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SPECIFICTION
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XSane

sane-project.org

WindowsLinux
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Spec score 6.7 #22 of 22 in Scanner Software

What it is

XSane is a free, open-source graphical frontend for scanners. It supports ICC/ICM color profiles and image enhancements for gamma handling and histograms. Standalone tools can scan and save, scan and view, copy, fax and email. Scan-and-save supports JPEG, PNG, PNM, PS, raw and TIFF formats. XSane also works as a GIMP plug-in. The SANE frontend listing marks it temporarily offline, while download guidance points users to distributor or volunteer binary packages and recommends vendor packages for Linux. Git snapshots may contain fixes or features absent from stable releases, but the project says those builds are untested. The SANE homepage lists sane-frontends 1.0.14 as released on 2005-09-18. Listed platforms include Linux, Unix, OS/2 and Windows, including a Windows 9x/NT/2000 network scanning version. Users can report bugs or missing features through the project issues system.

Spec sheet

Purpose
XSane is described as an improved graphical frontend for scanners.Read 9 Oct 2026 · sane-project.org
Platforms
The project page lists Unix systems including Linux, IRIX, and AIX, an OS/2 version with X11, and a Windows 9x/NT/2000 network-scanning version.Read 4 Oct 2026 · sane-project.org
Support
The SANE project provides an issues system for reporting bugs or missing features in sane-frontends.Read 4 Oct 2026 · sane-project.org
Availability note
The SANE frontends page marks XSane as temporarily offline.Read 9 Oct 2026 · sane-project.org
Availability status
The SANE frontend listing labels XSane as temporarily offline.Read 4 Oct 2026 · sane-project.org
Color management
XSane supports color management with ICC/ICM profiles.Read 9 Oct 2026 · sane-project.org
Development builds
The project says Git snapshots may include fixes or features absent from stable releases and are untested.Read 4 Oct 2026 · sane-project.org
Development downloads
The SANE snapshots index lists a sane-frontends snapshot dated 2026-10-08.Read 9 Oct 2026 · sane-project.org
Downloads
The SANE download page directs users to distributor or volunteer binary packages and recommends Linux users use their vendor’s packages.Read 4 Oct 2026 · sane-project.org
Enhancement tools
The page lists improved gamma handling and a histogram among XSane’s features.Read 9 Oct 2026 · sane-project.org
File formats
The standalone scan-and-save utility supports JPEG, PNG, PNM, PS, raw, and TIFF formats.Read 4 Oct 2026 · sane-project.org
GIMP integration
XSane is available as a GIMP plug-in.Read 9 Oct 2026 · sane-project.org
Image adjustments
The frontend includes enhancement functions for gamma handling and a histogram.Read 4 Oct 2026 · sane-project.org
Linux and Unix
The page lists Unix platforms including Linux, IRIX, and AIX as supported platforms.Read 9 Oct 2026 · sane-project.org
OS/2 support
The page lists an OS/2 version with X11.Read 9 Oct 2026 · sane-project.org
Output formats
The standalone scan-and-save utility supports JPEG, PNG, PNM, PS, raw, and TIFF formats.Read 9 Oct 2026 · sane-project.org
Project updates
The SANE homepage lists sane-frontends 1.0.14 as released on 2005-09-18.Read 4 Oct 2026 · sane-project.org
SANE relationship
SANE’s download page says users of advanced graphical frontends like XSane do not need the sane-frontends package.Read 9 Oct 2026 · sane-project.org
Standalone tools
In standalone mode, XSane provides scan-and-save, scan-and-view, copy, fax, and email utilities.Read 4 Oct 2026 · sane-project.org
Standalone use
In standalone mode, XSane can scan and save, scan and view, copy, fax, and email.Read 9 Oct 2026 · sane-project.org
Windows support
The page lists a Windows 9x/NT/2000 network scanning version.Read 9 Oct 2026 · sane-project.org

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free and open source
  • ICC/ICM color management
  • Standalone scan and fax tools
  • GIMP plug-in available
  • Supports multiple image formats

Limits

  • Listed as temporarily offline
  • Development snapshots are untested
  • Stable release listed from 2005
  • Downloads depend on distributors or volunteers

Who it suits

It suits users who need scanner control with color management, standalone utilities or GIMP integration. Linux and other listed Unix-family users should review the current availability and package guidance first.

Verdict

XSane offers broad scanner utilities and image controls across several listed platforms. Its offline status and dated stable release make current availability an important consideration.

Where Specifiction places it

Alternatives to XSaneAll alternatives →