Download Luminance HDR
Get the latest stable version (v2.6.0) for your operating system.
Free, open-source, and secure.
Installation Guide & Troubleshooting
Follow these simple steps to get Luminance HDR running on your machine.
How to Install on Windows
Installing Luminance HDR on Windows 10 or 11 is straightforward. The installer is a standard 64-bit wizard.
Step-by-Step:
- Run the Executable: Double-click the
.exefile you downloaded. - Permission: If Windows asks “Do you want to allow this app to make changes?”, click Yes.
- Wizard: Follow the on-screen prompts. We recommend keeping the default install location (usually
C:\Program Files\Luminance HDR). - Finish: Check “Run Luminance HDR” and click Finish.
If the software fails to start, your computer is likely missing the Visual C++ Redistributable.
Download the official VC++ Redistributable from Microsoft here.
How to Install on macOS
macOS users need to be aware of the “Gatekeeper” security feature, as Luminance HDR is an open-source tool not signed by Apple.
💡 “Unidentified Developer” Warning Fix
When you first open the app, you may see a warning preventing it from launching. This is normal.
- Click Cancel on the warning popup.
- Go to System Settings > Privacy & Security.
- Scroll down to the Security section. You will see a note about Luminance HDR.
- Click Open Anyway.
How to Install on Linux
The recommended way to install Luminance HDR on Linux distributions (Ubuntu, Mint, Fedora, etc.) is via Flatpak or the official PPA.
Option A: Flatpak (Recommended for all distros)
Ensures you have the latest dependencies without breaking system libraries.
Option B: Ubuntu/Debian PPA
Use the command line to add the repository and install:
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install luminance-hdr
System Requirements
Luminance HDR is resource-efficient, but HDR tone mapping can be CPU-intensive.
*Older hardware may work but tone mapping will take longer.
What to do next?
Don’t let the interface overwhelm you. We have prepared a quick-start guide to help you create your first HDR image in under 5 minutes.
Luminance HDR is free software distributed under the GNU General Public License.
We are a community-supported site dedicated to HDR photography tutorials.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Luminance HDR truly free? Are there watermarks?
Yes, Luminance HDR is 100% free and open-source software (FOSS). It is licensed under the GNU General Public License. Unlike trial versions of commercial software, it will never add watermarks to your images, and there are no hidden subscription fees.
What file formats does Luminance HDR support?
Luminance HDR supports a wide range of formats for both input and output:
- Input (RAW): Supports almost all raw formats from Canon (.CR2, .CR3), Nikon (.NEF), Sony (.ARW), Fujifilm, and Panasonic via the LibRaw library.
- Input (HDR): OpenEXR (.exr), Radiance RGBE (.hdr), TIFF (16/32-bit).
- Output: JPEG (for web), TIFF (8/16-bit for printing), and PNG.
Luminance HDR vs. Lightroom: Which one do I need?
Luminance HDR is a specialized tool dedicated solely to High Dynamic Range imaging. It offers more advanced tone mapping operators (like Mantiuk, Fattal, Drago) than Lightroom, giving you granular control over local contrast and details.
However, it is not a full photo organizer. Many photographers use Luminance HDR to process the HDR file and then import the result into Lightroom for final color grading.
Where can I download older versions (32-bit)?
The latest version (v2.6.0) is optimized for 64-bit systems and there is no 32-bit version of Windows available.