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Pineapple Pictures

github.com

Free plan Open source WindowsmacOSLinuxSelf-hosted
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Spec score 8.3 #6 of 34 in Photo Viewer Software

What it is

Pineapple Pictures is an image viewer for opening common image formats on Linux, macOS, and Windows. Its listed formats include JPEG, PNG, GIF, SVG, PSD, KRA, XCF, TGA, HDR, and AVIF. A Stay-on-Top setting can keep a reference image visible above other software while you work. The project also lists RAW support and a metadata viewer; optional libexiv2 support is recommended for showing more image metadata.

The viewer is free, and Pineapple Pictures as a whole is licensed under MIT, though individual files may have other compatible licenses. Downloads are linked through GitHub Releases, SourceForge, Arch Linux AUR, itch.io, and FlatHub. Format availability depends on Qt imageformats plugins, which users may need to obtain from their distribution or build themselves on Windows. Release 1.6.0 lists Linux with Qt 6.4 or later and a stacking window manager, Windows x64, and macOS ARM. The maintainer says the project will remain in maintenance mode for the foreseeable future while continuing to receive updates. An itch.io purchase supports development and provides experimental additional format support.

Spec sheet

What it does
Pineapple Pictures is a lightweight desktop viewer for opening images quickly.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Purpose
Pineapple Pictures is a lightweight image viewer for opening common image formats.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Audience
The README describes a use case of keeping a reference image visible while working in other software.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Platforms
Release 1.6.0 lists Linux, Windows x64 and ARM-based macOS as supported platforms.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Security
The 1.6.0 release page says its tag and commit were signed with the committer’s verified signature.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Support
The maintainer directs users with issues to open a GitHub Discussion thread or issue.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
License
The project as a whole uses the MIT license, with some individual files under compatible licenses.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Maker
Flathub identifies the maker as Gary (BLumia) Wang and contributors.Read 15 Oct 2026 · flathub.org
Additional formats
The maintainer says an itch.io purchase supports development and provides experimental additional image format support.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Binary availability
The 1.6.0 release provides binaries for Windows, Ubuntu 24.04, deepin 25 and macOS, while other distributions can build from source.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Build dependencies
Manual builds require CMake, Qt6 with Qt SVG and Qt tools; libexiv2 is optional but recommended for more metadata.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Build requirements
Manual builds use CMake, Qt 6 with qt6-svg and qt6-tools, and a C++ compiler; libexiv2 is optional.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Build system
The project instructs developers to build with CMake and a normal C++ compiler, producing a ppic executable.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Clipboard support
The guide documents copying an image to the clipboard and displaying an image pasted from the clipboard.Read 15 Oct 2026 · freesoft-100.com
Distribution
The project links to GitHub Releases, SourceForge, Arch Linux AUR, itch.io, and FlatHub for downloads.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Formats
The README lists JPEG, PNG, GIF, SVG, PSD, KRA, XCF, TGA, HDR, and AVIF among supported formats.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Image management
Flathub describes the application as having no image-management functionality.Read 15 Oct 2026 · flathub.org
Image plugins
Image format support depends on Qt imageformats plugins, which users may need to obtain from their distribution or build themselves on Windows.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Keyboard shortcuts
Documented shortcuts include arrow-key navigation, mouse-wheel zoom, Ctrl+C, Ctrl+V, Ctrl+R, Delete, Ctrl+I, Ctrl+O and F11.Read 15 Oct 2026 · freesoft-100.com
Latest release
Version 1.6.0 was released on 21 August 2026.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Limit: file association
Independent reviews report that the portable build does not conveniently register image-file associations.Read 15 Oct 2026 · xiaoyi.vc
Limit: format gaps
Appinn commenters report missing APNG and HEIC support in their testing.Read 15 Oct 2026 · appinn.com
Limit: missing slideshow
A 2020 review lists the lack of slideshow playback and configurable shortcuts as shortcomings.Read 15 Oct 2026 · xiaoyi.vc
Limit: portable setup
A Japanese software site says users must manually associate ppic.exe with images because only a portable version is supplied.Read 15 Oct 2026 · pc.mogeringo.com
Limit: workflow friction
