XnView is one of the most used photo viewers and management programs in the world. It is a free software program where you can batch-process images instead of editing one picture at a time.
XnView is a powerful photo editor, too. However, one has to note that it has never attempted to compete in the market as a photo editor. What it really aims to do is to help people complete basic editing and file conversion to their images quickly, particularly in bulk.
Despite being one of the best, XnView still has some features left to be desired. For example, it does not have a music option on a slideshow, and it cannot view images from a zipped folder.
As such, we prepared a list of XnView alternatives that you can consider. This would give you more options to pick the best tool as per your needs.
Let’s get started.
Best XnView Alternatives
1. IrfanView
IrfanView is one of the best alternatives to XnView because it can do more than just view images. With IrfanView, you can browse through images in a slideshow format, edit photos, convert file types by batch, and many more.
It is easier to master IrfanView than XnView as the interface is much easier to understand. However, like XnView, IrfanView is capable of resizing images, too.
This alternative also boasts many keyboard shortcuts, so people who hate using the mouse would find it a relief.
One thing that makes IrfanView a better alternative than XnView is that when you resize an image, you get several preset options. While XnView also has this, it does not have the same options as IrfanView.
For example, IrfanView’s image resize window provides options for half or double, and these options are on that window, which you can click right away. However, in XnView, you need to navigate to the dropdown that says “standard size” and choose the size you want in terms of percentage.
Lastly, IrfanView has an “effects” tool where you can add filters to the image, such as emboss, edge detect, blur, 3D buttons, and more. XnView also has this feature, but it is not as straightforward to use as IrfanView.
2. FastStone Image Viewer
FastStone is a multi-purpose image viewer, editor, and photo browser that you must install on your PC. It has many features that can give XnView a run for its money.
Here are some of the things that FastStone can do:
- Image viewing
- Photo management
- Red-eye removal
- Photo resizing and cropping
- Color adjustments and photo editing
One thing that makes FastStone better than XnView is that you can add music to your slideshow. XnView cannot do it. With FastStone, all it takes is to create a slideshow as you would and then click a button where you choose a track.
Another feature that makes FastStone a better option than XnView is its image annotation and drawing capability over the image. XnView Classic does not have this feature. Instead, you have to download an add-on tool or get the latest version, which is XnViewMP.
The slideshow option of XnView is also a tad limited. When you make a slideshow, the effects that you can choose from are only crossfading, all effects, or none, but then FastStone offers more than 150 effects to make your slideshow more interesting.
3. HoneyView
HoneyView is a lightweight image viewer where you can also create slideshows. Like XnView, it is capable of batch image formatting, conversion, and resizing.
HoneyView can display EXIF in JPG and view animated images and even GIFs. One advantage of HoneyView is that it can provide a view of zipped files without the need for unzipping.
You will get an error if you attempt to view files from a zipped folder in XnView. The program will simply tell you that the folder you are accessing cannot be determined.
In addition, HoneyView also supports archived images and those in the form of comics, like manga images. Although XnView can do something similar, HoneyView has more power and features to function as a comic book reader, which is far better than actual comic book reading programs.
You can also configure HoneyView to make it more personalized. For example, you can press F5 to toggle the settings like snapping the window, allowing multiple instances of the application, making it always appear on top, etc.
4. PhotoScape X
Photoscape X is primarily a photo editor that people on social media use. Its main function is to allow people to enhance photos.
Here are some of its features:
- Slideshow creation
- Edit the brightness of the images and also adjust the color
- Retouch the white balance and backlight of photos
- Remove the red eye
What makes PhotoScape a better option than XnView is that it has more editing features. It does not only offer cropping and image resizing to its users.
For example, you can convert your images into a mosaic, combine or merge two separate photos into one, add text, or even draw on the image.
One thing that PhotoScape can do that XnView cannot is online face search. With PhotoScape, you can search the internet for images similar to what you have. It is an excellent tool that will help you find people who violated your copyright.
There is one more awesome feature that PhotoScape does well, which is the splitter function. In it, you can split your photo in equal sizes, as you would in a puzzle, without the need to add extra code.
Overall, PhotoScape X is an excellent alternative to XnView if the editing you want to do exceeds far beyond cropping and color grading and it is what you need if artistic work is part of your goals.
5. PicResize
PicResize is one of the oldest providers of picture resizing services. Here, you can crop, rotate, and compress your images online, and there is no need to download the tool to your computer.
One advantage of PicResize is its accessibility. Since the tool is browser-based, you can access it from any computer, unlike XnView, which you need to install on every device.
Here are the services you can get from PicResize:
- Convert the images into another file format
- Compress the images into small sizes to help save on disk space
- Do some basic photo editing like crop, rotation, and resizing
PicResize also has a better interface than XnView. With PicResize, one can say that the experience is intuitive because the functionalities and buttons are self-explanatory and easy to find.
