In our review, we decided to consider free applications for viewing digital images with high-quality functionality, extensive editing capabilities and good performance. Selection best programs to view photos will help you familiarize yourself with the viewers in more detail and choose the one that will meet your requirements.
Rating of programs for viewing photos on a computer
| Programs | Russian language | License | Seal | Rating | LaunchSlide show |
| Yes | Free | Yes | 10 | Yes | |
| Yes | Free | Yes | 10 | Yes | |
| Yes | Free | Yes | 10 | Yes | |
| Yes | Free | Yes | 7 | No | |
| Yes | Trial | Yes | 10 | Yes | |
| Yes | Free | Yes | 10 | Yes | |
| Yes | Free | Yes | 6 | No | |
| Yes | Free | Yes | 8 | Yes | |
| Yes | Trial | Yes | 10 | No |
Free image viewers
A high-quality utility with editing functions for more than 100 graphic formats and conversion to convenient formats. Allows you to print images, create photo albums, burn photos to disk, protect photos in a directory with a password, batch rename and apply a large set of effects and tools.
The viewer is convenient and functional, has all the options for convenient viewing and high-quality processing. The user has access to settings for sepia, blur corners, rotate, resave, reduce, enlarge, etc. Modified pictures can be saved, printed or burned to discs. The functions of slide show, cataloging, setting up “hot keys” and adjusting the position of the material on the sheet are available. The only disadvantages of the editor are the English-language menu and a sufficient load on system resources.
The software allows you to conveniently view and edit images with high quality. Supports popular graphics formats, performs conversion, has RGB settings and batch processing. In the application, the user can create a business card and manipulate the image using a variety of effects.
Functions available include auto color enhancement, watermark installation, red-eye removal, and slide show creation using more than a hundred transitions, music, and effects. When editing a picture, you can change its name and size, remove fragments, adjust or change color, use a magnifying glass, and remove shadows. Also available are histogram building, tag processing, drag-and-drop file transfer, and JPEG file annotation.
Options for this multifunctional utility allow you to view and edit images, import various files, convert objects into graphics formats and print the finished work. The user has at his disposal more than 80 viewer actions, the use of high-quality tools and effects, import into hundreds of formats and conversion to various graphics formats.
The user can scan and print material without loss of quality, configure the desired appearance of the resulting picture, organize a slide show, screenshot a picture, create a web page and use search. The program can be integrated into the shell Total Commander using special plugins.
This Google utility was created for editing, organizing and processing images available on your PC. Picasa has tools for editing photos in comparison, using retouching and other tools to improve pictures.
Using the photo organizer, you can quickly find, view, improve and print material, create collages and slide shows using adjustments and effects. The photo editor scans a specific area of the system or hard drive, indexes found video files and images for further sorting into visual albums ordered by date. In addition, you can send photos and clips to Google+.
Multifunctional image viewers
A convenient application for structuring and organizing images according to various parameters, applying filters and effects, removing duplicates and downloading GPS tracks.
The viewer catalogs images according to selected parameters (location of shooting, date of photo creation, unsorted, marked, etc.), so the user can view the material in chronological order, distribute the image by geotags and create his own travel map. Sharing on social networks and smart search are available in Karambis.
The software works with images of most known formats and has functions for editing and conversion. Able to quickly open a file in different viewing modes, recognize audio and video content and expand capabilities by adding plugins.
The user has access to built-in editor options, opening little-known video and audio, batch conversion, inserting text, resizing a picture, extracting an image from an icon, and more. You can work in the utility via the keyboard, enable thumbnail preview and create screenshots.
The utility converts graphic images into the required format and size, supports popular and RAW formats digital camera, integrates into Windows and has a batch mode.
The converter allows you to quickly change the size of a photo, compress files, manage and process images, publish on the Web, send by mail, change expansion and compression, import from memory cards, set up templates for renaming and apply watermarks. There are versions for 32 and 64 different OS.
