Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

XnView MP VS Shotwell

Compare XnView MP VS Shotwell and see what are their differences

XnView MP logo XnView MP

XnView is a free software that allows you to view, resize and edit your images. It supports more than 500 different formats!

Shotwell logo Shotwell

Shotwell is an open source photo organizer designed for the GNOME desktop environment.
  • XnView MP Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-04-19
  • Shotwell Landing page
    Landing page //
    2018-10-10

XnView MP features and specs

  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    XnView MP is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it versatile for users on different operating systems.
  • Extensive Format Support
    Supports over 500 image formats, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of file types.
  • Batch Processing
    Allows users to perform batch processing tasks, such as resizing, converting, and renaming multiple files simultaneously.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    Provides an intuitive and customizable interface that helps users easily navigate and manage their images.
  • Advanced Editing Features
    Includes a variety of photo editing tools like color adjustments, cropping, and filters that can enhance image quality.
  • Metadata Support
    Offers extensive support for metadata, enabling users to view and edit EXIF, IPTC, and XMP information.
  • Free for Personal Use
    Available as a free version for personal and educational use, offering a robust set of features without cost barriers.

Possible disadvantages of XnView MP

  • Complexity for Beginners
    The extensive feature set can be overwhelming for new users or those unfamiliar with image editing software.
  • Resource Intensive
    May require significant system resources, especially when handling large files or performing batch processes.
  • Limited Customer Support
    Customer support options are limited, primarily relying on community forums and online documentation.
  • Occasional Stability Issues
    Some users have reported crashes and bugs, particularly when dealing with very large image files or complex editing tasks.
  • Non-Commercial Use Restrictions
    The free version is restricted to personal and educational use, requiring businesses to purchase a license for commercial use.

Shotwell features and specs

  • Open Source
    Shotwell is an open source software, which means it is free to use, modify, and distribute. This can lower costs for users and developers and ensures that there are no licensing fees.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    Shotwell has a simple and intuitive user interface that makes it easy for users to organize and edit their photos without a steep learning curve.
  • Wide Range of Import Options
    Shotwell supports importing photos and videos from various sources, including cameras, smartphones, and memory cards, making it adaptable for different user needs.
  • Editing Features
    Shotwell offers a range of basic photo editing tools, including cropping, red-eye removal, color adjustments, and straightening, allowing users to make quick adjustments without needing advanced software.
  • Organizational Tools
    The software includes features like tagging, rating, and organizing photos into events or albums, helping users manage and find their photos more effectively.
  • Integration with Online Services
    Shotwell allows users to publish their photos to various online services like Facebook, Flickr, and Google Photos directly from the software, simplifying the sharing process.
  • Performance
    Shotwell is generally efficient and performs well, even with large libraries of photos, ensuring a smooth user experience.

Possible disadvantages of Shotwell

  • Limited Advanced Editing Tools
    Shotwell lacks advanced photo editing features found in more professional software, making it unsuitable for users who need in-depth photo manipulation capabilities.
  • No Windows or Mac Support
    Shotwell is primarily designed for Linux distributions and does not have native support for Windows or macOS, limiting its accessibility to users of those operating systems.
  • Occasional Stability Issues
    Some users have reported occasional crashes and stability issues, which can disrupt their workflow and result in a less reliable experience.
  • Less Frequent Updates
    Compared to some other photo management software, Shotwell receives fewer updates, potentially leading to slower adoption of new features and bug fixes.
  • Limited RAW File Support
    Shotwell offers limited support for RAW image files compared to other photo management and editing software, which can be a drawback for professional photographers who work extensively with RAW formats.
  • Lacking Batch Processing
    The software has limited batch processing capabilities, which can be less efficient for users who need to apply the same edits or adjustments to multiple photos simultaneously.

Analysis of XnView MP

Overall verdict

  • XnView MP is considered a reliable and effective image viewer and editor. Its feature-rich environment and support for numerous file formats make it a strong choice for both amateur and professional users.

Why this product is good

  • XnView MP is widely regarded as a good software due to its versatility and range of features. It supports a vast array of image formats, offers advanced editing options, and has a user-friendly interface. Additionally, it is available for free for personal use, which makes it accessible for many users.

Recommended for

    XnView MP is recommended for photographers, graphic designers, and anyone who needs to organize, view, and edit a large collection of images. It's also well-suited for users who require bulk processing and conversion of image files.

