The Best HDR Software in 2024 (Top 8 Picks)

HDR imaging is a useful technique that you can use to capture high-contrast scenes. But there are a lot of HDR programs out there, and it can be tricky to decide which one to use.

That’s why, in this article, I share the best HDR software you can buy! I include a handful of options, including comprehensive programs such as Adobe Lightroom Classic, as well as specialist software such as HDR Merge and Photomatix.

HDR edited landscape photo of small lake with trees and houses in background.

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Best HDR Software (for Mac and Windows)

1. HDR Merge (Previously Aurora HDR)

Our Pick
HDR Merge
HDR Merge
New release and currently the best HDR software

Skylum HDR Merge is an easy to use HDR program and together with Luminar NEO you get a photo editing powerhouse.

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Pros
Can edit and manage full RAW image files
Intuitive and user-friendly interface
Great final HDR quality and processing
Has a range of HDR presets to choose from
Cons
You need to buy Skylum Neo to use HDR Merge

HDR Merge is a great HDR program. In fact, some photographers – such as the well-known Serge Ramelli – claim that it’s the best HDR software on the planet.

HDR Merge Catalog page in app with drag and drop photo uploading
Aurora HDR is now HDR Merge (a plugin inside Luminar Neo)

There are a number of options available, like “ghost reduction”, which lets you merge moving subjects, e.g. walking people.

In case there are no moving subjects, but your photos are not all 100% aligned (due to handheld shots), the function “auto-align” will do the magic.

You can merge up to 10 photos of different exposure. If you just have one photo, you can adjust the dynamic range from a single exposure. Of course, the result will not be as good as when merging multiple over/underexposed images.

HDR Merge features an excellent interface. It’s sleek, responsive, intuitive, and perfect for beginners.

Once you are done merging your photos, Luminar NEO gives you plenty of further editing options like sky replacement, crop AI, Portrait Bokeh AI, and one-click presets.

2. Photomatix Pro

Also Great
Photomatix Pro
Photomatix Pro
Great for detailed HDR processing

Create HDR photos and adjust them in the style you want using one-click presets and a large range of settings.

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Pros
Tone Balancer to create realistic HDR composites
Brush tools for specific adjustments
Relatively simple interface
Automatic image-alignment tools
Cons
Details Enhancer tool can sometimes create over-the-top results
Some features require a little extra photography knowledge

Photomatix Pro is probably the oldest dedicated HDR software you can buy, but don’t let its age fool you; it’s a frequently updated option that’s designed specifically for high-dynamic range blending.

It produces very nice results overall, and it’s easy to use, too – though its Details Enhancer tool can sometimes create weird, over-the-top results.

Fortunately, you can use the Tone Balancer to create HDR images that are realistic and look good. And you can always adjust the sliders to produce an even more tasteful result.

While some HDR software requires that you shoot from a tripod to keep the framing uniform across all images, Photomatix does not have any such requirements, which means that you can use it to create handheld HDR shots!

How Photomatix Compares to HDR Merge

We tested both Photomatix and HDR Merge on a MacBook Pro (M1, 2020). Here is the result (by clicking on the gallery you can see the three source images, the Skylum HDR Merge result, and the Photomatix result, zoom in to see the details):

3. Nik HDR Efex

Nik HDR Efex
Nik HDR Efex
Great for creative HDR editing

HDR Efex has a great range of artistic HDR presets for creative work. You can produce stunning artistic effects with just a few simple clicks.

Pros
Benefits from a quick and simple HDR merging process
Has a good range of realistic and artistic HDR presets
Relatively low system requirements
Incredibly simple and easy-to-use interface
Cons
Lacking comprehensive post-processing tools

Nik has always produced fantastic filters and presets for Photoshop, and now they have a great program for high dynamic range merging: HDR Efex.

Nik HDR Efex webpage offering free trial or buy now options

The software is built to function as a plugin within your choice of photo editing application; in other words, HDR Efex is not a standalone program. Therefore, compared to software like Photomatix Pro, you’ll have a completely different workflow. Some users may like the convenience of not having to move back and forth between two software, while others may prefer a full-fledged program – it all depends on how you like to edit.

As part of DXO’s Nik Collection, HDR Efex includes plenty of top-notch presets, which are grouped into useful categories, including Landscape, Architecture, and Artistic. That way, you can edit quickly and efficiently.

Finally, HDR Efex lets you make localized adjustments to contrast, exposure, saturation, and the like, so you can make your photos look great as soon as they’ve been merged.

4. Adobe Lightroom Classic

Adobe Lightroom Classic
Adobe Lightroom Classic
Great for comprehensive post-processing and file management

Lightroom Classic offers basic HDR processing, and it also includes a complete editing and file-management suite.

Pros
Comprehensive post-processing tools
Benefits from excellent file-management tools
Simple and quick merging process
Has auto-alignment and deghosting features
Cons
Not as in-depth as dedicated HDR software

Adobe Lightroom Classic is a full-fledged editing platform that you can use to manage and adjust your images. It comes with a built-in HDR Photo Merge feature, which allows you to merge two or more images to create an HDR image.

