Best Open Source Image Viewers for Linux in 2025

• Feather‑light choices: For minimal resource usage, feh, sxiv, and viu are under 1 MB and open JPEG/PNG in <100 ms, making them perfect for older systems and servers.

• Best GUI pick: For desktop environments, Ristretto provides a clean interface on Xfce desktops; choose qimgv if you need Qt framework compatibility and modern features.

• Install in one line: Get started quickly with sudo apt install feh (Debian/Ubuntu) or sudo pacman -S sxiv (Arch) - no complex dependencies required.

• Feature gaps: While lightweight viewers like feh skip EXIF editing to stay minimal, use full-featured apps like gThumb or Shotwell when you need to view or edit image metadata.

• Avoid bloat: Heavy applications like Eye of GNOME and GIMP require large GNOME libraries that can slow down your system; stick to the lightweight viewers mentioned here for servers and containers.

feh - Fast and Lightweight Image Viewer

feh is a fast and lightweight image viewer for Linux. It is a great choice for those who want to have a fast and efficient image viewer. It is a great choice for those who want to have a fast and efficient image viewer.

Standout Features of feh

• Ultra-fast startup: Opens JPEG/PNG/WebP images in under 100 ms even on low-powered devices like Raspberry Pi 4.
• Extremely lightweight: Uses only ~5 MB RAM (RSS) after opening a 4K image, making it ideal for minimal systems and remote servers.
• Flexible viewing modes: Supports slideshows (feh -Z -F *.jpg), montage (contact sheet), and thumbnail browsing (--index) out of the box.
• Scriptable and automation-friendly: Easily integrates into scripts and file managers; supports custom keybindings and actions.
• No desktop environment required: Runs perfectly on barebones window managers or headless setups via X11 forwarding.
• Minimal dependencies: Installs quickly with no heavy libraries, ensuring fast setup and low maintenance.
• Customizable interface: Offers extensive configuration for window size, background, image sorting, and more via command-line flags or config files.

These features make feh a top choice for anyone seeking a fast, efficient, and highly configurable image viewer on Linux.

How to Install feh?

To install feh, you can use the following commands:

# Debian/Ubuntu
sudo apt install feh
# Fedora/RHEL
sudo dnf install feh
# Arch
sudo pacman -S feh

How to Use feh?

Below are the most useful feh commands for opening and browsing images, with details on what each does and when to use them:

• Open a single image:

feh example_image.jpg

This command opens example_image.jpg in a simple window. You can zoom in/out with +/-, move to the next/previous image in the folder with the arrow keys, and press q to quit. If you run feh with just one image, it’s the fastest way to view it without any distractions.

• Slideshow of all JPEGs (fullscreen, auto-zoom):

feh -Z -F *.jpg

• -Z automatically zooms each image to fit the window or screen.
• -F launches in fullscreen mode.
• *.jpg loads all JPEG images in the current directory.

Once open, use the right/left arrow keys to move through the slideshow, or press Enter to start automatic slideshow mode (default 0.5s per image, adjustable with -D). For example, if you have images image1.jpg, image2.jpg, and image3.jpg in the current directory, this command will display them in a slideshow.

• Thumbnail browser for all images:

feh --index

This opens a grid of thumbnails for all images in the current directory. You can scroll through, select an image with the arrow keys, and press Enter to open it. This is ideal for quickly finding a specific image in a large folder. For instance, if you have a directory with images image1.jpg, image2.jpg, image3.jpg, and image4.jpg, this command will display a thumbnail grid of these images.

• Montage (contact sheet) view:

feh --montage

This command creates a single window displaying a montage (contact sheet) of all images in the directory. You can specify the number of rows/columns with --thumb-width and --thumb-height for custom layouts. Useful for printing or exporting a visual summary of a folder. For example, if you have images image1.jpg, image2.jpg, image3.jpg, and image4.jpg in the current directory, this command will display them in a single window as a montage.

• Slideshow mode (with navigation):

feh --slideshow

This starts a navigable slideshow of all images in the directory. You can move forward/backward with the arrow keys, pause/resume with the spacebar, and quit with q. Add -D 2 to automatically advance every 2 seconds. For instance, if you have images image1.jpg, image2.jpg, and image3.jpg in the current directory, this command will display them in a slideshow with navigation.

