Darkroom

A photo and video editor for iPhone, iPad and Mac that works on your Apple Photos library.

Verified facts: 4 of 4
Alternatives ranked: 4
Approved reviews: 0
Visits sent from here: 0

About Darkroom

Darkroom is an independent editing app for Apple devices that edits the photos and videos already in your Apple Photos library, with no import step. It offers curves, HSL colour tools, film-style presets from a large community library, RAW and ProRAW editing, batch edits, and in the paid tier AI masks for subject, sky and depth, bloom and halation effects, and colour grading for 4K video. Edits are non-destructive, and the same tools apply to stills and footage. It has won an Apple Design Award and is popular with iPhone photographers who want more than the built-in Photos editor without moving to a separate library. You can try every tool free; the Darkroom+ subscription is only needed when exporting with premium features. It runs on iPhone, iPad and Mac only.

Best for: iPhone photographers who want advanced edits on their Apple Photos library.

What works

Edits Apple Photos directly with no import
Same grading tools for photos and 4K video
Every tool can be tried free before paying

Why people leave

Apple devices only
Premium features need a Darkroom+ subscription to export
No layers or compositing

Top Darkroom alternatives

See all 4

1
Photomator
Also edits Apple Photos directly, sold as a licence rather than a subscription.
66.5
2
Adobe Lightroom
Cross-platform, including Android and Windows, with a full catalogue and cloud storage.
62.6
3
VSCO
Film-style presets with a community and pro photographer tools.
59.6
4Sn
Snapseed
Completely free on iPhone and Android, with selective and healing tools.
57.2

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Darkroom: common questions

Is Darkroom free?

Darkroom has a free plan and paid plans.

Is Darkroom open source?

No, Darkroom is not open source.

What platforms does Darkroom run on?

Darkroom is available for iOS and macOS.

What are the best alternatives to Darkroom?

The highest-ranked Darkroom alternatives right now are Photomator, Adobe Lightroom and VSCO. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.

See all 4 Darkroom alternatives

Darkroom facts

4 of 4 verified

Library: Edits Apple Photos directly; Checked Oct 25, 2026darkroom.co(opens source in a new tab); “Curves, masks, and color grading for the photos and videos already in Apple Photos.”
Paid tier: Darkroom+ (needed only to export); Checked Oct 25, 2026darkroom.co(opens source in a new tab); “Darkroom+ is only required when you export.”
Video: 4K grading and export; Checked Oct 25, 2026darkroom.co(opens source in a new tab); “Grade, crop, and export 4K.”
Award: Apple Design Award; Checked Oct 25, 2026darkroom.co(opens source in a new tab); “Try it Free What's in Darkroom+ Apple Design Award For outstanding design”