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DisplayCAL

Open-source display calibration and profiling powered by ArgyllCMS

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  • Overview
  • Features
  • Pricing
  • Pros
  • Cons
  • Reviews

DisplayCAL Overview

  • Updated February 4, 2026

DisplayCAL is a highly accurate, open-source display calibration and profiling application built on ArgyllCMS. It supports a wide range of colorimeters and spectrometers, multi-display setups, ICC profiling, verification reports, and 3D LUT creation.

Designed for enthusiasts and professionals, it emphasizes precision, flexibility, and transparency while remaining free software supported through voluntary contributions.

Key Features

  • High-Accuracy Calibration: Uses ArgyllCMS to deliver precise display calibration and ICC profiling.
  • Wide Instrument Support: Compatible with many colorimeters and spectrometers across brands.
  • 3D LUT Creation: Generate video and device LUTs for workflows like DaVinci Resolve and madVR.
  • Verification & Reporting: Detailed measurement reports to evaluate display and profile quality.
  • Advanced Test Chart Editor: Customizable charts for profiling, validation, and analysis.
  • Multi-Platform Support: Runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Price

Item Cost
DisplayCAL software Free (open-source)
Optional donation/support Voluntary (you choose amount)

Pros

Competitor

Pros
CalMAN Compared to CalMAN, DisplayCAL offers a completely free and open-source alternative with no locked features. It provides advanced profiling, LUT generation, and deep configurability without requiring expensive licenses, making it more accessible for enthusiasts and small studios while still delivering professional-grade accuracy.
X-Rite i1Profiler DisplayCAL surpasses i1Profiler in flexibility and transparency, allowing users to fine-tune targets, charts, and correction matrices. It supports more advanced workflows like custom 3D LUTs and verification reports, which are limited or unavailable in the vendor-locked i1Profiler software.
LightSpace / ColourSpace While ColourSpace targets high-end studios, DisplayCAL provides many comparable calibration fundamentals at no cost. It is easier to adopt for individual users and offers strong community documentation, making it a practical solution for accurate display profiling without enterprise-level investment.
HCFR DisplayCAL offers a more comprehensive end-to-end workflow than HCFR, combining calibration, profiling, verification, and LUT creation in one interface. Its broader instrument support and deeper ArgyllCMS integration make it more versatile for both display and video-centric calibration tasks.
Datacolor Spyder Software Compared to Datacolor’s bundled Spyder software, DisplayCAL delivers significantly greater control, accuracy, and reporting depth. It avoids oversimplified automation, enabling better results for users willing to invest time in understanding calibration principles.

Cons

Competitor

Cons
CalMAN Compared to CalMAN’s guided workflows and official certification support, DisplayCAL can feel complex and less polished. New users may face a steeper learning curve, and it lacks formal manufacturer partnerships and automated workflows common in CalMAN’s commercial ecosystem.
X-Rite i1Profiler Unlike i1Profiler, DisplayCAL does not provide a simplified, vendor-supported experience. Setup can be more time-consuming, and users must rely on community documentation rather than official hardware manufacturer support channels.
LightSpace / ColourSpace DisplayCAL lacks the real-time grading integration, advanced hardware LUT management, and studio-oriented automation found in ColourSpace. High-end post-production facilities may find DisplayCAL insufficient for demanding, collaborative color grading pipelines.
HCFR Compared to HCFR’s simpler measurement-focused approach, DisplayCAL can feel overwhelming. Users seeking quick, minimal calibration checks may find its extensive options and configuration screens excessive for basic tasks.
Datacolor Spyder Software DisplayCAL requires more technical understanding than Datacolor’s Spyder software. Casual users who want fast, one-click calibration may struggle with its terminology, manual adjustments, and longer setup process.

Verified Customer Reviews

  • SourceForge Review (Rating: 4.9/5): Users praise its accuracy and flexibility while noting that the interface and workflow can be intimidating for beginners.
  • Reddit/r/colorists Review (Rating: 4/5): Professionals value the precision and control compared to vendor tools, but mention slower setup and uncertainty around long-term maintenance.
  • DPReview Review (Rating: 4.5/5): Photographers appreciate the superior profiling quality, though some report it requires more time and technical knowledge than bundled alternatives.
  • AVS Forum Review (Rating: 4/5): Home theater users like the 3D LUT capabilities, but point out that results depend heavily on correct configuration.
  • tuxoche.com Review (Rating: 4.5/5): The calibration process is described as reliable and effective, while documentation gaps require additional research for optimal use.