Calman vs Datacolor Spyder
Calman
portrait.comDatacolor Spyder
datacolor.comSide by side
| Figure | Calman | Datacolor Spyder |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $45.75/mo | — |
| Free plan | — | — |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 9 | 1 |
| Spec score · Color Management Software | 7.9 (#7) | 7.5 (#12) |
| Headquarters | Pleasanton, California, USA | Rotkreuz, Switzerland |
| Purpose | Calman is color calibration software used to calibrate and verify display performance. | Datacolor Spyder uses a hardware sensor and software to calibrate display color for photo editing. |
Plans
Calman
- Calman Home for LG$249, paid once
- Calman Home for Panasonic$249, paid once
- Calman Home for Philips$249, paid once
- Calman Home for Samsung$249, paid once
- Calman Home for Sony$249, paid once
- All Access for Calman Studio$549 a year
- All Access for Calman Ultimate$849 a year
- Calman Studio$1,199, paid once
- Calman Ultimate$2,995, paid once
In their own words
Calman
Calman is display calibration software for measuring, adjusting, and verifying display performance. Its Home editions are aimed at home theater use and support automated calibration on supported displays: users work with reference patterns and a colorimeter, and the software adjusts the TV based on the measurements. Calman Studio adds automated SDR and HDR calibration, ICC profiling, 1D and 3D LUT creation, and display validation wizards. Ultimate supports customizable workflows and reports, automated calibration, 3D LUT creation, and multi-display environments such as LED walls. Calman supports measurement devices and pattern generators, with workflows for displays from ASUS, BenQ, Dell, LG, Panasonic, Samsung, and Sony. Home editions for supported brands cost $249 as a one-time purchase. Studio costs $1,199, paid once, while Ultimate costs $2,995, paid once; both require Windows 10 or later and include one year of software updates and technical support. Continued Studio and Ultimate updates and support can be renewed through All Access: $549 a year for Studio or $849 a year for Ultimate. Display compatibility varies by model, and not every variation is supported.
Datacolor Spyder
Datacolor Spyder is a paid display-calibration product for professional photographers and advanced photo editing. Its hardware sensor connects through USB-C, with a USB-A adapter included, while software calibrates LCD, mini-LED, OLED and QD-OLED monitors, including Apple XDR and Liquid Retina displays. Room Light Monitoring measures the room’s light and can warn when recalibration is needed or adjust profiles automatically according to the light level. DevicePreview shows how photos may appear on mobile devices while they remain on the calibrated monitor. A full-screen comparison shows the display before and after calibration, with 11 brightness settings. The comparison table lists unlimited supported displays, subject to computer capability. Spyder supports Windows 10 or 11 and macOS 10.14 through macOS 26, and requires internet access for downloading and activating the software. It calibrates monitors only, not phones or tablets. The listed price is $169 as a one-time purchase.