IrfanView vs Loupe

IrfanView9.0Visit Loupe8.2Visit

Higher score IrfanView #3 in Photo Viewer Software 9.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 5 features Visit IrfanView

vs

Loupe #8 in Photo Viewer Software 8.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 5 features Visit Loupe

• IrfanView fits best

  Windows users needing batch image operations

• Loupe fits best

  Linux users wanting a simple modern viewer

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 ↗	Loupe 8.2/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.0	8.2
Ranking	#3 in Photo Viewer Software	#8 in Photo Viewer Software
Best for	Windows users needing batch image operations	Linux users wanting a simple modern viewer
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free
Starting price	$18/device one-time	Free plan
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	Windows	Linux
Support	Email, Docs	Docs, Community
Built for	Solo, Small business	Solo, Small business
Features IrfanView 0/5 · Loupe 2/5
RAW image support	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
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	Free and open-source with file chooser, file manager, and drag-and-drop workflows Shows image properties and embedded EXIF metadata Includes crop, rotate, flip, zoom, trash, copy, and send actions
Cons	Commercial use requires a perpetual license Available only on Windows Batch automation is manual rather than fully automated	Available on Linux rather than across multiple desktop platforms Basic editing tools do not replace a full image editor Format support can vary by system, with RAW support not established as standard
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 →	Loupe, also presented as GNOME Image Viewer, is a desktop application for opening, browsing, and viewing images on Linux. It suits users who want a simple viewer that can open files from a chooser, file manager, or drag-and-drop action,… Read the review →

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

• Loupe — where it wins

  • Free and open-source with file chooser, file manager, and drag-and-drop workflows
  • Shows image properties and embedded EXIF metadata
  • Includes crop, rotate, flip, zoom, trash, copy, and send actions

  Where it doesn't

  • Available on Linux rather than across multiple desktop platforms
  • Basic editing tools do not replace a full image editor
  • Format support can vary by system, with RAW support not established as standard

• IrfanView9.0/10 · Free plan

  A practical Windows viewer for batch conversion, resizing, renaming, and RAW support.

  Visit IrfanViewFull verdict →
• Loupe8.2/10 · Free plan

  A free, open-source Linux viewer for straightforward browsing, metadata, and basic image edits.

  Visit LoupeFull verdict →