color conversion tools handle 8-bit raster data and fully accurate 16-bit conversion. Documentation lists direct support for measurement instruments from JETI, Klein, X-Rite and Calibrite, DataColor and other manufacturers; some chart results can be converted into Argyll CGATS format. ArgyllCMS runs on Windows, macOS and Linux, but does not include a graphical interface. DisplayCAL, The Little Argyll GUI and CoCa are listed as front ends that use it. The package is licensed under AGPLv3; commercial licensing is available for code copyrighted by Graeme Gill through ArgyllPRO. On Linux, native display calibration and profiling under Wayland are not currently supported; the maker recommends X11 for color-managed displays.

Calman is paid color-calibration software for improving display accuracy in production, broadcast, and home-viewing workflows. Calman Professional targets film studios, broadcasters, post-production facilities, display manufacturers, and content creators. Studio provides automated SDR and HDR calibration, ICC profiling, 1D/3D-LUT creation, and display-validation wizards. Ultimate adds customizable workflows, advanced reporting, automated calibration, multi-display environments, and Design Mode. Calman Home is a simplified product for supported TVs, using a laptop, colorimeter, and reference video source. Hardware support includes displays, colorimeters, spectroradiometers, and video test-pattern generators from multiple manufacturers. Calman Ready support depends on the display manufacturer and may vary by model. Professional and Home downloads are for Windows, with requirements specifying Windows 7 or later; Patterns for Mac is also listed. The Home Software Bundle costs $449, paid once, and the Professional Software Bundle costs $1,399, paid once. Licenses include one year of updates and technical support.