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9 Best Photo Stitching Software in 2022 (Updated)

By Natalia Robert By Ingrid Paola Miranda Marin

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Using photo stitching software is essential for landscape and panorama photographers. It can deliver excellent results and save you a lot of time. The following list covers the best photo stitching software options.

To create a panorama, you have to stitch photos together. Once they are aligned, they will make one impressive view. A wide-angle lens is helpful, but you would still need to do some cropping. If you have a tripod, stitching together a panorama is a lot easier! A tripod helps you keep a consistent horizon when you take panoramas.

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9 Best Photo Stitching Software Options

There are a variety of photo stitchers available. So let’s take a look at the top 10 best photo stitching software options.

1. Hugin

Hugin is a photo stitching software capable of assembling a mosaic of photographs into a panorama.

Hugin’s interface is functional and user friendly. The software has great features. Some of them are control points or corrections of inconsistent levels. Manual adjustments of projections are also included.

Hugin offers a series of online tutorials in 9 languages. They show the different stages of the panorama stitching process. And they teach you how to use blend masks and create textures.

Hugin is an open-source initiative. It is available for free and is compatible with Windows, Mac, or Linux.

2. PTGui

PTGui is the best choice for professional-level photo stitching software. PTGui allows for stitching panoramas with many rows and columns.

PTGui has a less expensive option that will offer plenty for amateur photographers. The more expensive version, PTGui Pro, gives added features that any pro would love.

PTGui Pro includes features like Automatic Seam Placement and a Fill-Holes function. PTGui Pro also offers a Batch Stitcher, which can generate control points to set up a panorama.

You can also stitch and blend HDR source images into an HDR panorama with PTGui Pro. Viewpoint correction and masking are also included.

PTGui works with Windows, Mac, or Linux. There is a free trial version and a one-time license fee.

3. Panoweaver 10

Panoweaver 10 offers a standard and pro version. The standard version offers a good amount of features. They include gigapixel panoramas, little planet panoramas, and full manual adjustments.

For a bit more of an investment, the Pro version has added features. These include HDR processing, masking, and Dehaze.

One of the biggest benefits of Panoweaver 10 is that it offers the option of automatic stitching. This is great for those of us who sometimes want to be less hands-on.

Panoweaver 10 is available for Windows and Mac.

4. AutoStitch

Autostitch lets you stitch many photos into a seamless panoramic image.

This photo stitching software is the perfect solution if you want a program that will do it all for you. It requires no user input to sift through images. AutoStitch selects the images that match up. Then it pieces them together to create a panorama.

The downside to this is that if you do want to make individual adjustments, you cannot. AutoStitch is ideal for the photographer who doesn’t do too many panoramas. And it’s also good if you are not looking to control every aspect of its creation.

A demo version of this photo stitching software is available for free. As a standalone, AutoStitch is available for Windows and Mac OS X.

5. 

PanoramaStudio

PanoramaStudio is photo stitching software available for Windows and Mac. There is a standard and pro version. The latter offers a few more options, like support for ultra-wide-angle and fish-eye lenses.

This software offers interactive tools that allow you to add hotspots to panoramic images and create virtual tours.

PanoramaStudio allows you to export interactive panoramas to HTML5. It also offers multiple editing tools to correct flaws and enhance your pictures.

This software is perfect if you usually work with Adobe Lightroom. You can find it as a Lightroom plugin.

PanoramaStudio is a paid software. Yet, you can give it a try thanks to its free trial period.

6. Panorama Stitcher

This photo stitching software is a fantastic option for Mac users. A mini-version is available for free, but it can only stitch together up to five photos.

For panoramas of more than five photos, you will need to buy the full version of Panorama Stitcher. It doesn’t compare to the detailed control you have in other software options like PTGui. But in true Mac fashion, it is very user-friendly.

It is currently available for Macs only via the App Store.

7. PhotoStitcher

Another fantastic option for beginners in photo stitching is PhotoStitcher. It features a user-friendly interface and an entire suite of software to alter images.

PhotoStitcher is capable of stitching photos of different angles or resolutions. It also does automatic image completion.

This panorama stitching software also automates things like cropping and exposure balancing. This gives you the option to be as hands-off as you’d like.

A free trial download is available. The full PhotoStitcher software is affordably priced.

PhotoStitcher is available for Windows or Mac.

