ArgyllCMS vs ColorGATE Productionserver

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.

ColorGATE Productionserver is a configurable RIP and color-management product family for digital print production on Windows. Edition S targets a single printer, M a growing print shop, and L a high-throughput provider. Every edition includes advanced cutmarks, color correction tools, MIM administration, a multi-color ICC engine, RIP while Print, visual scaling, and white-ink support. Depending on edition, options include Adobe PDF Print Engine, color replacement, tiling, media-device synchronization, linearization, print and cut, nesting, and quality assurance. Profiler Suite, Simulation & Proofing Package, and Screen Package are optional additions for specialized workflows. A REST API connects existing workflows when the Access Control Module is present. Perpetual licenses carry an annual Value Pack Subscription equal to 18% of license value for support and upgrades. Supported systems include 64-bit Windows 10 and 11 and Windows Server 2016, 2019, 2022, and 2025. Apple ARM-based Macs are unsupported.