Best Focus Stacking Software in 2026
Updated
In short: Aduku Stacker is ranked #1 of 23 as of 4 October 2026, ahead of Shine Stacker and ForgePix. The best-ranked option with a free plan is Shine Stacker.
When photographs capture different focus distances, focus stacking software can combine them into an image with greater depth of focus. PlaneFuse, Shine Stacker and ForgePix lead the ranking, followed by Aduku Stacker and Zerene Stacker. Compare automatic alignment and batch processing with manual retouching to see which workflow capabilities matter for your work. RAW file support and output formats help you consider your source files and intended results, while supported platforms indicate where each option is listed. Free-plan availability and paid-from pricing round out the comparison.
23 focus stacking software ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
#1 Aduku Stacker Top pick · 7.0 Free plan · Free
#2 Shine Stacker Runner-up · 7.0 Free plan · Free
#3 ForgePix Also great · 6.9 Free plan · Free- Free plan macOSWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- RAW file support
- Yes
- Automatic alignment
- Yes
- Batch processing
- Yes
- Manual retouching
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Free plan apiLinuxmacOSWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- RAW file support
- Yes
- Automatic alignment
- Yes
- Batch processing
- Yes
- Manual retouching
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Free plan LinuxmacOSWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- RAW file support
- Yes
- Automatic alignment
- Yes
- Batch processing
- Yes
- Manual retouching
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Free trial macOSWindows
- Free plan
- No
- RAW file support
- Yes
- Automatic alignment
- Yes
- Batch processing
- Yes
- Manual retouching
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Free plan apiLinuxmacOSself-hostedWebWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- RAW file support
- Yes
- Automatic alignment
- Yes
- Batch processing
- Yes
- Manual retouching
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Free trial LinuxmacOSWindows
- Free plan
- No
- Paid from
- 99 one-time
- RAW file support
- Yes
- Automatic alignment
- Yes
- Batch processing
- Yes
- Manual retouching
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Free trial LinuxmacOSWindows
- Free plan
- No
- Paid from
- 39 one-time
- RAW file support
- No
- Automatic alignment
- Yes
- Batch processing
- Yes
- Manual retouching
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Free plan Windows
- Free plan
- Yes
- RAW file support
- Yes
- Automatic alignment
- Yes
- Batch processing
- Yes
- Manual retouching
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - WindowsmacOSLinuxRecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms
- WindowsmacOSLinux
- Free plan
- Yes
- Automatic alignment
- Yes
- Batch processing
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - WindowsmacOSLinux
- Free plan
- Yes
- RAW file support
- Yes
- Automatic alignment
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - WindowsmacOSLinux
- Free plan
- Yes
- Automatic alignment
- No
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - WindowsmacOSLinux
- Free plan
- Yes
- Automatic alignment
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Free plan AndroidiOSLinuxmacOSWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Windows
- Free plan
- Yes
- RAW file support
- No
- Automatic alignment
- Yes
- Manual retouching
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Free trial LinuxmacOSWindows
- Free plan
- No
- RAW file support
- Yes
- Automatic alignment
- Yes
- Batch processing
- Yes
- Manual retouching
- No
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Windows
- Free plan
- Yes
- RAW file support
- Yes
- Automatic alignment
- No
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Windows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Automatic alignment
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Windows
- Free plan
- No
- RAW file support
- Yes
- Automatic alignment
- Yes
- Batch processing
- Yes
- Manual retouching
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Web
- Free plan
- Yes
- Automatic alignment
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms -
- Free plan
- Yes
- RAW file support
- Yes
- Automatic alignment
- Yes
- Batch processing
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Windows
- Free plan
- No
- RAW file support
- Yes
- Automatic alignment
- Yes
- Batch processing
- Yes
- Manual retouching
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - macOS
- Free plan
- No
- Paid from
- 29.95 one-time
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms
Is your platform on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored. They are labelled, and the editorial order and scores never change for payment.
Questions about this list
Which focus stacking software is ranked first on The Geeks Club?
Aduku Stacker is ranked #1 of 23 with a score of 7.0. Shine Stacker is second and ForgePix third.
How many of these have a free plan?
6 of the 23 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked on how quickly a newcomer can get going: documentation depth, a free tier or trial, and the platforms it runs on. Paid placements never change a rank.