Head-to-head
Capture One vs ON1 Photo RAW
2 tools, 9 differing data points, mostly pricing and positioning.
The verdict
Capture One or ON1 Photo RAW?
Section 01
Pricing, plan by plan
Every plan each vendor publishes, monthly and yearly where both are offered.
CCapture One
Pro
$28/mo · $18/mo billed yearly
All in One
$38/mo · $24.67/mo billed yearly
Adds the iPad and iPhone app
Studio
$63/mo · $48.50/mo billed yearly
Pro License
$349 one-time
OON1 Photo RAW
ON1 Photo RAW
$99.99 one-time
ON1 Photo RAW MAX
$169.99 one-time
Adds cloud generative tools and sync
Section 02
Pros and cons
From each tool's full review, written from the same checked facts.
CCapture One
Pros
- Non-destructive raw processing with camera-specific colour profiles and tethered capture support.
- A one-time Pro License purchase, or the option to switch from a subscription to a perpetual license at any time.
- Capture One does not train its AI models on customer data, and its masking and denoise run locally.
- Cloud File Transfer and Capture One Live sync images and support remote review without a full cloud-editing platform.
Cons
- No free tier; every plan is a paid subscription or the one-time license.
- Object and distraction removal rely on manual Heal and Clone tools rather than an AI-driven remover, and there is no AI upscaler.
- Paying month to month costs noticeably more than the same plan billed yearly.
OON1 Photo RAW
Pros
- Sold as a one-time perpetual licence, not tied to a subscription.
- A free companion app exists for iOS and Android alongside the desktop app.
- Tethered shooting support for Canon and Nikon cameras.
- A broad AI toolset covering masking, denoising, object removal and upscaling.
Cons
- Cloud-rendered generative tools and Cloud Sync across devices need the MAX plan; they are not part of the base one-time purchase.
- Restore AI's photo restoration is a MAX-only feature.
- There is no developer API for connecting it to other software.
Side by side
| Company | ||
| Founded | 1994 | 2005 |
| HQ | Denmark | United States |
| Platforms | Windows, Mac, iPad, iPhone | Windows, Mac, iOS, Android |
| Pricing | ||
| Pricing model | One-time purchase or subscription | One-time purchase or subscription |
| Free plan | No | No |
| Free trial | Yes, 7 days | Yes, 30 days |
| Starting price | $18/mo billed yearly (Pro) | $99.99 one-time |
| All plans | Pro — $28/mo All in One — $38/mo Studio — $63/mo Pro License — $349 one-time | ON1 Photo RAW — $99.99 one-time ON1 Photo RAW MAX — $169.99 one-time |
| Positioning | ||
| Best for | Studio and commercial photographers who shoot tethered and need precise colour | Photographers who want raw editing, a photo library and AI tools in one app they buy once |
| Differentiator | Capture One is built for tethered studio shooting and precise colour, rented or bought once. | ON1 Photo RAW combines a raw editor, photo library and AI tools, bought once. |
| Competitors | Adobe Lightroom, DxO PhotoLab, ON1 Photo RAW | Adobe Lightroom, Luminar Neo, Capture One |
Section 03
Capture One vs ON1 Photo RAW: common questions
Is Capture One or ON1 Photo RAW cheaper?
Capture One's cheapest paid plan is $18/mo billed yearly (Pro) and ON1 Photo RAW's is $99.99 one-time. Compare what each plan includes below before going on price alone.
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