Planetary Stacking Software Comparison 2026
Choosing the right stacking software for planetary astrophotography can be confusing. This guide compares the most popular options: AutoStakkert!, Planetary System Stacker (PSS), Planet Stacker X, Registax, PIPP, and eise.app.
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.
Comparison Table
| Feature | eise.app | AutoStakkert! | PSS | Planet Stacker X | Registax | PIPP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Platform | All (browser) | Windows | Win, Mac, Linux | macOS | Windows | Windows |
| Installation | None required | Download + install | Python + dependencies | App Store | Download + install | Download + install |
| Frame analysis | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Auto-cropping | Yes | Manual ROI | Yes | Manual | Manual | Yes |
| Frame centering | Per-frame auto | Manual | Per-frame auto | Yes | Manual | Yes |
| Local alignment (APs) | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Drizzle upscaling | 1.5x | 1.5x, 2x, 3x | No | No | No | No |
| Wavelet sharpening | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| RGB alignment | Yes (auto) | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| SER file support | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| GPU acceleration | Yes (WebGPU) | Yes (OpenCL) | No | Yes (Metal) | No | No |
| Price | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free |
| Open source | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | No |
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 and RGB alignment. Ideal for beginners or anyone who wants fast results without software hassles.
AutoStakkert! - Best for: Maximum 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 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. Recent versions include built-in wavelet sharpening and RGB alignment. It's powerful but requires Python installation and dependency management, which can be challenging especially on Apple Silicon Macs. Great for users who want desktop software with cross-platform support.
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 and drizzle. Not available in the EU App Store due to regulations.
Registax - Best for: Wavelet sharpening
Registax pioneered wavelet sharpening for planetary images and is still widely used for post-processing. However, its stacking capabilities are outdated compared to AutoStakkert! or PSS. Most astrophotographers stack in AS! or PSS and sharpen in Registax. Windows-only.
PIPP - Best for: Pre-processing and format conversion
PIPP (Planetary Imaging PreProcessor) is a pre-processing tool, not a stacker. It's commonly used to center planets, crop frames, and convert between formats before stacking. With eise.app's automatic cropping and centering, PIPP is often unnecessary.
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, sharpening, 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?
Start stacking now - no account or download required.