Why this site exists
Every photographer knows the ritual: a folder full of RAW files from a wedding, a trip, a product shoot — and a client, a platform, or a family group chat that only accepts JPG. The obvious solution is an online converter. The obvious problem with the obvious solution is that every mainstream one uploads your photos to a server first.
Sometimes that's fine. Sometimes those are client photos under contract, personal moments, or unreleased commercial work — and "fine" stops applying.
ShiftRaw exists because in 2026 this shouldn't be a compromise. Browsers are now capable computing platforms: WebAssembly runs the same open-source LibRaw engine that desktop RAW developers use, directly on your machine, at native speed. Your files can stay entirely in your hands — so they do.
How it works, honestly
- The engine is LibRaw, compiled to WebAssembly and running on your CPU — the same decoding library behind many desktop applications.
- Your files never leave your device. There is no upload endpoint, no temporary server storage, no queue. You can disconnect from the internet after the page loads and it still works.
- The site is free, supported by unobtrusive advertising. No accounts, no watermarks, no daily quotas, no premium tier holding the useful settings hostage.
Who makes it
ShiftRaw is built and maintained by a single independent developer who photographs badly but converts professionally. Bug reports, format requests and feature ideas are genuinely welcome — get in touch.
How ShiftRaw is funded
There is no subscription, no premium tier and no paywall. The site is funded by display advertising (Google AdSense and similar networks). Advertising pays for hosting, domain renewals and development time — nothing else.
- Advertising never influences the product. No advertiser can buy placement inside the converter, faster processing, or a recommendation in our guides.
- We never ask you to click ads. That violates ad-network rules and puts the project at risk — please don't do it.
- Ads do not see your photos. Conversion runs offline in your browser; ad scripts only see the page, never the files you drop on it.
- Advertising and analytics cookies are only set where permitted by law, and in the EEA/UK only after consent. See our Privacy Policy for details and opt-out links.
Accessibility and corrections
If something on the site is broken, unclear, or inaccessible with a screen reader or keyboard, tell us — accessibility bugs are treated as real bugs. Corrections to technical claims on any format page are also welcome; accuracy matters more than being first.