Head-to-head · Photo Viewer Software
FastStone Image Viewer vs ImageGlass
FastStone Image Viewer leads on 1 check, ImageGlass on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scoreFastStone Image Viewer · 9.1/10
- Free planboth
- Free trialonly ImageGlass
- Most featuresFastStone Image Viewer · 5 of 5
FastStone Image Viewer scores higher on our rubric for photo viewer software: 9.1 against 7.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #11.
FastStone Image Viewer offers side-by-side compare; ImageGlass doesn't.
FastStone Image Viewer is the better fit for windows users wanting a free all-round viewer. ImageGlass is the better fit for free multi-platform format coverage.
- FastStone Image Viewer fits best
Windows users wanting a free all-round viewer
- ImageGlass fits best
Free multi-platform format coverage
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Side by side
| Feature | FastStone Image Viewer 9.1/10 Visit ↗ | ImageGlass 7.6/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 9.1 | 7.6 |
| Ranking | #2 in Photo Viewer Software | #11 in Photo Viewer Software |
| Best for | Windows users wanting a free all-round viewer | Free multi-platform format coverage |
| Pricing model | Free plan + paid | Free plan + paid |
| Starting price | — | $99/seat/yr |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free trial | — | 14 days |
| Deployment | Desktop | Desktop |
| Platforms | Windows | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Support | Email, Docs | Email, Community, Docs, Tickets |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Enterprise | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise |
| Features FastStone Image Viewer 5/5 · ImageGlass 3/5 | ||
| RAW image support | ✓ | ✓ |
| Side-by-side compare | ✓ (best) | — |
| Contact sheets | ✓ (best) | Not checked yet |
| Color management | ✓ | ✓ |
| Metadata viewer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Specs | ||
| Supported platforms | Windows | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Our review | ||
| Pros |
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| Cons |
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| Our verdict | FastStone Image Viewer is a Windows desktop application for browsing, viewing, organizing, comparing, editing, converting, and presenting digital images. It suits Windows users who want more than a basic viewer, particularly photographers… Read the review → |
ImageGlass is a desktop image viewer for people who need broad file-format coverage across Windows, macOS, and Linux. It opens more than 90 formats, including SVG, HEIC, WEBP, animated images, HDR formats, and camera RAW files. The feature… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
FastStone Image Viewer — where it wins
- Supports camera RAW formats and EXIF metadata viewing
- Compares up to four images and creates configurable contact sheets
- Adds batch conversion, renaming, scanning, editing, slideshows, and portability
Where it doesn't
- Commercial use requires a paid lifetime license
- Available for Windows rather than multiple desktop platforms
- Its broad toolset may be more than casual viewers need
ImageGlass — where it wins
- Opens more than 90 formats, including RAW, SVG, HEIC, and WEBP
- Free Classic plan is open source under GPLv3
- Color management, metadata viewing, plugins, and basic editing tools
Where it doesn't
- Side-by-side A/B comparison is still in development
- Basic HDR support may not meet advanced imaging workflows
- Pro purchases are final and non-refundable
- FastStone Image Viewer9.1/10 · Free plan
A free Windows viewer with RAW support, comparison, batch tools, editing, and scanning.
Visit FastStoneFull verdict → - ImageGlass7.6/10 · Free plan · 14-day trial
A capable free viewer for broad format coverage across Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Visit ImageGlassFull verdict →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update