Head-to-head · Photo Viewer Software
Geeqie vs gThumb
Geeqie leads on 0 checks, gThumb on 0, and 6 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 scoreGeeqie · 8.8/10
- Free planboth
- Most featuresGeeqie · 5 of 5
Geeqie scores higher on our rubric for photo viewer software: 8.8 against 8.5 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #6.
Geeqie is the better fit for free cross-platform photo organization. gThumb is the better fit for linux users wanting an organizer and editor.
- Geeqie fits best
Free cross-platform photo organization
- gThumb fits best
Linux users wanting an organizer and editor
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Side by side
| Feature | Geeqie 8.8/10 Visit ↗ | gThumb 8.5/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 8.8 | 8.5 |
| Ranking | #4 in Photo Viewer Software | #6 in Photo Viewer Software |
| Best for | Free cross-platform photo organization | Linux users wanting an organizer and editor |
| Pricing model | Free | Free |
| Starting price | Free plan | Free plan |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Deployment | Desktop | Self-hosted, Desktop |
| Platforms | Linux, macOS, Windows | Linux |
| Support | Community, Docs | Community |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market | Solo, Small business |
| Features Geeqie 5/5 · gThumb 3/5 | ||
| RAW image support | ✓ | ✓ |
| Side-by-side compare | ✓ (best) | Not checked yet |
| Contact sheets | ✓ (best) | Not checked yet |
| Color management | ✓ | ✓ |
| Metadata viewer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Specs | ||
| Supported platforms | Linux, macOS, Windows | Linux |
| Our review | ||
| Pros |
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| Cons |
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| Our verdict | Geeqie is a free, open-source desktop photo viewer and organizer for Linux, macOS, and Windows. It is aimed at people who want to browse folders directly, inspect RAW and other image formats, compare images, and organize files without… Read the review → |
gThumb is a desktop photo viewer, browser, editor, and organizer for Linux, with a focus on GNOME environments. It covers a wide range of image formats, including PNG, JPEG, WebP, SVG, JPEG XL, HEIF, AVIF, TIFF, GIF, and RAW. That makes it… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
Geeqie — where it wins
- Supports RAW files, broad image formats, and color-managed viewing.
- Compares images in split view with up to four panes.
- Combines metadata editing, collections, search, and duplicate finding.
Where it doesn't
- Its workflow centers on desktop folders rather than imported libraries.
- The listed integration is GIMP, so its ecosystem focus is narrow.
- File management is extensive, but advanced editing uses external editors.
gThumb — where it wins
- Supports common formats plus RAW, HEIF, AVIF, SVG, and JPEG XL
- Combines metadata editing, file management, catalogs, and search
- Free, open-source desktop software with camera import and slideshows
Where it doesn't
- Available for Linux distributions rather than multiple desktop platforms
- Editing tools focus on basic adjustments such as crop, rotation, and color controls
- Designed for GNOME workflows, which may not suit every desktop environment
- Geeqie8.8/10 · Free plan
A capable free viewer for RAW files, comparisons, metadata, collections, and bulk file work.
Visit GeeqieFull verdict → - gThumb8.5/10 · Free plan
A broad Linux photo viewer with RAW support, metadata tools, catalogs, and conversion.
Visit gThumbFull verdict →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update