Geeqie vs HFSExplorer
Geeqie
geeqie.orgHFSExplorer
catacombae.orgSide by side
| Figure | Geeqie | HFSExplorer |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · File Viewer Software | 7.9 (#12) | 7.8 (#13) |
| Platforms | The site lists GNU/Linux, FreeBSD, NetBSD, OpenBSD, and macOS availability, and says Geeqie can be run on Windows 11. | The Windows installer is offered alongside a cross-platform ZIP distribution; the page describes ZIP use on Linux, macOS and FreeBSD. |
| Purpose | Geeqie is an image viewer and organiser for Linux, FreeBSD, and other Unix-like operating systems. | HFSExplorer reads Mac-formatted hard disks and disk images. |
| Support | The project site directs users to a mailing list and GitHub bug reporting. | The page directs bug reports to GitHub issue tracking and discussions to GitHub discussion forums. |
Plans
In their own words
Geeqie
Geeqie is a free image viewer and organiser for Linux, macOS and Windows. It displays images as thumbnails, in multiple windows or full screen, and users can point it at a folder rather than import images. File operations include copying, moving, renaming and deleting; searches can use file date, size or image similarity, and the duplicate finder can compare dimensions or checksums. Geeqie browses and edits Exif, IPTC and XMP metadata, and supports XMP keywords for searching. Documented formats include JPEG, PNG, GIF, TIFF, RAW variants and SVG, as well as images in ZIP and TAR archives. It can show video previews and thumbnails, with clips run through a defined external program. Slideshows can be remotely controlled using command-line scripts or an infrared device. Configurable plugins can call external programs such as Gimp, and images can be opened in an external editor. The project directs users to a mailing list and GitHub bug reporting. Geeqie is the successor to GqView, which was renamed Geeqie in 2007. The listed plan costs nothing and is GPLv2 open software.
HFSExplorer
HFSExplorer is a free, read-only desktop program for browsing Mac-formatted hard disks and disk images on Linux, macOS, and Windows. It supports HFS, HFS+, and HFSX file systems. Its graphical browser can show volume information and extract files, and the program can create disk images. It reads most Mac.dmg and.sparsebundle images, including zlib- or bzip2-compressed images and AES-128- or AES-256-encrypted images. Supported partition schemes are Master Boot Record, GUID Partition Table, and Apple Partition Map. The listed price is free, and the software is released under GPL version 3 with no warranties. HFSExplorer requires Java SE Runtime Environment version 5.0 or later; its page says OpenJDK works. Accessing physical disks requires administrator or equivalent privileges. The page also describes a separate minimal text-mode program as unmaintained and limited to HFS+. Bug reports and discussion are directed to GitHub. The listed latest version is 2026.4.9, dated April 9, 2026.