Photomatix Pro
UK developed HDR merging and tone mapping software with a perpetual licence
Quick Overview
| Company | HDRsoft Ltd |
|---|---|
| Category | Photo Editing Software |
| Headquarters | Bournemouth, United Kingdom |
| Founded | 2003 |
| EU Presence | Yes - United Kingdom (UK) |
| Data Location | Runs locally on your computer |
| Open Source | No |
| GDPR Compliant | Yes |
| Self-Hosting | No |
| Main Features | HDR merging and tone mapping, 6 HDR methods, 70+ settings, 40 presets, brush tool, batch processing, ghost removal, real estate presets, Lightroom and Capture One plugins |
| Pricing | Photomatix Pro 7 EUR 89 one-time, Plus bundle EUR 119, free trial with watermark (hdrsoft.com, 16 October 2026) |
| Best For | Real estate and landscape photographers who merge bracketed exposures |
| Replaces | Lightroom HDR Merge, Adobe Photoshop HDR Pro |
Detailed Review
Photomatix Pro is a specialist tool: it merges bracketed photos into an HDR image and offers tone mapping and fusion methods to render the result. HDRsoft says its founder introduced Photomatix in February 2003.
It is not a Lightroom replacement for cataloguing. It is a companion or replacement for the HDR part of the workflow.
HDR methods and batch work
The order page lists six HDR methods covering tone mapping and fusion, more than 70 settings and 40 presets, a brush tool, automatic alignment of hand-held shots and ghost removal tools.
Batch processing with previews is included, and there are presets aimed at real estate photography.
Works next to Lightroom and Capture One
A free plugin sends a bracketed set from Lightroom Classic to Photomatix Pro and re-imports the HDR image. A plugin for Capture One exists too. The vendor notes that the plugins handle one bracketed set at a time and do not batch them.
Licence
A single payment buys a perpetual licence per user, valid on several computers, with a free upgrade to Photomatix Pro 8 stated on the order page. A trial runs without a time limit but adds a watermark.
Limitations to Consider
Photomatix Pro does one job. It has no catalogue or general RAW development workflow, so it does not replace Lightroom on its own and is better combined with darktable or Capture One. The privacy policy says some purchases go through the resellers FastSpring or BlueSnap, whose own privacy policies apply, so the payment party may not be the UK company. The company is based in the UK, not the EU.
Who Should Use Photomatix Pro
Photographers who bracket exposures, especially in real estate and landscape work, and want a one-time purchase from a UK company.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- One-time perpetual licence
- Six HDR methods and ghost removal
- Batch processing with previews
- Plugins for Lightroom and Capture One
- Unlimited-time trial
Cons
- HDR only, no catalogue
- Trial output carries a watermark
- Resellers may handle payment
- Plugins process one set at a time
Alternatives to Photomatix Pro
Other European photo editing software worth comparing before you decide:
Capture One
Denmark · RAW editor with tethered shooting and a perpetual licence
DxO PhotoLab
France · RAW editor built on lens and camera correction profiles
darktable
Germany · Open-source RAW developer and photo workflow manager
Zoner Studio
Czech Republic · Photo and video editor with catalogue and cloud backup
See all European photo editing software or compare them directly against Lightroom HDR Merge on our alternatives page.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. It focuses on HDR merging and tone mapping and has no catalogue, so it is used alongside an editor such as Lightroom, Capture One or darktable.
No. The order page lists a one-time charge and a perpetual license per user.
Yes, a free plugin sends bracketed photos from Lightroom Classic to Photomatix Pro, and a Capture One plugin is also offered.