Adobe Lightroom Classic homepage offering free trial or buy now options

There are also a few blending options available. One is Auto Align and the other is Auto Tone. The former is useful for the purpose of aligning images, which is required when images are shot hand-held. The latter ensures the merge looks good.

Lightroom’s HDR Photo Merge also has a deghosting mechanism in place. This has four settings – None, Low, Medium, and High – and it will eliminate problems caused by moving subjects in your photos.

5. EasyHDR

EasyHDR
EasyHDR
Great for quick and streamlined HDR processing

EasyHDR creates fantastic-quality HDR images via a streamlined process.

Pros
Simple, easy-to-use interface
Streamlined HDR process
Fantastic-quality HDR images
Cons
Limited post-processing tools

EasyHDR is an interesting program. In fact, if it had detailed post-processing tools, it could be the best HDR software available.

EasyHDR photo editing software showing before and after pics of HDR enhancement

It’s a simple option that allows you to quickly create high-quality HDR images. And it doesn’t require a top-notch photo editing PC to run – if you have a basic computer with 4 GB of RAM, you can use it with ease.

I also like the different presets the program has to offer, and despite the lack of high-end editing tools, I feel it is a well-rounded product.

6. ON1 HDR

ON1 HDR
ON1 HDR
Powerful AI HDR processing

ON1 HDR offers in-depth post-processing tools, AI enhancements, and a fast rendering process for professional HDR images.

Pros
Great control with local adjustments
Intelligent AI post-processing tools
Fast HDR rendering process
Cons
The software does require a powerful computer to run effectively

ON1 HDR is a standalone product that offers dedicated HDR software, but if you have experience using ON1 Photo RAW, you will recognize the familiar layout, toolbars, and workflow.

If you have no experience using ON1 software, you should still find ON1 HDR easy to use. It has a simple loading screen with options for single-image HDR processing or batch processing. The batch-processing feature is highly useful if you have multiple files that you want to render with similar parameters.

ON1 HDR webpage with ship resting on shore of bright orange land against deep blue sky

The HDR rendering process is powerful and gives the user great control. Provided you have a decent-spec computer, your files will process quickly. As it renders, you’ll have access to a set of controls for live editing, such as deghosting. I also like that you can individually edit each layer of the HDR composite once it has been processed, which gives you a far greater level of control and depth for your images!

And there’s a local adjustment tool, too, so you can select single portions of your HDR photo to edit (as opposed to the entire file). It’s a perfect tool for fine detail work!

7. HDR Projects 8 Pro

HDR Projects 8 Pro
HDR Projects 8 Pro
A simple product with lots of potential

HDR Projects 8 Pro is a basic HDR program that benefits from a decent array of realistic presets and post-processing tools.

Pros
Full RAW image editing
Over 180 different presets
Cons
UI is often confusing
Edits do not update in real time

We previously covered HDR Projects 7, and while I felt it had great potential, certain aspects let it down. For example, the HDR quality was not the best – the images themselves were decent, but sometimes the final result was not what I expected. Fortunately, HDR Projects 8 Pro has some definite improvements, including much better HDR merging.

The HDR process is straightforward, although the user interface is sometimes confusing. Beginners may struggle to get started with the program, though if you persevere, you may be very pleased with your results!

Sales page of HDR Projects 8 Professional for $99

And HDR Projects 8 Pro does have an excellent array of presets and a great selection of post-processing tools. I feel that if the user interface were improved, this could be an outstanding HDR program.

8. HDRtist NX

HDRtist NX
HDRtist NX
Great for adjusting minor details

HDRtist NX provides good control for small detail processing, and it does a solid job of handling large files, too.

Pros
Decent set of HDR editing tools
Good processing for large files
Cons
May not be amazing for professional use
Interface can be confusing

HDRtist NX shows a lot of promise. It offers a fair number of tools to adjust tonality, color, and sharpness in your HDR compositions. And with the ability to hone in on the small details and handle large files, HDRtist is a solid contender as a comprehensive HDR editing program.

HDRtist NX app with two side-by-side photos of seascape being edited with HDR effects

Nevertheless, there are some areas that definitely need a little more attention from the developers. The slow edit times are major issues for any user hoping to use the program regularly, while the complex interface and confusing terminology make it hard to understand exactly what you’re doing.

While the software does have a lot of easy-to-apply presets and effects, they tend to be too heavy-handed to use in any sort of professional setting. Fortunately, when working manually, you can bring out details without straying too far from reality. 

Create Stunning Photos with the Best HDR Software

I hope you have found the above information insightful. Please do not dismiss any of these programs – they are all viable choices and offer great HDR functionality. It is clear, however, that HDR Merge is the overall winner. It is an exceptional option that is easy to use.

Of course, while Photomatix is great, you must consider your own situation and requirements before buying. I would suggest looking at the following points when deciding:

  • Cost
  • Frequency of use
  • Main purpose of HDR photos
  • Computer specifications

Then pick the software that works for you!

