The Best Microsoft Photos AlternativesTop Image Viewers & Photo Managers like Microsoft Photos

Microsoft Photos is described as 'You can use the Photos app to view or edit photos and videos in your Pictures library and on OneDrive, and to import photos and videos. The Photos app includes a wide range of editing options to enhance your photos, from automatic fixes to advanced adjustments' and is a Image Viewer in the photos & graphics category. There are more than 100 alternatives to Microsoft Photos for a variety of platforms, including Windows, Mac, Linux, Android and Flathub apps. The best Microsoft Photos alternative is IrfanView. It's not free, so if you're looking for a free alternative, you could try Fossify Gallery or ImageGlass. Other great apps like Microsoft Photos are nomacs, XnView MP, qView and FastStone Image Viewer.

filter to find the best alternatives

Microsoft Photos alternatives are mainly Image Viewers, but if you're looking for Image Editors or Photo Managers you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Windows + Open Source. You can also filter by region, for example EU-based alternatives if you prefer software developed in the European Union. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to Microsoft Photos.
Microsoft Photos iconMicrosoft Photos
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You can use the Photos app to view or edit photos and videos in your Pictures library and on OneDrive, and to import photos and videos. The Photos app includes a wide range of editing options to enhance your photos, from...

More about Microsoft Photos
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Microsoft Photos alternatives page was last updated May 22, 2025
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  1. IrfanView icon

    IrfanView

     973 likes
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    Compact and efficient image application offering viewing, editing, and conversion with batch processing, multi-language support, plugin extensibility, and ad-free operation suitable for Windows and portable use.

    147 IrfanView alternatives

    License model

    • Free Personal • Proprietary

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • BA flagBosnia & Herzegovina

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • PortableApps.com
    IrfanView screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Intuitive Interface
    3.  Customizable

    Features

    1.  Batch conversion
    2.  Image Conversion
    3.  Image Navigation
    4.  Portable
    5.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    6.  Batch Rename Files
    7.  Ad-free
    8.  Command line interface
    9.  Convert images to PDF
    10.  No registration required
    11.  Works Offline
    12.  Lossless Compression

    IrfanView VS Microsoft Photos

     
    Comments about IrfanView as an Alternative to Microsoft Photos
    Adam Piggott
    Negative May 19, 2024
    0

    Does not have full-fledged library/album support.

    Guest
    Negative Jun 29, 2018
    0

    Because of the green font left

    Microsoft Photos Icon
    IrfanView icon

    • Most users think IrfanView is a great Microsoft Photos alternative.

    • IrfanView is the most popular Windows alternative to Microsoft Photos.

    • IrfanView is the most popular free alternative to Microsoft Photos.

    • IrfanView is Free Personal and ProprietaryMicrosoft Photos is Free and Proprietary
    • IrfanView is LightweightMicrosoft Photos is not according to our users
  2. Fossify Gallery icon

    Fossify Gallery

     75 likes
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    Unleash memories, not personal data. Fossify Gallery is the ultimate photo and video app that's as powerful as it is private. No ads, no unnecessary permissions – just a seamless experience tailored for you.

    62 Fossify Gallery alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • IN flagIndia

    Platforms

    • Android
    • F-Droid
    • Android Tablet
    Fossify Gallery screenshot 1
    Fossify Gallery screenshot 2
    Fossify Gallery screenshot 3

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Photo Gallery
    2.  Ad-free
    3.  Works Offline
    4.  No Tracking
    5.  No registration required
    6.  Remove EXIF Data
    7.  Dark Mode

    Fossify Gallery VS Microsoft Photos

     

    • Fossify Gallery is the most popular Android & Android Tablet alternative to Microsoft Photos.

    • Fossify Gallery is the most popular Open Source alternative to Microsoft Photos.

    • Fossify Gallery is Free and Open SourceMicrosoft Photos is Free and Proprietary
    • Fossify Gallery is Privacy focused and LightweightMicrosoft Photos is not according to our users
  4. ImageGlass icon

    ImageGlass

     213 likes
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    A feature-rich, simple-to-use app seamlessly integrated with a clean, minimal and modern user interface.

