IrfanView is one of the most well-known image viewers for Windows. It has been a favorite among users for decades due to its speed, efficiency, and rich feature set. Designed to be lightweight yet powerful, IrfanView is more than just an image viewer—it also offers essential editing tools, batch processing capabilities, and extensive format support. However, despite its popularity, IrfanView is not available for macOS, leaving Mac users searching for alternatives that can offer similar features and ease of use.
Unlike bulky photo editing software, IrfanView loads images instantly without consuming too many system resources. It also supports multiple image formats such as JPEG, PNG, GIF, BMP, TIFF, RAW, and many more. This is the reason it is popular among users. The software also supports Batch editing. You can resize, rename, and convert multiple images at once. I personally use IrfanView for its bulk editing capabilities. The software also allows cropping, rotating, brightness adjustments, color corrections, and even simple effects. There are also several other plugins that enable OCR (Optical Character Recognition), multimedia support, and extra editing options. The most appealing part is that IrfanView is a free-to-use tool for non-commercial purposes. So, you can keep using it.
Given its exceptional features, IrfanView has set a high bar for image viewers. Unfortunately, Mac users cannot run IrfanView natively, so they must rely on alternative image viewers. Below are the best IrfanView alternatives for macOS, reviewed in detail.
Best IrfanView Alternatives for Mac
1. Preview – The Default Mac Solution
Best for: Quick viewing and minor edits.
Preview comes pre-installed on every Mac and is surprisingly capable of doing so many tasks. It supports various file types, including PDFs, and offers essential editing tools such as cropping, rotating, and annotation. You can also export images in different formats, making it a convenient option for everyday tasks. While it lacks the advanced batch processing features of IrfanView, it’s a great, lightweight solution for casual users. Since I don’t need advanced features, I personally use it for bulk image resizing and conversion on Mac.
Pros:
- Built into macOS, no installation needed.
- Simple and easy to use.
- Supports multiple file formats.
Cons:
- Lacks advanced batch processing.
- Limited editing capabilities.
2. XnView MP – A Feature-Packed Image Viewer
Best for: Users who need a full-featured image viewer and converter.
XnView MP is one of the most powerful alternatives to IrfanView, offering a wide range of features beyond just image viewing. It supports over 500 file formats, making it highly versatile for photographers, designers, and anyone who works with different image types.
A major strength of XnView MP is its batch processing capabilities. Users can resize, rename, and convert multiple images at once, saving time when working with large collections. It also includes basic editing tools like cropping, brightness adjustments, and filters. While the interface may feel slightly outdated, the software itself is lightweight and efficient. Plus, it’s available for Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it a great cross-platform choice.
Pros:
- Supports a vast range of file formats.
- Great batch processing capabilities.
- Cross-platform support (Windows, macOS, Linux).
Cons:
- The interface can feel outdated.
- Some advanced features require configuration.
3. qView – A Minimalist Image Viewer
Best for: Users who want a distraction-free image viewer.
qView is a lightweight image viewer designed to be as simple as possible. It doesn’t come with extra tools or editing features, making it perfect for those who just want to view images without distractions. The interface is clean and minimal, allowing you to focus on your pictures. It loads images quickly and supports various file formats, including JPEG, PNG, and GIF.
One of the best things about qView is its speed. It doesn’t slow down your system and works smoothly even with large image files. Since it’s open-source, it’s completely free to use. However, it lacks editing tools and batch processing features, so it may not be suitable for users who need more than just a viewer.
Pros:
- Extremely lightweight and fast.
- Open-source and free.
- Clean, minimal user interface.
Cons:
- Lacks advanced features like batch processing.
- No built-in editing tools.
4. Pixea – A Modern Image Viewer for Mac
Best for: Users who need a fast and modern image viewer.
Pixea is a simple yet powerful image viewer for Mac. It supports many formats, including RAW files, animated images, and standard formats like JPEG and PNG. The interface is clean and easy to use, making it a great choice for those who want a no-fuss experience. It also has dark mode support, which is useful for users who prefer a sleek look.
One of the best things about Pixea is its speed. Images load quickly, and navigating through them is smooth. It also displays EXIF data, so photographers can see important details about their images. While it lacks advanced editing tools and batch processing, it’s perfect for those who just need a fast and efficient viewer.
Pros:
- Clean and modern interface.
- Supports RAW image formats.
- Dark mode support for better viewing experience.
Cons:
- Limited editing tools.
- No batch processing feature.
5. ACDSee Photo Studio for Mac – A Professional-Grade Viewer
Best for: Users looking for a professional photo management tool.
ACDSee Photo Studio for Mac is more than just an image viewer—it’s a powerful tool for managing, editing, and organizing large collections of photos. It supports a wide range of file formats, including RAW images, making it a great choice for photographers. The software includes non-destructive editing, meaning you can make changes without permanently altering the original file.
One of its standout features is advanced image organization. Users can tag images, add keywords, and use facial recognition to find specific photos quickly. It also integrates with cloud storage, making it easy to access and back up images. While ACDSee Photo Studio is packed with features, it comes at a cost and may take some time to learn.
Pros:
- Powerful image management tools.
- Non-destructive editing.
- Supports cloud storage integration.
Cons:
- Expensive compared to free alternatives.
- May have a learning curve for new users.
6. Phiewer – A Simple and Fast Image Viewer
Best for: Users who want a straightforward image viewer.
Phiewer is a lightweight and fast image viewer designed for Mac. It supports various file formats, including JPEG, PNG, GIF, and even RAW images. The interface is clean and easy to navigate, making it a great option for users who just need a no-frills viewer.
One of Phiewer’s standout features is its built-in slideshow mode, which lets you view images in sequence without manually clicking through them. It also has basic controls for zooming, rotating, and navigating through images. While it doesn’t offer advanced editing or batch processing features, it’s an excellent choice for those who just need a fast and reliable viewer.
Pros:
- Simple and easy to use.
- Fast loading speed.
- Slideshow feature for quick previews.
Cons:
- Lacks advanced features.
- No batch processing.
7. Nomacs – A Versatile Open-Source Viewer
Best for: Users who need an open-source alternative with extra features.
Nomacs is a free, open-source image viewer that goes beyond just displaying images. It supports a wide range of formats, including RAW, TIFF, and PSD files. Unlike basic viewers, it offers side-by-side image comparison, making it useful for photographers and designers who need to analyze differences between images.
A great feature of Nomacs is its synchronization mode, which allows multiple instances of the app to run and display images simultaneously, perfect for comparing edits. It also includes basic editing tools like brightness, contrast, and cropping. While its interface is not as modern as some other alternatives, it remains a powerful option for those who want more control over their image viewing experience.
Pros:
- Open-source and free.
- Supports side-by-side image comparison.
- Works on multiple platforms.
Cons:
- Interface is not as modern as other alternatives.
- No advanced image editing options.
Final Thoughts
While IrfanView is an impressive image viewer for Windows, Mac users don’t have a version for them. However, there are many excellent alternatives for Mac offering similar features. If you need a lightweight and fast tool, qView or Pixea are great choices. For more advanced features, XnView MP and ACDSee offer powerful image management and editing tools. If you prefer a built-in solution, Preview can handle most basic tasks. For most users Preview app is more than enough.
Each of these alternatives has its strengths, so choose the one that best fits your needs!