Tip: All these commands can be combined with additional options (see man feh) for custom behaviors, such as recursive folder viewing (-r), random order (-z), or background setting (--bg-scale).

sxiv - Simple Image Viewer

sxiv is a fast and lightweight image viewer for Linux. It is a great choice for those who want to have a fast and efficient image viewer. It is a great choice for those who want to have a fast and efficient image viewer.

Standout Features of sxiv

• Ultra-fast loading: Opens JPEG/PNG/WebP images in under 100 ms even on low-powered devices like the Raspberry Pi 4.

• Minimal memory usage: Consumes only ~5 MB RSS (Resident Set Size) after opening a 4 K image, making it ideal for systems with limited resources.

• Flexible viewing modes: Supports slideshow (sxiv -a *.jpg), montage, and thumbnail browsing (-t) for efficient navigation and organization of large image collections.

• Keyboard-driven interface: Nearly all actions (zoom, pan, rotate, delete, mark, etc.) can be performed via intuitive keyboard shortcuts, enabling rapid, mouse-free workflows.

• Scriptable and extensible: Easily integrates with shell scripts and custom commands, allowing users to automate tasks like batch renaming, moving, or processing images directly from the viewer.

• Lightweight and dependency-free: Designed to be fast and simple, with minimal dependencies, making installation and updates straightforward on most Linux distributions.

• Customizable appearance: Offers options for background color, status bar, and thumbnail size, so you can tailor the interface to your preferences.

These features make sxiv a favorite among power users who value speed, efficiency, and control in their image viewing experience.

How to Install sxiv?

To install sxiv, you can use the following commands:

# Debian/Ubuntu
sudo apt install sxiv
# Fedora/RHEL
sudo dnf install sxiv
# Arch  
sudo pacman -S sxiv

How to Use sxiv?

Below are the most common use-cases for sxiv, along with practical code blocks to help you get started with opening and browsing images efficiently:

• Open a single image:

sxiv image1.jpg

This command opens a single image file named image1.jpg in the current directory. You can replace image1.jpg with the actual name of the image file you want to open.

• Browse images in a directory:

sxiv -t *.jpg

This command opens a thumbnail view of all JPEG images in the current directory. You can replace *.jpg with a different pattern to match other image formats or specific files.

• Start a slideshow:

sxiv -a *.jpg

This command starts a slideshow of all JPEG images in the current directory. You can adjust the slideshow speed by adding the -d option followed by the delay time in seconds. For example, sxiv -a -d 2 *.jpg sets the slideshow delay to 2 seconds.

• Create a montage:

sxiv -m 2x2 *.jpg

This command creates a montage of all JPEG images in the current directory, arranged in a 2x2 grid. You can adjust the grid size by changing the 2x2 part of the command.

sxiv offers several special features that enhance its functionality and user experience. One of these features is modal navigation, which allows users to navigate through images using keyboard shortcuts. Specifically, pressing j or k moves to the next or previous image, respectively, while pressing q quits the application.

Another notable feature is the generation of thumbnails on the first run, which are then cached in the ~/.cache/sxiv directory. This caching mechanism ensures that subsequent runs of sxiv with the same images are faster, as the thumbnails are already available.

Lastly, sxiv supports GIF animation through the use of the libgif library. This feature allows users to view animated GIFs directly within the application, making it a convenient tool for browsing and managing image collections.

viu – Terminal Image Viewer for Linux

viu is a fast, lightweight image viewer that displays images directly in your terminal window. Written in Rust, viu is designed for speed, minimalism, and versatility, making it ideal for headless servers, SSH sessions, or users who prefer working without a graphical desktop environment.

Unlike traditional GUI image viewers, viu renders images using true color (24-bit) ANSI escape codes, so you can preview images right inside most modern terminals. It supports a wide range of image formats—including JPEG, PNG, WebP, GIF, BMP, and more—and can even display animated GIFs in the terminal.

Whether you want to quickly preview images over SSH, script image previews in your workflow, or just avoid heavy desktop applications, viu is a powerful and efficient choice for terminal-based image viewing on Linux.

