Quick answer: Capture One is still sold in October 2026 as a professional raw photo editor for Windows and macOS, best known for its colour handling and tethered shooting (shooting with the camera connected to the computer). It is now made by Capture One A/S, which was split off from the camera maker Phase One in 2019. You can subscribe to the Pro, All in One or Studio plans, or buy a one-time Pro licence, which Capture One listed at US$349 in October 2026. It costs more than many rivals, and the one-time licence does not include future camera support updates.
This review is based on Capture One’s website and pricing page and published release information. We have not tested the software ourselves. An earlier version of this article reviewed Capture One Pro 20 and described it as “the best photo editing software” and a “go-to” for Sony and Fujifilm shooters. We have removed those superlatives and updated the review for the current version.
Who makes Capture One?
Capture One was originally made by Phase One, the Danish maker of medium-format cameras. In 2019, the software business became a separate company, Capture One A/S. Both companies are majority-owned by the private equity firm Axcel, according to Wikipedia’s account of the split. The original article described Capture One as Phase One’s software; that is no longer accurate.
Versions and platforms
- Current version: Capture One 16.8, first released in May 2026, which added AI-powered denoise and AI-assisted photo reviewing, according to Capture One’s release history. The original article reviewed “Capture One Pro 20”; Capture One has since changed its version naming.
- Desktop: Windows and macOS.
- Mobile: Capture One for iPad (released in 2022) and iPhone (2023), sold as a subscription through the App Store.
Plans and pricing (as of October 2026)
As of October 2026, Capture One’s pricing page for individuals showed the following, in US dollars:
| Plan | Type | Price shown | Main additions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pro | Subscription | $18.00 a month | Desktop editor, raw conversion, tethering, support for 550+ cameras, continuous updates |
| All in One | Subscription | $24.67 a month | Pro plus the iPad and iPhone apps, online collaboration, cloud settings, priority support |
| Studio | Subscription | $48.50 a month | All in One plus offline collaboration, multiple viewer screens, automated cropping and other studio tools |
| Pro licence | One-time purchase | $349 | Desktop editor without new updates or new camera support |
The page offered monthly and annual billing, and said annual billing saves $120, $160 and $174 a year on the three subscriptions; it was not clear which billing option the monthly figures above referred to, so check the toggle before you buy. Capture One says you can cancel a subscription at any time, switch to a perpetual licence, and that subscribers of five years get a perpetual licence at no extra cost. A free trial is available.
The original article quoted $299 for a licence, $20 a month or $15 a month prepaid yearly, $159 for upgrades and $129 for the Sony and Fujifilm editions. Those 2020 prices are out of date. Capture One says its Pro licence is best for photographers “who don’t depend on our newest updates or hardware support”, so a new camera may need a subscription or a newer licence.
Features Capture One documents today
- Raw conversion and colour: custom camera profiles and a colour editor for fine control of skin tones and colours. The original article praised the redesigned colour editor in version 20.
- Tethering: wired and wireless shooting straight into Capture One, with Live View, Snap to Eye focusing and Next Capture Adjustments that apply edits as you shoot.
- Assisted tools: one-click masking of subject or background, AI Crop, keystone correction, face retouching, Match Look (copy the style of a reference image) and Enhanced Denoise for high-ISO photos.
- File management: both Sessions (project folders) and Catalogs, smart albums, a cull mode and keywords. The original article noted you can import catalogues from Lightroom.
- Customisation: custom workspaces and keyboard shortcuts.
- Collaboration: sharing galleries online for feedback, on the All in One and Studio plans.
The original article said Capture One did not support Hasselblad cameras, a competitor to Phase One. That has changed: Capture One began a collaboration with Hasselblad in 2026, and version 16.8 added support for several Hasselblad models, according to its release history.
Learning curve
The original article said loading, editing and exporting images is straightforward, but that mastering Capture One takes time and memory, and that Capture One runs live webinars for users. Capture One still offers learning resources and events on its website. It is aimed at professionals and serious enthusiasts rather than casual users.
Who Capture One suits
- Good fit: studio, portrait, product and fashion photographers who shoot tethered and care about colour accuracy, and photographers who want a choice between a subscription and a one-time licence.
- Consider alternatives: beginners and casual photographers, or anyone on a tight budget. Adobe Lightroom is the main subscription alternative, and our list of photo editing software compares more options, including ON1 Photo RAW and ACDSee Photo Studio Ultimate.
Frequently asked questions
Can I buy Capture One without a subscription?
Yes. Capture One sells a one-time Pro licence, listed at US$349 in October 2026, but it does not include future updates or new camera support.
Is Capture One still made by Phase One?
No. The software business became a separate company, Capture One A/S, in 2019.
Does Capture One work on Windows and Mac?
Yes. There are also iPad and iPhone apps, included in the All in One plan.
How many cameras does Capture One support?
More than 550 cameras, according to its pricing page in October 2026.
Is there a free trial?
Yes. Capture One offers a free trial of its desktop software.
Checked in October 2026 against Capture One’s homepage, Pro product page and pricing page, and its published release history. We have not tested Capture One ourselves, so confirm current prices and licence terms on its website before you buy.
