GNOME Shell Magnifier vs Microsoft Quick Assist

GSGNOME Shell Magnifier8.6Visit Microsoft Quick Assist7.9Visit

Higher score GS GNOME Shell Magnifier #4 in Screen Magnifier Software 8.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 3 features Visit GNOME

vs

Microsoft Quick Assist #5 in Screen Magnifier Software 7.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 3 features Visit Microsoft

• GNOME Shell Magnifier fits best

  Linux users seeking free desktop magnification

• Microsoft Quick Assist fits best

  Users needing remote assistance, not magnification

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Side by side

Feature	GSGNOME Shell Magnifier 8.6/10 Visit ↗	Microsoft Quick Assist 7.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.6	7.9
Ranking	#4 in Screen Magnifier Software	#5 in Screen Magnifier Software
Best for	Linux users seeking free desktop magnification	Users needing remote assistance, not magnification
Pricing model	Free	Free
Starting price	Free plan	Free plan
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Self-hosted	Cloud, Desktop, Browser extension
Platforms	Linux	Web, Windows, macOS
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Mid-market
Features GNOME Shell Magnifier 2/3 · Microsoft Quick Assist 0/3
Speech support	—	Not checked yet
Screen reader compatibility	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Color adjustments	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Specs
Magnification modes	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Maximum magnification	20 ×	Not checked yet
Supported platforms	Linux	Windows, macOS, web
Our review
Pros	Offers full-screen, lens-like, and docked magnification views. Tracks the pointer, focus, and caret, with adjustable view position. Includes crosshairs, inverted colors, and adjustable visual controls.	Free remote screen viewing with optional control requests Temporary six-digit codes and recipient approval govern sessions Annotation, chat, laser pointer, and pause support live help
Cons	Designed for Linux rather than cross-platform use. Magnification is stated up to 20× in an archived GNOME wiki page. Speech is not magnifier output; Orca is a separate screen reader.	Does not magnify the user's screen Requires someone at the recipient device to approve access macOS use is limited to Microsoft Support interactions
Our verdict	GNOME Shell Magnifier is a built-in accessibility feature for enlarging parts of the GNOME desktop. It is intended for people with low vision and others who benefit from a magnified or visually adjusted desktop. The feature is free and… Read the review →	Microsoft Quick Assist connects a helper with someone who needs help troubleshooting a Windows computer. It is designed for attended support among family, friends, or support staff: the helper generates a temporary six-digit security code,… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• GNOME Shell Magnifier — where it wins

  • Offers full-screen, lens-like, and docked magnification views.
  • Tracks the pointer, focus, and caret, with adjustable view position.
  • Includes crosshairs, inverted colors, and adjustable visual controls.

  Where it doesn't

  • Designed for Linux rather than cross-platform use.
  • Magnification is stated up to 20× in an archived GNOME wiki page.
  • Speech is not magnifier output; Orca is a separate screen reader.

• Microsoft Quick Assist — where it wins

  • Free remote screen viewing with optional control requests
  • Temporary six-digit codes and recipient approval govern sessions
  • Annotation, chat, laser pointer, and pause support live help

  Where it doesn't

  • Does not magnify the user's screen
  • Requires someone at the recipient device to approve access
  • macOS use is limited to Microsoft Support interactions

• GSGNOME Shell Magnifier8.6/10 · Free plan

  A free GNOME desktop magnifier with adjustable zoom, tracking, and color controls.

  Visit GNOMEFull verdict →
• Microsoft Quick Assist7.9/10 · Free plan

  A free attended support tool, not a screen magnifier.

  Visit MicrosoftFull verdict →