Planetary Stacking Software Comparison 2026
Choosing the right stacking software for planetary astrophotography can be confusing. This guide compares the most popular options for both stacking and post-processing.
What is Planetary Stacking Software?
Planetary stacking software combines hundreds or thousands of video frames to create a single sharp image. This technique, called lucky imaging, overcomes atmospheric turbulence by selecting the best moments when the air happens to be steady. The result: detailed images of Jupiter's cloud bands, Saturn's rings, lunar craters, or sunspots.
Stacking Software Comparison
These tools handle the core pipeline: reading video files, ranking frames by sharpness, aligning them, and combining them into a single image.
| Feature | Eise.app | AutoStakkert! | PSS | Planet Stacker X | Registax 6 | AstroSurface | PIPP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Platform | All (browser) | Windows | Win, Mac, Linux | macOS | Windows | Windows | Windows |
| Installation | None required | Download + install | Python + dependencies | App Store | Download + install | Download + install | Download + install |
| Frame analysis | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Pre-processing only |
| Auto-cropping | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Per-frame centering | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Manual | Unknown | Yes |
| Local alignment (APs) | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Unknown | N/A |
| Drizzle upscaling | 1.5x | 1.5x, 3x | No | 1.5x, 3x | 2x | Unknown | N/A |
| SER file support | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| AVI support | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| MP4/MOV support | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| GPU acceleration | Yes (WebGPU) | No | No | Yes (Metal) | No | No | No |
| Surface mode (Moon/Sun) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Unknown | Yes | N/A |
| Batch processing | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Unknown | Yes |
| Price | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free |
| Open source | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | No | No |
Post-Processing Software Comparison
After stacking, post-processing brings out detail. These tools handle wavelet sharpening, deconvolution, color correction, and in some cases derotation.
| Feature | Eise.app | Registax 6 | LuckyStackWorker | PSS | Planet Stacker X | ImPPG | AstroSurface |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Platform | All (browser) | Windows | Win, Mac, Linux | Win, Mac, Linux | macOS | Win, Mac, Linux | Windows |
| Wavelet sharpening | Yes | Yes (6-layer) | Yes | Yes | Yes (Gaussian + Starlet) | Unsharp mask only | Yes |
| Deconvolution | Yes (Richardson-Lucy) | No | Yes (adaptive) | No | Yes (atmospheric + optical) | Yes (Richardson-Lucy) | Yes (Richardson-Lucy) |
| RGB alignment | Yes (auto) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Unknown |
| Color adjustments | Yes | Limited | Yes | Limited | Yes | Yes | Unknown |
| Derotation | No | No | Yes (since v7) | No | No | No | No |
| Also does stacking | Yes | Yes (outdated) | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| GPU acceleration | Yes (WebGPU + WebGL) | No | No | No | Yes (Metal) | Yes (OpenGL) | No |
| 16-bit support | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes (up to 32-bit) | Yes |
| Price | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free |
| Open source | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No |
Dedicated Tools
Some tools fill a specific niche in the planetary imaging workflow:
- WinJUPOS - The gold standard for planetary derotation. Maps images onto a 3D sphere to compensate for rotation between captures. Also generates ephemeris data and projection maps. Windows only (Wine on Mac/Linux). Free. Being partially replaced by LuckyStackWorker for simpler derotation tasks.
- PIPP - Planetary Imaging PreProcessor. Centers, crops, and reorders frames before stacking. Also converts between video formats. Windows only. Less necessary now that most stackers have built-in cropping and centering.
- FireCapture - The leading planetary capture software. Controls your camera, records SER/AVI files, and tracks the planet during capture. Windows, Mac, Linux. This is where the raw data comes from before any stacking happens.
When to Use Each Tool
Eise.app - Best for: Quick results, Mac/Linux users, beginners
Eise.app is the only planetary stacking tool that runs entirely in your browser. No installation, no dependencies, works on any operating system. It provides an integrated pipeline from raw video to finished image, including wavelet sharpening, deconvolution, and RGB alignment. Ideal for beginners or anyone who wants fast results without software hassles.
AutoStakkert! - Best for: Maximum stacking quality, Windows users
AutoStakkert! (AS!4) is the gold standard for planetary stacking on Windows. It offers the most control over alignment points and supports multiple drizzle scales. However, it only handles stacking - you'll need Registax, LuckyStackWorker, or another tool for sharpening. Windows-only, which is problematic for Mac users.
Planetary System Stacker (PSS) - Best for: Cross-platform desktop, advanced users
PSS is an open-source Python application that runs on Windows, Mac, and Linux. It includes built-in wavelet sharpening and RGB alignment, making it an all-in-one solution. It's powerful but requires Python installation and dependency management, which can be challenging especially on Apple Silicon Macs.
Planet Stacker X - Best for: Native macOS experience
Planet Stacker X is a free, native macOS application available on the App Store. It offers GPU-accelerated processing on Apple Silicon, wavelet sharpening (Gaussian and Starlet), and atmospheric deconvolution. Easy to install but lacks local alignment points. Not available in the EU App Store due to regulations.
LuckyStackWorker - Best for: Post-processing + derotation
LuckyStackWorker (LSW) is a cross-platform post-processing tool that automates wavelet sharpening and deconvolution with object recognition. Since v7 (January 2026), it includes built-in derotation, making it a simpler alternative to WinJUPOS for combining captures taken over longer periods. Works on already-stacked images (TIFF, PNG, FITS), not raw video files.
Registax 6 - Best for: Wavelet sharpening (Windows)
Registax pioneered wavelet sharpening for planetary images and is still widely used for post-processing. Its 6-layer wavelet interface remains the most well-known in the hobby. However, its stacking capabilities are outdated compared to AutoStakkert! or PSS. Last updated in 2011 but still functional. Windows-only.
AstroSurface - Best for: All-in-one on Windows
AstroSurface aims to replace the PIPP + AutoStakkert + Registax pipeline with a single application. It handles pre-processing, stacking, and wavelet sharpening with Richardson-Lucy deconvolution. Actively developed (v4 released January 2025). Popular in the solar imaging community. Windows-only.
Common Workflows
- Simplest: Eise.app (capture to finished image in one tool, any platform)
- Classic Windows: FireCapture → PIPP → AutoStakkert! → Registax
- Modern Windows: FireCapture → AutoStakkert! → LuckyStackWorker
- macOS native: Planet Stacker X (stacking + sharpening in one)
- Cross-platform desktop: PSS (stacking + sharpening in one)
- With derotation: AutoStakkert! → WinJUPOS or LuckyStackWorker v7
The Eise.app Advantage
- Works everywhere: Mac, Windows, Linux, even tablets - any device with a modern browser
- No installation: Just open the website and start processing
- Complete pipeline: Frame analysis, stacking, wavelet sharpening, deconvolution, and RGB alignment in one tool
- Privacy: All processing happens locally - your images never leave your computer
- GPU accelerated: WebGPU provides fast processing on modern browsers
Ready to try Eise.app?
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