    74 ImageGlass alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • VN flagVietnam

    Platforms

    • Windows
    ImageGlass screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Support for Themes
    3.  Customizable
    4.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Portable
    2.  Fullscreen support
    3.  X86/x64 Compatibility
    4.  Crop images
    5.  No registration required
    6.  Ad-free
    7.  Built-in Color Picker
    8.  Dark Mode
    9.  Works Offline
    10.  Support for SVG
    11.  Multiple languages
    12.  Built-in viewer

    ImageGlass VS Microsoft Photos

     
    Comments about ImageGlass as an Alternative to Microsoft Photos
    Adam Piggott
    Negative May 19, 2024
    0

    Does not have full-fledged library/album support.

    Guest
    Positive May 18, 2020
    3

    ImageGlass is lightweight, simple and beautiful. There are themes which can make the in-app icons look like Windows 10. The settings are really customisable too.

    Microsoft Photos Icon
    ImageGlass icon

    • Almost everyone thinks ImageGlass is a great Microsoft Photos alternative.

    • ImageGlass is Free and Open SourceMicrosoft Photos is Free and Proprietary
    • ImageGlass is Lightweight and CustomizableMicrosoft Photos is not according to our users
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  6. nomacs icon

    nomacs

     231 likes
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    nomacs is a free, open source image viewer, which supports multiple platforms. You can use it for viewing all common image formats including RAW and psd images.

    90 nomacs alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • DE flagGermany
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • FreeBSD
    • Flathub
    nomacs screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Customizable
    3.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Multiplatform
    2.  Image browser
    3.  Crop images
    4.  Support for SVG
    5.  RAW Photo Editors
    6.  Ad-free
    7.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    8.  Portable
    9.  Dark Mode
    10.  No registration required
    11.  Works Offline
    12.  Frameless

    nomacs VS Microsoft Photos

     
    Comments about nomacs as an Alternative to Microsoft Photos
    Guest
    Positive Oct 29, 2024
    0

    It's FOSS, supports multiple platforms & has a portable version.

    mohas
    Positive Oct 28, 2020
    0

    I just want a photo viewer that is simple and fast without extra luggage, nomacs is just that

    Microsoft Photos Icon
    nomacs icon

    • Almost everyone thinks nomacs is a great Microsoft Photos alternative.

    • nomacs is the most popular Mac & Linux alternative to Microsoft Photos.

    • nomacs is Free and Open SourceMicrosoft Photos is Free and Proprietary
    • nomacs is LightweightMicrosoft Photos is not according to our users
  7. XnView MP icon

    XnView MP

     379 likes
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    Comprehensive photo management software for viewing, batch converting, editing and resizing images and creating thumbnail sheets.

    140 XnView MP alternatives

    License model

    • Free Personal • Proprietary

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • FR flagFrance
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    XnView MP screenshot 1

    Top XnView MP Features

    1.  Media library
    2.  Batch image manipulation
    3.  Batch Editing
    4.  Thumbnails
    5.  Ad-free
    6.  Sorting by tags
    7.  File Tagging
    8.  Works Offline
    9.  Portable
    10.  Batch Rename Files
    11.  Dark Mode
    12.  No Tracking

    XnView MP VS Microsoft Photos

     
  8. qView icon

    qView

     77 likes
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    Fast and lightweight Qt-based image viewer with support for Windows, macOS, and Linux. Features include multiple format support, customizable interface, GIF playback, high-resolution display compatibility, and efficient navigation through keyboard shortcuts.

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    qView screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Minimalistic
    2.  Lightweight
    3.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Fullscreen support
    2.  Portable
    3.  QT Based
    4.  Ad-free
    5.  Works Offline
    6.  Dark Mode

    qView VS Microsoft Photos

     
    Comments about qView as an Alternative to Microsoft Photos
    Barrett
    Positive May 3, 2022
    1

    It's a lightweight alternative to Microsoft's Photos app. For LTSC users like myself, it is useful to have a modern photo viewer, allowing us to skip Windows Photo Viewer. Highly recommend!

    Guest
    Positive Oct 4, 2020
    1

    it is more simplistic, faster in loading images and doesn't come with stuff like video editor like windows photos does. it is also open source and therefore it's perfect.

