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nomacs

nomacs.org

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Spec score 7.6 #16 of 31 in File Viewer Software

What it is

nomacs is a free, open-source image viewer for Windows, Linux and macOS, with support for common formats including RAW and PSD. It provides semi-transparent panels for thumbnails, metadata and histograms, and lets users attach notes to images. File browsing includes images within ZIP and MS Office files, folder thumbnail previews, and filename filters based on text or regular expressions. Image adjustments include brightness, contrast, saturation, hue, gamma and exposure, along with pseudo-color rendering. For comparison, separate nomacs instances can synchronize panning and zooming, and images can be layered at different opacity. The project also lists FreeBSD and OS/2 as supported systems. Available downloads include Windows installer and portable packages, Linux packages and Flatpak or AppImage, and macOS builds for arm64 and x86_64. Format availability depends partly on Qt image plugins, KImageFormats and optional build features, so support may differ between builds. The GNU General Public License v3 permits private and commercial use.

Spec sheet

Product
nomacs is a free, open-source image viewer for viewing common image formats, including RAW and PSD images.Read 2 Oct 2026 · nomacs.org
Integrations
The FAQ describes its original purpose as helping image-processing users compare images at different processing stages.Read 2 Oct 2026 · nomacs.org
Support
The documentation directs users to the project tracker to report bugs or request features, and invites contributions such as translations, ports, and code.Read 2 Oct 2026 · nomacs.org
Founded
2011Read 28 Sep 2026 · nomacs.org
Downloads
The installation page lists Windows 64-bit installer and portable packages, Linux packages and Flatpak/AppImage, and macOS arm64 and x86_64 builds.Read 2 Oct 2026 · nomacs.org
Editing
Image adjustments include brightness, contrast, saturation, hue, gamma, and exposure, as well as pseudo-color false-color images.Read 2 Oct 2026 · nomacs.org
File browsing
nomacs can browse images in ZIP or MS Office files, show a folder thumbnail preview, and filter filenames by text or regular expression.Read 2 Oct 2026 · nomacs.org
Formats
The documented format support depends partly on Qt image plugins, KImageFormats, and optional build features such as ENABLE_RAW and ENABLE_TIFF.Read 2 Oct 2026 · nomacs.org
Image comparison
Multiple nomacs instances can synchronize panning and zooming, and images can be overlaid at different opacity for comparison.Read 2 Oct 2026 · nomacs.org
Image information
Semi-transparent widgets can display thumbnails, metadata, and histograms; users can add notes to images.Read 2 Oct 2026 · nomacs.org
License and use
nomacs is licensed under GNU General Public License v3 and is free for private and commercial use.Read 2 Oct 2026 · nomacs.org
Other supported systems
The introduction also lists FreeBSD and OS/2 as supported platforms.Read 2 Oct 2026 · nomacs.org
Windows compatibility
The FAQ says Windows XP and Vista are not supported in future development since nomacs 3.0, though version 2.4.6 can be used on those systems.Read 2 Oct 2026 · nomacs.org

Plans and prices

nomacs Free Free for private and commercial use · GNU General Public License v3 Read 2 Oct 2026 · nomacs.org

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Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free for private and commercial use.
  • Compares images with synchronized zoom and panning.
  • Displays metadata, thumbnails and histograms.
  • Can browse images inside ZIP or MS Office files.
  • Available for Windows, Linux and macOS.

Limits

  • Format support can vary with plugins and build options.
  • Windows XP and Vista are not supported in future development.

Who it suits

nomacs suits people who need a free image viewer with browsing, adjustment and comparison tools. Its image comparison features also fit users reviewing images at different processing stages.

Verdict

nomacs combines image browsing, basic adjustments and comparison in a free viewer across several platforms. Check the format support for the specific build you plan to use.

Where Specifiction places it

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