8. GigaPan Stitch

If you’re dedicated to taking photos of landscapes and panoramas, you may already own GigaPan Epic hardware. If that is the case, then you’re aware of GigaPan Stitch software.

GigaPan Stitch is a functional panorama stitching software. It combines photos across many rows and columns.

It is proprietary and only for use with GigaPan hardware. But it provides a great option to stay within the GigaPan product family. This software is basic. Yet, it is capable of stitching together panoramas with many rows of images.

Once you register your GigaPan hardware, you receive a license key for the stitching software. If you want to test it out before committing, a free 14-day trial available for download.

GigaPan Stitch is available for Windows or Mac.

9. Photoshop

While not a standalone panorama photo stitcher software, Photoshop is a good choice. It has powerful photo stitching capabilities within its arsenal of features. Photoshop’s Photomerge plugin is basic but handy for the occasional panorama.

You can access the photo stitching option in the menus (File > Automate > Photomerge). This will open a new window where can you add the individual photos to be merged. Also, choose the geometric projection, and select a few minor options.

The plugin will then do the stitching for you!

Once merged, the new file is a PSD file with separate layers for each image. One downside to using the Photoshop Photomerge plugin is that it’s not very detailed in its controls.

Since you are already working within Photoshop, you will have all the tools to finesse the image. You don’t need separate software.

Photoshop is not an ideal photo stitching solution if you offer many panoramas commercially. Yet, it is perfect for those of us who do the occasional panorama for fun.

Photoshop is available for Windows or Mac. You can access this cloud-based software with a monthly or yearly plan.

Conclusion

Finding the right photo stitching software can feel overwhelming… no matter if you do panoramas as a hobby or profession. But we have covered a variety of options to get you started. But there is something for everyone… whether you are ready to invest money in photo stitching software or not. With so many options at your fingertips, the photo stitching possibilities are endless!

Are you looking for a fun and easy way to master landscape photography? Check out our Simply Stunning Landscapes course. Take stunning images in the most average locations!

Best Panorama Stitching Software in 2022 (Our Top 7 Picks)

Creating epic panoramic photos requires a range of skills and tools. You need to understand how to take the photos, of course – but you also need software that can process (i.e., stitch) these images for a seamless result.

Panorama stitching can be done manually in raster graphics software like Photoshop. However, it is a difficult process, and it’s much easier to use programs with automated features.

Below, we share the seven best panorama stitching software programs available in 2022, so you can start capturing panoramas like a pro.

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1. Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Photoshop

Great all-in-one solution

Adobe Photoshop offers a one-stop solution where you can quickly stitch panoramas and refine them afterward.

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Pros

Simple and quick stitching process

Loads directly into Photoshop as a new image

Can benefit from Photoshop’s editing tools

Cons

No advanced functionality

Our first pick is Adobe Photoshop. This is primarily a raster graphics program, but it also has a host of useful photo editing tools and a panorama stitching feature, called “Photomerge.” This tool is incredibly easy to use and does virtually all of the work for you.

To stitch a panorama, open the file menu. Next, navigate to Automate and select Photomerge. This will open a new dialog box with the main panorama stitching options. You can select whether to use any selected files or an entire folder of images. You’ll also see a Browse option, which allows you to navigate through your photo library to find photos for the panorama.

We also like that you can choose the layout and specify if you’d like adjustments such as vignette removal and geometric distortion correction. Once you have selected the source images and your settings, simply click the OK button. This will generate the panorama and stitch the images together.

The completed panorama will open as a new file directly in Photoshop. Also, it will open each photo as a separate layer in the Layers tab, which gives you greater control over the final result. You can then utilize Photoshop’s vast array of editing tools to crop and refine the panorama as you wish.

The main downside here is that the Photomerge feature does not offer any advanced functionality. You can only choose the source images and change a few minor settings.

2. PTGui

PTGui

Great for professional panoramas

The advanced controls offered by PTGui make it suitable for those who need pixel-perfect panoramas.

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Pros

Advanced panorama controls

Can edit image parameters beforehand

Relatively simple workflow

Cons

No in-software preview available

If you want ultimate control where you can precisely define the panorama settings, PTGui is one of the best options available. This is an advanced panorama stitching software that is great for creating professional end results.

