ImageGlass: what it is
ImageGlass is an image viewer for Windows, macOS and Linux. Version 10 is a full rewrite on .NET and Avalonia, so one code base now runs on all three systems. It opens more than 90 formats, including WEBP, GIF, SVG, AVIF, JXL, HEIC, HDR and camera raw files, and adds simple tools such as rotate, flip, crop, resize and a colour picker.
It suits people who want a light viewer to replace the built-in Windows photo app, and administrators who need one viewer with a managed configuration on many PCs. We have not installed or benchmarked it ourselves (Not tested yet); this page is based on the project’s GitHub repository and the official imageglass.org pages.
ImageGlass at a glance
| Item | Details |
| Developer | Duong Dieu Phap (GitHub: d2phap/ImageGlass) |
| Latest stable version | 10.0.6.906, released on 5 September 2026; a 10.1 beta was listed on 21 October 2026 |
| Platforms | Windows 10/11 x64 or arm64 (version 1809 or later), macOS 14+ on Apple silicon, Linux desktop (X11, x64) |
| Licence | Classic edition: free, GPLv3, personal and commercial use. Pro edition: paid, separate licence |
| Download size (Windows x64) | MSI about 34 MB; ZIP about 42 MB; MSIX about 44 MB |
| Last verified | 31 October 2026, against imageglass.org and the GitHub releases page |
Free Classic and paid Pro
The same build is used for both editions: Pro features are switched on by adding a licence file. The project describes it as trust-based licensing, with no account and no device lock.
| Edition | Price (from the official pricing page) | Use |
| Classic | $0 | Unlimited users; GPLv3; personal and commercial use allowed |
| Pro Individual | $14.90 one-time | One user; covers Pro v10.x |
| Pro Team | $69 one-time | Up to 3 users; commercial use |
| Pro Business | From $149 per year (up to 10 users) | One yearly price per organization, invoiced for 1 to 3 years |
Prices can change; check imageglass.org/pricing before buying.
What only Pro adds
- HDR tone mapper, free and margin panning.
- File watcher, which refreshes the view when files in a folder change.
- A settings screen for custom mouse click actions.
- Managed deployment: a default config file (
igconfig.default.json), an admin config file (igconfig.admin.json) and a feature lock for shared devices. - Priority support for Pro Business.
Everything else on the official comparison table, such as the 90+ formats, GIF, WEBP and SVG playback, colour management, zoom modes, slideshow, the built-in editing tools, EXIF viewing through ExifGlass, themes, hotkeys and plugins, is listed as included in Classic.
Main features of Classic
- Wide format support out of the box, with extra codecs available as plugins (for example AVIF and APNG).
- Zoom modes including cursor-precise zoom, and window modes: frameless, window fit, full screen and slideshow.
- Built-in tools: rotate, flip, crop, resize, colour picker, frame navigation and lossless compression.
- Customisation: themes, layouts and custom hotkeys.
- Windows integration: Explorer sort order support, custom file type associations and file type icons.
How to get started on Windows
- Download the build for your system from the official download page (imageglass.org), or from the project’s GitHub releases. Choose the MSI or MSIX for an installation or the ZIP for a copy you unpack yourself.
- Make sure Windows 10 or 11 is version 1809 or later. The project also lists WebView2 Runtime as optional.
- Open an image and set ImageGlass as the default app for the formats you use, if you want it to replace the current viewer.
- For many PCs, test the MSI in a pilot group first. Preset and locked settings need a Pro licence file.
Who it is for, and who should look elsewhere
- Good fit: a fast viewer for a wide range of formats on one PC, or a free viewer for a small office.
- Look at Pro: an organization that wants a fixed configuration, locked features and a licence file on shared or virtual desktops.
- Not the right tool: photo library management, tagging or heavy editing. ImageGlass is a viewer with basic tools, not a photo editor or an asset manager.
Limitations to know
- Version 10 requires Windows 10/11 version 1809 or later; the macOS build is for Apple silicon only and the Linux build for X11 desktops on x64.
- Managed deployment, HDR tone mapping and the file watcher are not in Classic.
- The Microsoft Store version of Pro does not include custom file type associations and icons, according to the official comparison table.
- Unofficial sites and repositories offer ImageGlass builds. The project asks users to check the URL and download only from the official places.
FAQ
Is ImageGlass free?
Yes, the Classic edition is free and open source under the GPLv3, and the licence allows personal and commercial use. The Pro edition is paid and adds extra tools and administration features.
Does ImageGlass work on Windows 7 or 8?
Version 10 lists Windows 10/11, version 1809 or later, as the requirement. We did not verify older ImageGlass 9 releases for older systems.
Can I run it without installing?
The project publishes ZIP packages for Windows x64 and arm64. We did not test running from a USB drive, so check the official documentation first.
Which formats does it open?
More than 90, including WEBP, GIF, SVG, AVIF, JXL, HEIC, HDR and raw images. Some formats use plugins.
What is the latest ImageGlass version?
On 31 October 2026 the latest stable release was 10.0.6.906 (5 September 2026), and a 10.1 beta was available.
Sources
- ImageGlass releases (GitHub)
- Plans and pricing (imageglass.org)
- ImageGlass Classic licence (imageglass.org)
- README with system requirements (GitHub)
