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Standard Dynamic Range (SDR) videos often look flat, with limited brightness and muted colors. High Dynamic Range (HDR) changes this by combining brighter highlights, deeper shadows, and richer color details into one vivid image. To achieve this effect, creators rely on HDR software programs—powerful tools that convert SDR to HDR or merge multiple exposures for more dynamic visuals.
In 2025, AI-powered HDR tool has become faster, more accurate, and easier to use. From professional editors to casual creators, choosing the right HDR program can make the difference between lifeless footage and cinematic-quality results.
In this guide, we provide expert HDR software reviews, compare performance and usability, and highlight both premium and free HDR software. Whether you're seeking the best HDR software for professional projects or a free option to experiment with, this article will help you make the right choice.
Many beginners ask: what is HDR software, and how does it work?
HDR (High Dynamic Range) software or HDR programs are tools that enhance images and videos by expanding their dynamic range—the difference between the brightest highlights and the darkest shadows. Unlike standard editing, HDR tools combine or convert content to create visuals that look more vivid and realistic.
By using HDR programs like UniFab HDR Upconverter AI, Lightroom, Photomatix, Aurora HDR, and more, users can create results ranging from realistic natural looks to dramatic artistic tones.
When selecting the best HDR software programs for 2025, we follow a clear review process to ensure accuracy and trustworthiness:
After this process, we identified the top three HDR software tools that balance image quality, processing speed, usability, and price, making them excellent choices for both beginners and professionals. Below, we will provide a detailed introduction and evaluation of these 3 HDR tools. Please continue reading.
UniFab HDR Upconverter AI leads the market as the best HDR software for 2025, pioneering AI-powered SDR-to-HDR conversion. Supporting HDR10 and Dolby Vision, it enhances brightness, contrast, and color depth with cinematic precision. With support for DCI-P3 and Rec.2020 color spaces, and four models including 4K UHD, QHD, Full HD, and Fast Model, UniFab ensures true-to-life HDR across all your devices.
Platform: Windows & macOS
Price: 30-day free trial (full features, no watermark); Lifetime license $119.99
In our independent tests, UniFab's SDR-to-HDR conversion provided a natural and balanced look that closely resembles native HDR. Contrast is gently boosted, shadows and midtones are well-preserved, and colors remain accurate without heavy oversaturation. The result is smooth, cinematic HDR output suitable for both professionals and enthusiasts.
UniFab HDR Upconverter AI delivers industry-leading fast processing speeds, outperforming most other HDR software.
We tested UniFab on a 9min 57s Full HD video (23.976 fps). The software converted the clip in 9min 45s, reaching a real-time speed of 24.49 fps/s. This performance makes UniFab one of the fastest HDR tools available today, ideal for creators working with tight deadlines.
Pros
Industry-leading conversion speed.
Natural and balanced HDR output, close to native HDR.
Supports HDR10, Dolby Vision, Rec.2020, and DCI-P3 color spaces.
Affordable price with a 30-day free trial (no watermark).
Cons
Currently desktop-only (no mobile app version).
UniFab stands out for its speed, accuracy, and affordability, making it the top HDR software choice in 2025.
Topaz Video AI is also a go-to HDR software for most professionals and novices to fulfill their SDR to HDR conversion needs. Its newly released Hyperion SDR to HDR feature leverages the inverse tone mapping process (or up-mapping) for seamless conversion.
Platform: Windows & macOS
Price: $299 (Lifetime License)
Our tests found that Topaz Hyperion produces vivid and contrast-rich images, with improved shadow visibility and striking highlights. However, the aggressive tone mapping can cause overexposure in bright areas and occasional oversaturation, especially in warmer tones. While it may not always resemble native HDR, it delivers bold, artistic visuals that many creative users appreciate.
Using the same 9min 57s Full HD video test, Topaz Hyperion required 14min 11s, achieving 16.72 fps/s. While slower than UniFab, it is still efficient enough for most video editing workflows.
Pros
Produces vivid, high-contrast, and artistic HDR visuals.
Strong highlight and shadow recovery.
Cons
Tends to oversaturate colors and overexpose highlights.
Less suited for users seeking natural, realistic HDR results.
Higher one-time price.
Topaz Hyperion is the best HDR program for those seeking vivid, stylized HDR effects, even if accuracy is sometimes compromised.
HitPaw VikPea (formerly known as HitPaw Video Enhancer) is also a reliable HDR software that allows you to easily convert SDR to HDR. It offers an adjustable Dynamic Range setting from 1 to 5, giving you control over the brightness and contrast levels to achieve your desired HDR effect.
Platform: Windows & macOS
Price: $349.99 (Lifetime License)
HitPaw's results vary depending on the DR setting. At higher levels, the image becomes brighter with stronger saturation, but it often looks closer to SDR than authentic HDR. This can lead to an overly artificial appearance that may not satisfy professionals seeking true HDR depth.
HitPaw is significantly slower than competitors. The same 9min 57s Full HD test video took over 2h 37min at DR2, and approximately 3h at DR5, achieving just 1.33–1.52 fps/s.
Pros
Simple interface, easy to learn for non-professionals.
Flexible control over brightness/contrast through DR settings.
Cons
Extremely slow processing speed.
Higher price point despite fewer advanced features.
Output often looks closer to SDR than authentic HDR.
HitPaw is a practical choice for casual creators who prioritize ease of use, but its slow processing speed and less authentic HDR look make it less competitive compared to UniFab and Topaz.