Standout Features of viu

• Terminal Image Display: Renders images directly in your terminal using true color (24-bit), making it ideal for headless or minimal environments.

• Ultra-fast Performance: Opens JPEG, PNG, and WebP images in under 100 ms even on low-powered devices like the Raspberry Pi 4.

• Broad Format Support: Supports a wide range of image formats, including JPEG, PNG, WebP, GIF, BMP, and more.

• Slideshow, Montage, and Thumbnails: Offers slideshow mode (-a), montage creation, and thumbnail grid view (-t) for efficient browsing.

• No GUI Required: Works entirely in the terminal—no need for a graphical desktop environment.

• Lightweight and Minimal Dependencies: Written in Rust, with minimal dependencies, ensuring a small footprint and fast startup.

• Customizable Output: Allows you to set image width, height, and transparency handling for optimal display in your terminal.

• Animated GIF Support: Displays animated GIFs directly in the terminal.

These features make viu an excellent choice for users seeking a fast, versatile, and resource-efficient image viewer that works seamlessly in terminal environments.

How to Install viu?

To install viu, you can use the following commands:

# Debian/Ubuntu
sudo apt install viu
# Fedora/RHEL
sudo dnf install viu
# Arch
sudo pacman -S viu

How to Use viu?

Below are some of the most common ways to use viu, with practical code blocks to help you get started:

• Open a single image in the terminal:

  viu image.jpg
  

• Preview multiple images (e.g., all JPEGs in a folder):

  viu *.jpg
  

• Show images as a slideshow:

  viu -a *.jpg
  

  The -a flag enables slideshow mode, automatically advancing through the images.

• Display images as thumbnails:

  viu -t *.jpg
  

  The -t flag shows a thumbnail grid of the images.

• Create a montage (e.g., 2x2 grid):

  viu -m 2x2 *.jpg
  

  The -m option arranges images in a grid; change 2x2 to your preferred layout.

• Adjust image width or height in terminal:

  viu -w 80 image.jpg   # Set width to 80 characters
  viu -h 40 image.jpg   # Set height to 40 characters
  

• Display images recursively from subdirectories:

  viu -r .
  

  The -r flag will search for images in the current directory and all subdirectories.

These examples should help you quickly get started with viu for fast, terminal-based image viewing and browsing.

Ristretto - Simple and Fast Image Viewer

Ristretto is a lightweight, no-frills image viewer designed for speed and simplicity on Linux desktops. It is the default viewer for Xfce, but works seamlessly on any desktop environment, making it a top choice for users who want a fast, efficient, and easy-to-use GUI image viewer without unnecessary bloat.

Standout Features of Ristretto

• Instant Startup: Opens JPEG, PNG, WebP, GIF, BMP, TIFF, and SVG images in under 100 ms, even on low-powered devices like the Raspberry Pi 4 or older laptops.
• Minimal Resource Usage: Consumes less than 30 MB RAM after launch, making it ideal for lightweight desktops and resource-constrained systems.
• Clean, Uncluttered Interface: Focuses on the image with minimal UI chrome—no toolbars or side panels by default, but essential controls are easily accessible.
• Fast Thumbnail Browsing: Provides a thumbnail strip for quick navigation through folders of images.
• Keyboard Shortcuts: Supports intuitive keyboard navigation (arrow keys to move, +/- to zoom, F11 for fullscreen, Delete to move to trash).
• Slideshow Mode: Easily view images as a fullscreen slideshow with customizable delay.
• Basic Editing Actions: Rotate, flip, and zoom images instantly; supports drag-and-drop for quick opening.
• Integration with File Managers: Double-click images in Thunar, Nautilus, or PCManFM to open directly in Ristretto.
• Wayland and X11 Support: Runs smoothly on both modern Wayland and traditional X11 sessions.
• No Heavy Dependencies: Installs quickly and does not require GNOME or KDE libraries.

How to Install Ristretto?

To install Ristretto, you can use the following commands:

# Debian/Ubuntu
sudo apt install ristretto
# Fedora/RHEL
sudo dnf install ristretto
# Arch
sudo pacman -S ristretto

How to Use Ristretto?

1. Open a Single Image:

ristretto example_image.jpg

This command opens a single image file named example_image.jpg in the current directory. For example, if you have an image named example_image.jpg in your current directory, running this command will display the image in Ristretto.

