HDRMerge vs PhotomatixCL

HDRMerge combines exposure-bracketed raw files, or bracketed frames within one raw file, to create raw images with extended dynamic range. It outputs DNG 1.4 images with floating-point data, drawing on less noisy input pixels to retain shadow detail. In its graphical interface, users can adjust the merge mask to address ghosts from objects that moved between exposures. The command-line interface supports batch processing of raw image sets. HDRMerge can align small translations and crop the output to the area shared by the inputs. Input images must match in size, orientation, Bayer pattern, and black and white levels; the manual says this usually means using images made with the same camera. Tone mapping can happen later in another program that supports high-dynamic-range raw DNG images. The maker identifies RawTherapee, darktable, and recent Adobe products as supporting the floating-point DNG output. HDRMerge is free software under the GNU General Public License, version 3 or later, and runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows. The maker describes it as a way to bring merged HDR images into a standard raw development workflow.

PhotomatixCL is a command-line interface for adding HDR image processing to automated imaging workflows on Linux, macOS, and Windows. It merges exposure-bracketed photos into HDR images and processes them with tone mapping or exposure fusion. Image alignment, ghost removal, HDR presets, and JPG, TIFF, or EXR output are included. Inputs can come from a computer or local network, or be downloaded from a web server. Each run handles one bracketed set; the bundled PhotomatixCL-Driver can process folders of sets in batches. The CLI is designed for automated workflows on cloud or local servers and does not require API integration code. Linux downloads include Ubuntu, a statically linked universal build, and an ARM build for Debian; the universal build omits lens correction. Free-plan tracking requires internet access, and the CLI fails during outages unless used in trial mode. Trial runs do not use credits but add a Photomatix watermark to output images. The listed plans include free use and paid options; paid pricing is listed from $39 one-time.