Choosing the right HDR program often comes down to comparing performance, image quality, and ease of use. Below is a side-by-side comparison of the three leading HDR software tools in 2025.
| Key Factors | UniFab HDR Upconverter AI | Topaz Hyperion SDR to HDR | HitPaw SDR to HDR |
| Ease of Use | ✅ Beginner-friendly | ❌ Steeper learning curve | ✅ Simple interface |
Price (Lifetime) Price may vary; please refer to the official website for the most up-to-date pricing. | US$119.99 UniFab All-In-One: US$299.99 (including HDR Upconverter AI) | US$299 (Topaz Video AI) | US$349.99 (HitPaw Video Enhancer) |
| HDR Info in MediaInfo | ✅ Present | ❌ Not Present | ❌ Not Present |
We tested all the 3 HDR software to test their performance and speed. Here’s how the results turned out when we upconverted a 9min 57s SDR video to HDR.
Test Machine:
Source Video Data:
| Performance and Speed | UniFab HDR Upconverter AI | Topaz Hyperion SDR to HDR | HitPaw SDR to HDR |
| Output Quality | Natural colors, balanced highlights, and rich shadows | Bright and vivid, it loses details in highlights and shadows | Oversaturated and high contrast with highlight loss |
| Preserves HDR Depth | Yes. Preserves true HDR depth | Weakens HDR effect | Resembles SDR more than HDR |
| Conversion Speed | 24.49 fps/s | 16.72 fps/s | 1.52 fps/s |
| Conversion Time | 9min 45s | 14min 11s | 2h 37min 10s |
These combined HDR software reviews show that:
To explore how these tools compare in other features, check out: UniFab vs Topaz and Hitpaw vs Topaz.
Before choosing the best HDR software, consider these key factors that impact performance and output quality:
1. HDR Quality and Accuracy — true HDR output with precise color reproduction and balanced highlights and shadows.
2. AI Enhancement & Machine Learning — scene detection, noise reduction, and intelligent upscaling to improve results.
3. Customization & Control — manual adjustments, presets, and color grading options.
4. Performance and Speed — hardware acceleration and rendering time for efficient processing.
5. User Interface & Ease of Use — intuitive navigation for beginners and advanced controls for pros.
6. Format Support & Compatibility — broad format and HDR standard support across platforms.
7. Extra Features — built-in editor, audio tools, export presets.
8. Price & User Reviews — fits your budget and has positive feedback from real users.
Among HDR software options, UniFab HDR Upconverter AI excels by delivering accurate HDR output with AI-powered enhancements, fast processing, and easy-to-use controls. It supports multiple formats, offers useful extra features, and fits various budgets with strong user feedback.
Next, let’s see how to use UniFab to convert your SDR videos to HDR.
One of the advantages of modern HDR software tools is that they make advanced conversion processes simple for everyday users. Below is a step-by-step guide showing how to use UniFab HDR Upconverter AI to transform SDR footage into HDR10 or Dolby Vision.
30-day Free Trial for full features, without watermark!
Launch UniFab, go to All Features, and select HDR Upconverter under Video AI. Click the + icon or drag and drop your SDR video to import it.
Choose HDR 10 or Dolby Vision based on your needs, and adjust the color space, format, quality, audio settings, and other parameters as required.
Once you are satisfied, tap Start. UniFab HDR Upconverter will utilize its AI models and automatically upscale your SDR video clips to HDR10 or Dolby Vision.
This straightforward process demonstrates why UniFab ranks among the best HDR programs in 2025—its combination of ease of use, speed, and accuracy makes HDR conversion accessible to both beginners and professionals.
For more detailed information about UniFab HDR Software, you can watch this informative YouTube video.
Don't let your cherished videos remain flat and dull. With the best HDR software, you can transform your footage into vibrant, cinematic-quality HDR videos. UniFab HDR Upconverter AI stands out for its quality, speed, user-friendliness, and affordability. Whether you are a beginner or professional, it offers tailored results. Topaz Hyperion and HitPaw provide alternatives depending on your needs and budget.
The best free HDR software in 2025 includes Luminance HDR, an open-source program praised for its tone-mapping algorithms, RAW support, ghost removal, and noise reduction. Other popular choices are Fotor HDR for quick, artistic results and EasyHDR Free Edition for beginner-friendly photo merging. Linux users may prefer RawTherapee or pfstools for more advanced HDR editing. For those seeking professional-level AI conversion without upfront cost, UniFab HDR Upconverter AI also offers a generous 30-day free trial with full features and no watermark, making it a strong option alongside traditional free HDR programs.
For reliable HDR software for Mac, UniFab HDR Upconverter AI is a top choice. It supports macOS, offers fast and accurate SDR to HDR10 conversion, and provides easy-to-use AI enhancements for great HDR results. If you want to know how to upload HDR video on YouTube or how to find and watch Amazon Prime Video Dolby Vision HDR on PC and mobile, you will also need this tool.
The best HDR software programs in 2025 include UniFab HDR Upconverter AI for fast and natural AI-powered SDR-to-HDR conversion, Topaz Hyperion for vivid artistic effects, and HitPaw for beginner-friendly controls. For photography, long-standing options like Photomatix Pro and Aurora HDR remain popular, while Luminance HDR stands out as the best free open-source choice. Together, these HDR tools cover a wide range of needs, from professional workflows to casual editing.
Reviews assess image quality, processing speed, ease of use, and features like AI enhancement. Trusted reviews combine lab tests, user feedback, and expert opinions.