Luminance HDR for Linux: Install on Ubuntu, Fedora & Arch (2026)
sudo apt install luminance-hdr; on Fedora use sudo dnf install luminance-hdr; on Arch grab it from the AUR. It is one of the only dedicated HDR merging tools available for Linux.Windows and macOS users have plenty of HDR software to choose from. On Linux, the list is short — and Luminance HDR has been at the top of it for years. It was born as a Linux-first project, it is packaged for every major distribution, and it costs nothing. If you shoot bracketed exposures on Linux, this is the tool.
Why Luminance HDR Is the Go-To HDR App on Linux
Most commercial HDR programs — Photomatix, Aurora HDR’s successor Luminar Neo, HDR Efex — are Windows/macOS only. Luminance HDR is built on the Qt toolkit, which means the Linux version is a first-class citizen, not an afterthought. You get the same 9+ tone mapping operators (Mantiuk, Fattal, Drago, Reinhard), the same batch HDR processing, and the same 32-bit workflow as every other platform. Our HDR software roundup covers how it stacks up against the paid tools.
Install on Ubuntu / Debian
Ubuntu and Debian ship Luminance HDR in their official repositories (the universe component on Ubuntu). Installation is one command:
sudo apt update
sudo apt install luminance-hdrThat pulls in everything it needs — the Qt5 libraries, LibRAW for camera RAW support, and the alignment tools — automatically. After installing, you will find it in your applications menu under Graphics, or launch it from a terminal with luminance-hdr.
One honest caveat: distribution repositories can lag behind the latest release. If the version in your repos feels old and you want the newest build, check our download page for alternatives such as a Flatpak build or compiling from source.
Install on Fedora
Fedora includes Luminance HDR in its official repositories as well:
sudo dnf install luminance-hdrFedora tends to track upstream releases reasonably closely, so the packaged version is usually recent. If the package is ever missing from your Fedora release, check the download page for other options.
Install on Arch Linux
On Arch, Luminance HDR is available through the AUR (Arch User Repository). With an AUR helper such as yay or paru:
yay -S luminance-hdrAUR packages are community-maintained, so check the package’s AUR page for current build notes before installing. The AUR route typically gives you the newest release fastest, since it builds from the latest upstream source.
Dependencies and Language Packs
You do not need to hunt down dependencies yourself — the package manager handles Qt5, LibRAW, and the EXIF tools automatically. Two things worth knowing:
- RAW support comes from the LibRAW library. If your camera is very new, an older LibRAW in your distro’s repos may not recognize its RAW files yet; converting to DNG or TIFF first is the workaround.
- Interface language follows your system locale. If menus appear in English despite a non-English desktop, make sure your distro’s Qt translation packages are installed.
Running on Wayland
Luminance HDR is a Qt5 application, so on Wayland sessions it runs through XWayland — and in practice it works fine for most users. If you ever hit display quirks (scaling oddities, drag-and-drop misbehaving), logging into an X11/Xorg session is the reliable fallback while the ecosystem catches up.
Linux Install Methods at a Glance
| Distribution | Install command | Source | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu / Debian | sudo apt install luminance-hdr |
Official repos (universe) | Easiest path; version may lag behind latest release |
| Fedora | sudo dnf install luminance-hdr |
Official repos | Usually tracks upstream closely |
| Arch Linux | yay -S luminance-hdr |
AUR (community) | Newest builds; check AUR page for build notes |
| Any distro | See download page | Flatpak / source | Fallback if your repos are outdated |
New to the HDR workflow itself? Start with our quick-start guide (load, align, merge, tone map) and the exposure bracketing guide for how many shots to take in the field.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Linux distro is easiest for running Luminance HDR?
Ubuntu and its derivatives (Linux Mint, Pop!_OS). The package is one apt command away, dependencies resolve automatically, and the huge Ubuntu user base means any issue you hit has already been answered somewhere.
The version in my distro’s repos is old. What should I do?
For most photography work, a slightly older Luminance HDR still merges and tone maps perfectly well — the core algorithms are mature. If you specifically need the newest release, check our download page for a Flatpak build or source code; otherwise, the repo version is fine.
How do I uninstall it?
Use your package manager: sudo apt remove luminance-hdr on Ubuntu/Debian, sudo dnf remove luminance-hdr on Fedora, or yay -R luminance-hdr on Arch. Your photos and project files are untouched — only the program is removed.
Is there any other HDR merging software for Linux?
Honestly, almost none. There are RAW editors and panorama tools with HDR-adjacent features, but for dedicated bracket merging and tone mapping with real operator choice, Luminance HDR stands essentially alone on Linux. That is exactly why it has survived since the Qtpfsgui days — it fills a gap nothing else fills.
Does it work on Wayland?
Yes, via XWayland on most modern desktops, with no special configuration. If you notice display quirks, switching to an X11 session for your editing work is the safe fallback.
Do I need to compile it from source?
No. Use your distribution’s package or the AUR — compiling is only for developers or for anyone who wants the absolute latest commit. The packaged builds include everything (Qt5, LibRAW, alignment tools) out of the box.
Luminance HDR is free and open source (GPLv2).