Picture Viewers For Mac

admin



How to get Windows like image viewer on macOS X. Mac os does have an inbuilt image viewer called Preview but it is not that good to browse through photos. XNView is the best image viewer which provides three different view modes: Thumbnail. In the Photos app on your Mac, choose View Enter Full Screen. In full-screen view, do any of the following: Scroll through photos: Press the arrow keys. View thumbnails: Position the pointer at the top of the window to display the menu bar, then choose View Show Thumbnails. Show the toolbar and the sidebar: Position the pointer at the top of the window to display the menu bar, then choose.

One of the biggest frustrating parts of moving from Windows to Mac started with the image preview tool. Such a simple function user experience that Windows Image Previewer is doing since XP, but Apple resists to adopt it. Once you open any image in the folder, you should be able to scroll through the next and previous images using arrow keys.

So default image preview app in Mac OS X (Seira or any previous version) SUCKS BIG TIME!

Windows Photo Viewer: Yes Yes Yes 1:1, fit, in/out Yes No No No Yes No XnView and XnViewMP Yes Yes Yes 1:1, fit width and/or height, lock Yes previous, next Yes user-defined Yes. Many applications on Mac OS X use either the Core Image or QuickTime APIs for image support. This enables reading and writing to a variety of formats, including. IrfanView graphic viewer. Fast and compact ( just 3 MB ) Freeware for non-commercial use; Supports Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 10; 32 and 64 bit version.

It works only if you select all images, right-click and hit preview, and then use up and down keys. That’s like 3 clicks painfully long process to what you can easily do with a single click. So I was on a hunt to find an app that can build Windows like image browsing with simple arrow keys, and simple zooming features with maybe some additional features.

Also Read:Fotojet Designer Mac App Review – For Designing Social Posts/Printables

Windows Like Best Photo Preview App for Mac OS X

The app I am going to suggest if called PhotoX, and its a completely free app on Mac App Store, but few steps mentioned below will make it run as good as windows preview tool and scrolling through images will be awesome again!

Download & Install the App

Head over to the Mac OS app store, and download our Windows like image browsing tool PhotoX.

Make it Default Image Preview App

Once you install the app, you have to make it a default preview app, otherwise, you have to right-click and select open with to work it properly.

Go to any of your folder with photos.

Right-click (control-click) on any image.

ForViewer

Click on Get Info > Click on Open With > Select Photo X > Click on Change All.

This will give you a warning that you are changing the default app for that image format. Just confirm and you’re done.

Finishing Touch!

You’re not quite done yet. As the first image, you select, might be just a JPEG. And your new Windows-like photo viewer PhotoX only defaults for that format.

So just enlist the most formats you need. My requirement was just JPEGs and PNGs. So I opened another GET INFO tab, and set PhotoX as default previewer there.

You can do additional image formats, for which you need quick formatting.

So PhotoX, not only allows you to scroll images with side arrows just like in Windows, but you can zoom in and out with Up & Down Arrows, Rotate, Tilt, Flip image, all of the good stuff using this single app!

Viewers

I simply loved a lot of things on Mac OS X, but this photo scrolling using arrow keys was the first thing I wanted to fix immediately. There are other free apps like Xee, or paid ones with even better options for editing like Adobe Lightroom, but for most basic functionality I thought it’s ridiculous to pay for an app, that does nothing but scrolling through images. So PhotoX is the best Image preview app for me at least.

Please share what other problems you might have faced with image previews, or if any other app you would like to recommend, in the comments section below.

Everyone needs the best photo viewer since people tend to photograph and post everything happening in their life, so we need a reliable method to review the images. Usually, the built-in programs don’t have enough features or mat lag. That’s why, I've compiled the list of top 10 image viewers to replace your default program.

10 Best Photo Viewers

If you want to view and edit your images, an image viewer will definitely come in handy. Each option listed below has different features and capabilities. Some programs are extendable with the help of additional plug-ins.

Whether you are going to improve your shots, perform batch photo editing or work with various file formats, you will find the best image viewer that will meet all your requirements in this post.

1. Windows Photo Viewer

Picture Viewer For Mac Free Download

Best photo viewer for Windows

  • Intuitive interface
  • Works with GIF images
  • Supports different file formats
  • Reduces file size

Those who have been using Windows since the times of the XP version might know Windows Photo Viewer. Previously, it was called Windows Picture and Fax Viewer, but later, the developers renamed it to Windows Photo Viewer.

With the release of Windows 10, Microsoft didn’t pre-install this software and provided users with other options for viewing and editing images. Windows Photo Viewer is replaced with Windows 10 Photos. However, Microsoft didn’t completely remove this program and you can activate it using the register key.

