12 Best Photo Viewers for Windows 10

While Windows 10 does come with a pre-installed photo viewer, the best photo viewer for Windows 10 depends on the user’s requirements. Take a look below to see the differences between the best image viewers for Windows 10.

Our special pick from the table above is Movavi Photo Editor. This software isn’t just a useful way to view and organize your photos, which will save time when searching through countless libraries of images, but it also includes a sophisticated and powerful image editing mode. Powered by Artificial Intelligence, this machine learning viewer and editor has intuitive controls to make powerful image edits at a fraction of the time it would take to manually tweak settings. It has an auto enhance slider, fast image background removal, can restore old torn and damaged photos at the click of a button, and has over 100 effects and filters. Organizing hundreds of images is usually a tall order by any means, fortunately though, Movavi Photo Editor's automatic technology swoops in to solve this problem as well. It automatically searches for and analyzes images making it simple to find photos by name, date, or location.

Best for: Automatic file organization and AI-powered image editing

OS: Windows 7/8/10/11 64-bit and Mac OS X® 10.13 or higher

Price: HK$309 a year, HK$409 for a lifetime version

This is a fast, powerful photo viewing and image management software for Windows and Mac. Users can rely on the software to automatically scan images, making it possible to search via name, date, and location. As well as a useful photo viewing option it also comes packed with image editing features such as Artificially Intelligent enhancements for quick, intuitive changes to photo styles, and lots of helpful healing and selective adjustment tools to improve shots.

The software can automatically create albums using facial recognition to identify friends, family, and portrait clients. It’ll also categorize photos by location and allow users to share photos from within Photo Editor by synchronizing with Google Drive.

Key features:

• Photo organization

• Powerful image editing tools

• Categorization of geotagged photos

Pros:

• Facial recognition

• Photo tagging for easy navigation

• Review and filter images by geolocation

Cons:

• Not available for Linux

• Paid-for software

You can download the program by following the link below:

Download Movavi Photo Editor

Best for: Supporting professional image formats like HEIC and RAW

OS: Windows 10

Price: $69.95

TechRadar rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

A user-friendly interface sees this photo viewer adopting efficient computing tech for fast load times on any image. It supports a range of standard and professional imaging formats, including HEIC, PSD, CDR, and RAW, which is perfect if you need to switch between image editing software or have to open a file that’s been sent by someone else as it means extra proprietary (often costly) software isn’t required. It is the most expensive paid-for photo viewer in this rundown but the enhanced image file support and its ability to open PDF documents negate the requirement for additional software.

Key features:

• HEIC, PSD, and RAW support

• Doubles as a PDF reader

• Opens CorelDraw and other layers-based image file formats

Pros:

• Batch image processing

• Able to open multiple file formats, including PDF documents

Cons:

• Quite expensive for what it is

• Image support range isn’t huge considering the price

You can download the program by following the link below:

Go to the Apowersoft Photo Viewer download page

Best for: File navigation and image comparison

OS: Windows 10

Price: Free

CNET review: 4.6 out of 5, 1,696 reviews

This free image editing software supports almost all major image formats and is even compatible with camera RAW files. Possibly the best picture viewer for Windows 10, it includes a wide range of image editing features to make changes to images and is easy to navigate through file structures. One of the best features in FastStone Image Viewer is the ability to create a four-up image comparison view where all four images can be zoomed into and out of simultaneously or independently – crucial when trying to decide which shot from a series of images is the best, or to determine sharpness. Flicking to fullscreen is also quick with a double tap on the image selected with EXIF data and other rating options etc., displayed over the image by dragging the cursor to one of the four sides of the window.

