Macro Studio vs Zerene Stacker
Macro Studio
macrostudio.pro
Zerene Stacker
zerenesystems.comSide by side
| Figure | Macro Studio | Zerene Stacker |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | — |
| Free plan | — | — |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 4 |
| Spec score · Focus Stacking Software | 8.0 (#8) | 7.6 (#15) |
| Headquarters | Austin, Texas, United States | Richland, Washington, United States |
| Integrations | The documentation lists integrations for Adobe Bridge, Lightroom Classic, DxO PhotoLab, and ON1 Photo RAW. | Prosumer and Professional editions include a Lightroom plugin and an integrated controller for the StackShot automated rail. |
| Purpose | Macro Studio is focus stacking software for macro photography that combines stacking and non-destructive editing in one desktop app. | Zerene Stacker is focus stacking software designed for challenging macro subjects and discerning photographers. |
| Support | The pricing page includes email support, and the maker says a real person reads the support email. | The maker provides support by email and says Professional Edition includes extended access to support staff. |
| Trial | Free trials are invite-only, run for 30 days, and unlock every feature. | The free trial provides full functionality for 30 days from first execution; afterward saving images and projects is disabled and screen images are watermarked unless a license is installed. |
Plans
Zerene Stacker
- Student Edition$39, paid once
- Personal Edition$89, paid once
- Prosumer Edition$189, paid once
- Professional Edition$289, paid once
In their own words
Macro Studio
Macro Studio is desktop software for focus stacking and non-destructive editing in macro photography. It analyzes focus-bracket images and merges their sharp areas into one image, with automatic alignment and batch processing listed. The editor includes adjustments, masks, retouching, cropping, image comparison, and watermarks; it also supports RAW files and TIFF, JPEG, and DNG output. AI-assisted tools provide subject masks, species identification, and draft social posts. Macro Studio runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows. Listed integrations include Adobe Bridge, Lightroom Classic, DxO PhotoLab, and ON1 Photo RAW. Its Lightroom plugin works with Lightroom Classic, not the cloud-based Lightroom app. The maker says photos stay on the user's machine and are not used to train AI. The Macro Studio 2026 license is $59.00 USD as a one-time purchase, with a launch price shown as reduced from $99. It includes all features, use on up to three machines, and updates within the 2026 version. Free trials are invite-only, last 30 days, and unlock every feature.
Zerene Stacker
Zerene Stacker has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.