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Head-to-head · Photo Viewer Software

IrfanView vs gThumb

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score IrfanView #3 in Photo Viewer Software 9.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 5 features Visit IrfanView
gThumb #6 in Photo Viewer Software 8.5/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 5 features Visit gThumb

IrfanView leads on 0 checks, gThumb on 0, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreIrfanView · 9.0/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresgThumb · 3 of 5

IrfanView scores higher on our rubric for photo viewer software: 9.0 against 8.5 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #6.

IrfanView is the better fit for windows users needing batch image operations. gThumb is the better fit for linux users wanting an organizer and editor.

  • IrfanView fits best

    Windows users needing batch image operations

  • gThumb fits best

    Linux users wanting an organizer and editor

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. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature IrfanView 9.0/10 Visit ↗ gThumb 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.0 8.5
Ranking #3 in Photo Viewer Software #6 in Photo Viewer Software
Best for Windows users needing batch image operations Linux users wanting an organizer and editor
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free
Starting price $18/device one-time Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Self-hosted, Desktop
Platforms Windows Linux
Support Email, Docs Community
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business
Features IrfanView 0/5 · gThumb 3/5
RAW image support Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Side-by-side compare Not checked yet Not checked yet
Contact sheets Not checked yet Not checked yet
Color management Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Metadata viewer Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Specs
Supported platforms Not checked yet Linux
Our review
Pros
  • Free private use includes viewing, RAW support, and batch tools
  • Batch conversion, renaming, resizing, and lossless JPEG operations
  • Plugins and command-line options extend format and workflow support
  • 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
Cons
  • Commercial use requires a perpetual license
  • Available only on Windows
  • Batch automation is manual rather than fully automated
  • 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
Our verdict

IrfanView is a lightweight Windows desktop image viewer for beginners and professionals who need more than basic file viewing. It combines image viewing with conversion, optimization, scanning, printing, slideshows, and batch processing.…

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 →
  1. IrfanViewPhoto Viewer Software 9.0Free plan
  2. gThumbPhoto Viewer Software 8.5Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • IrfanView — where it wins

    • Free private use includes viewing, RAW support, and batch tools
    • Batch conversion, renaming, resizing, and lossless JPEG operations
    • Plugins and command-line options extend format and workflow support

    Where it doesn't

    • Commercial use requires a perpetual license
    • Available only on Windows
    • Batch automation is manual rather than fully automated

  • 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

More comparisons

All photo viewer software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update