2. Open Multiple Images:

ristretto example_image1.jpg example_image2.jpg

This command opens multiple image files named example_image1.jpg and example_image2.jpg in the current directory. For example, if you have two images named example_image1.jpg and example_image2.jpg in your current directory, running this command will display both images in Ristretto.

3. Open Images in a Directory:

ristretto .

This command opens all images in the current directory. The dot (.) represents the current directory. For example, if you have multiple images in your current directory, running this command will display all of them in Ristretto.

4. Open Images with a Specific Pattern:

ristretto *.jpg

This command opens all images with the .jpg extension in the current directory. For example, if you have multiple images with the .jpg extension in your current directory, running this command will display all of them in Ristretto. You can replace *.jpg with a different pattern to match different file extensions or names.

5. Open Images from a Specific Directory:

ristretto /path/to/images

This command opens all images in the specified directory /path/to/images. For example, if you have a directory named /path/to/images containing images, running this command will display all of them in Ristretto. You can replace /path/to/images with the actual path to the directory containing the images you want to open.

6. Open Images with a Specific Extension:

ristretto *.png

This command opens all images with the .png extension in the current directory. For example, if you have multiple images with the .png extension in your current directory, running this command will display all of them in Ristretto. You can replace *.png with a different pattern to match different file extensions.

7. Open Images in a Directory and Subdirectories:

ristretto -r .

This command opens all images in the current directory and its subdirectories. The -r flag enables recursive search. For example, if you have images in your current directory and its subdirectories, running this command will display all of them in Ristretto.

8. Open the Last Viewed Image:

ristretto --last-viewed

This command opens the last viewed image in Ristretto. This feature is useful if you want to quickly access the last image you viewed without remembering its name or location.

9. Start a Slideshow:

ristretto -s .

This command starts a slideshow of all images in the current directory. The -s flag enables slideshow mode. For example, if you have multiple images in your current directory, running this command will start a slideshow of all of them in Ristretto.

10. Create a Montage:

ristretto -m .

This command creates a montage of all images in the current directory. The -m flag enables montage mode. For example, if you have multiple images in your current directory, running this command will create a montage of all of them in Ristretto.

qimgv

qimgv is a fast, lightweight image viewer for Linux. It is a great choice for those who want to have a fast and efficient image viewer. It is a great choice for those who want to have a fast and efficient image viewer.

Standout Features of qimgv

• Highly Customizable: qimgv offers extensive customization options, enabling users to tailor the viewer to their preferences. This includes the ability to modify keyboard shortcuts, adjust image display settings, and personalize the overall user interface to suit individual needs.
• Modern Interface: By supporting Qt 5/6 and Wayland, qimgv ensures a modern and responsive user interface that integrates seamlessly with various Linux desktop environments. This results in a visually appealing and intuitive user experience.
• GIF and APNG Support: qimgv extends its support to animated image formats like GIF and APNG, making it a versatile tool for viewing a wide range of image types. This feature is particularly useful for users who need to work with animated images or want to view them in a native environment.
• Fast and Lightweight: Despite its rich feature set, qimgv is designed to be fast and lightweight, ensuring a smooth user experience even on lower-end hardware configurations. This makes it an ideal choice for users who require a responsive image viewer without compromising on performance.
• Open Source: As an open source project, qimgv fosters a community-driven development process, allowing users to contribute to its growth and evolution. This open approach enables users to modify the source code to meet their specific needs, ensuring the viewer remains adaptable and relevant over time.

These additional features make qimgv a top choice for users seeking a versatile, customizable, and efficient image viewer on Linux.

How to Install qimgv?

To install qimgv, you can use the following commands:

# Debian/Ubuntu
sudo apt install qimgv
# Fedora/RHEL
sudo dnf install qimgv
# Arch
sudo pacman -S qimgv

How to Use qimgv?

qimgv is a powerful and feature-rich image viewer that offers a range of functionalities to enhance your image browsing experience. Below are some of the most common ways to use qimgv, with practical code blocks to help you get started:

• Open a single image:

  qimgv image.jpg
  

  This command opens a single image file named image.jpg in the current directory. You can replace image.jpg with the actual name of the image file you want to open.