Appinn commenters criticize unclear folder opening and slower startup than a competing viewer.Read 15 Oct 2026 · appinn.com
Linux requirement
The 1.6.0 release requires at least Qt 6.4 on Linux and recommends a stacking window manager, preferably X11.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Maintenance
The maintainer says Pineapple Pictures will remain in maintenance mode for the foreseeable future and will continue to receive updates.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Maintenance status
The maintainer says Pineapple Pictures is entering maintenance mode while updates will continue.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Maker location
Gary Wang's public Stack Overflow profile lists China as his location.Read 15 Oct 2026 · stackoverflow.com
Metadata
The project recommends optional libexiv2 support to display more image metadata.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Metadata option
CMake can disable Exiv2 metadata support with EXIV2_METADATA_SUPPORT=OFF.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Plugin extensibility
Image-format coverage relies on Qt imageformat plugins, which users obtain from their distribution or install manually on Windows.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Portable use
The Japanese guide says the Windows ZIP can be extracted and launched through ppic.exe without installation.Read 15 Oct 2026 · freesoft-100.com
Praise: lightweight performance
MajorGeeks describes it as a fast-opening, lightweight viewer that avoids the bulk of a full photo editor.Read 15 Oct 2026 · majorgeeks.com
Praise: low resource use
An independent Chinese review says the Qt package is relatively large but runtime resource use is low.Read 15 Oct 2026 · xiaoyi.vc
Praise: simplicity
Softpedia praises the minimal interface, intuitive commands and efficient operation.Read 15 Oct 2026 · softpedia.com
Protected mode
Protected mode prevents accidental closing until the protection is disabled.Read 15 Oct 2026 · freesoft-100.com
QMake limitation
The repository says its QMake project is only for testing and lacks Exiv2 support; CMake is the supported route.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Rating on FreeSoft100
4.00 out of 5 from 1 reviewRead 15 Oct 2026 · freesoft-100.com
Rating on MajorGeeks
5 out of 5 from 8 reviewsRead 15 Oct 2026 · majorgeeks.com
Rating on Softpedia
4.0 out of 5 from 8 reviewsRead 15 Oct 2026 · softpedia.com
Recent feature
Version 1.6.0 adds an option to show or hide bird-eye view and allows dragging the title bar to move a maximized window.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Recent features
Version 1.6.0 added maximized-window dragging and an option to show or hide the bird-eye view.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Stay on top
A Stay-on-Top window setting lets users pin a reference image above other software.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Stay-on-top mode
A stay-on-top setting keeps a reference image above other applications.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Supported formats
The README lists JPEG, PNG, GIF, SVG, PSD, KRA, XCF, TGA, HDR and AVIF among supported formats.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Supported systems
Release 1.6.0 lists Linux with Qt 6.4 or later and a stacking window manager, Windows x64, and macOS ARM as supported platforms.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Translations
Translation contributions are handled through Weblate.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Viewing controls
The Japanese guide documents actual-size, maximize, zoom, rotate, flip, fullscreen and checkerboard-background controls.Read 15 Oct 2026 · freesoft-100.com
Zoom navigation
Flathub says the viewer includes a navigation thumbnail when an image is zoomed.Read 15 Oct 2026 · flathub.org

Plans and prices

Free Free Desktop image viewing · MIT-licensed source · Windows/Linux/macOS builds Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Pineapple Pictures Free MIT-licensed image viewer; paid itch.io purchase offers experimental additional image format support Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com

Every Pineapple Pictures plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Stay-on-Top can pin a reference image above other software.
  • Lists support for JPEG, PNG, SVG, PSD, and more.
  • Free plan; the project as a whole uses MIT.
  • Available for Linux, macOS, and Windows.

Limits

  • Format availability depends on Qt imageformats plugins.
  • Windows users may need to build plugins themselves.
  • Linux release requires Qt 6.4 or later and a stacking window manager.

Who it suits

It suits people who want a simple image viewer, especially anyone who needs to keep a reference image visible while working in other software. It is also relevant to users of Linux, macOS, or Windows who need to view the listed image formats.

Verdict

Pineapple Pictures covers common image viewing across three desktop operating systems, with a useful pinning option for reference work. Check plugin availability for the formats you need, especially on Windows.

Where Specifiction places it

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