While "free" sounds great, it came with a catch: Abandonment. Google stopped updating the software. As macOS and Windows evolved, the free Nik Collection began to break. High-DPI screens looked blurry, and new cameras weren't supported. The beloved toolset was heading toward the digital graveyard. In 2017, DxO Labs (famous for PhotoLab and DeepPRIME noise reduction) purchased the Nik Collection from Google.
Disclaimer: Pricing and features accurate as of the date of publication. DxO frequently offers free trials of the Nik Collection, which you can use for 30 days without watermarking.
Photographers held their breath. Would DxO strip out the good parts and replace them with their own tech? Would they jack up the price to $500 again?