PTGui is available for Windows and macOS devices, and there is a free trial version. The free version has full functionality. However, it has watermarks on the completed panorama stitches. This software is also available as a one-off purchase. For what it does, the price of $111 is reasonable.

PTGui offers both an advanced and a basic mode, which is great for professionals and beginners, respectively. The advanced mode has many features. For example, you can set the control points and even change parameters of individual images such as exposure and white balance.

This software is also capable of creating HDR panoramas and 360-degree panoramas, too. The only drawback we found is that you have to preview the stitched panorama in a separate photo viewer rather than in the program itself, which is a little inconvenient.

3. Hugin

Hugin

Great for advanced control

Hugin is a free piece of software that offers both advanced or simple controls to appeal to multiple users.

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Pros

Switch between advanced and simple layouts

High-quality stitching results

Can crop the completed panorama image

Cons

Interface is not the most modern

Next, we have Hugin, a free panorama stitching tool available on Linux, Windows, and Mac devices. We have included this software in our list, but it is important to note that it is not a polished program; it is still being developed and refined.

The underlying panorama stitching technology works fine, though Hugin is a program that may not be best suited for beginners. To get the most from the software, some prior understanding of panoramas will likely help. This is because the process is semi-automated and some user input is required (e.g., selecting the panorama type).

Once you get to grips with the software and the process, you can create high-quality panoramas. The stitching works fantastically and the end quality of the merged photos is great. We also like that you can crop the completed panorama afterward to remove the excess black areas and rounded sections.

You can also switch between different modes, including Advanced and Simple. The Simple mode streamlines the process, whereas the Advanced mode gives you far greater control.

4. Lightroom Classic

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Lightroom Classic

Great for RAW editing

Lightroom Classic is the best option if you want to edit the source images beforehand and the completed panorama afterward without using separate programs.

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Pros

A simple and fast stitching process

Can edit RAW source images beforehand

Has an auto-crop feature

Cons

Limited in panorama settings

Part of creating a panorama is processing the initial images beforehand so you can achieve a uniform photo that really pops. The benefit of using Adobe Lightroom Classic is that you have a full set of RAW photo editing tools with which to do this.

Lightroom offers a convenient solution to this process: you can first edit your source photos before using the simple panorama stitching software. This is a major benefit if you have RAW photos to stitch, as Lightroom is one of the best photo editing programs available for RAW files.

Like Photoshop, the panorama stitching feature in Lightroom Classic is called “Photomerge.” First, you must select the source images. Then you want to open the Photo menu in the top menu bar. From here, select the Photomerge option.

This will open a new dialog box and show a preview of the stitched image. If possible, Lightroom will automatically detect a lens profile used for the source images, which will help correct any lens distortion. Also, you can select an automatic crop option – this is really handy and removes some initial steps you typically need to take.

Like Photoshop, Lightroom Classic doesn’t offer any advanced features or panorama settings. You can simply change the panorama projection to Spherical, Cylindrical, or Perspective.

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However, despite this lack of advanced control, the stitching engine is fantastic, and the results are high quality. From the samples we tested, the stitching was seamless. Also, having the photo pre-loaded in Lightroom is incredibly convenient.

5. PhotoStitcher

PhotoStitcher

Great for beginner use

PhotoStitcher is one of the best options for those with no prior editing or panorama experience due to it’s extremely simple interface and process.

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Pros

Minimalistic interface

Simple panorama stitching process

Great end results

Cons

Not suitable for professional use

PhotoStitcher is one of the best panorama stitching programs for beginners, due to its affordable one-off purchase price of $19.99 and its user-friendly interface. It is available for both Windows and Mac users, and if you have minimal or no experience using panorama software, this is a great place to start.

The menu bar and toolbars are simple: simply use the plus button to add new source images for stitching, then press the Play button. A small dialog box will open, letting you can change the panorama mode, the image quality, and the projection. The software will then stitch the images and display the completed panorama.

Unfortunately, there are no advanced controls, so professionals may not find this software useful. You can, however, crop the final panorama. Please note that when using the free trial, you cannot save your panoramas – this is only available in the full version.

6. Panoweaver 10

Panoweaver 10

Great for simple panoramas

Panoweaver 10 may look dated, but it has a simple stitching process with excellent end results.