    Microsoft Photos Icon
    qView icon

    • Almost everyone thinks qView is a great Microsoft Photos alternative.

    • qView is Free and Open SourceMicrosoft Photos is Free and Proprietary
    • qView is Minimalistic, Lightweight and Privacy focusedMicrosoft Photos is not according to our users
  10. FastStone Image Viewer icon

    FastStone Image Viewer

     476 likes
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    Fast image browser and editor for Windows with robust support for browsing, editing, and conversion. Features red-eye removal, resizing, enhanced EXIF access, and musical slideshows with over 150 effects.

    126 FastStone Image Viewer alternatives

    License model

    • Free Personal • Proprietary

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • CN flagChina

    Platforms

    • Windows
    A Screenshot of the whole program interface

    Properties

    1.  Intuitive Interface
    2.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Image browser
    2.  Batch Editing
    3.  Batch conversion
    4.  Slideshow mode
    5.  Batch processing
    6.  Built-in Image editor
    7.  Works Offline
    8.  Portable
    9.  Ad-free
    10.  Batch Rename Files
    11.  No registration required
    12.  Dark Mode

    FastStone Image Viewer VS Microsoft Photos

     
  11. PicView icon

    PicView

     43 likes
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    PicView is a fast, free and fully customizable image viewer for Windows 10 and 11.

    53 PicView alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • International

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Minimalistic dark theme

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Privacy focused
    3.  Customizable

    Features

    1.  Fullscreen support
    2.  Image zoom
    3.  Color Picker
    4.  Portable
    5.  Dark Mode
    6.  Lossless Compression
    7.  Multiple languages
    8.  No registration required
    9.  Ad-free
    10.  Works Offline
    11.  Hardware Accelerated
    12.  Batch Editing

    PicView VS Microsoft Photos

     
  12. JPEGView icon

    JPEGView

     144 likes
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    Lightweight Simple Image Viewer with Slide show feature, Resize and Lossless-cut, Color correction, Rename, Multi-language and more...

    132 JPEGView alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • International

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • PortableApps.com
    Very simple. Only a title bar other than the picture.

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Minimalistic
    3.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Image Preview
    2.  Portable
    3.  Borderless
    4.  Play as Movie
    5.  Works Offline
    6.  No registration required
    7.  Ad-free
    8.  Batch Rename Files
    9.  Hardware Accelerated
    10.  Function Key Shortcuts
    11.  Built-in editor
    12.  Image Processing

    JPEGView VS Microsoft Photos

     
    Comments about JPEGView as an Alternative to Microsoft Photos
    Sam Lander
    Positive May 22, 2025
    0

    Portable and much more lightweight/snappy than Microsoft Photos.

    Microsoft Photos Icon
    JPEGView icon
    • JPEGView is Free and Open SourceMicrosoft Photos is Free and Proprietary
    • JPEGView is Lightweight, Minimalistic and Privacy focusedMicrosoft Photos is not according to our users
  13. Simple Gallery icon

    Simple Gallery

     87 likes
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    Simple Gallery is a highly customizable offline gallery. Organize & edit your photos, recover deleted files with the recycle bin, protect & hide files and view a huge variety of different photo & video formats including RAW, SVG and much more.

    61 Simple Gallery alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • SK flagSlovakia
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • F-Droid
    Simple Gallery screenshot 1
    Simple Gallery screenshot 2
    Simple Gallery screenshot 3
    Warning

    The Simple Mobile Tools suite of mobile apps have been bought by ZipoApps in December 2023, and now show some ads, while not being open source anymore. If you're looking for something similar to the original Simple Mobile Tools apps, you should take a look at the Fossify suite of apps (listed on AlternativeTo). More information here: Simple Mobile Tools bought by ZipoApps, sparks controversy over future of open source apps

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Customizable
    3.  Support for Themes

    Features

    1.  Photo Gallery
    2.  Hidden Photo Album
    3.  Dark Mode
    4.  Works Offline
    5.  Built-in editor
    6.  No registration required
    7.  RAW Photo Editors
    8.  Batch Editing
    9.  Batch Rename Files
    10.  Wallpaper Cycling
    11.  Protected by Password

    Simple Gallery VS Microsoft Photos

     
10 of 115 Microsoft Photos alternatives