Analysis of Shotwell

Overall verdict

  • Shotwell is a good choice for users seeking a straightforward and effective photo management tool. Its simplicity makes it particularly appealing for users who prefer a lightweight solution without excessive features.

Why this product is good

  • Shotwell is a photo management app that is praised for its simplicity and ease of use. It provides essential features such as importing, organizing, viewing, and enhancing photos. Users have found it especially useful for its fast performance and automatic organization features. Its open-source nature allows for community involvement in development and quick bug fixes.

Recommended for

    Shotwell is recommended for casual photographers, Linux users, and those who need a simple tool for photo viewing and basic editing. It suits individuals looking for an open-source solution with a focus on ease of use.

XnView MP videos

Xnview MP review

More videos:

  • Tutorial - Free Software - XnView MP Photo Viewer - Sports Photography Tutorial - Photo Mechanic Alternative

Shotwell videos

A look at Shotwell 23.1

More videos:

  • Review - ShotWell Review & Security Tips | The Linux Action Show
  • Tutorial - Ubuntu 14.04 MATE Shotwell Review - PLUS Upload Tutorial

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to XnView MP and Shotwell)
Image Editing
91 91%
9% 9
Photos & Graphics
84 84%
16% 16
Digital Drawing And Painting
Photography
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare XnView MP and Shotwell

XnView MP Reviews

  1. Excellent photo and image viewer

    XnView MP stands for Multi Platform = it is available for Windows, Linux and MacOS. It is a continuation of the older XnView Classic. In my opinion it is a great alternative to Windows photos app or any Linux image viewer that comes preinstalled. I even think it is an alternative to IrfanView. It is really fast and simple to use, supports more than 500 image formats, has built in folder browser, image converter, editor... AND MORE!

    ๐Ÿ Competitors: IrfanView, nomacs, FastStone Image Viewer

20+ Picasa Alternatives And Best Similar Apps Like Picasa 2022
XnViewMP includes a couple of written material tools. However, its best used as a picture organizer and the best Picasa alternative as well. The interface isnโ€™t notably pleasing, but it will offer a great deal of data concerning your photos at a look, like a file name, size, date, and camera details.
The best photo organizing software in 2022
XnView MP supports over 500 photo file formats and includes multipage and animated stills formats as well such as GIF, TIFF, APNG, and ICO. When saving though, it can export to approximately 70 different file formats.
15 Best Google Picasa Alternatives You Should Use (2022)
XnView MP can edit photos, but it is best for organizing images. However, the user interface is not that good, but it provides much information about the pictures like size, data, lens details, and more. With XnView MP, you can tag your photos and easily keep track of groups. XnView MP is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux. The app is free to use.
Source: techdator.net
10 Best Photo Viewer For Windows 10 [2020]
XnView MP and Xnview Classic both are similar with its features you can use any version as you like, Xnview MP is more than a photo viewer app, you can easily batch rename, convert images with few clicks, you can edit images for colour correction, merging multiple images, adjusting brightness, contrast and many more things.
13 Free Alternatives Image and Photo Organizer For Microsoft Windows 10
XnView is provided as FREEWARE (NO Adware, NO Spyware) for private or educational use (including non-profit organizations). XnView is an efficient multimedia viewer, browser and converter. Really simple to use! Support of more than 500 image formats. No Adware, No Spyware. XnView has all the basic features covered, and the best part is, it is modern and simple. XnView also...

Shotwell Reviews

5 Best Linux Photo Management Software
Shotwell photo manager is also for GNOME desktop environment. Shotwell, while isnโ€™t as feature-rich as gThumb, does what it promises. The main features of Shotwell are:
Source: itsfoss.com

What are some alternatives?

When comparing XnView MP and Shotwell, you can also consider the following products

IrfanView - IrfanView ... one of the most popular viewers worldwide.

digiKam - Professional Photo Management with the Power of Open Source

FastStone Image Viewer - FastStone Image Viewer is a fast, stable, user-friendly image browser, converter and editor.

Photos on macOS - Photos keeps your images organized and accessible. Rediscover favorite shots with Memories. Access them on your devices with iCloud Photos.

JPEGView - JPEGView is a small and fast viewer/editor for JPEG, BMP, PNG, GIF and TIFF images.

Movavi Photo Manager - Focus on the memories, forget about managing photos