Pholara — frequently asked questions

Do my photos get uploaded?

No. Pholara runs entirely in your browser: RAW files are decoded on your device with LibRaw (WebAssembly) and every adjustment renders locally through WebGL2. Your photos never leave your device — see the Privacy Policy for the details.

Is Pholara really free?

Yes. The editor is free to use and editing is not gated behind a paywall.

Do I need an account?

No. Open the editor and start editing — no sign-up, no install. Your edits are saved locally in your browser, so a session survives a reload on the same device.

What do I need to run it?

A modern browser with JavaScript and WebGL2 (current Chrome, Edge, Firefox and Safari all qualify). RAW decoding and rendering happen on your machine, so a reasonably recent computer gives the smoothest experience.

Which formats can I open?

25 RAW formats — including Canon CR2/CR3, Nikon NEF, Sony ARW, Fujifilm RAF and Adobe DNG — plus JPEG, PNG, WebP, AVIF and BMP. The full list is on the supported formats page. Edited photos export as JPEG or PNG.