Key features:

• Full set of image management tools

• Easy to navigate file structures

• Image comparison available

Pros:

• Great four-up image comparison

• Lots of image editing tools

• Free to use

• Loads ultra fast

Cons:

• Interface can be confusing to beginners

• Only works on Windows

You can download the program by following the link below:

Go to the FastStone Image Viewer download page

Best for: Photo viewing on systems with limited storage

OS: Windows XP – 11

Price: Free

G2 rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars

IrfanView prides itself on being one of the smallest and most compact image viewing software available – making it ideal for those that have limited storage space on their PC. Full backwards compatibility means that users of Windows from anywhere between XP and the latest Windows 11 will be able to use it without a hitch. It also supports both 32 and 64 bit operating systems and is free for non-commercial use (with a small cost for commercial licenses). While the layout feels a little dated now, tools and features are still easily accessible and functions perfectly well as an image viewer with basic image corrections and edits.

Key features:

• Tiny install package

• Long list of supported image file types

• Slideshow support

Pros:

• Image editing effects included

• Free for non-commercial use

Cons:

• Must pay for commercial use (though not much)

• Some features feel a little dated

You can download the program by following the link below:

Go to the IrfanView download page

Best for: Built-in editing alongside image viewer

OS: Windows, Mac, Linux

Price: Free

TechRadar rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

A familiar user interface provides tabs for simple navigation between images when opening multiple files at once. It also includes an image resizer for users who need to make photos smaller for using on the web or to send via email. XnView has batch renaming and batch converting tools for faster file management on a series of similar images, or a set of photos from a particular date/time. It’s stated as the first Windows graphic viewer across the world with multiple animate GIF support, something which it still does well to this day.

Key features:

• Batch renaming and converting

• Duplicate image finding

• Image comparison feature

Pros:

• Mixes photo viewing with file management

• Image resizing and comparison feature

• Multiple OS support

Cons:

• Install process convoluted

• Beginners might take a while to find all features

You can download the program by following the link below:

Go to the XnView download page

Best for: Image viewing and comparison with overlay

OS: Windows, Linux, FreeBSD, Mac, and OS/2

Price: Free

Sourceforge rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars

One of the best free photo viewers for Windows 10, this software is actually one of the most compatible across multiple operating systems so suits users who don’t need to stick to Windows but can also opt for Linux, Mac, and more. Gallery views make it simple to navigate throughout your image library making this a top photo viewer app for Windows machines. It’s studded with image manipulation tools and can open and handle RAW files and even layered PSD files for workflows involving Photoshop®.

Key features:

• Image manipulation tools

• RAW and PSD file support

• Huge compatibility across OS platforms

Pros:

• Lots of image editing features

• Compatible across a large range of file formats

• Interface is suitable for beginners

Cons:

• Not the widest range of image support

• Sometimes complicated menu options

You can download the program by following the link below:

Go to the NoMacs download page

Best for: Image viewing across multiple devices

OS: Web (including Windows), Android, iOS

Price: Free

PCMag rating: 4 out of 5 stars

A simple image viewer available on almost any platform that supports the mobile operating systems Android and iOS, or any device suitable for web use, means it can be used by both mobile and desktop devices. Intelligent search options powered by artificial intelligence make it simple to search for events, landmarks, animals, or people without the requirement to keyword images during or even after import. Google Photos has a good suite of image editing tools to change brightness levels, color, and apply presets for quick editing. The app is also intrinsically linked to printing services for fast prints and photobooks delivered to your door.

Key features:

• Cross-device synchronization

• Lots of image editing tools

• Image sharing

Pros:

• Intelligent and automatic organization

• Easy to search for photos with automatic keywording

Cons:

• Chiefly available for mobile devices

• Some questions raised over privacy

You can access the photo viewer by following the link below:

Go to the Google Photos website

Best for: Image viewing, organizing, editing, and converting

OS: Windows 7-10

Price: Free

PCMag rating: 3 out of 5 stars

A fully-fledged image viewing software that also organizes files and doubles as an image editor, allowing for a swathe of image adjustments to be made. Convert and publish images to create greetings cards, calendars, and photo collages.

