Review
ON1 Photo RAW review: a true Lightroom alternative with a lifetime license
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Head to head
Aftershoot vs DxO PureRAW 4 / PhotoLab 8
A direct, no-fluff comparison: specs, pros and cons, pricing, and the scenarios where each one earns its keep.
Spec snapshot
| Aftershoot | DxO PureRAW 4 / PhotoLab 8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price (USD) | $120 | $139 |
| Our rating | 4.7/5 | 4.6/5 |
| Category | software | software |
| Pros | 3 | 3 |
| Cons | 2 | 2 |
The case for each
Aftershoot
4.7
Pros
- +Fastest AI culling on the market
- +Excellent duplicate and closed-eye detection
- +Reasonable annual pricing
Cons
- −Editing AI lags Imagen
- −Heavy on RAM with huge catalogs
DxO PureRAW 4 / PhotoLab 8
4.6
Pros
- +Best-in-class RAW noise reduction
- +Measured lens corrections
- +Clean Lightroom round-trip
Cons
- −Slow without a strong GPU
- −No catalog/DAM features
Winner by use case
Vlogging & videoTie
Low-light photographyDxO PureRAW 4 / PhotoLab 8
Value for moneyTie
Pro & enterprise useTie
BeginnersTie
Inferred from each camera's pros and review focus. Treat as a starting point, then read the full reviews for nuance.
Common questions
Is the Aftershoot better than the DxO PureRAW 4 / PhotoLab 8?
It depends on what you shoot. Aftershoot scores 4.7/5 in our review, while the DxO PureRAW 4 / PhotoLab 8 scores 4.6/5. See the spec table and use-case breakdown above for our verdict.
Which is cheaper, the Aftershoot or the DxO PureRAW 4 / PhotoLab 8?
Aftershoot sells around $120, and DxO PureRAW 4 / PhotoLab 8 around $139. The Aftershoot is the cheaper of the two.
Which one is better for beginners?
Both are capable, but beginners usually do better with whichever has the simpler interface and more forgiving autofocus. Read the "Winner by use case" section above for our specific call.
Should I upgrade from the Aftershoot to the DxO PureRAW 4 / PhotoLab 8?
Only if the gap in features you actually use is wide. If you already own one, the marginal upgrade is rarely worth the cost unless a specific shortcoming is blocking your work.
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