Epson Scan 2 vs XSane

Epson Scan 2 is scanning software for Epson scanners and multifunction printers, with a graphical interface for scanner settings and saving scans in different file types. It supports USB connections and network scanning for compatible scanners. On Linux, network scanning requires installation of a plug-in package. Scans can also be started from the command line using a settings file, without opening the main window. Available image adjustments include background removal, text enhancement, color adjustment, descreening, color restoration, backlight correction, and skew correction. The Linux manual documents JPEG, PDF, TIFF, and Multi-TIFF output options. For OCR workflows, Auto Area Segmentation separates text from graphics, while Threshold can help OCR programs recognize text. Epson lists versions for Windows, macOS, and Linux, but supported operating systems and settings depend on the scanner model. Epson's Linux manual says the software has no official support and is distributed without warranty. Epson Scan 2 is free, but requires an Epson scanner or multifunction printer.

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.