IrfanView vs SumatraPDF

IrfanView is a Windows graphic viewer with tools for viewing, editing, and processing images. It can convert and process files in batches, rotate and crop JPGs without loss, create slideshows, scan, print, and capture the screen. Editing features include painting tools, effects, watermarking, IPTC editing, and multipage TIFF editing. The maker describes support for many file formats, with plugins adding formats such as AVIF, PDF, SVG, WebP, and camera RAW. Other plugins add OCR, FTP transfer, video playback, Photoshop filters, and PDF support; some require additional software or files. A Shell Extension adds image actions to Windows Explorer and other file managers. IrfanView is listed for Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 10, and 11, in 32-bit and 64-bit versions. Private, non-commercial use is free. Commercial use requires a license; the listed single commercial license costs $18 as a one-time purchase and is perpetual. The maker’s privacy policy says the software does not collect or transmit personal data.

SumatraPDF is a free, open-source Windows reader for PDFs, ebooks and comics. It opens PDF, EPUB, MOBI, CBZ, CBR, DjVu, XPS, CHM and common image formats. Document tools include annotation editing, form filling, signing, merging, splitting, extraction and conversion. The app supports text-to-speech, Windows UI Automation screen readers and keyboard-only use. Users can customize keyboard shortcuts, themes and toolbar layout. A portable edition runs without installation, including from a USB drive. Windows 7, 8, 10 and 11 are listed, with 32-bit, 64-bit and ARM64 builds. Documents and their names are not uploaded, although recently opened files remain in a local settings file. Update checks contact the maker’s server, and official builds send crash reports that may include document fragments. SumatraPDF has no OCR support and is not available for Mac or Linux.