Corel AfterShot Pro 3: A Must-Have RAW Processing Solution

Tired of waiting forever for your photos to load? Fed up with Adobe‘s monthly subscription fees? I get it. After 10+ years behind the camera, I’ve wrestled with sluggish photo editing software more times than I care to count.
That’s why discovering Corel AfterShot Pro 3 was such a game-changer. This RAW photo editor doesn’t just promise faster performance—it actually delivers it. Here’s my honest take after six months of real-world use.
Why AfterShot Pro 3 Caught My Attention
Let’s be real: most photographers stick with Lightroom because it’s what everyone uses. But what if there was something faster, cheaper, and just as capable?
Corel AfterShot Pro 3 is exactly that. Instead of Lightroom’s complex catalog system that can bog down your computer, AfterShot Pro uses direct file management. Translation? Your photos load lightning-fast, and you spend more time creating and less time waiting.
The numbers don’t lie: AfterShot Pro processes RAW images 4-5 times faster than Lightroom on the same hardware. When you’re dealing with hundreds of wedding photos or a commercial shoot, those seconds add up to hours saved.
What Makes AfterShot Pro 3 Special
Lightning-Fast Performance
This is where AfterShot Pro truly shines. The software is built from the ground up for speed, using multi-threading and GPU acceleration to squeeze every ounce of performance from your computer.
I’ve personally seen my workflow speed up by 30% compared to Lightroom—especially when batch processing large shoots. No more coffee breaks while waiting for previews to generate.
No Subscription Required
Here’s something refreshing: you buy AfterShot Pro once, and it’s yours forever. No monthly fees, no “oops, I forgot to pay and lost access to my edits” moments. In a world of endless subscriptions, this feels like a breath of fresh air.
Non-Destructive Editing
Your original RAW files stay untouched—always. Every adjustment gets saved as metadata, so you can experiment freely without fear of ruining your shots. Made a mistake three edits ago? No problem, just step back through your history.
Key Features of AfterShot Pro 3
- AfterShot Pro 3 is optimized for high-speed batch processing of RAW images. Multi-threading and GPU support allow the software to take full advantage of your computer’s hardware power.
- All edits in AfterShot Pro 3 are made non-destructively, meaning your original files are always kept intact. All adjustments are saved as metadata, allowing you to go back to any point in the editing process without worrying about losing data.
- AfterShot Pro 3’s editing toolset covers the needs of both beginners and professionals:
- Basic Adjustments: Exposure, Highlights, Shadows, Whites, Blacks, Contrast, Saturation, Vibrance.
- Correction Tools: Lens correction, chromatic aberration removal, noise reduction.
- Local Adjustments: Layer masks, gradients, and brush tools for targeted edits.
- Perspective Correction: Easily fix lens distortion and shooting angles.
- AfterShot Pro 3 provides versatile ways to manage your photo library:
- Catalog System: Create separate catalogs for different projects or themes.
- Smart Collections: Auto-sort photos based on criteria you define.
- Keywords & Metadata: Tag and search for images with ease.
- Ratings & Color Labels: Rate and label images to streamline filtering.
- The real strength of AfterShot Pro 3 lies in its batch processing capabilities:
- Batch Processing: Apply the same adjustments to hundreds of images simultaneously.
- Custom Presets: Create and save your own presets or use built-in ones.
- Watermarking: Add logos or signatures to multiple images in one go.
- AfterShot Pro 3 allows for extended functionality through its plugin system. There are many official and third-party plugins that add specialized features such as advanced noise removal, film effects, or HDR processing tools.

The Real-World Experience
After six months of using AfterShot Pro 3 on commercial projects, here’s what I’ve learned:
The Good:
- Seriously impressive speed improvements
- Intuitive interface that doesn’t get in your way
- Excellent value for money
- Handles large photo libraries without breaking a sweat
- 30-day free trial lets you test-drive everything
The Not-So-Good:
- Plugin selection isn’t as vast as Lightroom’s
- Some advanced color grading tools feel basic
- Learning curve if you’re coming from Adobe products
For complex artistic edits, I still occasionally jump into Photoshop. But for 90% of my work, AfterShot Pro handles everything I need.
Software Information
Software Details:
- File Name: Corel AfterShot Pro 3.7.0.446 Multilingual
- Developer: Corel Corporation
- Version: 3.7.0.446
- File Size: 147 MB
- Release Date: January 27, 2021
- Languages: English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Dutch
- Supported Platforms: Windows 10/11, macOS 10.15+, Linux
System Requirements
Minimum Requirements:
- Operating System: Windows 10 (64-bit), macOS 10.15, or Ubuntu 18.04
- Processor: Intel Core i3 or AMD equivalent
- RAM: 4 GB
- Storage: 1 GB free space
Recommended Requirements:
- Operating System: Windows 11, macOS 12+, or Ubuntu 22.04
- Processor: Intel Core i7 or AMD Ryzen 7
- RAM: 16 GB or higher
- Storage: 4 GB free space (SSD recommended)

Should You Make the Switch?
If you’re a photographer who values speed, efficiency, and not paying monthly fees, Corel AfterShot Pro 3 deserves serious consideration. It’s particularly great for:
- Wedding and event photographers processing hundreds of images
- Commercial photographers with high-volume workflows
- Hobbyists tired of subscription software
- Anyone wanting a faster alternative to Lightroom
The 30-day free trial makes this a no-risk decision. Download it, import a recent shoot, and see how much time you save. You might be surprised.
Download AfterShot Pro 3
Ready to experience faster RAW processing? Download the complete offline installer below:
Archive Password: 123
Need help with installation? View Installation Guide