nomacs review
A capable open-source viewer for RAW, PSD, comparison, metadata, and batch workflows.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
nomacs is a free, open-source desktop image viewer for Windows, Linux, and macOS, with support also listed for FreeBSD, OS/2, and other systems. It suits photographers, designers, and technical users who need more than basic image opening. The viewer handles common formats, including RAW and PSD, while folder thumbnails, a file explorer panel, filename filtering, and image caching support image-heavy directories. Metadata and histogram displays add inspection tools, and synchronized viewers allow images to be compared in parallel.
Its strongest fit is a workflow that combines viewing, comparison, and light editing. Brightness, contrast, saturation, hue, gamma, and exposure adjustments are available alongside cropping, resizing, and rotation. nomacs can also browse images inside ZIP or Microsoft Office files, then apply batch processing or command-line options for repeatable operations. These features give it broader utility than a viewer limited to opening files, while keeping the product centered on desktop image handling rather than a full cataloging or asset-management system.
The open-source model and free availability make nomacs suitable for private and commercial use under the GNU General Public License v3. Users should pay attention to build configuration: RAW support depends on a LibRaw-enabled build or relevant plugins, and supported formats and platforms can vary. Choose nomacs if you want a cross-platform, open-source viewer with comparison, metadata, adjustments, and batch capabilities. Choose another option if you need a mobile-first experience or require identical format and platform support across every installation.
nomacs pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Supports common formats, including RAW and PSD
- Synchronized viewers enable direct image comparison
- Batch processing and command-line options support repeatable workflows
- Where it doesn't
- RAW support depends on the build or relevant plugins
- Desktop-focused rather than a mobile photo viewer
- Supported formats and platforms can vary by build configuration
nomacs fact sheet, pricing and score →
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