Developed by Nero for playing, burning to discs or searching for files in a media catalog. Allows you to edit pictures, create images in ISO and NRG formats, play Blu-Ray and HD movies, and record mp3 files.
Nero Quick Media works with most known formats and provides the ability to share material in social networks and on video hosting sites. In the utility, the user can create a video presentation and slide show, as well as use a face recognition algorithm.
The multifunctional application allows you to view, organize and edit your photos. It has batch processing, an advanced editor, synchronizes photos with the Android version of the program, uploads material to online galleries and social networks.
Now let's see what to use to view images on a computer, and choose the best photo viewers for Windows. The best photo viewer is a subjective concept, so in this article I will offer several applications that can be used to open popular graphic formats for viewing and processing images.
Any user, when working on a computer, inevitably encounters pictures, images, photographs. In any case, graphic format files will end up on your computer, so you will need a program to open and view them. Therefore, you need a photo viewer on your computer to easily view digital images.
Windows 10 has a built-in Photos application, with which you can open a graphic file, create an album, make the necessary changes to a photo, etc. previous versions Windows Preview application was used Windows images. The user can install Windows Picture Viewer in Windows 10, in addition to the Photos program, read more about this.
Exists free application Photo album (Photo Gallery), included in the main Windows components Live. The photo album supports opening and editing photos. The program must be installed on your computer (it is not included in the OS). More about the Photo Album Windows Live read the article.
In addition to applications produced by Microsoft, a large number of third party programs to view and edit images. In this article we will look at the best free image viewer programs that have many additional built-in tools for working with graphic file formats.
Third-party photo viewers (viewers) can be used on your computer, as an alternative standard means Windows. As the best free image viewer programs, I recommend paying attention to the following programs: FastStone Image Viewer, XnView, IrfanView, Ashampoo Photo Commander Free, Honeyview. These programs run in Russian on the Windows operating system.
Application data, in addition to basic functions, have image editing tools. For more serious picture editing, you will need another program - an image editor (photo).
The best photo viewers, in addition to the viewing function, have additional features necessary for working with images on a computer. The programs have built-in tools to perform various operations with digital photographs or any other images: rotate, resize, remove red-eye, swatch, color correction, convert to other formats, send for printing, etc.
Beyond the scope of this review is free Picasa program(which would have been included in this review), due to the fact that Google stopped developing and supporting the application in 2016.
FastStone Image Viewer
FastStone Image Viewer is a powerful free program for viewing and processing images with a simple, intuitive interface. Built-in tools will help the user solve certain problems with photography: remove red-eye, change image size, apply color correction, convert files, etc.
A regular version of FastStone Image Viewer or a portable version of the program that does not require installation on a computer is available for download.
Key features of FastStone Image Viewer:
- Opening graphic files of major formats.
- Editing digital photos and graphic files.
- A large number of built-in tools for working with images.
- Batch file processing.
- Batch conversion to another format.
- Creating a slide show with transitions and effects.
- Preview function.
Read more about FastStone Image Viewer.
XnView
XnView is a free program (for non-commercial use) for viewing images, multimedia files, and converting files to other formats. This quality program to manage photos on your computer. Thanks to the support of a large number of formats, in XnView, in addition to working with graphic files, for example, you can watch movies or listen to music.
The program has a simple interface, a large number of built-in tools, XnView will do an excellent job of processing and editing photos on a computer.
The user can download the regular or portable version of the application to the computer from the official XnView website.
Features of the XnView program:
- Supports more than 500 formats.
- Photo editing.
- Applying filters and effects.
- Screen capture.
- Batch conversion.
- Editing metadata.
- Convert files to 70 file formats.
- Supports viewing video and audio files, archives, documents.
- Creating a slideshow.
- Plugins are supported to expand the program's capabilities.
Details about XnView program it's written on my website.
IrfanView
IrfanView is a fast, free image viewer that consumes minimal computer resources. The program is one of the leaders in the number of downloads in the world for programs of this class. This indirect information tells us about the quality of the application as rated by users.