Another advantage of PicResize is that you can get images from URLs, not just your computer files. The only downside is that you cannot make it work if you are offline.
We recommend PicResize for those who want a fast and accessible tool to edit photos for social media like Facebook and Instagram. It is not complex to use, and its features are pretty much straightforward.
6. Adobe Lightroom
Adobe is the standard for anything that has something to do with photos. Lightroom is not just an editor but also a photo storage and photo-sharing program.
You need to subscribe to get the service, and the cost you pay depends on the storage limit you require. What it essentially does, apart from storing your images, is make your photos good enough for Instagram posting!
Here are some things you can do with it:
- Edit your photos from any device with presets
- Adjust your photo resolution and enhance their overall quality
- Edit images in collaboration with other people remote
Adobe Lightroom is not Photoshop, as Photoshop is a more complicated photo editor. Instead, Lightroom is merely a simpler version.
One thing Lightroom can do that XnView cannot do is manage your photos in the cloud. You do not need to store your photos on a storage device anymore.
Adobe Lightroom also has editing features that have more power than XnView, considering that it takes after Photoshop, the most powerful photo creator and editor in the world.
Lightroom also gives you the capability to organize your photos that XnView cannot. For example, you can add ratings and flags to your photos and then create albums using these tags in a single click.
7. Cyberlink Photo Director
While Cyberlink used to be a video-based company, it now has a software program that attempts to compete against the big names. The Photo Director is an alternative to XnView as it allows you to open multiple types of images and edit them, too.
One thing that makes Cyberlink better than XnView is its artificial intelligence. Once you tag a photo, the program will remember who it is and apply what it has learned to identify all photos that have that face.
Here are the other things that you can do with Cyberlink that XnView cannot:
- Animation effects
- Slideshows with soundtracks
- Video-to-photo effects
- Facial recognition and AI transformation
About the AI, let us say that you tagged an image of yourself and tagged it with “Joe Smith.” Then, the program can search all your photos with an image of Joe Smith.
There is another feature where you can fix an image’s blurry spots and restore them. For example, if the image capture is blurry, the program can use AI to make it clearer, as if the shot was taken perfectly, to begin with – and this is something that XnView cannot do.
8. Corel AfterShot Pro 3
Corel is a fierce competitor of Adobe, and AfterShot Pro 3 is a better alternative to XnView because of its non-destructive photo editing capacity. AfterShot Pro 3 is an upgrade; it can do more things now than its predecessors.
The primary function of Aftershot 3 is to view images and tag and sort them. It is especially useful for photographers who have thousands of images to work on.
Like XnView, you can use the program to edit photos. The difference is that AfterShot has brush tools that would allow you to do some major touchups on the images that XnView cannot do. You can even remove blemishes from them.
Like XnView, this tool does not work like Photoshop, as you cannot make any major alterations. However, unlike XnView, it does have a better interface.
In addition, another advantage of Corel AfterShot Pro 3 is that it integrates well with Photoshop. You can do your batch photo processing in AfterShot and then transfer all the RAW photos to Photoshop for some major editing. XnView cannot do this, as XnView is not really a photo editor program but a viewer only.
9. MAGIX Photo Manager
MAGIX Photo Manager is a cloud-based photo viewer, editor, and photo organizing tool. It is a powerful and affordable alternative to XnView as it has several capabilities not present in It.
Its user interface is easy to understand and navigate, and what you will see is a modern UI that makes it a joy to work with.
It has artificial intelligence, which XnView does not have. The AI recognizes faces in your collection, making it easier for you to bring up or view any image that resembles the criterion you set from among your files.
Like XnView, you can create slideshows, view RAW images from your camera, and also edit the images. Unlike XnView, however, you can directly share your images from MAGIX to your social media channels.
With the cloud-importing system, you have the option to take images from other cloud-based programs. From here, you can combine your imported images with your local storage device, such as a hard drive.
You can also upload images from your mobile device to your cloud storage and there is no need to transfer these pictures to your computer before you can view and edit them.
10. Zoner Photo Studio X
Zoner, like XnView, has been around for eternity. Zoner is an alternative to XnView as a photo management software program that can edit, annotate, and organize.
What makes Zoner unique is that it has templates that allow you to make photo books. After viewing and doing batch processing, you can select which album your photos will go to and can even make collages if you want.
In addition, Zoner has a print and mailing option. After you edit your photos, you can order a printout – a literal one – where they will print the photo and send it to you by snail mail.
Zoner does not need an importation process. With it, you can open any app file and begin organizing it.
Another thing that Zoner has that XnView does not do is it can rename photos automatically for you. In this feature, Zoner will recognize images straight from your camera and sort them automatically into folders.
