A comparison centered on editing formats
These are documented workflow differences, reviewed on 13 October 2026. The table does not measure speed or stitching quality. PTGui features can depend on the edition, particularly for HDR work.
| Tool | Access | DNG panorama output | TIFF and HDR output |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vakago Panorama Stitcher | Free to use in desktop Chrome or Edge; no account | Scene-linear Float32 RGB DNG | 16-bit integer TIFF; Float32 master through DNG |
| PTGui / PTGui Pro | Paid desktop software | DNG output documented; floating-point HDR options in Pro | 16-bit and 32-bit TIFF; additional HDR formats |
| Hugin | Free desktop software | DNG is not listed among the documented stitcher outputs | 16-bit TIFF; floating-point TIFF and EXR for HDR |
PTGui's FAQ and version history describe its RAW and DNG workflow. Hugin's Stitcher documentation distinguishes ordinary TIFF output from floating-point HDR output. Check the links below when an edition or file format determines your choice.
Where Vakago fits
Vakago gives you a local photo-to-panorama workflow in a browser: import, align, choose a projection, frame, and export. There is no account to create and no image upload. You can add paired control points or prefer a source where an overlap needs attention.
For supported RAW files it starts from sensor data, then works in scene-linear Float32. Source dimensions and depth remain visible. DNG preview fallback is clearly marked, so a high-depth output does not conceal a lower-quality input.
This combination is useful if you want to stitch a sequence without installing a separate desktop stitcher and keep a Float32 DNG master. Try it with your own sequence and inspect the source details before export.
DNG export is useful, but it is not exclusive
PTGui also documents DNG export and HDR workflows. Hugin provides floating-point HDR output in other containers. It would be misleading to say that these tools always clip highlights or that only Vakago can store a high-depth panorama.
Check the settings as well as the filename. Integer output, floating-point output, exposure fusion, and a tone-mapped sharing image serve different purposes. Two files with the same extension can contain different encodings.
Vakago's Float32 DNG stores the stitched linear RGB values. Its 16-bit TIFF is an integer editing format with a bounded range. If bright working values exceed that range, use a suitable exposure or keep the Float32 master. Read the DNG versus TIFF guide for the distinction.
What about Microsoft Image Composite Editor?
Microsoft's current research archive marks ICE as inactive. If you are looking for a free way to stitch overlapping photographs again, Vakago offers browser access and explicit source checks. The Microsoft ICE alternative guide walks through the move.
Before comparing output quality, confirm what each program read from your RAW files. A rendered preview can differ from the sensor image in resolution, bit depth, color, and highlights. File acceptance alone is not a fair comparison.
Make the choice with one representative sequence
- Use the same originals and inspect the imported dimensions.
- Check difficult overlaps at detail scale, including moving foliage or nearby objects.
- Match projection, crop, output dimensions, and intended color workflow.
- Open the editing master in the application you plan to use next.
- Keep a sharing copy separate from the master.
If the panorama needs exposure-bracket merging or a hosted interactive tour, include that requirement in your comparison. Vakago's Float32 working pipeline is not a promise of those separate features. Start with one exposure sequence and confirm the result before adding a larger workload.