Download the IrfanView program from the official website. You can download the regular installation version of the application or the portable version of the program to your computer. To Russify the application, you will need to additionally download the Russian language file.
Main features of the IrfanView program:
- Basic image editing functions.
- Play audio and video files (using plugins).
- Opening some text formats.
- Taking screenshots (screenshots).
- Batch renaming and converting files.
- Creating a slideshow.
- Support for plugins that significantly expand the functionality of the application.
- Supports keyboard and command line operation.
Read a detailed article about the program on my website.
Ashampoo Photo Commander Free
Ashampoo Photo Commander Free - free version Ashampoo programs Photo Commander, for viewing, editing and organizing photos on your computer. This is a powerful photo application with good functionality. With Ashampoo Photo Commander Free you can bring order to your digital photo collection.
Download Ashampoo Photo Commander Free from the official website to install on your computer.
Key features of Ashampoo Photo Commander Free:
- Supports a large number of formats.
- Organizing photo collections.
- Creation of virtual photo albums.
- Create slideshows with effects and transitions.
- Record slide shows or photos to CD/DVD/Blu-ray disc.
- Batch image processing.
- Creation of collages, calendars, postcards.
- Play video and audio files using the built-in player.
Honeyview is a free image viewer with a simple and intuitive interface. The program quickly opens graphic files, the application has tools for photo editing.
You can download it from the official website of the developer, as an installation file or as a portable version.
Honeyview program features:
- Supports a large number of graphic formats.
- RAW format support.
- View images in archives.
- View photos in slideshow mode.
- Bookmark for favorite photos.
- Support for GPS data on photos.
Conclusions of the article
The user can choose the best photo viewer running on Windows for their computer. Free programs: FastStone Image Viewer, XnView, IrfanView, Ashampoo Photo Commander Free, Honeyview, are among the best image viewers in this class of programs, they cope well with tasks for viewing and processing images.
We have analyzed the most popular free “viewers” with options for editing, cataloging graphic files, and their paid analogues. We gave each a fair assessment and looked at typical situations and the ease of using different software for specific purposes. The conclusions suggest themselves.
If all you need is to look at photos and pictures downloaded from the Internet on full screen, install one of the trinity IrfanView, FastStone Image Viewer, Universal Viewer. This software is absolutely free, instantly opens files, and conveniently scales. In addition, FastStone Image Viewer supports batch renaming, file conversion, the advantage of IrfanView in creating photo albums, Universal Viewer also supports playback of audio, video, screenshots in any format.
In the category of the best photo viewer for the home, FastStone Image Viewer and XnView are confidently in the lead. On their side is support for a large number of formats, the availability of all simple functions editing, converting. Well, if you are the proud owner of the Windows 10 operating system and don’t even need basic image editing on your computer, the built-in Windows image and photo file viewer will help out.
In fact, two applications suitable for semi-professional use are XnView and Picasa. The latter will especially please administrators of groups on social networks, because it allows you to easily create collages and can synchronize photos on different devices by using account Google. The only serious contender for the title of professional software in our selection is ACDSee. There is cataloging, processing, cloud synchronization between different copies of the application and other options for specialists, but the price of a licensed copy is steep.
STDU Viewer stands apart because it is used for reading e-books and edit-protected documentation in PDF, Djvu and others similar formats. The choice is yours, and the download link can always be found above. Also, the review did not include quite interesting applications Zoner Photo Studio and Ashampoo Photo Commander Free. The fact is that their functionality goes significantly beyond the scope of a standard weaver and includes, for example, tools for capturing the screen (taking screenshots), adding watermarks, and creating slideshows. Read our other reviews, you will probably be interested
Often we need to view photographs or other images on the computer. This could be a home photo album, or various materials for professional activities. When choosing specific program To view images, each user relies on his personal needs and preferences.
