By device
Lightframes is the same browser editor on every device. These pages say what actually works on a Chromebook, a Mac, Linux and an iPad, including the limits.
Free, no account, nothing uploaded
A free Lightroom alternative for Chromebook
On a Chromebook, use Lightframes in Chrome when you want a free RAW and JPEG editor that imports Lightroom .xmp presets and .cube LUTs and does not upload the photos. You do not install a Linux app or a Creative Cloud plan. Adobe’s own mobile FAQ still treats raw editing on a Chromebook as a Creative Cloud feature, not part of the free Lightroom tier.
A free Lightroom alternative for Mac
On a Mac, Lightframes is the free option when you want RAW, JPEG, .xmp presets and .cube LUTs in the browser, including Safari, with the photos staying on the machine. Use darktable if you want an installed GPL raw library on Apple silicon. Use Lightroom if you want Adobe’s catalogue and you already have, or want, the subscription.
A free Lightroom alternative for Linux
On Linux, open Lightframes in Firefox or Chrome when you want .xmp presets, .cube LUTs and a private RAW session without installing a raw developer. Install darktable when you want a native library, OpenCL and a module pipeline. Adobe’s published desktop requirements for Lightroom list Windows and macOS, not a Linux build.
A free Lightroom alternative for iPad
Lightframes works in iPad Safari for JPEG, PNG and RAW: you pick files with the system dialog, edits run on the iPad, and photos are not uploaded. It is a good free fit for presets and modest files. It is a poor fit for a folder of large RAWs or heavy AI, because Safari has no directory picker and a full-resolution RAW decode can run out of memory. Adobe’s Lightroom for iPad is the app to use if you want its cloud library and you have the subscription.