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Mac users always require photo viewers that can both meet their demands and interests and are easy to use. Furthermore, it is crucial to choose a photo viewer app that does not cause any harm or risks to the security of your device. In this article, we will be providing you with some of the best photo viewer apps for Mac that you should look out for in 2021.
Video Tutorial:
What Can a Photo Viewer App Do?
Photo viewer applications offer various features and functions for viewing pictures, videos, and media files. Moreover, they include editing, retouching, cropping, resizing, and enhancing filters to customize your photographs. Here are some features of photo viewer apps:
– Versatile customization options
– Allows users to share media files
– Supports a range of image formats
– User-friendly interface
– Ability to edit and enhance photos
– Supports a range of multimedia files
What Factors Should Be Considered While Choosing a Photo Viewer App?
Choosing the right photo viewer app requires several factors to be considered. Here are some points that you should consider:
1. Compatibility: Ensure that the photo viewer app supports the media formats you need.
2. Speed: A photo viewer app that loads media files fast is ideal.
3. User Interface: Simple and intuitive user interface makes navigation easy.
4. Editing Options: The photo viewer should offer various editing options to get the most out of your photos.
5. Cost: Depending on the features, some are free, while others with premium features require payment.
6. Reviews: The reviews given to the photo viewer app by other users is important too.
Top 7 Photo Viewer Apps for Mac
Top 1: Preview
Preview is not only built-in but also one of the most popular photo viewer apps for Mac. It is well equipped with various features that are designed to help customize your photographs with ease. Moreover, it is a very versatile option as it offers unique features such as zooming, editing pictures, cropping, and enhancing filters that can also boost the quality of your photos. Preview allows you to read PDFs, quickly find media files and has a simple user-friendly interface.
Pros
– Includes editing and annotation tools
– Built-in app, no installation necessary
– Supports a range of media file types like PDFs
– Simple user interface
Cons
– Limited range of editing tools
– Some may find it too basic for their photo viewer preferences
– No cloud storage support
Top 2: Lyn
Lyn is a robust photo viewer app that offers users many features, including image editing, adjusting brightness, and contrast, comparing pictures, filtering out duplicate images, and creating slideshows. Moreover, it has a user-friendly interface that simplifies how users navigate through their photo collections.
Pros
– Offers a range of editing tools and customizations
– Speedy and efficient application
– Compatible with all image file extensions
– Allows users to hide private images
Cons
– Some added features require payment
– No cloud storage support
Top 3: XnView MP
XnView MP is significant for its user interface, which primarily features a menu bar, toolbar, and workspace area. It’s also an open-source photo viewer app that supports over 500 file formats. XnView MP has functionality for renaming files in batch and an in-built image editing feature that allows users to resize, convert, and adjust brightness and contrast.
Pros
– Supports over 500 file formats
– Batch renaming files
– Has editing and annotation tools
– External editing with Photoshop plug-in supported
Cons
– Some features require premium payment
– Some may find the interface overly complex
Top 4: ACDSee Photo Studio
ACDSee Photo Studio is a photo viewer app that offers advanced editing tools such as color correction, adjustment of focus points, and digital asset management. Moreover, it allows users to streamline their editing workflow by providing batch processing functionality. ACDSee Photo Studio supports over 50 image file formats, making it a versatile option.
Pros
– Offers a level of advanced editing tools
– Digital asset management
– A wide selection of supported file formats
– Batch processing
Cons
– Requires purchase, no free version
– Interface may take some time to master
Top 5: Google Photos
Google Photos is a free to use photo viewer app that allows users with Google accounts to enjoy unlimited cloud storage space. In addition to its cloud storage feature, it has features such as sorting pictures by date, automatic backup, facial recognition, creating collaborative photo albums with friends and real-time syncing with device galleries.
Pros
– Free version
– Compatible with all mobile devices
– Allows users to share images with friends
– Real-time syncing with device galleries
Cons
– Basic editing options and limited filters
– Compatibility issues with non-Google accounts
– Limited file format support
Top 6: Apple Photos
Apple Photos is an all-in-one photo viewer app developed with great features that include facial recognition, smart album organization, slideshow creation, live photo editing, and memory videos. Additionally, Apple Photos offers excellent integration with iCloud to streamline media backups between devices while providing photo collections with up to 1TB storage space.
Pros
– Free build-in photo viewer app
– Media file backup on iCloud and automatic organization
– Offers powerful editing tools and user interface
– Shareable photo collections with up to 1TB storage space
Cons
– Limited compatibility with non-Apple products
– Basic features compared to other third-party photo viewers
Top 7: FastStone Image Viewer
FastStone Image Viewer is a simple, lightweight photo viewer app with many editing and browsing functionality. It supports over 50 file formats such as JPEG, BMP, GIF, and RAW. Additionally, it has a wide range of editing tools such as red-eye removal, cropping, and color correction.
Pros
– Excellent browsing experience
– A wide range of editing tools
– Supports over 50 image file formats
– Allows for batch editing
Cons
– Limited to PC only
– Some editing features require payment
Comprehensive Comparison of Each Photo Viewer App
| Software Name | Free Trial | Price | Ease-of-Use | Value for Money |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preview | N/A | Free | Easy | High |
| Lyn | 15 days | $19.99 | Intuitive | Medium |
| XnView MP | N/A | Free | Efficient | High |
| ACDSee Photo Studio | 30 days | $69.95 | Advanced | Medium |
| Google Photos | N/A | Free | Easy-to-use | High |
| Apple Photos | N/A | Free(Built-in) | Basic | High |
| FastStone Image Viewer | N/A | Free/$49.99 | Efficient | Medium |
Our Thoughts on the Best Photo Viewer App for Mac
All the above-listed photo viewer apps have essential features, and we recommend the Preview app for Mac as the best photo viewer app. Preview is a fantastic addition to Mac systems with versatile editing options and simple navigation through the app. Moreover, it is built-in, implying that users do not need to download any third-party applications.
5 Frequently Asked Questions about Photo Viewer Apps for Mac
Q1: How do I access Preview on Mac?
A: Preview is a built-in photo viewer app on Mac, so you can access it directly by opening any image. Press Command + Spacebar, then type Preview to open the app.
Q2: What is the cost of using Apple Photos?
A: Apple Photos is a free built-in photo viewer app in all Mac systems.
Q3: How do I sort photos in ACDSee Photo Studio?
A: ACDSee Photo Studio allows users to sort photos by date or size. Go to the Sort By tab and choose the corresponding sorting option you require.
Q4: Does FastStone Image Viewer Support Windows Only?
A: Yes, FastStone Image Viewer is available for Windows OS devices only.
Q5: What kind of images does Google Photos recognize?
A: Google Photos supports a vast range of image files such as JPEG, PNG, and BMP.
Final Words
There are many photo viewer apps available for Mac OS users today, with features that suit any personal or professional needs. Choose a photo viewer app based on compatibility, speed, user interface, editing options, and pricing options that work best for you. As with any app, ensure your photo viewer app offers reliable security features to safeguard your files.