SilverFast vs XSane
SilverFast
silverfast.comXSane
sane-project.orgSide by side
| Figure | SilverFast | XSane |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | — |
| Free plan | — | — |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 3 | 0 |
| Spec score · Scanner Software | 8.4 (#6) | 6.7 (#22) |
| Platforms | SilverFast is available for Mac and Windows; the maker lists support for Intel and Apple Silicon Macs and 64-bit Windows systems for version 9. | 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. |
| Purpose | SilverFast scanner software is individually adjusted for about 340 scanner models to digitize analog images. | XSane is described as an improved graphical frontend for scanners. |
| Support | SilverFast provides a Help Center, FAQs, video tutorials, manuals, and a support tool. | The SANE project provides an issues system for reporting bugs or missing features in sane-frontends. |
Plans
SilverFast
- SilverFast SE$49, paid once
- SilverFast SE Plus$99, paid once
- SilverFast Ai StudioPrice not published
In their own words
SilverFast
SilverFast is scanner and digital imaging software for digitizing photos, slides, negatives, and Kodachromes. Its scanner software is individually adjusted for about 340 scanner models. WorkflowPilot guides image-processing tasks, while color management, scanner-specific profiles, NegaFix, automatic and manual optimization, and dust and scratch removal provide tools for scan work. Some functions, including infrared dust removal and Multi-Exposure, depend on scanner hardware. Ai Studio includes automatic IT8 color calibration. The Archive Suite can save scans as RAW files, which may preserve an infrared channel for later dust and scratch removal. SilverFast HDR works with scanned and other digital images; HDR Studio adds color restoration, exposure compensation, sharpening, and related controls for 64-bit/48-bit image data. JobManager handles scan sequences and batch optimization. The software runs on Windows and macOS as a standalone application or Photoshop plug-in; iOS is also listed. SilverFast SE costs $49, paid once, SE Plus $99, paid once, and Ai Studio $249,349, paid once. A free trial is available.
XSane
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.