The tagging in Zoner can also be automatic, along with its process for backing up. However, in XnView, you will have to do batch tagging manually.
11. WidsMob Viewer Pro
WidsMob is both a photo and video viewer rolled into one. The one thing it is best used for is for viewing photos and videos straight from a device.
With folder-based browsing capacity, it allows you to easily navigate through your files and view your files, videos, and audio. The viewer can also play videos at high speed, along with the sound, so it can work as a backup video player.
Here are the other things it can do:
- Manage the photos in a folder
- Edit the pictures
- Resize the images and convert them by batch
- Apply preset effects to several photos at once
It is an excellent alternative to XnView because it works as a camcorder companion. Whether you are using a Mac or a mobile device, you do not need to use different viewer programs to see your photo files.
On the other hand, XnView does not have the capacity to play recordings. This one works best for photographers who take pictures and videos. The program helps you determine which files you can delete immediately so you can spare some storage for your next shots.
It also has a social media sharing feature, which XnView does not have. If you want, you can also create a slideshow of your photos before sharing it online.
12. ImageGlass
ImageGlass is an image viewer that can recognize more than 80 file types. One of the things you will love about it is that it is 100% open-source, and there are no ads when you use the program.
Here are the things you can do with your photos:
- Rotate
- Zoom in and out
- Scale
- Convert to a new file type
One thing it does that XnView cannot is background alternation. Although XnView released something similar, there are still kinks that XnView has to fix.
ImageGlass can also upload an image you are viewing to your Facebook account. So, there is no need to close the application and then go to Facebook on a separate browser.
While ImageGlass has no editing options, it can view SVG files and other scalable vector graphics. XnView, on the other hand, does not support this.
While XnView can show a file thumbnail for a scalable vector graphic, it cannot give you a preview of that file. Double-clicking that file will only open it on a specific program like Inkscape.
13. Eye of Gnome (EOG)
EOG is now on its 43rd version and just keeps improving. The program is now more efficient, making it a powerful alternative to XnView.
Here are the things you can do with it:
- Open images and view them on a different window
- View all the photos in a folder
- Zoom in and out
- Create a slideshow
- Convert the images into a different file format
- Copy and paste images to another application
- Flip the images in both directions
- Batch rename images
One advantage it has over XnView is that you can run a program with it. It has a Python console, which means you can write code and make it work to your liking by running scripts.
It also has the capacity to upload images on PicasaWeb, which is a photo-sharing service online where you can share your images with people of your choice. XnView does not have this option.
14. ACDSee Photo Studio Professional
ACDSee is one of the pioneers of photo management programs. Like the other advanced software programs mentioned here, facial recognition is one of its most powerful components.
The tool can assign tags to faces, and you can issue a command where the program will find all photos that have the same person from your files.
One thing it can do that XnView cannot do is that it has editing capabilities that you use brushes – similar to Photoshop and GIMP.
Here are some of the things it can do:
- Geotagging features
- Face-tagging and facial recognition
- Integrated cloud storage for paid plans
- Pixel deletion on an image
- Skin tuning for images of people
- Smart brushing and editing tools
As you would know by now, several features like skin tuning and brushing are unavailable in XnView. As such, ACDSee is a better alternative, especially for photographers who do a lot of editing work for huge projects like wedding albums.
In addition to all these, ACDSee has a provision for watermarks, cropping multiple images simultaneously, and mobile syncing. You can upload your photos to the cloud from your mobile device wirelessly.
15. Movavi
Finally, we have Movavi. It is not just a photo viewer but a full suite of programs that can help you manage and edit your photos for professional use.
Although Movavi is not free, the good news is that you only have to pay for the services you need. If you do not want video editing tools, then there is no reason to get a plan with that feature.
Here are the things you can do with it:
- Organize images
- Find duplicates of images in your files and delete them
- Create backup copies
- Edit images with special effects and filters
- Do basic editing like flipping, cropping, etc.
Unlike XnView, you can upload your photos in the cloud if you are a paying subscriber of Movavi. The photo manager costs as little as $33 per month.
One thing that Movavi has that XnView does not is facial recognition. Like the other programs, this one can detect images that have the photo of a specific person and show them all to you.
In addition, the duplicate finder does not work by file name but rather by the image itself. So, let us say you have two identical photos with different file names; the program can still find the duplicate, leaving it up to you to determine which one to delete.
Conclusion
By far, the best alternative among all these is IrfanView. It has everything that XnView has to offer, and more.
Although it does not have advanced AI like Cyberlink and other paid software programs, it does give you the ability to complete a lot of photo editing work in a short period.
IrfanView is also packed with editing features and can compete against XnView toe-to-toe. If you need more features, then we would suggest that you set aside a budget for a monthly subscription, as most of the paid photo viewers on this list are paid every month.