Let's look at the pros and cons of various applications for viewing graphic file formats to decide which program is best for you.
One of the most popular programs for working with digital images is Faststone Image Viewer. It has gained popularity due to its versatility and support for a large number of formats. In this application you can not only view photos, but also edit them. Has a built-in file manager. Faststone Image Viewer is completely free for non-commercial use.
The disadvantages include the relatively large size of the program and a certain complexity in management. But these disadvantages are incomparable with the advantages of the product.
XnView
The XnView image viewer is very similar in functionality to the application described above. But, unlike it, it can work not only on computers with operating system Windows, but also on other platforms. This program has extensive plugin support. In addition, XnView allows you not only to view images, but also to play audio and video files.
The application has few disadvantages. These include a large number of functions that are not needed by the average user, and a lot of weight.
IrfanView
Irfan View differs from previous programs in that this application, having almost the same capabilities, weighs very little.
True, not every user will like the rather ascetic interface design. In addition, to Russify IrfanView you will need to make additional efforts by installing a plugin.
Imagine
A distinctive feature of the Imagine program is its extremely light weight (less than 1 MB). At the same time, all the basic functions that are present in image viewers and editors are available in it.
But it’s worth noting that some features that more “heavy” programs have are not available in Imagine. This product runs on Windows OS, including Windows 10, but does not function on other platforms.
Picasa
The cross-platform Picasa application, in addition to functions for viewing and editing images, has extensive social capabilities for exchanging photos between users. This viewer has a unique feature that allows you to identify people's faces in photographs.
The main drawback of the program is that Google, its developer, announced the end of support for Picas, that is, the project is currently closed.
ACDSee
ASDSi has wider functionality than the above listed programs. It has additional features for working with cameras, and also applies advanced integration into the Explorer menu.
At the same time, in official version ACDSee lacks Russification. Additionally, unlike the above applications, full version paid.
FastPictureViewer
The main feature of FastPictureViewer is the ability to use hardware acceleration, and other advanced technologies for faster processing of “heavy” photos. In addition, the program has advanced color reproduction capabilities, making it one of the best for viewing high-definition images.
At the same time, the developers, focusing on playback quality, abandoned additional functionality. In particular, FastPictureViewer cannot perform even light image editing. The free use of the program is limited.
Zoner Photo Studio
Zoner Photo Studio has a completely different focus. This is a real combine for working with digital photographs. In addition to viewing photos, the application has advanced capabilities for editing, processing and organizing them. The program also supports working with non-graphic multimedia formats.
Among the disadvantages are rather complicated controls, especially for beginners. You can use it for free for only 1 month.
Ashampoo Photo Commander
Ashampoo Photo Commander is another combine for working with photographs, which has a fairly large set of functions for processing them. Unlike Zoner Photo Studio, the operation of this product is more intuitive for the average user.
Disadvantages include the very large size of the program. The application has a limited period of free use.
Universal Viewer
A special feature of Universal Viewer is that it supports playback of various file formats, not just graphic ones (video, audio, text, etc.). The application has fairly simple controls.
But the file playback capabilities of this universal program are still more limited than those of specialized solutions.
PSD Viewer
PSD Viewer differs from other viewers in that it supports displaying PSD files, which most similar products cannot do.
However, unlike Universal Viewer, PSD Viewer supports viewing a very limited number of graphic formats. In addition to images in PSD, and some other graphic formats created specifically for Adobe Photoshop, this program Can't reproduce other images. PSD Viewer does not have a Russian-language interface.
We reviewed the most popular photo viewing programs. As you can see, they are quite diverse, which allows the user to choose the application that best suits his tastes and tasks.
Our selection includes best apps to view photos, which, despite their free distribution, have high-quality functionality and capabilities on par with commercial software. Viewers graphic images They have options for converting and renaming pictures, creating photo albums for recording on disks, uploading to the Internet, etc.