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Pros

Easy to use

Fast and accurate stitching process

Can add masks to exclude areas from the stitching

Cons

No option to crop the final panorama

Panoweaver 10 is another dedicated panorama stitching program available for both Windows and macOS devices, and there is both a standard edition and pro edition available.

The software is highly advanced and does offer great control. For example, you can select the panorama type, edit individual images, and set masks over areas of the image you want to be excluded from the stitching process.

The software itself does look a little dated and the interface would benefit from modernizing. However, it has a minimalistic set of tools that anyone can understand. There are two tabs: Source Images and Panorama. In the first tab, you load the different source images and edit if necessary.

To proceed, it’s a simple matter of pressing the Stitch button. The process is relatively quick, but it depends on the volume of data in the source images. Once the stitching process is complete, you can preview the panorama and edit basic settings like contrast and the stitching seams.

This is a simple and effective program, but one of the minor downsides is that you cannot crop the final image. You must export it into post-processing software for cropping, further editing, and refinement.

7. Autostitch

Autostitch

Great for beginners

Autostitch offers one of the simplest stitching tools available for beginners.

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Pros

Incredibly easy to use

Requires minimum system resources

The stitching process is high quality

Cons

No advanced utility or control

Autostitch has to be one of the simplest panorama stitching programs available. It is free to download and is available for macOS, Linux, and Windows devices. The underlying code and software are also part of other programs, including Autopano Pro and Serif PanoramaPlus. However, it works perfectly fine as a standalone program.

If you want simplicity and a no-fuss approach to creating panoramas, this is a great option. The program is essentially a small dialog box that has three options: Browse, Stitch, and Settings. That’s it!

The settings are minimal, and this program does not have the advanced controls of software like PTGui. However, for beginner photographers who simply want to create easy panoramas, the simplicity of the settings will be welcome.

By default, Autostitch sets the panorama size to 2048x1024px. However, we recommend selecting the Scale option and setting it to 100%. This essentially creates a panorama stitch without resizing the source images. The stitching process is fast, and the end results are also accurate. The software was able to create a seamless panorama from the source images we used.

Which Panorama Stitching Software Is Right for You?

There is a wide range of software available that makes creating panoramas easy. So which is the best panorama stitching software for you? This depends on several factors, including how often you take panoramic shots, the level of quality you require, and the level of control you need.

Professional photographers who require maximum control will prefer advanced software like PTGui or Hugin. Alternatively, those who mainly want photo editing software with added panorama stitching features will benefit from programs like Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Lightroom Classic.

Finally, if you have minimum technical knowledge but still want to create spectacular panoramas, simple software like Autostitch or Photostitcher is a great choice.


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Top 15 Photo Stitching Panorama Makers for Windows/Mac/Online

Updated January 8, 2022 by Peter Wood


Panoramas are becoming more and more popular for social media sites as these photos offer unique perspectives for observing the world. However, taking a panoramic shot is not an easy task, given that professional panoramic cameras are too expensive.

It seems more appropriate to take several photographs and create a panorama from them. So Panorama is the process of combining a series of images with overlapping fields.

Use this method the next time you need a high resolution wide angle lens. panorama, you don't have to buy expensive lenses again. All you have to do is find the right panorama stitching software that can straighten and stitch photos or RAW files into panoramas for free.

Once you enter free panorama software into a search engine, you will get hundreds of results. Trying every program is a waste of time. Thus, this article will introduce the top 15 panorama apps and the best way to create 3D or 360 panoramas according to your requirements.

Best panorama maker - WidsMob Panorama

WidsMob Panorama is a panorama maker for Windows and Mac. It uses an advanced panoramic stitching algorithm that allows you to create a panoramic image with auto grouping and auto stitching.

Powerful functions can enable you to easily create panoramas. Just select a series of photos and a stitching mode to take a panoramic shot. In addition, you can also edit panoramas with some basic options. Check out the main features of WidsMob Panorama below:

1. Read almost all photo formats and camera RAW files with gigapixel panorama software.

2. Process panoramas using various advanced algorithms. photo stitching methods.

3. Adjust stitching points and blend details manually to stitch panoramic photos as you like.

4. Provide some basic panorama editing tools such as effects, watermarks and other options.

5. Compatible with the latest versions of macOS Big Sur and Windows 10.

6. Merge photos into horizontal, vertical, mosaic and 360-degree panoramas.