>>3317370This is my personal experience, can't really say if this can apply to you.
I started with Darktable on Ubuntu and tried out Rawtherapee. Didn't like the UI and the results from Rawtherapee.
After some time I noticed Darktable robs me of vivid colors especially in green and red, later found out it was the fringing removal module.
Because of the color problem I tried out Aftershot Pro II, it was nice but the UI was clunky, even compared to Darktable. Darktable actually has a rather nice workflow and UI comparable to the best paid softwares.
Aftershot Pro was short lived on my PC, soon I had to return to Windows because work and study related reasons, Adobe launched the subscription based service for PS+LR so I went with that. $12 a month is literally nothing. I am using them extensively, plus NIK when it became free.
Tried out Affinity Photo, clusterfuck UI, left it as is. Maybe later they will improve and rationalize their shit.
GIMP is a serious no go even or hobby work, too clunky and the result is not nice. Some simple workflow for editing out branches and spots are either immense work or results in MS Paint level shit. Shame because I am all for freedom software when they get the work done. LibreOffice is one great example.