The utilities we are considering are also editors with a set of tools for processing photographs, deleting unnecessary elements and applying interesting filters. Our review will help you choose a program for viewing digital images that meets your requirements.
Programs |
Russian language |
License |
Slide show |
Rating |
Seal |
Sorting |
| Yes | Free | Yes | 10 | Yes | Yes | |
| Yes | Free | Yes | 10 | Yes | Yes | |
| Yes | Free | Yes | 10 | Yes | Yes | |
| Yes | Free | Yes | 9 | Yes | Yes | |
| Yes | Free | Yes | 10 | Yes | Yes | |
| Yes | Free | Yes | 9 | Yes | Yes | |
| Yes | Trial | Yes | 10 | Yes | Yes | |
| Yes | Trial | Yes | 10 | Yes | Yes | |
| Yes | Free | Yes | 10 | Yes | Yes | |
| Yes | Free | No | 7 | Yes | No |
The application allows you to various modes view photos, convert to required format and edit images using the set useful tools. The utility is one of the fastest among similar viewers; it easily opens objects of less common formats, recognizes audio and video, and can also expand the boundaries of its capabilities by adding plug-ins. The user can extract sections of the image of the selected area and image icons, view images as a thumbnail of the image, create screenshots and use convenient auto-correction.
The program combines the main functions for editing and processing images of various graphic formats and digital RAW. The user can apply watermarks to the image, work with the size, color and unnecessary fragments of images, auto-enhancement, batch processing and red-eye removal. In addition, you can create histograms, business cards and slideshows with music, turn on a magnifying glass and add comments. The application is compatible with the scanner.
One of the best programs for viewing and editing graphic images. Can convert files, change images, create photo albums, set passwords on photos, burn the resulting material to disk or print. You can also resave from one format to another, work with multiple formats, remove red eyes from a photo, and view photos in slide show mode. In addition, the user can take advantage of interesting filters and effects.
Free Google product for quick search, viewing on a PC and editing images. Finds images available on the computer and, using a large set of tools and interesting effects, retouches them, creates collages and slide shows. The user can crop, remove red-eye, improve the quality of pictures, adjust color and shadow, as well as adjust height and width. Transferring photos and clips to Google+ will help you quickly display the material in your feed, and the comparison option will allow you to evaluate the initial and final results of the processed image. Pikasa also systematizes pictures and finds them in a common database by tags, faces, geolocation or other parameters of a given sorting.
The utility allows you to view and edit images using a large set of high-quality tools. The viewer opens more than 400 formats, converts files, works with different operating systems and installs new modules. For processing, the user has access to interesting effects and tools, capturing images, creating slide shows and web pages, going to search and selecting skins. Using plugins, integration into the Total Commander shell is possible, and having Nero on your PC will help you burn pictures to discs directly from the software. Creation of photo galleries and web pages is available.
A free Nero product for searching media files, playing and burning DVDs, Blu-Rays and CDs. The utility helps you quickly find the necessary files in the media directory, open them, create images and burn them to media. In addition, you can “upload” material to the Internet, record images in several formats, edit photos and create a slide show or video presentation. Nero Quick works with most formats, recognizes faces and has a large set of powerful tools.
This utility allows you to quickly view and edit photos in a high-quality manner, sort your home collections according to different criteria, and “upload” pictures to resources. The editor is almost as functional as paid analogues, intelligently organizes collections of photographs, removes red-eye, and has options for adjusting color depth, palette, and adding text. You can create 3D buttons, layouts, collages, apply effects and fine tuning parameters. Processed images can be synchronized with mobile version software Free version works 30 days.
The application will help you properly organize your photos, create albums, collections, automatically sort and apply various effects to your photos. With the help of Karambis, you can create a convenient photo library not only for viewing on a PC, but also for use in software for viewing pictures or in social networks. There is a smart search, sorting by dates and locations. You can download GPS tracks and overlay them on an image, apply filters, share material by email and adjust different settings quality improvement. Rate trial version possible within 30 days.