About the Author
Paul Skidmore

A seasoned content creator at PhotoWorkout, Paul merges his love for traveling and photography to craft insightful articles. With a solid grasp of Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop, he enjoys testing new photo software, apps, and gear. His background in web development further enriches his photography endeavors.
Connect with him on LinkedIn.

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13 thoughts on “The Best HDR Software in 2024 (Top 8 Picks)”

  1. I still have Oloneo in my older machine. For my newer computer I cant install it. What happened with it?

    1. photoworkout author
      Editorial Team

      Oloneo, the company that developed the HDR imaging software called Oloneo PhotoEngine, appears to be inactive. The last software update was released in 2016, and the company’s website, social media channels, and customer support have been largely unresponsive since then.

      However, we don’t have any specific information on why the company became inactive or if there have been any changes since my last update. If you need the most current information, we recommend trying to directly contact the company.

  2. I gave HDR Merge a shot partly on the strength of this review and partly because I love Aurora so much – so I was excited to see they finally had an update to it. Your review neglected to mention two very important points, so I ultimately had to ask Skylum for a refund.

    1. First, you can’t use it as a plugin from LrC. This, for me, is a dealbreaker. You can only launch HDR Merge from the Catalog tab in Luminar Neo. If you take a shot or shots in your LrC and send them to Luminar Neo they will not be in the Luminar Neo catalog and the only options you’ll have are applying presets or editing the image(s). IMO, the Luminar catalog is not just a bad design, it’s a deeply flawed design and no photographer that cares about their work should use it. Ordinarily, the limitations of the Luminar catalog are not an issue and you can use whatever you like/trust and send your shots over for processing, but with the HDR Merge extension – nope.
    2. After bringing your shots into the Luminar Neo catalog where you can send them to HDR Merge you’ll find that this gives you poorer results from the get-go than Aurora 2019 will give you, and the “Looks” Aurora has perform magic the Luminar Neo “Presets” (same thing, different name) can only dream of. I asked Skylum and they’ve got no plans to port over the Aurora Looks as HDR Merge Presets, so you’re stuck with the poorer results you’ll be getting from the Luminar Presets.

    The answer to the question you’ve posed is, IMO, Aurora 2019. It’s still the easiest HDR SW to use and produces the best results. I’ve got On1 2023 too, and so I’ve tried most of the SW you’re reviewing here (the last version of Photomatix I used was 5, though). Nothing even comes close to matching Aurora 2019 for ease of use or results. Luminar is a hot mess when it comes to its catalog. The flaws are baked into its design and they would have to scrap it and start from scratch to fix them – they’re not going to do that.

  3. You missed Afffinity though. Inexpensive, within a fully fledged photo editor, extremely competent.
    My preference still goes to Aurora though. HDRmerge lack many of its tools.

  4. The HDR Merge extension to Skylum Neo works well BUT, it only works for images managed in Neo’s own library manager – it won’t work if you try using Neo as a plugin for Lightroom or Photoshop [the rest of the Neo features work fine]. The current decision to limit Neo Extensions to just their own library makes the HDR Merge nearly useless for those of us managing our photos outside of Neo [which will be most users since Neo’s library capabilities are still quite basic].

  5. At the present time I am using Lightroom 4.4 is there an HDR plugin or stand alone program to use with this program?…Julian

  6. Aurora HDR has always had issues with Nikon Raw files. My Z7 raws when exported as jpeg have visible barrel distortion. I reported that to them in 2018 and recently tried Aurora 2020 and this still has been fixed!

  7. In general I agree with the points raised in each of the top 4 products. In my opinion Aurora HDR wins hands down for ease of use, workflow integration and ultimately in the quality of final results. However, Skylum has seemingly stopped supporting it. Even though Canon’s CR3 format is nearly 3 years old, Aurora HDR still can’t open these files. Moreover, although they claim they are working on an update they offer no projected release date and instead recommend converting all RAW images to .DNG format – a “non-solution” that forces me to either lose my original RAW file or maintain duplicate images.

  8. You forgot SNS-HDR..! I am a professional interior and architectural photographer and I haven’t seen the most satisfactory and realistic results in any other software as I get in SNS-HDR.

  9. I’ve tried Photoshop & lightroom, they’re good, but limited control, I couldn’t achieve the results what I really want, so I start trying other softwares, I tried Photomatix Pro, it’s good with extra control, but when choosing an image with complicated lighting and color tones, I wasn’t satisfied, the image was for an interior furniture, 2 different lighting sources + a window scene during early evening.
    I took the same 3 bracketed images then to EasyHDR, after a little adjustments, result were slightly better, then I went to Aurora HDR 2019, started the image loading, it took longer time to render, but then.. I got shocked with the result! The default merge was stunning, what a smart software! Really precise and natural output, I’m really impressed!
    It’s more higher cost to purchase, but really worth it. Satisfaction gained 🙂

    I will try it next with outdoor landscapes and see how it goes.

  10. Thanks for this! Been thinking about adding a little HDR to my work and this is a nice simple guide. I did not know LR had a basic choice to try this!