Photo Viewer allows you to view and rotate images as well as display a slideshow. Also, it is possible to share pictures using printing options, send the images via email or burn them to a disc. The program works with such image formats as BMP, JPEG, JPEG XR, PNG, ICO, GIF and TIFF.

The only drawback of Windows Photo Viewer is that it reduces the file size during photo editing.

  • View morecloud storages for photos.

2. ACDSee Ultimate

View photos inside ZIPs without extracting them

  • Excellent photo editing capabilities
  • Fast performance
  • The ability to zoom in
  • Mouse wheel is too sensitive

With ACDSee Free, you can easily view your images and quickly access the necessary functions to edit them. It is possible to use a mouse or keyboard controls to scroll through the pictures, rotate and zoom them in and out. Also, this program simplifies the printing process and setting an image as the desktop wallpaper.

It is rather convenient to use a mouse scroll wheel to navigate in a folder. However, it is a bit sensitive and you may skip some files without even noticing it.

The distinguishing feature of ACDSee Free that makes it the best Windows photo viewer is that it allows you to view files inside ZIP archives without extracting them. In addition, you can use ACDSee to perform basic picture editing. It is possible to correct exposure, colors, contrast and even fix red-eye effect to enhance the overall look of an image. Sometimes photo viewers can work a bit slowly, but ACDSee allows you to quickly browse and edit your pictures.

  • Check out this ACDSee Review.

3. FastStone Image Viewer

Perfect program for comparing and sorting multiple images

  • Different tools for basic picture editing
  • Excellent keyboard controls
  • Rather fast
  • Some operations may cause lags
  • Lack of photo rating

If you are looking for the best photos viewer, pay attention to FastStone. This program is very user-oriented and you will be amazed by its interface in a full-screen mode. Once you move a mouse to any side of the workspace, there will appear a hidden toolbar. Move the mouse away to make the pop-up panel disappear.

Another great feature of FastStone is batch photo editing. In addition, the latest release of the program can boast several useful functions. Now it is possible to work with curves, levels, lighting as well as use Unsharp Mask and Clone & Heal tools. FastStone supports different file formats including RAW.

In general, I am impressed with the numerous functions FastStone Image Viewer includes in a simple package. This program will be suitable for those, who are looking for user-friendly but an effective photo editor.

4. Movavi Photo Viewer

Best image manager

  • Supports 60 file formats
  • Fast and reliable software
  • Batch resize photos
  • Easy to navigate
  • Can lag working with large images

Among numerous image viewers available on the market, Movavi Photo Manager deserves special attention. Being fast and reliable, it is an excellent alternative to the built-in programs on Windows and Mac OS. Movavi works with numerous image formats, including RAW, JPEG, and PNG. With this image management software, it is easy to organize and enhance your photos. You can even view geotagged images with a single click.

Movavi photo manager software allows you to significantly speed up your workflow. Now you can forget about sitting in front of the computer for hours and arranging your pictures. Don't waste your time searching through numerous folders to find the necessary file. The program allows you to divide your work based on subject, client, or model using tags. With Movavi, you can also crop, flip and rotate multiple images or work with each photo individually.

  • Check out this Movavi Photo Editor Review.

5. Apowersoft Photo Viewer

Provides batch image edit

  • Supports numerous image formats
  • Works as a PDF reader
  • Has a built-in photo editor
  • User-oriented interface
  • Doesn’t include a photo management feature

Apowersoft is a Hong Kong-based software company that produces utilities for Windows. Apowersoft Photo Viewer is not only a universal and easy-to-use program, but it also has a comprehensible interface. The menu bar is hidden.

To activate it, you need to hover the mouse over the side and bottom part of the workspace. With Apowersoft, you can quickly create slideshows. It is possible to set the speed and size of the pictures as well as pause the slideshow at any time to manually zoom in the image if you need to show some details.

Being rather efficient, Apowersoft is considered to be not only the best photo viewer for Windows but a universal image editing tool. You can perform basic photo editing, add text to your images, use a drawing tool and apply various filters. Also, the program features a useful screenshot tool.

Apowersoft has very basic photo editing features. It is very similar to Microsoft Paint but Apowersoft comes with several additional functions. Nevertheless, there is an image format conversion option within the program which is rather convenient.

6. 123 Photo Viewer

Fast magnification feature

  • Easy navigation
  • Includes various filters and effects
  • Batch image format conversion
  • Fast magnification
  • Unappealing interface
  • Sometimes may lag

123 Photo Viewer definitely deserves to be on my best images viewer list. It is a fast and user-friendly program that works with different image formats and has powerful features. You can easily manage photos on your computer.

