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Head-to-head · Screen Magnifier Software

GNOME Shell Magnifier vs The Magnifier

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score GNOME Shell Magnifier #4 in Screen Magnifier Software 8.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 3 features Visit GNOME
The Magnifier #8 in Screen Magnifier Software 7.7/10 Paid ✓ 1 of 3 features Visit The Magnifier

GNOME Shell Magnifier leads on 1 check, The Magnifier on 1, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreGNOME Shell Magnifier · 8.6/10
  • Free planonly GNOME Shell Magnifier
  • Most featuresGNOME Shell Magnifier · 2 of 3

GNOME Shell Magnifier scores higher on our rubric for screen magnifier software: 8.6 against 7.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #8.

GNOME Shell Magnifier offers free plan; The Magnifier doesn't. The Magnifier leads on maximum magnification: 40 × versus 20 ×.

GNOME Shell Magnifier is the better fit for linux users seeking free desktop magnification. The Magnifier is the better fit for windows users who need multiple magnified areas.

  • GNOME Shell Magnifier fits best

    Linux users seeking free desktop magnification

  • The Magnifier fits best

    Windows users who need multiple magnified areas

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature GNOME Shell Magnifier 8.6/10 Visit ↗ The Magnifier 7.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.6 7.7
Ranking #4 in Screen Magnifier Software #8 in Screen Magnifier Software
Best for Linux users seeking free desktop magnification Windows users who need multiple magnified areas
Pricing model Free Paid
Starting price Free plan $49.95 one-time
Free plan ✓ (best) —
Free trial — —
Deployment Self-hosted Desktop
Platforms Linux Windows
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business
Features GNOME Shell Magnifier 2/3 · The Magnifier 1/3
Speech support — Not checked yet
Screen reader compatibility ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Color adjustments ✓ ✓
Specs
Magnification modes Not checked yet Not checked yet
Maximum magnification 20 × 40 × (best)
Supported platforms Linux Windows
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.
  • Magnifies full-screen or up to seven windowed areas at once
  • Zoom ranges from 1× to 40× in 0.1× increments
  • Tracks cursor, text caret, dialogs, and keyboard focus
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.
  • Available for Windows desktop only
  • Personal license costs $49.95 as a one-time purchase
  • No free plan; the demo is time-limited
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 →

The Magnifier is a Windows desktop utility for people who need enlarged screen content, including users with visual assistance needs and those working with presentations, training, graphics, or different screen resolutions. It offers…

Read the review →
  1. GNOME Shell MagnifierScreen Magnifier Software 8.6Free plan
  2. The MagnifierScreen Magnifier Software 7.7Paid

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.

  • The Magnifier — where it wins

    • Magnifies full-screen or up to seven windowed areas at once
    • Zoom ranges from 1× to 40× in 0.1× increments
    • Tracks cursor, text caret, dialogs, and keyboard focus

    Where it doesn't

    • Available for Windows desktop only
    • Personal license costs $49.95 as a one-time purchase
    • No free plan; the demo is time-limited

More comparisons

All screen magnifier software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update