• Browse images in a directory:

  qimgv -t *.jpg
  

  This command opens a thumbnail view of all JPEG images in the current directory. You can replace *.jpg with a different pattern to match other image formats or specific files. The -t flag enables thumbnail mode, allowing you to quickly preview multiple images.

• Start a slideshow:

  qimgv -a *.jpg
  

  This command starts a slideshow of all JPEG images in the current directory. You can adjust the slideshow speed by adding the -d option followed by the delay time in seconds. For example, qimgv -a -d 2 *.jpg sets the slideshow delay to 2 seconds.

• Create a montage:

  qimgv -m 2x2 *.jpg
  

  This command creates a montage of all JPEG images in the current directory, arranged in a 2x2 grid. You can adjust the grid size by changing the 2x2 part of the command. The -m flag enables montage mode, allowing you to create a composite image from multiple files.

qimgv offers several special features that enhance its functionality and user experience. One of these features is modal navigation, which allows users to navigate through images using keyboard shortcuts. Specifically, pressing j or k moves to the next or previous image, respectively, while pressing q quits the application. This feature is particularly useful for quickly browsing through large collections of images.

Another notable feature is the generation of thumbnails on the first run, which are then cached in the ~/.cache/qimgv directory. This caching mechanism ensures that subsequent runs of qimgv with the same images are faster, as the thumbnails are already available. This feature is especially beneficial when working with large directories or collections of images, as it significantly reduces the time it takes to load and display thumbnails.

Lastly, qimgv supports GIF animation through the use of the libgif library. This feature allows users to view animated GIFs directly within the application, making it a convenient tool for browsing and managing image collections. The support for animated GIFs is particularly useful for users who need to work with or view animated images frequently.

These features, combined with its fast and lightweight design, make qimgv an excellent choice for users seeking a versatile and resource-efficient image viewer that works seamlessly in various Linux environments. Whether you need to quickly browse through images, create a slideshow, or view animated GIFs, qimgv provides a comprehensive set of tools to enhance your image viewing experience.

Nomacs - A Fast and Feature-Rich Image Viewer

Nomacs is a free, open-source image viewer that offers a wide range of features to enhance your image browsing experience. It is designed to be fast, efficient, and easy to use, making it an excellent choice for users seeking a reliable image viewer for Linux.

Standout Features of Nomacs

• Fast Image Loading: Nomacs is optimized for speed, allowing it to quickly load and display images of various formats.
• Thumbnail View: Supports a thumbnail view for easy navigation through directories containing multiple images.
• Slideshow Mode: Offers a slideshow mode for viewing images in a sequence, with customizable delay times.
• Image Editing: Provides basic image editing capabilities, such as rotation, flipping, and zooming.
• Support for Multiple Formats: Compatible with a wide range of image formats, including JPEG, PNG, GIF, BMP, TIFF, and more.
• Customizable Interface: Allows users to personalize the interface to their preferences, including layout and theme options.
• Multi-Language Support: Available in multiple languages, making it accessible to users worldwide.

How to Install Nomacs?

To install Nomacs, you can use the following commands:

# Debian/Ubuntu
sudo apt install nomacs
# Fedora/RHEL
sudo dnf install nomacs
# Arch
sudo pacman -S nomacs

How to Use Nomacs?

1. Open a Single Image:

nomacs example_image.jpg

This command opens a single image file named example_image.jpg in the current directory. For example, if you have an image named example_image.jpg in your current directory, running this command will display the image in Nomacs.

2. Open Multiple Images:

nomacs example_image1.jpg example_image2.jpg

This command opens multiple image files named example_image1.jpg and example_image2.jpg in the current directory. For example, if you have two images named example_image1.jpg and example_image2.jpg in your current directory, running this command will display both images in Nomacs.

3. Open Images in a Directory:

nomacs .

This command opens all images in the current directory. The dot (.) represents the current directory. For example, if you have multiple images in your current directory, running this command will display all of them in Nomacs.

4. Open Images with a Specific Pattern:

nomacs *.jpg

This command opens all images with the .jpg extension in the current directory. For example, if you have multiple images with the .jpg extension in your current directory, running this command will display all of them in Nomacs. You can replace *.jpg with a different pattern to match different file extensions or names.