It is very convenient to look through the images using a mouse wheel. Just move a mouse pointer on the image and scroll the wheel to zoom in and out. If you want to view the next or previous file, move the mouse to the sides of an image. Also, the program offers an immediate magnification option. Just click on the photo and magnify it; click on the image again to come back to its original size.

123 Photo Viewer supports batch operations for many purposes. For example, you can convert files format, change the size of the multiple images and even rename them.

123 Photo Viewer works with animated file types such as WebP, APNG, and GIF, etc. You can switch to the full-screen mode, pause and continue displaying animation as well as go backward and forward frame by frame. It is also possible to save animation frames as individual files.

7. IrfanView

Packed with features

Picture Viewer For Mac Osx

  • Batch image editing
  • Opens almost all image formats
  • Numerous plug-ins 
  • Super-fast
  • Works only on Windows
  • The interface may seem confusing

IrfanView (named after its creator Irfan Skiljan) is a well-designed image viewer software. It has been available on the market for over 15 years and still remains one of the most useful programs you can install on your computer. It would be wrong to call it just a photo viewing software because it is capable of a lot more.

IrfanView allows you to quickly look through the pictures on your computer or create a slideshow. The program also offers a well-featured image editor, batch file conversion function and a scanner interface. If you feel like you need more features, you can expand the software with plug-ins.

It is easy to learn all IrfanView features, as the program has a bit outdated but still practical interface. You can use various keyboard shortcuts to speed up your workflow. In addition, the directory view makes it easy to navigate through folders and find the necessary file.

IrfanView is more than just a basic photo viewer. It is considered to be the perfect tool for managing and editing media files. If you need to organize, convert and retouch photos, IrfanView will help you effectively handle these tasks.

  • Check out the best website builder for photographer.

8. HoneyView

Best interface

  • Amazingly fast
  • Supports different image formats
  • Slideshow supports numerous transition effects
  • Sleek and uncluttered interface
  • Few editing options

Honeyview is a very fast, and convenient photo viewer that works with numerous popular image formats. It provides the ability to view files within ZIP or RAR folders without having to unzip them. Also, the program features a user-oriented and sleek interface. Photo management becomes a breeze using Honeyview. It allows you to quickly copy or move photos to the necessary folder. If your pictures contain geotags, you can view the location on Google Maps just clicking on the toolbar button. There are other no less useful features like display filters and effects, EXIF info overlay, customizable interface, optional context menu integration, etc.

Honeyview will be the best photo viewer for those, who want to view images and slightly enhance them. It should be noted that the program doesn’t feature some basic image editing functions as adjusting contrast, hue and saturation. It doesn’t include the crop tool as well.

9. ImageGlass

Conveniently displays image information

  • Lightweight
  • Clean and user-friendly interface
  • Different color profiles
  • Zooming is not smooth
  • Doesn’t include basic image editing tools

ImageGlass is easy-to-use photo viewing software that is designed as a decent alternative to Windows Photo Viewer. However, the program can manage the files better as it includes additional options. Moreover, there are various extensions you can add to the software to broaden its capabilities.

Free Picture Viewer For Mac

ImageGlass has an uncluttered and intuitive interface, so even a total newbie can learn it. Apart from being lightweight and universal, this program supports a variety of file formats and has enough features for effective image management.

The main feature that makes ImageGlass stand out from other photo viewers is the ability to display important file information. The title bar displays not only the name of the picture but also its file path, resolution, size, scale, time, etc.

It is possible to switch between full-screen and slideshow modes. It should be noted that these modes work separately. Although the developers missed some things, ImageGlass is still worth paying attention to. This open-source program works really well. I recommend installing this software if you want to quickly view and organize images.

10. XnView

Supports over 500 image formats

  • Compatible with Linux, Windows and Mac OS
  • Photo rating feature
  • Basic picture editing tools 
  • The ability to tag photos
  • The batch image processing features could work better

XnView allows you to quickly browse through images, view them in full-screen and slideshow modes and sort them out using various options. The program has basic picture editing features such as image rotating, cropping and resizing.

You can also enhance brightness and color, apply different filters, create a web page, etc. Moreover, it is possible to perform the majority of these operations in a photo batch processing mode.

With XnView, you can work with multiple images simultaneously, having more than one instance of the program opened. XnView features an array of options to customize the settings. It also offers a drag-and-drop function and color management. Besides, you can tag photos, install extra plug-ins and choose between 45+ languages.

Picture Viewer For Mac

Regardless of what you need your images for, you can be sure that XnView free image viewer includes all the necessary features.

  • Find out how to optimize storage Mac.

Ann Young

Picture Viewer For Macbook

Hi there, I'm Ann Young - a professional blogger, read more