Key features:

• Publish images straight to social networks

• Auto-adjusting editing tools

• Picture quality restoration

Pros:

• Allows picture restoration to remove noise and scratches

• Multiple image effects options

Cons:

• A little slower than other viewers

• Cluttered interface isn't great for beginners

You can download the program by following the link below:

Go to the Ashampoo Photo Commander download page

Best for: Image sharing and fast searching through storage

OS: Windows 10/11, Mac

Price: 69 €

ePhotozine rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Powered by artificial intelligence machine learning technology this image viewer uses face-recognition tech to automatically analyze and tag photos of people. Fast searching and simple sharing options make it quick and easy to share with friends and family.

Key features:

• AI-powered face-recognition

• Intuitive user interface

• Fast image searches

Pros:

• Connects to Dropbox and Google Drive for fast sharing

• Facial recognition technology powered by machine learning

Cons:

• Quite expensive for an image viewer

• Lacks some features other viewers have

You can download the program by following the link below:

Go to the Excire Foto download page

Best for: Handling image and video viewing

OS: Windows 10

Price: Free

PCMag rating: 4 out of 5 stars

This free image viewer for PC comes directly from Microsoft and offers viewing for both photos and videos. Make edit adjustments, compare, or create albums to organize images and video, or even make movies from stills.

Key features:

• Image and video compatibility

• Make movies with sentimental images

• Reliable and fast to use

Pros:

• Consistently updated by Microsoft for better performance

• Works with multiple file formats and videos too

Cons:

• Other software offers more features

• No AI-powered face recognition

If you need to download the program, follow the link below:

Go to the Microsoft Photos’s Microsoft Store page

Best for: Image viewing customization with language packs and themes

OS: Windows 10

Price: Free

CNET rating: 4 out of 5 stars

A nice and simple user interface makes this Windows photo viewer a suitable program for beginners. It has basic viewing functions and a minimalist layout for simple navigation. Over 70 image formats are supported for viewing, including professional types such as HEIC and RAW file formats. The new language packs and viewer themes make it fun and customizable.

Key features:

• Minimalist user interface

• New themes make it feel special

• More than 70 file formats

Pros:

• Supports multiple image files, including RAW

• Can be quickly customized with downloadable themes

Cons:

• No cross-platform support on other OS’

• Not terribly abundant with editing or effects options

You can download the program by following the link below:

Go to the ImageGlass download page

Best for: Speed image viewing and archival viewing

OS: Windows XP – 10

Price: Free

CNET rating: 3.8 out of 5, 4 reviews

Whilst quite a basic photo viewer, it processes images fast and supports various file formats and the key to its use is in the ability to view inside archive folders such as ZIP or RAR without the need to extract. Available as a free download, geolocation tagging also links through to Google Maps for viewing. It’s also compatible with Sound & Shot files.

Key features:

• Fast image viewing

• Able to view zipped archive folders without extraction

• Supports Sound & Shot files

Pros:

• Widely compatible with any Windows operating system

• Super fast image viewer

• Batch image format conversion with resizing

Cons:

• Image editing tools not extensive

You can download the program by following the link below:

Go to the Honeyview download page

Our comprehensive list rounds up some of the best photo viewers for Windows 10, Movavi Photo Editor tops the list in terms of functionality and performance, but while there’s a lot to consider when looking for a new photo viewer there are a few key aspects you’ll want to bear in mind:

• Usability: how easy it is to interact with the chosen software is probably the most important element, as a complex or poorly laid out user interface can drag down user satisfaction.

• Features: be sure to check for additional tools that you may require such as image editing for contrast and color, or facial recognition technology. These additional features can help file searches and improve your photos.

• Supported formats: choose a software that’s compatible with your most commonly used digital image file formats, almost all websites will list compatibility.

• User reviews: read recent reviews and check for updates that include bug fixes and see if there are any common threads with other users having trouble before downloading.

• Support: sometimes software does malfunction, and being able to remedy issues quickly and painlessly is very useful, so look for live chat, email, or phone support options.

An award-winning photographer with more than 10 years of experience. A qualified teacher and Master’s graduate, he also writes for TechRadar, Creative Bloq, and Digital Camera World. He won Gold in the Nikon Photo Contest 2018/19 and was named Digital Photographer of the Year in 2014.

Get to know all the authors