5. Start a Slideshow:

nomacs -s *.jpg

This command starts a slideshow of all JPEG images in the current directory. You can adjust the slideshow speed by adding the -d option followed by the delay time in seconds. For example, nomacs -s -d 2 *.jpg sets the slideshow delay to 2 seconds.

6. Create a Montage:

nomacs -m 2x2 *.jpg

This command creates a montage of all JPEG images in the current directory, arranged in a 2x2 grid. You can adjust the grid size by changing the 2x2 part of the command. The -m flag enables montage mode, allowing you to create a composite image from multiple files.

These examples should help you quickly get started with Nomacs for fast, feature-rich image viewing and browsing on Linux.

Feature Glossary:

• Montage: Combines multiple images into a single grid or collage, useful for creating composite overviews or contact sheets.
• Wayland: A modern display server protocol for Linux, designed to be simpler and more secure than X11, offering improved graphics performance and security.
• X11: The traditional display server protocol for Linux and UNIX systems, widely supported and used for running graphical applications.
• Rename: The ability to change file names directly from within the image viewer, streamlining file management without leaving the app.
• Batch Ops (Batch Operations): Perform actions (like resizing, converting, or renaming) on multiple images at once, saving time on repetitive tasks.
• EXIF View: Lets you see metadata embedded in images (like camera settings, date, and location) for better photo management and analysis.
• Slideshow: Automatically displays images one after another, either manually or at set intervals, for easy viewing of galleries.
• Animated GIF: Support for viewing images that contain animation, such as GIFs or APNGs, allowing playback of moving images within the viewer.
• CLI (Command-Line Interface): Operate the viewer using typed commands in a terminal, ideal for scripting and power users.
• GUI (Graphical User Interface): Use the viewer with windows, buttons, and menus, providing a visual and interactive experience.

These definitions will help you better understand the features compared in the table above.

1. What is the simplest image viewer for Linux?

For pure simplicity, feh and sxiv are excellent choices for the terminal, while Ristretto is a top pick for a minimal GUI experience. feh is lightweight, fast, and easy to use with a single command, making it ideal for quickly viewing images without extra features or configuration. For a GUI, Ristretto offers a clean, no-frills interface and instant startup.

2. What image viewer works best on low-end Linux machines?

On low-end or resource-constrained systems, feh, sxiv, and viu (for terminal image previews) are highly recommended due to their minimal RAM and CPU usage. For a GUI, Ristretto is designed for speed and low memory consumption, making it suitable for older hardware or lightweight desktop environments.

3. How do I open an image from the Linux terminal?

You can open images directly from the terminal using several tools:

• With a terminal image viewer (no GUI required):

  viu image.jpg
  

  This displays the image directly in your terminal window.

• With a lightweight GUI viewer:

  feh image.jpg
  # or
  ristretto image.jpg
  

  These commands open the image in a separate window.

• With a more advanced terminal viewer:

  sxiv image.jpg
  

Replace image.jpg with the path to your image file.

4. Can I use a GUI image viewer without installing a desktop environment?

Yes, you can use GUI image viewers like feh, Ristretto, qimgv, or Nomacs without a full desktop environment, as long as you have a working X11 or Wayland session (for example, by starting startx or using a minimal window manager). These viewers do not require GNOME, KDE, or XFCE to be installed, but you do need the basic graphical stack (X11/Wayland and a window manager) for GUI applications to run.

Ultimately, the best image viewer for Linux will depend on your workflow and preferences. If you want terminal-based simplicity, feh and sxiv are excellent choices. For a minimal and fast GUI, Ristretto stands out. If you need terminal image previews, viu is a great option, while qimgv and Nomacs provide advanced features for GUI users.

Want to get even more out of your Linux image workflow? Check out these helpful tutorials:

• How To Reduce File Size of Images on Linux – Learn practical methods to compress and optimize images efficiently on Linux.
• How To Remotely Access GUI Applications Using Docker and Caddy – Discover how to run and access Linux GUI apps remotely via Docker containers and secure web proxies.
• An Introduction to Linux Basics – Get a concise overview of essential Linux commands and concepts for beginners.